2024 Christmas Parade

Knoxville, Tenn. – The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) recently awarded ORNL Federal Credit Union (ORNL FCU), the second largest federally chartered credit union in the state of Tennessee, a merger with Lowland Credit Union (LCU). Following state regulatory approval and LCU member’s vote of approval, the merger was effective May 1, 2024. ORNL FCU is the continuing credit union, with LCU employees and members now ORNL FCU employees and members. “The success of the merger is a direct result of the incredible collaboration between the two credit unions and among all of the individual departments at both LCU and ORNL FCU,” said Jenny Vipperman, President & CEO of ORNL FCU. “Employees from both institutions worked together, built strong relationships, and maintained an unwavering focus on members to answer questions and build excitement around the combined organization.” When the intent to merge was announced earlier this year, leadership at both credit unions emphasized the value the merger would bring as a combined credit union to LCU employees, members, communities, and the state of Tennessee. “The majority of members agreed, voting nearly ten to one in favor of the merger. We are moving forward with a strong mandate to continue building a credit union that provides the highest level of financial products and services and invests in the area with a deep commitment to our members, employees, the community, and the state of Tennessee,” said Randy Gorman, Chair of the ORNL FCU Board of Directors. All employees of LCU were guaranteed a position in the combined credit union with equal or greater pay and benefits, opportunities for remote work, a retention bonus, and any tenure they earned while at LCU. The merger will also provide ORNL FCU and LCU members with an expanded branch network and a strengthened member service experience. Members can expect an array of products and services at competitive rates, a 24/7 call center, and industry leading mobile and online banking platforms. Vipperman stated that “this merger represents a win-win for both credit unions, our members, and the community, allowing for combined resources, enhanced technology, and a wider range of financial products and services for members.” LCU members will benefit from improved online banking, mobile apps, and other technological advancements that make managing their finances easier and more convenient. As the continuing credit union, ORNL FCU will absorb the three LCU branch locations, two in Morristown and one in Newport. “ORNL FCU has been serving the Lakeway Area and Morristown community since 2003, and we are thrilled to add a presence in my hometown of Cocke County with the addition of the Newport location,” said Gorman,. ORNL FCU is heavily involved in the communities it serves and will continue to invest in the Lakeway Area, which includes Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson counties, as well as Cocke County, all in eastern Tennessee. “As a credit union, we believe in connecting with the communities we serve and fostering meaningful relationships. Positive interactions propel both the credit union and the community to grow and thrive together," said Vipperman. “From improved services and technology to job retention and community engagement, we believe that this credit union merger is just one example of the ripple effect of positive outcomes that the communities in which we serve and the state of Tennessee stand to gain from this collaborative effort,” Gorman commented. “We are ensuring a stronger and more resilient financial landscape for our members and communities.” With the merger, ORNL FCU will have a total of 31 branches, over $3.9 billion in assets, and over 210,000 members. ORNL FCU will continue to serve those who live, work, worship, or attend school in 19 counties of East Tennessee. The organizations’ goal is to merge the operations of LCU fully into the operations of ORNL FCU by October 2024. For more information about ORNL Federal Credit Union or the merger with Lowland Credit Union, please contact Jessica Emert at jemert@ornlfcu.com .

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (May 9, 2024) – The City of Oak Ridge has appointed a new Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate.

Oak Ridge Civic Center Indoor Pool undergoing renovations for the planned conference center

Roane State’s Cybersecurity Summer Camps to be held in June. Registration is open now.

Navarro Research & Engineering, MS Technology, and Strata-G are excited to announce a new venture, Nuclear Services Partners, LLC. NSP is prepared to handle complex challenges for the current nuclear fleet, planned new reactor deployments, and emerging reactor technology system developments.

Roane State Community College was awarded a USDA Rural Business Development Grant to add a 4-axis CNC machining center and accessories to the Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI) Maker Space. The Tormach 1100MX CNC Milling Machine was installed and tested last year and CBI Maker Space volunteers have since been trained on how to use the equipment. With this new resource, Roane State is offering America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) bootcamps that utilize the 4-axis CNC machining center to make ACE air engine components to specifications. The first ACE bootcamp utilizing the machining center was held in March. Additional ACE bootcamps will be offered at the CBI this summer, with sessions currently scheduled for June 24-28 and July 22-26, 2024. Registration is available online at cbimakerspace.com . Safety and Basic Use classes on the 4-axis machining center will also be offered throughout the year. Interested participants can search for upcoming bootcamps and classes on the CBI website by clicking the “Class Schedule” or “Calendar” option. CBI Makers have already begun to utilize the equipment for their businesses, including machining parts for lawn mowing robots and patterns for use in leather hand tooling. The 4-axis CNC machining center was one of the highlights of the CBI’s Open House held on April 23 and continues to be a focus for tour groups. The Cumberland Business Incubator is located at 2569 Cook Road in Crossville on Roane State’s [/?6260-Cumberland-County-Center] Cumberland County campus. To learn more about the CBI, visit cumberlandincubator.com . Details on additional ACE bootcamps being offered at this and other locations can be found at roanestate.edu/ace . # # #

Two Roane State students were recently awarded transfer scholarships to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The scholarship recipients are Anna Cox and William “Willie” Phaler, both of whom will graduate as part of Roane State’s Class of 2024 this spring. Anna Cox will receive her associate of art degree in theatre arts and is also Roane State’s recipient of the 2024 President’s Award, the highest honor the college can bestow on a student. Willie Phaler, who is part of Roane State’s Middle College Class of 2024, will receive an associate of science degree in general studies. The scholarships, valued at $1,250 each, were given to Roane State Community College by MTSU as a part of their True Blue Tour, an appreciation event held in the fall of 2023. MTSU offers scholarships to institutions attending the True Blue events, which can then be given to deserving students who are planning to transfer to MTSU after graduation. The one-time scholarship can be used to offset the tuition and fees at MTSU. Roane State’s Advising Resource Center (ARC) selected this year’s recipients. Anna Cox was nominated for the MTSU Transfer Scholarship by her faculty advisor, Professor Courtney Minton. Minton stated that Cox has gone above and beyond expectations, earning a full 12 credit hours more than required for her degree. “In addition to her course work, Anna participated in eight theatre productions – four as a cast/crew member for Playmakers productions and four as a director or assistant director for the Roane County Children's Theatre,” Minton said. “The additional activities Anna tackled during her time at Roane State are a testament to her drive and her dreams.” Cox is planning to major in musical theatre at MTSU. She enrolled in extra music classes offered at Roane State in order to better prepare for transferring into MTSU’s program. Willie Phaler is a student-athlete and valedictorian at Sunbright School. As a Middle College graduate, he will receive his associate degree from Roane State at the same time as his high school diploma. He is planning to major in sports media journalism at MTSU. Phaler was also nominated for the transfer scholarship by his faculty advisor, Dr. Matt Waters, who stated that he was impressed by Phaler’s creativity and ambition. “A leader in our class video projects, [Willie] enthusiastically learns about and practices his skills,” Dr. Waters stated in his nomination. “In fact, he wrote, directed, recorded, and used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit his own short film for the Roane State Film Festival. I am confident he will continue to excel after he transfers to MTSU.” Information on Roane State’s Advising Resource Center (ARC) can be found online at roanestate.edu/ARC . For questions about the MTSU Transfer Scholarship, please reach out the ARC by emailing advising@roanestate.edu or calling (865) 882-4597.

Roane State Community College will honor the Class of 2024 with multiple commencement ceremonies this Spring due to the number of expected graduates and guests.

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