“The Tusculum Review” names advisory board members

“The Tusculum Review” recently named Ada Limon and Allison Joseph as members of The Tusculum Review Advisory Board.

The Tusculum Review Advisory Board consists of regionally and nationally renowned editors and writers, who support the literary magazine by promoting it to their peers and encouraging their contacts to submit their literary work, as well as advising members of “The Tusculum Review” editorial staff.

“Each member was carefully selected and invited because they all have made impressive contributions to the world of letters and have influenced the editors of the Review in some way as mentors or collaborators,” said Dr. Heather Patterson, associate professor of English at Tusculum College.

Ada Limon

Dr. Patterson added, “For instance, Jaimy Gordon won the National Book Award for fiction in 2010, and Bonnie Jo Campbell and Ada Limon were both National Book Award finalists. Allison Joseph is the author of many works such as ‘What Keeps Us Here,’ and ‘Imitation of Life.’ Among her many honors is the John C. Zacharies First Book Prize. Ada Limón is the author of four books of poetry which led to her becoming a finalist in the National Book Award.  The members on our advisory board are successful and innovative writers, and we are proud to have them.”

Allison Joseph

Board members include Limon, Gordon, Joseph, Campbell, Mary Cappello, Richard Greenfield, Martin Lammon, David Lazar, Patrick Madden, Michael Mortone, Wayne Thomas and Kellie Wells.

The Tusculum Review Advisory Board originated with Wayne Thomas, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of English, when he was editor of the Review. Thomas invited working writers to become involved with Tusculum’s literary magazine, and when Dr. Patterson became editor, she did the same.

“The Tusculum Review” is an international literary journal that publishes visual art, drama, poetry, fiction and nonfiction. The journal is released annually. “The Tusculum Review” also offers students the chance to learn and refine their skills as reviewers of literature, critics of visual art and editors of the written word. These opportunities provide students with unique qualifications for graduate studies and employment in publishing.

 

 

 

By Kayla Freeman, freshman business major from Charleston, S.C.

Tusculum student receives internship opportunity at PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Michael Fernando, a senior Tusculum College student from Sri Lanka majoring in accounting, general management and economics and international business, has accepted an offer of internship at PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Charlotte, N.C.

According to Robin Lay, director of career services at Tusculum, Fernando is the first Tusculum student to obtain an internship with a “Big Four” accounting firm.

Michael Fernando

Fernando has made an impact on the Tusculum campus. He is president of the Student Government Association, chairperson of the Student Philanthropy Council and president of the Pioneer Business Club.  He is an active member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, the Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, the Study Abroad and Global Awareness organization and the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature.

“I am grateful for the confidence that PwC has placed in me,” said Fernando. “I intend to represent our college well and excel in fulfilling my duties with the company. I owe this great privilege to some very important people, especially Dr. Michelle Freeman, who tirelessly worked hard to ensure that her accounting students had a thorough understanding of the accounting discipline and opportunities within the industry. Her commitment to the professional success of her students is what motivated me to think differently, dream big and achieve what I have achieved today. I must also thank Ms. Robin Lay for her hard work in ensuring that students are career ready; her guidance was instrumental in my receiving this opportunity.”

Fernando added, “I must also thank my colleagues at Unaka Company Inc. who have consistently added value to my experience as an intern with their company. They have always supported my personal and professional growth and are excited about my next steps. I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to attend Tusculum College and my parents who have worked so hard to ensure that I have the ability to pursue my education.

“I have learned so much from the faculty, staff and students at Tusculum College. As my time here as a student at Tusculum comes to an end, I look forward to my journey ahead. With courage and humility, I will travel to the frontier. I will always be a Pioneer.”

According to their website, PriceWaterhouseCoopers offers more than 700 internships annually across 29 countries and more than 88 percent of those interns accept careers with the company once they graduate.

Fernando plans to graduate in the spring, and either pursue a career with PriceWatehouseCoopers or attend East Tennessee State University for graduate school, also with a focus on accounting.

