Doaks presented Book of Golden Deeds award from Greeneville Exchange Club
Capt. Sam Doak (USN Ret.) '49 H'14 and his wife, Emily, were recognized for their service to the community, including Tusculum, by the Greeneville Exchange Club.
Capt. Sam Doak (USN Ret.) ’49 H’14 and his wife, Emily, were the recipients of the 2016 Book of Golden Deeds award from the Greeneville Exchange Club on June 14. The award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give of their time and talents to make their community a better place to live.
In the 50 years that the Greeneville organization has presented the award, the Doaks were only the second couple to be recognized with the honor. Sam’s service to Tusculum College includes serving many years as a trustee and now as a life trustee. His community service includes teaching senior citizen driving courses in his own senior years. During the presentation, it was noted that Emily is an Epsilon Sigma Alpha DIANA-award winner who has been involved with local organizations and a constant supporter of the arts in the area. Emily has been a longtime volunteer for the Museums of Tusculum College.
As their health has permitted, the Doaks have attended numerous events on campus, including Theatre-at-Tusculum productions, band and chorus concerts and athletic events. The Doaks have been active members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church and maintain a relationship with First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville as well.
’60s
Cliff Ott ’64 recently had his foot amputated and is recuperating at the Shawneespring Health Care Center in Harrison, OH. He would love to hear from Tusculum friends. He can be contacted at Shawneespring of Harrison, 10111 Simonson Rd., Harrison, OH 45030 or at (513) 367-1752.
’80s
Shelly Smith ’88 of Greeneville, TN, has been named principal of Chuckey-Doak High School. A Greene County native, Smith has 28 years of experience in public K-12 education, with 11 of those years in administrative roles including principal and chief human resources officer. Smith and her husband, Nathan, have twin daughters, Lauren and Lindsey.
’90s
Daniel Gene Thompson ’96 of Greeneville, TN, has been named assistant principal at Chuckey-Doak High School. Thompson has 19 years of experience in both private and public K-12 education, with three of those years spent as director of the Thomas Howard McNeese Educational Center, Greene County’s alternative school. He has also been an adjunct professor at Tusculum since 2005 in the Physical Education Department. Thompson is currently pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. Thompson and his wife, Jodie, have two sons, Ty Cooper Thompson and Trey Kolbey Thompson.
Stephanie Potter ’97 of Kingsport, TN, has been named director of professional learning for the Kingsport City School System. Potter will provide leadership in the area of professional learning for all aspects of the district. She has served the Kingsport system for seven years, serving as an associate principal and principal. Prior to joining the Kingsport system, Potter taught school in Virginia.
Dr. Amy Doran’99 of Kingsport, TN, has been named coordinator of early childhood education and a grant writer for the Kingsport City School System. Doran will supervise systemwide pre-K programs, early intervention programs and early childhood learning center programs; serve as building administrator for the Palmer Early Learning Center; and oversee all functions and activities associated with federal, state, foundation, and private enterprise grants for the district. Doran has been employed by the system for 24 years and has served as an elementary school teacher, system-wide literacy coach and associate principal. Prior to joining the Kingsport system, Doran taught school in Georgetown, SC, was an interventionist with Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) and served as director of the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Day School.
Rev. Jonas M. Hayes ’99 has been named new head pastor of Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Hayes has more than 13 years of experience, including mission outreach, education, pastoral care and preaching. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and began his pastorate as a chaplain at California Pacific Medical Center.
’10s
Sean Cotten ’11 of Mooresville, NC, was jackman in the race crew for Kurt Busch in his NASCAR win at the raceway at Pocono on June 6. A jackman is a member of the pit crew responsible for lifting the car with a jack. He was also part of the pit crew that was named Most Valuable Pit Crew of 2015. Cotten has worked for Stewart-Haas Racing since 2012 when he was hired as a gasman.
Chris Raasch ’16 is playing for the Forest City (NC) Owls in the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League. He started on the pitcher’s mound for the Owls in their opening night win of the season.
