College Town Talk

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Dr. Mark Cramer, associate professor of clarinet in the Tennessee Tech School of Music and principal clarinetist in the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Cramer shares how his music has turned up in unexpected places - such as television commercials, theme park attractions and video games - and discusses his involvement with music therapy, including performing free concerts and outreach events for hospital patients. Plus, Dr. Cramer explains the Bryan Symphony Orchestra's role in providing one-of-a-kind performance opportunities for select students, and talks about the School of Music's rapid enrollment growth.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Dr. Brenda Wilson, professor of journalism at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Wilson shares stories from her nearly 30 years as a Tech faculty member and her memories as a Tech student. She also discusses last year's centennial anniversary of Tech's student newspaper, The Oracle, and next year's centennial anniversary of Tech's yearbook, The Eagle. Plus, Dr. Wilson discusses how Tech's Department of Communication & Media stays on top of changes in the media landscape to keep courses relevant and pays tribute to Dr. Graham Kash, a beloved professor who served at Tech for more than 60 years and passed away earlier this year.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Tanner Cox, a 2020 Tennessee Tech political science graduate now serving as field representative for U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. Tanner explains how Tech's expansive alumni and faculty network helped him land a fulfilling career serving his fellow Tennesseans and offers his advice to current Tech students eyeing a role in the political arena. Plus, Tanner explains how he and a close friend are using fantasy football to help raise funds for local nonprofits, and discusses some of his most interesting run-ins as a U.S. Senate aide.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan hear from Melissa Ellis, a Tennessee Tech alumna and professional musician of more than 30 years who serves as marketing and development director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and music director for HIP Cookeville. Melissa shares what concertgoers can expect from the Bryan Symphony Orchestra's 62nd season, how her early years at Tennessee Tech as a music therapy major inform her work today, and tells us how HIP Cookeville helps foster community and connection for area locals and college students alike.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Amanda Juetten, a recent Tennessee Tech graduate and current master's student who serves as president of the Upper Cumberland chapter of the National Federation for the Blind. Amanda talks about pushing through obstacles to graduate from Tech magna cum laude and discusses the valuable assistance she and other students receive from Tech's Accessible Education Center. Plus, she shares about life with her trusted guide dog "Colonel," and recounts what it was like to be surprised with a special shout-out from President Oldham and her husband, Dan, at last spring's commencement ceremony.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Sherrie Cannon, associate director for professional development and adjunct instructor in Tennessee Tech's College of Business. Sherrie tells us about her passion for mentoring the next generation of business professionals, the importance of experiential learning and her heroic efforts recently saving the life of a colleague who went into cardiac arrest. Plus, Sherrie gives us the scoop on her award-winning culinary creations that will be on full display at "Heating Up the Quad," the university's upcoming chili, soup and dessert cook-off benefiting the Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan hear from Ricky Shelton, the former mayor of Cookeville and a proud Tennessee Tech alumnus. Ricky tells us about helping organize Tech’s recent “College Town Kickoff” block party and concert, leading Cookeville through the March 2020 tornadoes and the early days of COVID-19, his years as a Golden Eagle baseball player and all about his latest venture: owning Trackside Food Truck Park in Cookeville’s WestSide.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication at Tennessee Tech. Karen shares the latest numbers on Tech's growing student population, looks back on favorite memories from her more than 25 years at the university and shares a personal story of why accessibility is important to her. She also helps us get to know her colleagues on President Oldham's cabinet with a game of "cabinet superlatives."

This week on College Town Talk, we're joined by Tennessee Tech's 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) President Cheyenne Bare. Cheyenne tells us about the moment she learned she was elected class president and recounts the unconventional path that led her to enroll at Tennessee Tech sight unseen. She also discusses her passion for serving as a Tech "Trailblazer," her favorite local businesses in Cookeville and her future career aspirations.

This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are catching up with Melinda Mott Leftwich, a Tennessee Tech alumna with a passion for making sports accessible for all. Today, Melinda is the founder and executive director of Game On Accessible Tennis, a nonprofit offering free tennis programming to children and adults of all disabilities and skill levels. Melinda shares about discovering tennis for the first time in her forties, the inspiration behind her organization's mission, and how her early years as a child development major at Tennessee Tech helped shape her approach to accessible tennis today.