At Tusculum, Fernando provides mentoring and guidance to his fellow students as a tutor and as a resident assistant in one of the resident halls on campus. He has also been involved in Theatre-at-Tusculum, including a memorable role as “The Ghost of Christmas Past” in the 2013 production of “The Christmas Carol.”
An excellent student, he has been named to the President’s and Dean’s List during his time at Tusculum. His excellence as a freshman in an accounting course typically taken by upperclassmen led to an internship position at Plus Mark. Fernando has also worked internships at the accounting firm of Blackburn Childers and Steagall and Unaka Company Inc., where he currently is employed.

 

Valentine’s Dinner and Swing Dance to benefit Tusculum College band program

Dinner, dancing and romance are on the agenda for the Valentine’s Day Dinner/Swing Dance, set for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at the General Morgan Inn.

The evening event includes a reception, free dance lessons and a steak and shrimp dinner. Following dancing, a special dessert course will be served. Providing the music will be the Tusculum College Pioneer Jazz Band, along with special guests.

“When we decided to do a fundraiser for the band program, we were looking for a way to also provide entertainment to the Greeneville community,” said David Price, director of music at Tusculum College. “Spending a night dancing and eating good food with your sweetheart is what Valentine’s Day is all about.”

For anyone interested in honing skills for the dance floor, basic swing dance instruction will be offered immediately prior to the event from 6-6:45 p.m. by Dr. Bob and Christine Thorpe. The Thorpes have participated and competed in dance events across the southeastern United States for more than 20 years.

The Thorpes have been dancing together for 20 years and seize every opportunity to attend workshops, competitions and dance events from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati
and all over the southeastern US. They have taken private instruction in many styles of dance including Ballroom East and West Coast Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot, Carolina Shag and Latin Rumba, Cha-Cha and Tango.

Ticket prices for the event are $50 per person and include dance tickets, free dance lessons, an opening reception, dinner and a special dessert. Please call in advance to request a vegetarian substitution. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets are available for purchase at the General Morgan Inn or by contacting Price at 423-636-7303 or emailing daprice@tusculum.edu. A hotel package special is also available by contacting the General Morgan Inn at 423-787-1000.

Special table reservations are available for larger group seating by contacting Price.

The Pioneer Band Program at Tusculum College began in 2010, with the creation of the Pioneer Pep Band. The Pep Band became a much-enjoyed feature of the 2010 Pioneer football and basketball seasons, as the band performed at the Pioneer Club tailgate parties before each home football game and during pregame and half-time festivities.

Since that time a concert band, jazz band, marching band, handbell choir and several small ensembles have been added to the program. The groups play several events on campus each year, as well as events in the community.

 

 

Interest being sought for annual Keeneland trip to benefit Women’s Soccer program

The annual Keeneland trip is scheduled for April 23 and 24 this year. As in year’s past it will feature a trip to Coolmore Stakes Day, a Kentucky Derby qualifier race, at Keeneland Race Track on Saturday, April 23. The trip is an annual  benefit to support the Pioneer Women’s Soccer Team.

There will be two options available. A day option includes entrance ticket to the races, lunch vouchers at the track, grandstand seating, race program and a tailgate dinner following the races. The overnight option includes all the day option amenities, overnight hotel accommodations at the Clarion Hotel and Sunday, April 24, activities to include breakfast at the hotel, a private horse farm tour (possibly to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud Farm and see Triple Crown winner American Pharoah) and a Kentucky bourbon tour.
Bus transportation will be available from Greeneville in both options.

Please contact Women’s Soccer Coach Mike Joy as soon as possible if you are interested in this trip as he is determining how many tickets to purchase. Please contact him at mjoy@tusculum.edu or 423-636-7321 (ext 5321).  The estimated cost for the trip is $119 for the day option and the overnight option is $189. However, please note the final cost will not be known until after the tickets are purchased.

Lesser known Supreme Court cases that have had a significant impact to be focus of lecture Feb. 9

Uncovering cases from the annals of the highest court in America that may not have the popular recognition of Brown v. Board of Education or Roe v. Wade but have had as significant impact on the nation will be the focus of a presentation Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Tusculum College.

“American Civil Rights and Liberties: Little Known Supreme Court Cases That Have Made a Big Impact” will be presented by Dr. David Scott at 7 p.m. at the Behan Arena Theatre in the lower level (side entrance) of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus. The presentation is part of the Cicero Lecture Series and Tusculum Arts Outreach’s Acts, Arts, Academia 2015-16 performance and lecture series.

