Dr. Russell L. Nichols who has served as interim president of Tusculum College since August 2007, was pleasantly surprised as he was honored on Friday, May 15, at Tusculum College’s annual President’s Dinner, with the announcement that an endowed scholarship had been established on his behalf.
The scholarship will be designated for international travel and studies, a program Dr. Nichols has nurtured and supported during his time at the College.
“Dr. Russell L. Nichols has served as a steady hand in a time of transition for the College,” said Chairman of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees Dr. Ken Bowman. “His efforts and leadership have gone a long way in unifying the College. His calming, supporting and contributing nature has provided a contagious sense of optimism about the future of Tusculum College, at a time when it needed it most. ”
Bowman added that Dr. Nichols has been continually engaged with students, staff, faculty and the community, and his leadership has brought together the Tusculum College community in many ways and inspired a sense of collective direction and mission and a sense of optimism that was not here upon his arrival.
“The affection and respect for Dr. Nichols has been evident,” said Bowman. In the past few weeks, Dr. Nichols has been presented by the College faculty with a handmade rocking chair, as well as honored with a portrait from staff and faculty, which will hang in the Thomas J. Garland Library near the Center for Global Studies. A reception was held on campus and more than 150 people turned out with their well wishes for his future. And, he has been honored by the Class of 2009, who dedicated their Senior Gift in his honor – a new concrete walkway from Katherine Hall to Shiloh Road.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the establishment of an endowed scholarship, named in honor of Dr. Russell L. Nichols, designated for international travel and studies, a program he has been and continues to be very passionate about, in the amount of $18,590. The College is truly grateful to Dr. Nichols for his generous time and empathetic service and support, as well as his exceptional leadership to Tusculum College during his tenure as interim president.”
Dr. Nichols thanked the group and said that many of the friends he has made while at Tusculum College were some of the best of his life. He encouraged everyone to continue to work together and to appreciate the hard work and dedication that is prevalent among Tusculum College faculty, staff, alumni and friends.
The President’s Dinner is the College’s signature event and is hosted each spring by the Office of Institutional Advancement as a thank-you to the College’s major donors. This year’s event was held at Link Hills Country Club.