Joe Pyle
Dec. 8, 2014
Roane State Community College student Joe Pyle enjoys working with his hands.
As a student in the college’s geographic information systems (GIS) program, his raw material of choice is data, and his craftsmanship has received statewide recognition.
Pyle’s map predicting cell phone coverage along the Cumberland Trail won in the Best Analysis category at the East Tennessee Geographic Information Council Forum. Pyle’s map depicts the Cumberland Trail from Frozen Head State Park to LaFollette. The map is overlaid with markers predicting cell phone signal strength at points along the trail.
“I have always been good at making things with my hands,” Pyle said. “GIS is like blacksmithing or woodworking, except that I use data as the raw material.”
Pyle became interested in GIS after meeting with Roane State program director Pat Wurth, who advised him that successful GIS professionals are computer-savvy and detail-oriented.
“That fit me to a T,” Pyle said.
Wurth said she is “very proud of Joe.”
“I’m excited Joe was recognized for his outstanding work, especially because he competed against professionals in the field,” Wurth said.
For more information about Roane State’s GIS program, contact Wurth at wurthpa@roanestate.edu or (865) 354-3000 ext. 2275.
Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer programs, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has campuses in Crossville, Harriman, Huntsville, Jamestown, Knoxville, LaFollette, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge and Wartburg.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. All colleges in the system offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit tncommunitycolleges.org.
Joe Pyle's award-winning map depicts the Cumberland Trail from Frozen Head State Park to LaFollette. The map is overlaid with markers predicting cell phone signal strength at points along the trail.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
