Members of the President's Society work to repair a handicapped ramp at the home.
On a recent hot August day, students from the Tusculum College President’s Society partnered with Greene County Habitat for Humanity and the Area Agency for Aging and Disabled to help a local elderly couple, the Hensleys, with a few tasks outside their home.
“The Tusculum students from the President’s Society were enthusiastic and very willing to lend a helping hand,” said Vicki Culbertson, executive director of Greene County Habitat for Humanity. “They rallied together working as a team helping with yard clean up, cleaning out flower beds, creating a play area under a large 30-year-old tree for the Hensley’s grandchildren and helping repair part of a handicap accessible ramp. It appeared they all had a good time, and we so appreciate their interest in helping people in our community.”
“I am sure the Hensley’s were very appreciative in having the help, and they enjoyed the company. Hopefully this was a good learning experience for the students to work with our ‘Habitat Hearts’ program.”
The President’s Society is a small group of selected students that represent the college as a whole to alumni, board members and any other official event Tusculum College hosts. The members help with guide tours to all families that come to visit Tusculum. They also help with other dinners and events on campus including Homecoming, graduation and Arts Outreach plays and other performances.
To be considered for membership in the President’s Society, students must be nominated by faculty or staff members. Nominated students complete a two tier interview process before selections are made. Students’ grade point averages GPA in addition to their interview skills play a role in their selection. Members attend a retreat that includes classes and a service project, which this year was through Habitat for Humanity. Once they are selected they have to attend a retreat that includes classes and a service project.
The President’s Society chose this year to work with Greene County Habitat for Humanity, which is a Christian housing ministry that brings people together from all walks of life to help families with special needs. Habitat chapters across the country build decent, affordable houses that carry a 0 percent, 20-year mortgage turning “hope into a home.”
Members of Tusculum College’s President’s Society work to make yard improvements for a local elderly couple in partnership with Greene County Habitat for Humanity and the Area Agency for Aging and Disabled.
The Greene County Habitat Chapter also provides a minor exterior repair program to families who need to replace rotting porches, steps, decks, railing and siding or assistance with yard cleanup and handicap accessible ramps. The Habitat ReStore takes donations and the sales help fund Habitat’s mission in Greene and Greene County.
“It was a pleasure working with the President’s Society,” Culbertson said. “These students represent their college well and we wish them great success in their studies and careers. We would also like to thank Heather Blanton, the President’s Society program advisor, for contacting us to work on a project together and to thank Angela Roberts with the Area Agency for Aging and Disability for working with us to help find a family that could use a helping hand.”
“We have worked with this agency for several years now,” Culbertson said. “Its mission is to aid older citizens of Greeneville and Greene County in remaining in their own homes as they age. The agency supports seniors in our community with daily, nutritious meals, through the Meals on Wheels program, and arranges personal care and homemaking assistance to those who are no longer able to do these things for themselves. Our team efforts plus volunteers giving their time and talents from our community have given us opportunities to help many families in need.”