Dr. Angela Keaton, right, congratulates Emily Shipsey for being named “Student of the Block” for Block Six.
Emily Shipsey, a museum studies major from Bath, Maine, was named “Student of the Block” for Block Five at Tusculum College.
Shipsey, who is originally from Nashville, was recognized Tuesday, April 22, in a brief ceremony in the Niswonger Commons. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members, and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.
During the ceremony, Dr. Angela Keaton, associate professor of history and the commons, said she nominated Shipsey because of her outstanding qualities including her intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn, her work ethic and her honesty and strong moral character.
Shipsey is no stranger to accolades, starting from the time she was in high school to her internship at the Old Sturbridge Village museum in Massachusetts. She was the only intern chosen for this museum, and was also selected for the History Day Internship. Shipsey has a passion for helping younger students learn more about history.
In addition to work ethic, Shipsey believes there are three fundamental qualities of an outstanding individual – honesty, dedication and compassion, all qualities that she has exemplified as a student at Tusculum.
A graduate of Bellehaven Christian Academy where she was an active student in extracurricular activities, Shipsey has continued that level of involvement in the Tusculum community. She has served as a member of the President’s Society, helping recruit prospective students to the campus. As a museum studies major, she has engaged students here at Tusculum to deepen their understanding of the college’s history on a personal level. She also helped create two award-winning exhibits for display in the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on campus.
The daughter of Mark and Susan Shipsey, Emily counts her mother as her role model along with Audrey Hepburn, Emily Dickenson, Charles Dickens and Will Ferrell.
As a Tennessee native, Shipsey said she has been blessed to attend a school like Tusculum and be part of the Museum Studies program. The friends she has made and her experiences have fueled her drive to pursue her goals, which include attending graduate school at Eastern Illinois University and seeking a master’s degree in historical administration.
Academically, she has enjoyed “Progressive America,” taught by Dr. David Key, assistant professor of history, and “Material, Culture and History and Uses of Gender” by Dr. Keaton.
Shipsey’s advice to future Tusculum students is “you can do better, don’t give into the trend of wearing sweatpants to class, respect your professors as well as their time and act your age because life isn’t a frat party.” She also advises students to develop their time management skills because it is the key to success at Tusculum.