It was a shock when Stephanie Shipley Markowitz Ed.D. heard her name mentioned in the same sentence with Nina McPherson. But she heard correctly when Mike Murphy, PSCC faculty senate president, presented her with the prestigious Nina McPherson Outstanding Service Award.
This annual award winner is selected by the faculty senate to honor and celebrate the 40-year legacy of McPherson and her service to the college. She was a faculty member and librarian from 1974 until she passed away in 2014.
Markowitz, 37, a hard-working member of the Rotary Club of Farragut, was honored during the college’s May 6 awards luncheon. At the college since 2019, Markowitz is an instructional technology specialist in addition to wearing two more hats – she is the adviser for the PSCC Rotaract Club (a college-age Rotary club) and the presiding officer of the PSCC Administrative Council and its Steering Committee.
In her role as an instructional technology specialist, she provides the PSCC faculty support in their online teaching and learning classes.
“It shocked me when I heard them call my name for this award. I don’t do what I do for pats on the back or awards,” she said. “I am humbled, I am honored, proud and privileged and it’s a much-appreciated honor.”
Prior to joining PSCC, she held a similar job at Roane State Community College for four years as an instructional design specialist. Her educational career began as a second and third grade teacher at Norwood Elementary School for seven years.
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Remote Area Medical (RAM) Services is holding a pop-up clinic at Central Baptist Bearden June 24-26, and they are in need of volunteers to help set up and tear down this event. Rotarians from all five Knoxville area clubs are asked to serve either on Friday, June 24, beginning at 10 a.m., and/or on Sunday, June 26 beginning at 11 a.m. Volunteers must fill out the online registration form. If you can help, here is the link to register and fill out the information for contacts, profession and which day you can help.
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The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, featuring three nationally renowned storytellers, is back with in-person performances June 3-4.This popular annual event will return live at the Historic Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge. All three Rotary clubs in Oak Ridge are backing this fun event. All tickets, including the early bird special, can be purchased online at Eventbrite here or the Ferrell Shop at Jackson Square (cash or check only) in Oak Ridge. Tickets for individual performances and events are available.
Tom King has served at newspapers in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and California and was the editor of two newspapers. Suggest future stories at tking535@gmail.com or call him at 865-659-3562.