Dr. Scott, visiting instructor of political science at Tusculum, will be primarily discussing four cases that have been significant for the country during his lecture, but will also share information about other important Supreme Court decisions.

A licensed attorney, Dr. Scott earned his doctorate in political science with a focus in American politics from the University of Tennessee. He holds Juris Doctorate and Master of Dispute Resolution degrees from Pepperdine University.

His teaching and research interests include American constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, the influence of interest groups on the Supreme Court via the submission of amicus curiae briefs and political philosophy.

In his second year as an instructor at Tusculum, Dr. Scott has also taught at Carson-Newman University and Walters State  Community College, as well as serving as a graduate teaching associate at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He and his family live in Greeneville and he serves as an elder at First Christian Church.

Admission to the lecture is $7 per person.

For more information about the lecture, please contact Tusculum Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or jhollowell@tusculum.edu.

Tusculum College to participate in regional career fair

Originally scheduled for Jan. 25, the event will be open to the public.

“The Interstate Career Fair is an opportunity for students to make direct connections with employers,” said Robin Lay, director of career services at Tusculum College. “This is where students learn about professional opportunities and how to talk about themselves professionally.”

With more than 70 employers and graduate schools seeking qualified candidates, there will be opportunities for full-time, part-time, internship and summer positions.

Lay said, “Career fairs are incredibly valuable. When students talk to potential employers and graduate school representatives, it really brings it home what they’ve learned.”

Employers from across the East Tennessee region will be recruiting at the fair, and assistance with resumes, interview preparation and job-databases will be provided at no cost by the Tennessee Career Coach staff, who will also attend the event. For more information about Tennessee Career Coach, visit www.tn.gov/workforce/topic/get-on-the-coach.

Sponsored by the Interstate Career Council, the Interstate Career Fair provides students and alumni the opportunity to network with employers and graduate schools.

The Interstate Career Council consists of 17 colleges and universities, including Tusculum, Bluefield State College, Carson-Newman University, Concord University, East Tennessee State University, Emory & Henry College, King University, Lincoln Memorial University, Milligan College, Northeast State Community College, Old Dominion University, Southwest Community College, Tennessee Wesleyan College, University of Virginia at Wise, Virginia Highlands Community College, Virginia Tech and Wytheville Community College.

 

Health Care discussion to take place at Tusculum College on Feb. 11

A discussion titled “Health Care: How Can We Reduce Costs and Still Get the Care We Need?” will be hosted by Tusculum College on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in Chalmers Conference Center in the Niswonger Commons on the Greeneville campus and in the large first floor classroom at the Knoxville Regional Center. The joint session will be simulcast.

“Everyone has an interest in affordable, quality health care,” said Dr. Ronda Gentry, director for the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum. “By participating in this discussion, every individual has the chance to voice their concerns about the costs and quality of health care.”

As part of a national conversation, health care workers, community members and students are invited to discuss finding a balance between the quality and cost of health care. Participants will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the three options that were proposed through the National Issues Forum.

The results of Tusculum College’s discussion will join the results of other conversations across the country in an effort to direct the national response to the need for affordable health care.

Dr. Gentry said, “As an institution of higher education, Tusculum encourages students, faculty and staff, and community members to take part in this discussion and impact it for the better.”

Sponsored by the Center for Civic Arts and the School of Business, this discussion between the Knoxville and Greeneville campuses will be video linked, increasing the depth of responses and sharing of ideas. No RSVP is required. For more information, contact Dr. Ronda Gentry at rgentry@tusculum.edu.

 

 

Keep up with the latest alumni news in this month’s Class Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

’80s

Stuart Hirsten ’87 of Jackson, TN, was one of 20 heads of school from around the world selected for the Columbia University’s Klingenstein Foundation 2016 Head of School Fellowship. While the two-week intensive program will provide Hirstein with the chance to attend classes and planned activities, including weekend and cultural events, he will also get to present on a topic of his choice. His presentation will focus on the life-long impacts of a strong early childhood education. Hirstein is Head of the School at the University School of Jackson.

