Long, Massengill Recognized for Community Service

At a college that has been recognized nationally for its dedication to service, the winner of the Community Service Award must be an outstanding representative of leadership and initiative. This year, for the first time ever, there was not one, but two award recipients: Robbie Massengill and Dr. Sandy Long.

Massengill, who is a member of the maintenance and grounds crew, has worked at Carson-Newman for 27 years. His long history of service emphasizes his dedication. He spent two years serving in the Army and places over 128 flags on veterans' graves every Memorial Day.

In addition to his service for the country, Massengill has volunteered for local schools, including volunteering at Jefferson County High School's football games for 12 years and Jefferson Middle's for six. At Talbott Elementary School, he has coached basketball for five years and baseball for six. He has also served as a volunteer fire fighter with the Fire Department of West Hamblen County for almost three decades.

"Robbie Massengill is highly regarded by all that know him and is more than deserving of recognition," a nominator said. "Robbie has contributed immeasurably to the athletic, educational and administration of the Carson-Newman Community. Robbie's position with C-NC requires him to work with a lot of different people; however, no matter what your need, Robbie will do it with a smile."

Long's nomination focused on her recent work in improving Bonner Out of School Time (B.O.O.S.T.), an after-school program geared toward literacy and learning that partners with local housing authorities, as well as her life-long passion for equality for people with disabilities.

"In all my interactions with Dr. Long," a nominator said, "I have witnessed a very deep and profound commitment to bringing her knowledge and skills into play for the larger community around Carson-Newman and imparting this as a value to our students. "

Long described her work with the B.O.O.S.T. program as boiling down to teaching the students that working with children is more than just being organized, but actually learning "how to connect, treat and interact with kids in a way that can be healthy for everybody." Beyond that, she humbly downplayed her role and praised the interest and initiative of others.

She spoke passionately of the lives and value of those with disabilities and her work in that field. "I've always been interested in this idea of "other," Long said. "It doesn't take much for people to shun you."

Although she had volunteered for years with people with disabilities, Long's passion was ignited when she was told the little boy with Cerebral Palsy who was thriving in her elementary school classroom had to be moved into a special education program. "I didn't have enough knowledge to advocate for him," she said. So she went back to school and ended up completing her Ph.D. Now in her fifth year at C-N, Long is teaching special education and graduate research classes, as well as accepting referrals to help special needs children.