Members of the Class of 1965, the newest Golden Pioneers, were welcomed back to campus to celebrate their 50th reunion on May 8-9 with special activities that included participation in the spring commencement ceremony.
Sixteen members of the Class of 1965 returned to campus for the festivities that began with a reception hosted by Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody at the President’s House on the afternoon of Friday, May 8.
Returning were 1965 alumni Sanda Montgomery Abramson, Al Ballinger, Dixie Blake, Ray Collins, Shirley Duncan Cutshall, Dick Dufty, Elizabeth Ellis, Fred Johnson, Jim Kave, Charlie Kling, Fox Madsen, Glenn Miller, Lynn Nellius, Bob Pollock, Mort Plumb and Walter Shepherd.
Members of the Class of 1965 (and one from 1964) gather for a photo on the front steps of the President's House following the reception May 8.
During the reception, the alumni were able to reminisce and catch up with what has been happening in their classmates lives while enjoying hors d’oeuvres. A video presentation featuring photos of the class in the 1960s also gathered a crowd and sparked conversations about their classmates.
Following an update of the College from Dr. Moody, each of the members of the class were presented a medallion and pin by the President.
At the conclusion of the reception, the class members gathered for dinner at the Whistle Stop, a popular local restaurant located in the building that housed Dobson’s Grocery during the 1960s.
The activities for Saturday, May 9, began with a breakfast for the Golden Pioneers in the Pioneer Perk inside the Niswonger Commons. After enjoying the food and more fellowship, the class members donned their golden robes and wore their medallions to prepare for commencement.
The class of 1965 lead the procession into a packed Pioneer Arena for the spring commencement ceremony.
During the ceremony, the class members were recognized and asked to stand as their name was called with the crowd applauding the group.
Mort Plumb joined Class of 2015 member Ryan Barker on stage to present a combined class gift of $8, 513 to Dr. Moody. Gifts from the graduating seniors and the Class of 1965 were combined and will be used to start a scholarship for future Tusculum students.
The Class of 1965 have a history of making contributions to their Alma Mater. A gift from the class as seniors were the two brick entrance signs for the College, one near Gilland Street and the other in the side lawn of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The metal signage was replaced a few years through another class gift, but the plaque telling of the Class of 1965 gift is affixed to the brick of one of the signs.
Following the ceremony, the Golden Pioneers returned to the Perk for lunch before saying their farewells.
Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody accepts the class gift from Mort Plumb, 1965 Golden Pioneer Committee Chairman, and Ryan Barker, chair of the 2015 Graduate Philanthropy Council.