’70s
John C. Pavlik ’74 recently retired from New Jersey state and local government where he served in administrative and financial positions. John earned a master’s degree in administration in 2001. He was recognized in 1997 by then New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman as well as the state’s Senate and General Assembly for being the first mayor in 50 years to merge two municipalities. He and his wife, Martha, are now living in Virginia on the eastern shore and enjoying the Chesapeake Bay. John writes he often reflects on his days on campus – Dean Hurley, Luther Lawson (economics) and good friends.
’90s
Ron Scalf ’92 has been named the member services director for the Savannah, GA, Tourism Leadership Council. He also just released his latest book, “Bristol Motor Speedway, Racin’ The Way It Was,” which is available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.
Ginger Morelock Frembling ’97 of Archdale, is the 4-H agent at Davidson County Cooperative Extension. Ginger’s husband Jeff is serving in the U.S. Army in logistics and is stationed at Fort Bragg. The couple have a two-year-old son, Willis. After earning a degree in museum studies at Tusculum, she earned a master’s degree in folk studies from Western Kentucky University.
’00s
Joy Frazier Herman ’03 purchased Interstate Graphics of Morristown, Inc., in May 2015. She was previously employed at Morrison Printing of Morristown and Courier Printing in Smyrna, TN. She joined with Interstate in 2012 and has become the company’s owner.
’10s
Kimberly McCuiston ’10 has joined the faculty of Francis Marion University as an assistant professor of education. She has a Ph.D. in education/literary studies from the University of Tennessee, an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Tusculum College, a B.A. in English from Maryville College and an A.A. in elementary education from Pellissippi State Community College.
Melissa Batson ’14 of Greeneville, TN, has accepted the position of chief human resources officer for the Greeneville City School System. Melissa previously served as director of human resources for Signature HealthCARE of Greeneville. She began working in education in 2001 and served 14 years with the Greene County School System working with personnel, purchasing, certified payroll/human resources and in secretarial duties for the board of education. Melissa is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Jalen-Ryan Shuffler ’15 and Jenna Ruth Shaw were married on July 18 on Runion Farm in Limestone. Groomsmen included Taylor Foster ’14 and Tusculum student Nick Rodriquez. Following a wedding trip to Kiawah Island, S.C., the couple is living is living in Nashville. Jalen is employed by True Green of Nashville and she is a student at Belmont University.
Sarah (Chait) and John Clarke ’12 ’12 welcomed a baby girl, Anne Haines Clarke, on December 19, 2014.
’40s
Katejean “Kay” Allerton Borneman ’42 of Bend, OR, passed away March 12, 2015. Mrs. Bornerman earned a nursing degree from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City after graduating from Tusculum. She served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp during World War II, and met her late husband, Don, while he was serving in the Merchant Marines during the latter part of the war. After the war, the couple moved to Oregon, where he eventually became a partner in a local grocery business. The couple loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit places around the globe including Antarctica, the Arctic, Africa and China.
’50s
Rev. Kenneth Verran ’52 of Greeneville, TN, passed away August 10, 2015. Rev. Verran was a retired U.S. Air Force chaplain and paratrooper, serving with the 11th A/B Division, U.S. Army, and in the 278th National Guard. He was also a retired United Methodist minister and educator, having served in the Greene County School System and as an adjunct professor for his Alma Mater. He had served as minister of New Ebenezer Presbyterian Church for the past 14 years. In addition to his degree from Tusculum, Rev. Verran also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees of divinity from Emory University, a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University and a doctorate from Greenwich University of Oxford in England. Survivors include his wife and Tusculum alumna Louise Mays Verran ’87.
’70s
Betty L. Calhoun Phaler ’72 of Blackwood, NJ, passed away on June 13, 2015. Mrs. Phaler was retired substitute teacher and school bus driver.
Faculty
Dr. James T. “Jim” Davis of Kingsport, TN, passed away July 27, 2015. Dr. Davis was a professor at Tusculum in the 1990s, teaching primarily education and history courses. In addition to Tusculum, Dr. Davis taught at East Tennessee State University and in Virginia. He also served as an editor for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Coaches
Louis DeBusk
The Tusculum College community suffered a tremendous loss August 6, 2015, with the passing of long-time volunteer assistant football coach Louis DeBusk. DeBusk, one of the most beloved members of the Tusculum athletic family, passed away in Bristol, TN, following a lengthy illness.
DeBusk, affectionately known by many as “Big Coach”, served the Tusculum football program for the last 17 years, assisting the Pioneers in a variety of roles. Over the years, DeBusk has mentored and been a part of the lives of 627 different football players during his time with the Pioneers. He coordinated game-day preparations for the Pioneers, especially when Tusculum was on the road. He was responsible for transporting the vast amount of equipment needed on game day. He was usually the first to the game site and the last to leave. DeBusk was also responsible for leading the Pioneers onto the field before each home football game, toting the Tusculum flag from the back of his beloved golf cart, a tradition which has taken place for the last 17 seasons.
DeBusk’s eldest son, Frankie, is beginning his 18th season as head football coach and his ninth as athletic director at Tusculum. His younger son Doug ’95 is a member of the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame following a stellar basketball career with the Pioneers in the 1990s. The coach, staff and players of the Pioneer football team have dedicated this season to the memory of “Big Coach.”