Terry graduated from the Tennessee School for the Blind in 1975 where he was salutatorian of his class. He attended Tennessee Technological University that fall, and later completed his Bachelor of Science in Business by attending night classes during his tenure at Y-12.

Having been virtually blind since birth, Terry underwent surgery in February 2000 to partially correct his low visual acuity. After being fitted with a special automatic focusing bioptic lens system, and completing two years of intense rehabilitation, Terry can now drive. He attributes much of this success to the lab for its contributions and patience during the seemingly endless daunting task of learning to use his newly acquired eyesight. "The Keplerian telescopic device uses an infrared focusing system allowing me to see to read from distances of up to 24 inches, and read signals and signage crucial to driving." He adds, "no more aching back, and headaches associated with getting so close to the computer monitor. I can actually sit straight at my desk as do my colleagues."

Terry's hobbies include playing and teaching acoustic and electric guitar, and five-string banjo. He also holds an amateur (ham) radio extra-class operator's license, participates as a volunteer examiner for the amateur radio service, and enjoys electronics projects.

Terry presently works as an auditor in ORNL's Accounts Payable Department.

Deborah Barnes I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the second of four children. I attended public schools in Birmingham through high school, after which I attended Knoxville College, from which I received my B.A. degree (graduated cum laude) in English Literature. I received my M.A. in English from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

After finishing Cornell, I taught English (writing and literature) classes at Knoxville College for six years. I began my career at ORNL in December 1979 as an editor in the then Technical Publications Department of the Information Division. While in TPD, I worked as both a staff editor in the Central Publications Office and as a supervising editor in the editorial office of the Environmental Sciences Division. I served as the Laboratory's Affirmative Action Coordinator for 2-1/2 years. From there I went to the Program, Planning and Analysis office (now the Office of Strategic Planning), where I served as editor for special publications.

I am now working in the Communications and Community Outreach directorate (formerly the Public Relations Department), where I serve as associate editor for employee communications, specifically, ORNL Today, ORNL Classifieds, assistant editor for the ORNL Review, etc. I also serve on the Information Technology Advisory Council, whose mission is "to oversee the introduction and implementation of new and existing information technology at ORNL, along with the integration and implementation of business rules and IT planning."

Outside of work, I am a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Knoxville where I sing in the choir, serve as a member of the Lay Ministry Task Force, and (my favorite) present our children's "sermon" each Sunday, called "Moments with the Children." I am also a proud member of (and one of two soprano section leaders) Praise, Honour and Glory, "a Christian music ministry whose outreach is to churches, schools, charities, and the community at large. Our goal is to glorify God in our praise and outreach."

Linda Croff
A graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Art and History Education, Morgantown, WV, 1966.

A graduate of Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, Boston, MA, 1972.

Jobs:
1966-1968, Assistant Buyer at Rich's Department store in Atlanta, GA.
1968-1970, Assistant manager of West Virginia University Bookstore
1970-1972, Manager, Parsons Souders Department Store in Morgantown, WV.
1972-1974, Secretary to the Professor Emeritis at MIT, Manson Benedict
1974-1985, Various secretarial positions at ORNL.
1985-1988, Administrative Assistant to the Director of ORNL.
1988-1993, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Lockheed Martin.
1993-1997, Administrative Assistant to the President of Lockheed Martin Energy Systems.
1998-2000, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Lockheed Martin, Technology Transfer
2000-2002, Marketing Specialist in Technology Transfer

Interests: Accomplished Silversmith and Golf

Sue Human has been with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 1988. Her first assignment was providing administrative support to the Chemical Technology Division Isotopes Group. In 1990 she transferred to the Research Reactors Goup where she presently provides support to the Plant/Project Management Group and the Operations Group. Her prior work experience includes working in the Medical Records Department at Harriman Hospital, administrative assistant at the Morgan County Medical Center, secretary for the Associate Warden/Counseling Manager of Treatment at the Morgan County Regional Correctional Facility, office manager of Kemp Financial Services in Paducah, KY, and job coordinator for job assignment programs at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.

Sue was born in Sunbright, Tennessee, and graduated from Sunbright High School. She has attended some classes at Roane State Community College, earned a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) certificate at the Life Care Center of Morgan County, attained her Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) rating in 1993 and recertified in 1998.

Sue is married to Bobby Human who retired from the Instrumentation and Controls Division at ORNL in December 2000 (and he's now playing a lot of golf!). They have one daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Mark Leho, and two granddaughters, Peyton Lindsey, age 6, and Katie Elizabeth, age 4. Her hobbies include Peyton, Katie, and reading! Prior to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and arthritis of the spine, in addition to having back surgery in 2001, Sue was very involved in her church activities.

Nancy Markham works in the Engineering Science and Technology Division, Division Administration group in an administrative support role. She has been with the company 25 years, having started as a typist with Union Carbide. She has also worked as a word processor when the former Engineering Technology Division located at Y-12 operated a Word Processing Center. During her 25 years, she has participated in several activities for deaf employees including participating as the guest speaker at an Affirmative Action Disability Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2000, she hosted three students from the Tennessee School for the Deaf as part of "Job Shadowing" day.

Nancy was born (unknown cause of deafness) in Harriman, Tennessee, but grew up in Knoxville where she attended the Tennessee School for the Deaf from kindergarten through 12th grade. She received the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Award and the Ethel Poore Award at her high-school graduation. She also was the Salutatorian of her graduating class. During her last two years of high school, she taught sign language to deaf children at the Sunshine Learning Center. After high school, she attended the former Cooper Institute (now South College) in Knoxville where she completed a 12-month general clerical course with high honors.

Nancy is married to Fredrick Markham who is a Design Technologist for BWXT Y-12. They have one daughter, Martha, who is 17 years old and is a senior in high school and a son, Andrew, who is 13 years old and is in 8th grade (middle school). Nancy is very active in the deaf ministry at the First Baptist Church of Knoxville. She serves on the Worship Team for the deaf congregation and is a song leader in the worship service. She has also been involved in the deaf choir and drama group; has taught a children's Sunday School class; participated in deaf ministry work in Corbin, Kentucky, and has participated on the Nominating Committee, the Fellowship Committee, and the Facilitation Committee for the deaf congregation. In addition, she attended the Southern Baptist Conference for the Deaf (SBCD) and was a member of the deaf choir that performed at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville and at the SBCD. She also performed with the deaf choir at Dollywood at Christmas and Deaf Awareness Day during 1998 and 1999.

Nancy provided this joke for you to enjoy.

A man went to the forest and carried an ax. He planned to cut a tree. He saw the tall tree. He decided to cut the tree. After he cut the tree, he yelled TIMBER. The tree fell. He walked again and saw another tree. He cut the tree and yelled TIMBER. The tree fell. He walked again and saw a third tree (a BIG tree). He cut the tree and yelled TIMBER. The tree didn't fall. He cut it again and yelled TIMBER (the tree would not fall). He cut again and yelled TIMBER. The tree still refused to fall. Do you know why? Because the tree can't hear.

Back to the ORNL Events page.