Aly Carrino ’13 and Michael Curtis Collins were married on May 28, 2016. The groomsmen included the bride’s brother, J.T. Carrino ’13. Following a honeymoon to St. Lucia, the couple is living in Greeneville. Aly is the resource development and athletics director at the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County.
Col. Silas Purvis (Ret. U.S Air Force) ’44 of San Antonio, TX, passed away on March 1, 2016. A native of Greeneville, TN, Col. Purvis had retired as a highly-decorated Air Force veteran with more than 30 years in the military service. He served in three wars, including extensive combat roles flying on B-26 bombers in World War II and completion of 55 combat missions in the Korean War. Col. Purvis held a major post in Air Force intelligence operations in South Vietnam during the conflict in that country and also served in high-level military intelligence-related assignments at the Pentagon. His military decorations included, among numerous others, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak-leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with six oak-leaf clusters, the Purple Heart with two oak-leaf clusters and the French Croix de Guerre with palm. He moved back to his hometown in the mid-1980s. Even prior to moving back, he had become a widely popular and much respected figure in Greene County through his practice of writing congratulatory or appreciative notes and cards to local individuals, and through his financial support for various local civic organizations and fundraising drives. Col. Purvis took an active role in various civic organizations, including the Greene County Heritage Trust and the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society during the time he lived in Greeneville before moving to Texas in 1989. He was one of the largest contributors to the Humane Society. Other longstanding interests included the YMCA and revitalization of downtown Greeneville. In Texas, Col. Purvis was also active in various aspects of community life. His survivors include sister and Tusculum alumna Mary Belle Purvis ’53.
Peggy Carson Cheezem ’47 of Florence, SC, formerly of Greenwood, SC, passed away August 30, 2015.A native of Washington County, TN, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Tennessee. She was a volunteer in her community, serving at a local museum, in the hospital auxiliary and on a hospital foundation special committee. Mrs. Cheezem was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Greenwood. She was able to return to her Alma Mater as recently as Homecoming 2007 and she fondly remembered her days living in the residence halls on campus.
Pearl Woolsey Morgan ’56 of Greeneville, TN, passed away June 15, 2016. Mrs. Morgan, who was 101 years of age at her passing, was a retired educator from the Greene County School System, having started her teaching career in 1938. She was a charter member of Harris Memorial Free Will Baptist Church, and was its last surviving founder and deacon. Mrs. Morgan was a member of the Arthritic Aerobics Class at the YMCA for a number of years and was an avid sports fan, particularly of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols.
Robert Harwin Cooper ’63 of Wilmington, DE, passed away on November 23, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Cooper was a veteran, having served three as a captain in the U.S. Army’s Medical Services Corps, including a tour in Vietnam. After leaving the military, he served as director of social services for the Children’s Home in Claymont, DE. Mr. Cooper then went on to spend eight years counseling fellow Vietnam veterans and their families through the Veterans Center in Wilmington. He was a licensed clinical social worker and served as president of the Delaware Association of Group Care Agencies from 1980-82. An avid fisherman, Mr. Cooper loved taking his boat to undiscovered fishing spots in Maryland and Delaware.
Patricia McGarvey ’69 of Concord, CA, passed away on March 7, 2016. After graduating Tusculum, she taught school for a year in Camden, NJ, before moving to California. Ms. McGarvey had a 39-year career with the Social Security Administration there, working as a systems analyst. She found great enjoyment and satisfaction working with all of her colleagues at Social Security, many of whom remained close friends during her retirement. Ms. McGarvey was known for her love of swimming. Some of her most memorable swims were the English Channel Relay and her many swims in San Francisco Bay with other Dolphin Club members.
Betty Phaler ’72 of Blackwood, NJ, passed away suddenly on June 13, 2015, at her home. Mrs. Phaler was a substitute school teacher and then went on to work as a bus driver.
Craig B. Allen ’74 of Naperville, IL, passed away October 8, 2010. After leaving Tusculum, Mr. Allen bought his own business, The Dog Patch, in Naperville. Over the next 38 years, he pioneered many practices and philosophies in pet care. Through his endless dedication and love of animals, Mr. Allen set a gold standard nationally for the entire pet industry.