More than 200 Tusculum College alumni and friends returned to campus for four days full of activities, visiting local attractions, participating in on-campus events and recognizing alumni for excellence and their contributions to Tusculum and their communities.
“Homecoming is a very special time of the year at Tusculum College as we welcome our alumni back to campus and this year has been no exception,” said Colleen Cox, assistant director of alumni relations. “Our expanded schedule of activities has given alumni more opportunities to renew friendships as well as to showcase the campus and local community.”
The expanded schedule included trips to local attractions such as Myers Pumpkin Patch and Brights Zoo and alumni dinners at the Whistle Stop and the General Morgan Inn, as well as special activities on campus such as the new Civil War-themed lantern tour at the Museums of Tusculum College.
Seniors Calvin Britt, Jr., and Erika Witt were crowned Homecoming King and Queen during the halftime of the football college. From left are Tom Moody, Witt, Britt and Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. The Moodys crowned the king and queen.
Students on campus celebrated Homecoming with a week of fun activities, culminating with the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the football game. Crowned Homecoming King and Queen were seniors Calvin Britt, Jr., a sports science major from Augusta, Ga., and Erika Witt, a museum studies major from Roanoke, Va.
Homecoming is also a time for alumni to recognize those amongst their ranks who have excelled. Three awards were presented during the annual Alumni Association meeting.
Dr. Ken Bowman, a 1970 alumnus who is a native of Greene County, was the recipient of the Pioneer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association. Dr. Bowman, who now lives in Pennsylvania and is a research chemist for the Alcoa company, holds 18 U.S. patents and is considered a leading expert on aluminum. Bowman has given considerable time in service and leadership to his alma mater and is currently service as chair of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Ken Bowman '70 accepts the Pioneer Award from Dr. Moody during the Alumni Association meeting.
“Dr. Bowman is an exemplary role model for future Pioneers as an individual who has excelled professionally and given selflessly of himself to serve others and his alma mater,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum, while presenting the award.
Rebecca H. Muncy, a 2005 graduate of Tusculum, was honored with the Frontier Award. Muncy is a government teacher and head women’s basketball coach at Davy Crockett High School, who previously served her alma mater as alumni coordinator and coordinator of gift records and research.
Recognized with the National Living Faculty Award was Dan Barnett, associate professor of chemistry. Barnett has taught at Tusculum for 26 years and has positively impacted the lives of a number of students as they have pursued careers in chemistry and environmental science, said Paige Mengel, a 1988 alumna and treasurer of the Alumni Association, in presenting the award.
Jane Morse '77 presents the Frontier Award to Rebecca Muncy '05.
The Class of 1961 also presented its class gift during the meeting. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, class members have donated more than $6,000 toward the purchase of furniture for the patio outside of Chalmers Conference Center in the Niswonger Commons.
The class was one of the reunion years recognized during the weekend and its members also served as grand marshals of the Homecoming Parade.
The parade also featured the new Tusculum College Pioneer Marching Band, the award winners, members of the Homecoming Court, carts designed by student organizations and the cheerleading squad riding an engine from the Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department.
On Friday, four individuals were inducted into the Tusculum College Sports Hall of Fame. Inducted were Rachel Barron for women’s soccer, Alan Dunn for football, Tara Henderson for women’s soccer and the late Tom Bryant for football. Barron, Dunn and Henderson are all 2004 graduates of the college. Barron was one of the most prolific scorers in Tusculum women’s soccer history. Dunn enjoyed one of the finest careers in history of a Pioneer offensive lineman. Henderson was the first All-American honoree for women’s soccer in Tusculum history. The late Tom Bryant was honored posthumously for his hard work and perseverance toward reinstating football as a varsity sport in 1991 after a 41-year hiatus.
Paige Mengel '88 presents the National Living Faculty Award to Dan Barnett, associate professor of chemistry.
Also recognized during the dinner were members of the 1966 men’s basketball team who won their conference championship that year. The team members were also recognized at the football game.
Homecoming activities began with a chili cook-off between campus offices and student organizations. Winning best tasting chili was a white chicken chili by the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. Chosen for best showmanship honors was the Department of Athletics, which used a tailgating theme including coaches dressed in football uniforms and referee uniforms. An informal dinner at the Whistle Stop was enjoyed by alumni Thursday evening.
Inducted into the Tusculum College Sports Hall of Fame were Rachel Barron, Alan Dunn and Tara Henderson, all members of the class of 2004, and the late Tom Bryant. From left are Henderson; Barron; Laura Bryant, Tom Bryant's widow, and Dunn.
Friday’s activities included the trips to Brights Zoo and Myers Pumpkin Patch, an alumni-student lunch, the Civil War lantern tour at the museums and a golf tournament. Winning the golf tournament were, in the net division, a team consisting of Doug Jones, Todd Ireland, a 1998 alumnus, Brandon Steele and Andy Collins; and the gross division, a team consisting of Chris Bird, a 2000 alumnus, and Justin Jeffers and Matt Ball, both 2004 alumni.
Saturday’s activities began with a Memorial Service in which more than 30 alumni who have passed away since last year’s Homecoming were recognized. Saturday’s activities ended with an alumni dinner dance at the General Morgan Inn.
Members of the 1966 men's basketball team, who won their conference championship that year, were recognized at the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and prior to the football game.
Homecoming activities wrapped up on Sunday with a breakfast followed by a chapel service in the Thomas J. Garland Library.
Photos from the entire Homecoming Weekend can be found on Tusculum College’s Facebook page.
The Tusculum College Pioneer Marching Band performs during Saturday’s Homecoming Parade.