Two 2006 graduates tell their stories

Denice Smith and Angie Milligan, two Pellissippi State students, will receive their diplomas on Friday, May 5, with a sense of accomplishment.

Denice Smith has wondered if she would make it to graduation. It all started when she wasn’t able to finish high school because of a cancer diagnosis.

She did earn her GED, and later, she started courses at the Division Street Campus, but was not pleased with her major, which she changed to business. However, she soon learned she was pregnant with her son, Gabriel.

Not long after that, she endured a divorce. “At that point I realized something had to give,” said Smith, “so I left school behind.

“I later remarried and became a stay-at-home mom, but soon realized I wanted to be out in the work force,” said Smith.

Hope soared when she landed a full-time managerial job in Knoxville and excelled in her position, however, the company downsized, and her hours were cut.

“I was told I would be reinstated full time once everything balanced out again; but instead, corporate headquarters hired someone else,” said Smith, “and I had to train that person to perform my tasks.”

When Smith realized she was passed over because her successor possessed a degree she did not have, she decided she would never be passed over again.

“I called my husband (who was on the road) and told him I was going back to school, and a couple days later I called again with my schedule. “He was blown away,” said Smith.

Much of her family, old and young, will be traveling 12 hours to see her graduate. On the event, Smith is both elated and sad. She is excited about potentially continuing her education with a bachelor’s degree in management from Tusculum College, but is also sad to be leaving Pellissippi.

“I’ve just gotten started,” said Smith. Indeed, Smith joined Concert Chorale just this semester and is currently in a successful internship.

She also tutors students at TRiO, Student Support Services, which assists students with their transition to college.

“I started by needing tutoring myself, but now I am able to help others,” said Smith.

Brian Todd, director of the College’s TRiO program, describes Denice as “someone who has overcome great obstacles to not only be successful herself, but also to encourage other students to persevere no matter what difficult odds they face.”

Alyson Lerma, a tutor and retention advisor in the TRiO program, agrees, “Denice is a genuine person who truly cares about the success of others. She is upbeat, positive and always ready with a cheerful smile that is infectious to everyone.”

Additionally, Smith enjoys mentoring students in her classes because she says, “I’m not too old to remember what it was like to be 18 or 22. One young student felt that college was simply something ‘to get through’ for the piece of paper at the end, but I encouraged him to get more out of his education and consider the tools he could acquire while here.”

Roger Crowe, associate professor in Business and Computer Technology, has also witnessed Smith’s caring guidance with fellow students. “She is so interested in everyone,” said Crowe. “She is a natural leader.”

Smith believes letting go of bitterness and hostility makes life easier. She is not bitter about setbacks that hindered her goals of graduating; instead, she relishes in the opportunity to help countless younger students pursue their dreams.

Angie Milligan received the Outstanding Graduate Award in Paralegal Studies this year. Actually, she has already started her new career. She attends classes on Tuesday and Thursday and works for EPRI Solutions as a contracts specialist for the remainder of the week.

Milligan attributes a great deal of her success to her teachers, Elizabeth McCowan and Arlene Cleveland, who “are almost opposites, but they complement each other perfectly.”

“I don’t need the award,” said Milligan, “just their confidence in me is enough to feel I am successful in this program.”

In fact, although she is humble about her accomplishments, Cleveland, program coordinator for Paralegal Studies, describes her as “a stellar student who volunteers with the student paralegal association; is involved with her peers, church, family and community; and is always on time and prepared for the lesson.”

Cleveland also notes that she received “nothing but glowing comments on Milligan’s abilities” during Milligan’s internship with Knoxville attorney, David Hamilton.

Milligan completed her internship and earned her degree while raising two children on her own and working part time as a sorter at UPS.

Her earlier college experience began with a major in journalism, which later changed to a double major in business and biology. After her daughter was born, she continued taking a few classes.

She eventually multi-managed eight TCBY franchises—with daughter in tow—and also worked as an area training manager for a restaurant chain.

Eventually, her husband received an active duty assignment, however, which forced several moves, and included the loss of the TCBY position.

The family had another addition, a son, and landed in Knoxville. After a divorce, her husband moved to Kentucky, and she stayed in Knoxville as a sorter at UPS. Realizing she couldn’t endure back-breaking work long enough to retire, she looked into completing her education. “Pellissippi State had a great location and student-to-teacher ratio,” she said.

“During high school I was the mediator, and everyone thought I would become a lawyer,” said Milligan. In fact, she believed her first major, journalism, would facilitate a future in law school. She continues that hope with paralegal studies.

She feels her degree is a springboard for any number of opportunities. “This degree has re-instilled my confidence and helped me polish a more professional image.”

“Words wouldn’t come,” when Milligan sat down to write the thank-you note upon receiving her outstanding graduate award notification letter. “I felt others were more deserving,” she said, “and most of my success belongs to the fantastic teachers in the Paralegal Studies department.”

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

For past issues, visit the Inside Pellissippi Archive.