Tusculum College is considering funding options for a variety of priority projects, including the possible construction of a new science and math instructional facility, as well as the renovation of Tredway Hall, construction of new residence halls, technology improvements and added academic support for new and existing programs. The Board held discussions about funding for the high priority projects when they met on Friday and Saturday, May 18-19.
The discussions were preliminary and were a preparation for a planned upcoming Board of Trustees retreat planned for this summer in which they will consider the institution’s top priorities for the next 5-10 years.
At the retreat, discussions will be held about capital construction projects, new academic programs and facilities and technology improvements tied to the college’s Vision 20/20 and Strategic Plan.
Additionally, the Board approved curricula for a new criminal justice program, the addition of a men’s and women’s lacrosse program and gave preliminary approval of the 2012-13 operating budget.
According to Dr. Ken Bowman, chair of the Board and a 1970 graduate of the college, the discussions were productive and focused on the growth stage that Tusculum College is experiencing and expects to continue experiencing in the next decade.
“We are excited about the growth we are experiencing with additional students and new programs,” said Bowman. “Our challenge is to control the growth and make sure our infrastructure keeps up so that we can continue to provide the quality, personal education Tusculum College represents.”
Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College, agreed, and added, “In our discussions with the Board of Trustees, we are looking at capital projects to support existing and developing programs that have the potential to make a significant statement about the college and serve as a symbol to the internal and external community, to students, alumni, friends and donors that Tusculum College is forging a path.”
In other business, the Board of Trustees approved curriculum for the new criminal justice major that will be available in fall of 2012, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The new Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse program would begin fall of 2013 and would involve approximately 25-30 student-athletes on each team, according to Frankie DeBusk, Tusculum College athletic director.
The Board gave preliminary approval to a $29 million budget for 2012-13, representing a 3.95 percent increase over the past academic year.
According to Dr. Moody, the proposed budget is based on 945 total students in the residential college program and 1,109 in the adult program, including approximately 45 students in the new nursing program or a pre-nursing curriculum. The proposed budget includes a 2.5 percent wage and salary pool increase and all requested faculty positions would be filled, including five new faculty positions. In the past year, the college has added 16 new full-time positions, said Moody.
Of new funds in the 2012-13 budget, $280,000 has been allocated for technology in addition to the $1.2 million approved by the Board of Trustees last academic year.
The Board also approved the allocation of a projected 2012 end-of-year surplus to go toward primarily academic programs, but also to support new initiatives. According to Moody, this will be the second year in a row the college has ended the year with a surplus, indicating financial health and the success of strict budget management measures put in place over the past few years.
Dr. Melinda Dukes, vice president of academic affairs, reported that the new Master’s of Business Administration degree program had received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Two cohorts are planned for 2012-13, with the first to be offered starting in August at the Knoxville Regional Center. According to Dukes’ report to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, there is a healthy applicant pool and several students already registered. The second group is to start on the Greeneville campus in January 2013, and there is also a good applicant pool for this group.
During the two-day meeting, Dr. Bowman also conducted a facilities tour for the members of the Board in preparation for the upcoming strategic planning sessions and the summer Board of Trustees retreat.
Four faculty members were approved for promotion by the Board of Trustees. Dr. DiAnn Casteel and Dr. Cynthia Solomon were promoted to full professorships. Dr. Debra McGinn and Dr. Katherine Stone were promoted to associate professors.
Dr. DiAnn Casteel
Dr. Casteel has taught in Tusculum’s education program, both at the graduate and undergraduate level since 1996. She has served as chair of the Master of Arts in education curriculum and instruction program and is currently chair of the Master of Arts in teaching program.
She holds an Ed.D in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University, a Master of Arts as a reading specialist and a Bachelor of Science in history and psychology, also from East Tennessee State University.
Dr. Casteel holds multiple Tennessee State Department of Education Certifications including Elementary Education 1-9, History 7-12, Geography 7-12, Reading Specialist K-8 and 7-12, Administration/Supervision K-8 and 7-12, as well as Superintendent, Professional Administrator/Supervisor and three Computer Certification Levels.
Dr. Cindy Solomon
Dr. Solomon was promoted to professor of education and also serves as department chair for the human resource development concentrations, a position she has held for 10 years. Dr. Solomon has a career spanning more than 27 years teaching in higher education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She joined Tusculum College in 2002.
She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and higher education form Ohio University, a master’s degree in human resource development from Xavier University, a Master of Arts degree in nutrition education from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Dayton.
She has also authored five publications for her professional community in the last five years.
Dr. Debra McGinn
Dr. Debra McGinn was promoted to associate professor of biology in the School of Arts and Sciences. She is chair of the Biology Department and teaches or has taught a variety of science courses including introductory biology, general biology I and II, genetics, anatomy and physiology I, human physiology, environmental science and global environmental and health issues.
Dr. McGinn received a bachelor’s degree in medical lab sciences from the University of Illinois in 1974 and a master’s degree in microbiology in 1975 from the University of Michigan. Following graduate research on cellular immunology responses against leukemia in mice, Dr. McGinn attended medical school at Vanderbilt University and received her M.D. degree in 1982.
She completed a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Vanderbilt and at Washington University (Barnes Hospital) in St. Louis. She practiced pathology in community hospitals for the next 12 years and served as lab director at Johnson City Specialty Hospital for nine years.
In 2003, Dr. McGinn completed a master’s degree in secondary education (biology and mathematics) at East Tennessee State University.
Dr. Kathy Stone
Dr. Stone was promoted to associate professor of geology, mathematics and physics in the School of Arts and Sciences. She has taught or teaches physical geology, intermediate algebra, basic mathematics, college algebra, quantitative business applications, Tusculum Experience and general physics I and II.
She has a Ph.D. in geological sciences from the University of Tennessee and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in physics from Sam Houston State University. She has been with Tusculum College since 2006.
Dr. Stone maintains professional memberships in the Geological Society of America, the Meteoritical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physics Society. She is a member of the Nuclear Fuels Service Community Advisory Group and involved in the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance.
The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees is September 27-28, in conjunction with the Homecoming 2012 festivities. A summer retreat is being planned to provide time for the Board to focus on revisions and updates to Vision 2020 and the Strategic Plan.