David Massengill wins full tuition scholarship to Tusculum College in “Finish Strong” essay competition

David Massengill of Knoxville was the winner of a full tuition scholarship to Tusculum College in the “Finish Strong” essay competition.  Winners and finalists were announced on Thursday, Oct. 13, at Tusculum College’s Knoxville Regional Center.

“We are pleased to announce the winner and to welcome him to the Tusculum College family,” said Dr. Lisa Johnson, associate vice president for student success and assistant professor of education. “The Tusculum College Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway recognizes the hard work and sacrifices our adult students put forth when returning to school to finish their degree.”

Massengill expressed his gratitude at the award and thanked his family for their encouragement for him to follow his dreams. “Teaching kids has always been something I have done well, but I’ve never done it in an official capacity. It’s time for me to go toward that calling,” he said.

First runner up and finalists were also announced and received recognition. First runner up was Crystal Boatman of Morristown. Finalists were Valerie Fritts of Maryville, Crystal Bontrager of Newport and Samantha Taylor of Dandridge.

“Tusculum has always been committed to providing education to the community in meaningful ways. As the first in the region to offer accredited adult-oriented degree programs, we furthered our commitment to making lifelong education possible for those living in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Johnson.

“Balancing work, family and school can be challenging, and our adult students put in a great deal of time, effort, heart and soul to fulfill their dream of a college degree. This Scholarship Giveaway is a great opportunity for the Tusculum community to honor these Pioneers who go the extra mile to further the future of their families.”

“While it is our extreme pleasure to be able to offer this scholarship to the winner, it was not easy to choose one from the five worthy finalists. We hope that each of you will continue to seek out ways to attain your degree because you all exhibit qualities key to succeeding: perseverance, strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to your goal,” said Dr. Johnson.

In his winning essay, Massengill wrote about how he would like to earn a teaching degree and put skills he has developed throughout his lifetime to use in the classroom.

Currently a small business owner with a photography business, Massengill has spent numerous hours coaching, as well as teaching budding photographers. He also sees a path to serving others through education.

“I think the most life-changing thing I do with this degree is to use it to change multiple other lives. If I can share my knowledge and experiences with others, I can hopefully send them down a more straightforward and successful path than my own. And there’s no measuring system for that,” wrote Massengill in his winning essay.

Massengill will begin taking classes toward his degree in the upcoming spring semester in the interdisciplinary studies (education, K-5) program.

“Getting people back to school to finish their degrees is life changing, said Dr. Johnson. “Through this essay contest, we learned individual stories of our students and hope to be able to share them with others who wish to follow in their footsteps.”

The grand prize package consists of a tuition-paid scholarship to one of Tusculum College’s degree-completion programs which can be redeemed at any of the Knoxville, Morristown or Greeneville locations and can be applied to pay all of the regular tuition charges for an undergraduate degree-completion program in business administration, management, interdisciplinary studies (education, K-5) and psychology, behavioral health concentration.

For more information on Tusculum’s degree programs or financial aid, contact the Tusculum College Admissions Office at 888.488.7285.

 

David Massengill, center, was the winner of a full tuition scholarship to Tusculum College after his essay was selected among the many entries submitted. Presenting the award were left, Dr. Lisa Johnson, and far right, Steve Gehret.

 

Finalists in the Finish Strong scholarship competition were from left, David Massengill, Crystal Boatman, Samantha Taylor, Crystal Bontrager and Valerie Fritts.