First and foremost, I want to thank each of you for all you do to move Tusculum College forward. I also want to share exciting news about our new Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will join us spring semester after the retiring of Dr. Ron May.
Dr. Jason Pierce
Dr. Pierce comes to Tusculum from Mars Hill University, where he has served most recently as interim vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management. In his career, Dr. Pierce has served in both academic and administrative roles at Mars Hill University, serving as assistant and associate vice president for academic affairs, chief information officer, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation liaison and as director of institutional effectiveness. He has served as chair of the division of humanities, as chair of the department of English and as webmaster. He also taught English as an assistant and an associate professor. Dr. Pierce earned his doctorate in English from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Maine and a Master of Letters in Scottish literature from the University of Saint Andrews, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maine. We also welcome his wife, Dr. Joanna Tapp Pierce, a faculty member at Mars Hill for seventeen years.
We are on track to move into the Meen Center for Science and Math over the Christmas break. We are very excited about offering classes in the building in Spring Semester. The Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math will replace Tredway Hall, long known as Science Hall, on the Tusculum College campus as the home of science and math. Tredway was constructed in 1928 for a much smaller student population, at a time when scientific research and instrumentation was significantly different. The new facility will also bring changes to the teaching of math and the sciences at Tusculum College. More spacious classrooms will accommodate students comfortably, with ready access to technology. Labs will incorporate the latest instrumentation and safety features. With additional labs, all students will have the opportunity for hands-on experiences in scientific research.
Construction of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math has reached the final stages.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am reminded that this is truly a time to give thanks for all of the bounties that we have. I give thanks for many things but particularly for the wonderful students of all ages who have chosen Tusculum College.
Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Nancy B. Moody, PhD
President