’00s

Cody Baugh ’07 has realized a childhood dream of being a head football coach. He was recently named the head football coach at Cherokee High School in Rogersville, TN. Baugh has been serving as offensive coordinator for the Greeneville High School football team. He was named the GHS head baseball coach last summer after leading the Greeneville Middle School baseball team since 2009. He began teaching weight lifting at Cherokee as the spring semester began in January. Baugh was starting quarterback for the Tusculum football team.

 

’10s

Justin Harvey ’12 ’15 will lead the revitalized men’s golf team at Emory & Henry College when competition begins in the fall of 2016. Harvey, a Kingsport, TN, native, played golf while at Tusculum. He won the Link Hills Invitational title in 2011, finished third that year in the Tri-Cities Men’s Amateur Tour and was the 2010 Golf Channel East Tennessee Amateur Tour player of the year. Harvey is a PGA apprentice and a certified TPI professional. Emory & Henry last fielded a men’s golf team in 2007-08.

 

 

 

 

’60s

Elaine Russell Clark ’60 of Greeneville, TN, passed away January 8, 2016, after a lengthy illness. She had been married to Nayland D. Clark ’58 until his passing in 2013. Mrs. Clark worked a short time at Magnavox before starting her career with the National Park Service, serving more than 40 years at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and National Cemetery. For several years, she served as curator at Andrew Johnson’s home and expressed her appreciation of having the opportunity to work in that capacity and become friends with Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett, the great-granddaughter of President Andrew Johnson. In 2005, she was presented a certificate of appreciation for her 43 years of continuous service at the historic site by National Park Service Director Fran Mainella who was visiting the site at the time. Active in the Greeneville community, Mrs. Clark served as a member of Little Theatre and sat on its board of directors. She worked on several musicals and was in charge of costumes for children’s plays. Mrs. Clark was a member of Youth Builders and secretary of the Greeneville Arts Guild for many years. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and taught children’s Sunday school.

 

Barbara Ann Fillers Morelock ’69 of Greeneville, TN, passed away January 21, 2016. Mrs. Morelock devoted her career to education, teaching in the Greene County School System, mostly at Mosheim Elementary School. She was a member of the Greeneville-Greene County Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Morelock was a devoted attendee of Caney Creek Baptist Church. Her survivors include her husband and Tusculum alumnus Lloyd Morelock ’66.

 

’70s

Jonathan Arnold Fitts ’79 of Cleveland, TN, passed away on December 25, 2015. Mr. Fitts was a native of Maryland, where he was a high school All-American basketball player and Eagle Scout. He received a scholarship to Tusculum, where he played both basketball and soccer while earning a Bachelor’s degree in special education. After graduating, he spent 30 years in teaching.

 

’80s

Ronald Thomas Grant ’86 of Knoxville, TN, passed away February 15, 2013. Mr. Grant was the retired director of personnel at the Tennessee School of the Deaf. He was a member and deacon of Central Baptist Church of Bearden.

Aud Murray Ray ’86 of Spring City, TN, passed away January 1, 2016.  A veteran, Mr.Ray served in the U. S. Army. During his career he worked for Memphis Stone and Gravel, E.I. DuPont Company and the Tennessee Valley Authority. At TVA, he was a manager during the construction of the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit I and later served as a manager in maintenance at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. Mr. Ray’s faith and family were his priorities. Over the years, he served in a number of capacities in the United Methodist Church. As a longtime member of Spring City United Methodist Church, Mr. Ray enjoyed being part of the ministries within the community and district. He prayed often, offering thanks and asking blessings for others. Mr. Ray loved family gatherings, boating on Watts Bar Lake, traveling in the United States and Europe and his regular vacations to the Florida coast.

 

’90s

Susan Febuary ’96 of Elizabethton, TN, passed away July 14, 2015, following a brief illness. Mrs. Febuary was a retired teacher from the Carter County School System and had also taught the pre-school class at First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton. She was a member of Southside Christian Church and served on the Food Committee.

