Two new department chairs named

Two new department chairs have been named in the Tusculum College School of Arts and Sciences beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year. Dr. Debra McGinn has been appointed Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, and Professor Shannon Brewer has been appointed chair of the Department of Mathematics.

Dr. McGinn has taught biology at Tusculum since 2004. She practiced medicine as an anatomic and clinical pathologist in hospitals in the Tri-Cities and Knoxville for 15 years. Prior to moving to East Tennessee, she completed pathology residencies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Washington University Medical Center (Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri).

“Dr. McGinn is known to spend hours upon hours with her students outside of class,” said Wayne Thomas, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “I’ve a list of recent Tusculum biology alumni as long as my arm that includes the graduate schools they’re attending and the careers they’ve begun.” Dr. McGinn’s academic regalia is adorned with Golden Lantern after Golden Lantern, pins graduating students present to the one professor they believe has made the most significant impact during their years at Tusculum.

“She is, put simply, one of the best teachers we have, and I’m excited to get to work with her in her new leadership role,” said Thomas

Dr. McGinn earned her bachelor’s degree in medical lab sciences at the University of Illinois, a master’s degree in microbiology at the University of Michigan, and M.D. degree at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Master of Arts degree in secondary education biology and mathematics at ETSU.

Dr. McGinn resides in Kingsport with her husband, Michael, who works as an industrial hygienist at Eastman Chemical Company.  They have two sons, Andrew and Christopher, and a daughter, Elizabeth.  Together they enjoy the adventures of six grandchildren.  Dr. McGinn has taught Sunday School classes for over 25 years, plays alto saxophone in the Kingsport Community Band, and currently parents three foster children.

Professor Brewer has been with Tusculum since 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Science and master’s Degree in mathematics at East Tennessee State University. Her research specialized in Graph Theory. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and the science of learning with a concentration in math education from the University of Buffalo.

“Professor Brewer has a reputation of wanting to help her students,” said Thomas. “In their end-of-course surveys, students often comment on her willingness to be there for them. Professor Brewer is student-centered and a team player. I am incredibly eager to see mathematics move forward under her leadership.”

In addition to her work at Tusculum, Professor Brewer also volunteers her time to work with students and teachers in surrounding area high schools. She has been the site coordinator for the Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association for more than 10 years, which includes a yearly mathematics contest in six different subject areas. She has personally created tests that are used by thousands of students for this contest statewide. This annual contest brings around 200 of the area’s best math students to Tusculum’s campus.

Professor Brewer is a proud wife and mother of three daughters that she home-schools with her husband. She is passionately involved in Christian ministries throughout Northeast Tennessee, including being a camp director for Camp Greene. Being born and raised in Greene County, she has dedicated her career towards bettering the education and lives of those she serves.