Members of the Class of 1966 and their spouses gather for a group photo with Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody following the reception on May 6.
Members of the Class of 1966 were in the spotlight during the weekend of of Spring Commencement, May 6 and 7, as they reunited on campus to celebrate their 50th anniversary year.
Seventeen members of the Class of 1966 returned to campus to mark this significant milestone.
During a reception for the class members at the President’s House, each was presented a commemorative medallion by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.
A welcome surprise for the class members was the arrival of Dr. Douglas Trout at the reception. Dr. Trout was serving as president of Tusculum during 1966, and members of the Class of 1966 had voted that year to make him an honorary member of their class. Dr. Trout participated in the activities as a member of the class.
Following the reception, the members broke bread together at a Brumley’s Restaurant at the General Morgan Inn in downtown Greeneville.
Activities started early for the newest Golden Pioneers on Saturday with a breakfast in the Pioneer Perk coffee house on campus prior to the commencement ceremony.
Following breakfast, the class members donned their gold robes and mortar boards along with their medallions and posed for a few photos before lining up in the hallway to be part of the processional in the morning Commencement ceremony.
Members of the Golden Pioneers pose with Dr. Moody and Dr. Trout.
The Golden Pioneers led the graduating students into Pioneer Arena and sat in the front row in front of the stage. During the ceremony, Dr. Moody recognized each by name, and the group was applauded by the soon-to-be graduates and the audience. A presentation was also made to Dr. Moody during the ceremony of the combined class gift of $50,818.32 from the members of the Class of 1966 and the graduating seniors. The funds are to be used in the creation of an endowed Tusculum First scholarship to benefit future students.
Following the ceremony, the Golden Pioneers returned to the Perk for lunch and more fellowship.
Presenting the class gift to Dr. Moody were, left, Michael Fernando, representing the Class of 2016, and Bruce Howell, representing the Class of 1966.