Weekend proved to be a ‘family affair’ on campus

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Dr. Melissa Keller describes this pin oak during the arboretum tour.

More than 75 parents, grandparents, siblings and other family members enjoyed Family Weekend activities with their student Pioneers this past weekend.

Coming to campus were families from several states including New Jersey, Delaware and Florida, as well as those from East Tennessee.

Events allowed the visiting families to learn more about campus and provided opportunities for the families and students to have fun together.

Although the rain dampened the start of the Arboretum tour on Friday morning, families took the opportunity to learn more about the trees that contribute to the beauty of the Tusculum campus. Led by Dr. Melissa Keller, associate professor of biology, the tour featured trees that are part of the Level 1 Arboretum on campus. More than 30 species of trees are part of the arboretum, which has received certification from the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, which was announced last month.

Robin Lay, director of career services, right, talks to a family during the ice cream social.

Family members got a literal taste of college life as they shared lunch with their students in the cafeteria. Dessert came a little later in the afternoon as part of the ice cream social event, which gave families the opportunity to talk with Tusculum staff.

One of the first events Saturday morning gave students and their families a behind-the-scenes look at the technical side of creating theatrical magic with a chance to see some of the set building taking place for the upcoming production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” by Theatre-at-Tusculum.

Fun and friendly competition was the rule during the cornhole tournament. Winning this year’s tournament were Coreen Button and Paul Marks.

Student Sharon Button cheered on the cornhole tournament winners, Paul Marks and Coreen Button.

Families and their students enjoyed the Pioneer Tailgate despite some rainy weather before Senior Day at the football game. Parents, siblings and friends joined senior members of the football team, athletic training staff and managers and band members to be recognized just prior to the football game.

During the Senior Day recognition, a new award was announced that will recognize a member of the Tusculum football program who exhibits unusual courage and heart for the benefit of the Pioneers. Head Football Coach Frankie DeBusk made the announcement of the creation of the Curtis Moneyhun Award for Courage.  The inaugural recipient of the award is Curtis Moneyhun, a senior student assistant for the football team, and the individual for whom the award has been named.

Moneyhun, a native of Kingsport, has served with the Tusculum football program for the last four years as a student assistant, while also excelling in the classroom where he has a 3.7 cumulative grade point average as a sport management major.

Moneyhun and his father Jim are accomplished singers, performing at numerous area events, including the College’s Old Oak Festival.  Moneyhun was also the 2014 co-recipient of the Walter T. Dette Spirit Award.

Curtis Moneyhun was presented the first Curtis Moneyhun Award for Courage during pre-game activities. With him are his parents, Jim and Carolyn Moneyhun. (Photo by Chuck Williams)