Friday, January 19, 2007 - UTM Basketball Coach Bret Campbell to Speak to Rotary

UTM Skyhawks Coach Bret Campbell

    Today, Rotarians welcome UT-Martin Men’s Basketball Coach Bret Campbell for a mid-season visit.  After a frustrating start to the season and several one-point losses, the Skyhawks are hoping the second half of the season will be more successful.
     Coach Campbell is in his eighth year at UTM. In 2002, he led UTM to its first winning season as a Division 1 program. He’s coached two OVC Newcomers of the Year and one Freshman of the Year. 
          A native of Anderson, Ind., Campbell was captain of the 1979 Anderson High School state title runner-up team before playing college ball at Valdosta State, a former opponent and rival of UTM in the Gulf South Conference. Bret and his wife, Marcia, have three children, Caitlin (11), Cannon (8) and Carter (6).
     The Skyhakws key players this year are  Gerald Robinson, Bubba Tolliver, Justin Flatt, Zerek Knight, Cleve Woodfork, McKale Jones and Will Lewis.  Welcome Coach Campbell!

Dan Murrell With Greater Memphis Foundation Report

 Next week, Dan Murrell will present a report on the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. Dan serves as Director of Development. He and his staff offers expertise and sensitivity to community issues and accessibility to donors and grant seekers.
     The goal of the Community Foundation is to build a stronger community by investing in the capabilities of individuals, organizations and institutions so as to contribute to the neighborhoods and communities in which they are located.
     Grants are awarded to groups working to improve their communities by using the skills, knowledge and other assets of individuals, businesses and organizations—to strengthen the community through philanthropy. Since 1969, CFGM has awarded more than $300 million in grants from its 900 charitable funds.
     It’s about building community!

Biofuels Conference Coming to UT-Martin

     Last week, Rotarians heard from Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, associate professor of agricultural economics at UT-Martin, on the upcoming conference on Biofuels, which UTM will host January 30.
     “I am not a biofuels expert,” Dr. Mehlhorn said at the outset of his presentation. “But we are bringing in lot of experts who have all the answers as to what the future holds for  turning corn and soybeans—grown right here in Northwest Tennessee—into fuel to propel us up and down the highways.”
     “Americans have demonstrated an insatiable appetite for oil and gas and look over your shoulder—China is right behind us,” Mehlhorn said.
     Dr. Mhlhorn said the Biofuels Conference will focus on the opportunities for Tennessee agriculture with an audience expected to draw farmers, economic development officials, and business people to the Martin campus for a day of idea exchanges peeking into the crystal ball.
     Speakers include Geoff Cooper from the National Corn Growers Association; Drs. Burt English and Daniel Ugarte from UT-Knoxville; Drs. Gary Bates, Don Tyler and Larry Steckel from the UT Extension Service; Diane Mulloy, president of Milagro Biofuels; and Mike Henderson from Commonwealth Agri-Energy.
     “Energy issues to be discussed include environmental, national security, global instability (Middle East) and how economics impacts policy changes.
     The registration fee for the conference is $20 and includes conference materials and lunch. Online registration is available at www.utm.edu/departments/caas/anr.
For more info: call 731-881-7257.

Coming Attractions

2/2       Jim Rippy. Jr—Update on economic projects in Obion County and
             Report on work of Obion County Joint Economic Development Council
2//9       TBA

Happy Birthdays

1/19    Julius Falkoff
1/23     Mike Cox
1/25     Skipper White

Remaining UTM Games

Sat- Jan 20—at Murray State
Thurs-Jan 25—Samford
Sat-Jan 27—Jacksonville State
Mon-Jan 29—at Eastern Kentucky
Thurs-Feb 1—at Tennessee Tech
Sat-Feb 3—Southeast Missouri
Tues-Feb 6—at Tennessee State
Sat-Feb 10—at Eastern Illinois
Sat-Feb 17—Bracket Buster Saturday
Tues-Feb 13—Tennessee Tech
Sat-Feb 24—Murray State

Tues-Feb 27—OVC First Round
Fri-Mar 2—OVC Semi-Final
Sat-Mar 3—OVC Championship

JA Charity Ball

A reminder of the Junior Auxiliary’s Charity Ball tomorrow night here at the Hampton Centre, from 8-midnight. The JC Charity Ball will feature the band The SoulSations and admission is $75 per person.  Proceeds go to help with various children’s programs in Obion County.

In Memoriam

Mike Dickerson
1947-2007

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