Brick now covers all the exterior of the new Meen Center for Science and Math. The building is on schedule to be opened for classes in January.
The Tusculum First Capital Campaign at Tusculum College is at the $23.1 million mark with eight months left in the campaign, and officials expect to move into the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math in December.
These were among the topics covered when the Tusculum College Board of Trustees held its fall meeting on October 20-21 on the Greeneville campus.
Additionally, the Board gave full approval to Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science, environmental science, information technology and business administration. The Board approved a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies and a Master of Accountancy degree program. The Board also approved changing the name of the health care administration degree program to health care management, pending approval of the faculty.
The new programs will be initiated for fall semester 2017.
According to Heather Patchett, vice president of Institutional Advancement, the Tusculum First campaign is on track for a successful finish.
“Tusculum is $4.35 million over the established goal for endowed scholarship and more than $17 million of the funds raised has been received for will be received in the next five years,” she reported.
“The amount of funds raised in the campaign for endowed scholarships truly shows our commitment to help students who most need financial assistance,” said Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board and 1970 alumnus of the college. “With reductions across the board in federal aid and other federal aid programs, Tusculum is committed to continue to serve the students of our region.”
The Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math is near completion and plans are to move into the building during the Christmas break and hold classes in the facility beginning with the spring semester.
Residential enrollment numbers are up for the 2016-2017 academic year and the Board heard that this year’s entering residential class totals 368 incoming freshman and transfer students, an increase of 15 percent over 2015-2016. This number includes 296 entering freshmen, 52 transfer students and 20 new international students.
“Tusculum College’s residential program continues to grow for a number of reasons,” said Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody. “Our unique Civic Arts focus takes the liberal arts a step further in a nationally recognized approach to educating individuals of integrity and ideals. Additionally a wide range of majors – from museum studies to nursing – are combined with service learning and travel opportunities to create a completely unique experience.
“We are pleased to see the fruits of its expanded enrollment and retention efforts, furthering the goal of serving the region with accessible, affordable higher education opportunities.”
She added that enrollment numbers also reflect an increased focus on keeping enrolled students on campus until graduation. Tusculum’s support services for students provide everything from tutoring to book loan programs to help students achieve their dream of a college education. To this end, Tusculum College retained 68.2 percent of the first-time, full-time undergraduate students who enrolled during fall 2015, the highest retention rate in 10 years for the college’s residential program. This year’s retention rate was recorded at 68 percent, 9.1 percent over the previous year, and beating the previous high of 62 percent in 2014.
In other action, the Board approved revisions to the bylaws that came after previous revisions in the faculty handbook, by-laws and constitution were approved by the faculty.
Officers elected included: Chair, Dr. Bowman; Vice Chair, the Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson; Treasurer, Dwight Ferguson, and Secretary, Mark R. Williams.
Bowman, who currently resides in Apollo, Pa., has been a member of the board since 1998 and chair since 2006. Rev. Donaldson is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville. He also serves as director of the Calvin Center, the Camp and Conference Center for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
Ferguson joined the board in 2009. He is retired from Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., located in Erwin, where he served as president and chief executive officer from March 1992 until January 2009. Williams, of Greeneville, joined the board in 2001. He is a broker with Century 21 Legacy.
Re-elected for an additional term as board members were Dr. Bowman; Williams; Rev. Donaldson; Dr. Larry Brotherton, a 1970 graduate of the college; and Lester Lattany, a 1987 and 1991 graduate of the college.
Three retiring Board members were recognized and presented with a resolution from the Board, recognizing the value of their service. Retiring Board members include Frank Horsman, a 1968 graduate of the college; Charlotte Gray, and Anna Gamble.
The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees will be February 2017.