College Town Talk

College Town Talk is kicking off 2024 with an appearance from country music sensation, Tennessee Tech alumnus, and winner of season 17 of The Voice, Jake Hoot. We also hear from Dr. Christina Mick, director of the Tennessee Tech University Counseling Center.

On episode 15 of College Town Talk, we're joined by the power couple of Hannah and Justin Davis - Tennessee Tech alumni who own Vertical Coffee Company in downtown Cookeville. Later in the program, we hear from Dr. Joseph Slater, dean of Tennessee Tech's College of Engineering.

On episode 14 of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Brooke Mayo, a Tennessee Tech soccer alumna and officiant at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. We also hear from Dr. Catherine Godes, professor of piano in Tennessee Tech's School of Music. Dr. Godes shares a deeply personal story about her late husband's years in a Nazi concentration camp and how his memory inspires her work to combat antisemitism today.

On episode 13 of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Tennessee Tech alumna Kirsten Cooper, the owner of The French Cookie of Cookeville. Later in the program, we hear from Dontrell Baines, a former Golden Eagles football player and the chair of the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.

On episode 12 of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Philip Gibbons, a Tennessee Tech alumnus who is a CMA Award and ACM Award-nominated radio personality for 94.7 The Country Giant. We also hear from Susan Luna-Hazlewood, a Tennessee Tech alumna and the newly appointed director of Tech's Crawford Alumni Center.

On a special episode of College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan memorialize Michelle Huddleston, a longtime Tennessee Tech staff member and proud alumna who passed away on Oct. 21. Joining us to share tributes are Tennessee Tech Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Robert Owens, Tennessee Tech Dean of Students Dr. Katie Aikens, Tennessee Tech Vice President for Enrollment and Communication Karen Lykins, Tennessee Tech Assistant Vice President for Health, Wellness, and Wellbeing Sandra Bohannon, and Former Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton along with his wife, Shannon.

As discussed in this episode, the Tennessee Tech Food Pantry was a passion of Michelle's and a hallmark of her legacy on campus. Please consider giving toward the fund to rename the food pantry in Michelle's memory at https://giving.tntech.edu/pages/food-pantry.

On episode 10 of College Town Talk, co-hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout speak with Chance Hale, a junior at Tennessee Tech and president of the Student Government Association. Later, we hear from Emma Crabtree, a Tennessee Tech alumna who owns Glass Tangerine, a plant shop and mercantile located in Cookeville's historic West Side.

On episode nine of College Town Talk, co-hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout speak with Dan Allcott, professor in Tennessee Tech's School of Music and the music director for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. We also hear from Lindsay Pride, a Tennessee Tech alumna and award-winning journalist who serves as the editor of the local newspaper for Cookeville and surrounding areas, the Herald-Citizen.

On episode eight of College Town Talk, co-hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout speak with Addison Dorris, a Tennessee Tech senior and current student trustee on the university's Board of Trustees. Later in the program, we're joined by Dr. Sean Ochsenbein, a proud Tennessee Tech alumnus, 2018 Medal of Valor recipient, and chief medical officer with Ballad Health at several East Tennessee hospitals.

On episode seven of College Town Talk, co-hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout talk with Andrew Buckner, a Tennessee Tech alumnus and local musician who also serves as editor-in-chief of Cookeville Lifestyle. Later in the program, we're joined by Terri Ritter, the president of the Cookeville Art Studio & CAS Gallery.