’00s

Joseph Stanley “Stan” Grimm ’06 of Cleveland, TN, passed away  October 4, 2014. A veteran, Mr. Grimm had served in the U.S. Navy. He was retired from the Whirlpool Corporation, where he served in the engineering department. Mr. Grimm was gifted in working with computers and used that talent to serve his church, Big Springs Baptist Church, on a regular basis.

Performances of Cinderella rescheduled for Jan. 29-31

Winter’s first big snowstorm caused changes of plans for many and Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville was no exception. However, the show will go on as “Cinderella” takes the stage a week later than originally planned.

Performances are now scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29; 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31. All performances will be in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. Tickets for last week’s performances will be honored for the corresponding shows this weekend.

A cast of 110 local and professional dancers will present the original ballet for all ages. Adapted and choreographed by Central Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Lori Ann Sparks, this unique ballet is based on the familiar children’s story of a virtuous young woman who suffers hardships and injustice but endures and is miraculously rewarded for her courage and kindness. “Cinderella” includes something for everyone: from cute little butterflies and military mice to dancers welding swords in a wolf attack, from a fire-breathing dragon to a manly but kind prince, as well as modest yet beautiful costuming, intricate choreography, inspiring music, creative sets and lighting.

Tickets are still available. General admission is $10. Tickets for students and seniors 60 and over are $5. Tickets are available for purchase at Three Blind Mice, the General Morgan Inn, Richland Creek Gifts, and Tusculum Arts Outreach. Tickets can also be reserved by calling (423) 724-7014 or (423) 798-1620.

Dead Sea Scrolls to be focus of 2016 Theologian-in-Residence series

Dr. Travis Williams

The nature of scripture at the time of Jesus, as revealed in the Dead Sea Scrolls will be explored in February during Tusculum College’s annual Theologian-in-Residence lecture series.

Dr. Travis Williams, assistant professor of religion at Tusculum College, will be presenting the series of lectures, “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Identifying, Altering and Preserving Scripture in Antiquity.”  Lectures will take place each Tuesday of the month – Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 – in the series, sponsored by Tusculum College and partially funded by Ron Smith. Each lecture session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Chalmers Conference Center in the Niswonger Commons. The sessions typically end around 2 p.m., and lunch in the college’s cafeteria is included. There is no admission fee to attend the lectures.

Dr. Williams is the first return speaker of the series, now in its 25th year. He previously served as Theologian-in-Residence in 2014, lecturing on the formation of early Christian identity in response to persecution. As a New Testament scholar, Dr. Williams has published extensively in the area of I Peter. More recently, the Dead Sea Scrolls have come to hold an important place in his research. He has written on the interpretive commentaries on scripture found within the scrolls, particularly as they relate to the phenomenon of inspired exegesis, and he is currently exploring the traditions surrounding the Teacher of Righteousness within the Dead Sea communities.

Although a native of East Tennessee, Dr. Williams received his doctorate in New Testament from the University of Exeter in England. After moving back to the U.S., he began his career at Tusculum in 2010. His teaching duties at the college focus primarily on the Jewish and Christian traditions; however, he regularly leads courses that fall within the broader sphere of religious studies.

During the first session on Feb. 2, “What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?,” Dr. Williams will introduce the Dead Sea Scrolls, explaining what they are and what they are not, as well as detailing the history of their discovery.

“Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls,” the second session on Feb. 9, will focus on identifying the group associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls, considering various Jewish movements from the Second Temple period.

The third session on Feb. 16, “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Transmission of Scripture,” will examine the fluidity of the scriptural text as revealed in the biblical manuscripts found at Qumran and review the phenomenon of “Rewritten Bible.”

In the concluding lecture on Feb. 23, Dr. Williams will discuss the view of continuing revelation which was held by the authors of the scrolls and its impact for understanding the nature of authoritative scripture.

Although the series has no admission fee, reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation for the series, please call 423-636-7304 or email eestes@tusculum.ed

Tusculum students welcome Bill Darden

Tusculum College was pleased to host Mr. Bill Darden, field representative for Congressman Phil Roe, as a speaker at a student luncheon today. Mr. Darden spoke to the students about work as a "political staffer" and gave them tips for being successful post-graduation. Top of the list were honing time management and conversational skills. The event was co-hosted by Career Services and the Department of Political Science.