Potential new academic offerings at Tusculum College were discussed by members of the Board of Trustees when the Board held their spring meeting at the Greeneville campus May 16-17.
The board met for two days, which included the annual President’s Dinner celebration held on Friday night to celebrate the college’s major donors.
The board approved the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee to proceed with research and due diligence in investigating new programs to potentially add to the college’s current academic offerings in both the residential and Graduate and Professional Studies programs.
“Tusculum College wants to continue to be the institution that is meeting the needs of its students and its future students. By continuously looking at our offerings and keeping up with what potential students are looking for in educational degrees and by anticipating what the job market will be, we will remain a relevant contributor to the economic well being of our region,” said President Nancy B. Moody.
The board also received an update on the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math from the Building and Grounds Committee. Construction is set to begin this summer, with a completion time set for January 2016.
The Meen Center for Science and Math will be a four-story structure of approximately 94,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, environmental science and nursing. There will also be lab space and research areas for both faculty and students.
The ground floor features the environmental science wing with a loading dock, as well as larger general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will also be included on the ground floor. Additional space on the fourth floor is earmarked for a new yet to be determined academic program.
“We have been anxious for this facility to become a reality for a long time,” said Dr. Ken Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and a 1970 graduate of Tusculum College. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of Tusculum College.”
The promotion of Dr. Troy Goodale to associate professor of political science was approved by the Board. Dr. Goodale joined Tusculum College in 2006 and is the author of a book, “Repealing State Legislative Term Limits: A Comparative Analysis of Legislative Statutes and Judicial Decision.” In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Goodale serves the college as chair of the political science and criminal justice programs, as the pre-law advisor and as faculty sponsor of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.
In other action, the board gave preliminary approval to the 2014-15 operating budget and received a report on academic and office space conducted on campus facilities. Several classrooms have been refurbished, including academic spaces in five buildings on the Greeneville campus.
The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees is October 16-17, in conjunction with the college’s Homecoming festivities.