Discount to ‘Candlelight Christmas Evenings’ at Biltmore still available

Through the Education Partners program, Tusculum alumni and friends are eligible for a discount on admission to “Candelight Christmas Evenings” at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC.

Admission will include a reserved evening visit to Biltmore House to enjoy the extravagant holiday décor glowing in the warmth of candlelight, firelight and live music. Also included is daytime access to Biltmore’s Gardens, Antler Hill Village and Winery, the Farm, shops and restaurants on the same day as the Candlelight visit or the following day. Free parking is included.

The discounted admission for Sundays through Thursdays, December 16 through January 7, is $70 for adults and $35 for youth. For Fridays and Saturdays, the admission is $75 for adults and $37.50 for youth. Biltmore will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Regular gate pricing for the Candlelight Christmas Evenings are $70 to $85.

Alumni and friends should call Biltmore to order tickets. Reservations can be made by calling toll free 866-851-4661 and reference promo code 500.

 

Thank you for your support of Tusculum College

In this season of thanks, the students, faculty and staff of Tusculum College would like to express our appreciation to you, our alumni and friends, for your support. Donations to Tusculum College positively impact each and every student on campus. Students are grateful for the generosity of those alumni and donors who have gone before them setting the example for how to be engaged and active citizens supporting their communities and Alma Mater.

#pioneersgiveback

https://vimeo.com/191982669

 

Unexpected guest joins D.C.-area alumni gathering

Tusculum College alumni in the Washington, D.C. area gathered for an event on September 26, and were joined by an unexpected guest. John Boehner (R-OH),  53rd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in the restaurant where the alumni were gathered and spent some time with the group. Standing from left are Ed Flournoy, Dr. Ken Bowman ’70, Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody and John Boehner, and seated are, Mary Flournoy; Heather Patchett, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Tusculum and Susan Goodwin Jacobs ’74.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

’60s

Dennis Wolford ’68 was honored recently by the Tennessee Hospital Association at its 2016 annual meeting. Wolford received the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing him for his 32 years of service as Chief Executive Officer of Macon County General Hospital in Lafayettte, TN. He has served on the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Directors and its Council on Clinical and Professional Practices.

’70s

Bobby Greene ’78 of Cleveland, TN, has been inducted into Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame, the highest statewide honor given by the organization. Greene is an alumni and board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region in Cleveland. It was noted in the award presentation in September that Greene is known for his heart of service and has a deeply giving spirit for the clubs, viewing his service as a means of “paying forward” what the clubs meant for his personal life. On days when the clubs were closed, he dedicated his time and painted, landscaped, cleaned and repaired equipment at the clubs, serving privately to avoid praise and recognition. He remains highly engaged with the members of the executive staff, checking in often for updates on the functioning of the clubs and offering his help. Greene has been an active board member for the past 36 years. He currently serves as the Board Development Committee Chair and previously served as a secretary and the President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region board of directors. He also serves as a Boys & Girls Clubs Tennessee Alliance Board Member, where he has been a part of the Resource Development Committee. His service has gained him recognition from Boys & Girls Clubs of America as one of the strongest board members in the nation. He received the President’s Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region in 2007, a National BGCA Medallion in 2008, Board Member of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region in 2015, Board Member of the Year for the state of Tennessee in 2015, Board Member of the Year for the Southeast Region in 2015, and is a past graduate of the BGCA Advanced Leadership Program. He has helped support and guide several local Youth of the Year winners, two of which became Southeast Regional Winners in 2010 and 2013. Greene was introduced to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, now the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region, around the age of 10. He often speaks of his memorable experiences when advocating for the movement today, recalling the staff as though they were family, and his heart for the clubs during his youth led him to be recognized as Cleveland’s Boy of the Year.

 

’80s

The Rev. Lester Lattany ’87 ’91 of Johnson City, TN, will be retiring from the helm of the United Way of Washington County at the end of the year. Under his leadership, $25,405,440 has been raised over the years for community health and human services organizations and the local children, adults and seniors those organizations serve. With work currently underway to raise $1.725 million in the 2016 United Way campaign, which wraps up in mid-December, Lattany is poised to increase that total to more than $27 million in United Way contributions raised before he steps down at end the year. Lattany’s retirement will also top off a long career with the city of Johnson City, where he was employed for 23 years as director of Community and Economic Development and simultaneously worked as assistant to the city manager and finally as the city’s interim chief financial officer. He was first tagged to serve as campaign chairman for the United Way in 2001 and came on board as United Way CEO and president the following year. Under his leadership, the United Way expanded its agency base to include Keystone Dental Care, Coalition for Kids and the Family Promise of Greater Johnson City among the 17 organizations that currently receive annual support for United Way; and also awarded community impact grants to nonprofit service groups including Good Samaritan Ministries, The Dispensary of Hope, The Crumley House, Court Appointed Special Advocates and Children’s Advocacy Center. As United Way CEO, Lattany also served as the Local FEMA board chairman and as fiscal director of the Heisse Johnson Hand Up Fund and the Johnson City-Mountain Home Combined Federal Campaign. Outside the United Way, he served as vice chairman of the Mountain States Health Alliance Washington County Board, a member of the Frontier Health Foundation Board and Frontier Health Governing Board, chairman of the board for Tri-Cities Christian Schools, member of the Northeast State Foundation Board and member of Tusculum College Board of Trustees. A longtime Baptist minister, Lattany will also continue to pastor the New Jerusalem Baptist Church he founded in 2010, and to serve as moderator of the Bethel District Baptist Missionary and Educational Association.

 

’00s

Jessica P. Sykes Morgan ’02 ’13 of Knoxville, TN, achieved the dream of publishing her first novel, “Take Me Home” in 2015 and followed it quickly with her second novel, “In the Shadow of the Falls” this year. “I realized while working toward my second bachelor’s degree in 2013 that I missed the opportunity to write on a continuous basis,” she said. “While I enjoy some topics more than others, I find a great satisfaction in creating a world and characters from faint, disjointed ideas full of passion and soul.” Morgan is working on her third novel for publication in 2017.

 

Justin Johnson ’08 is now Manager of Ticket Sales and Guest Services at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA.

 

 

’10s

 

Brittni Oliver ’11 has been named director of women’s basketball operations at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Oliver, who is entering her fifth year at the school, previously served as the program’s administrative assistant.  Oliver is serving under Head Basketball Coach Adell Harris, who was Oliver’s coach in her final two years on the Pioneer women’s basketball team. After earning a degree in sports management from Tusculum, Oliver completed a Master of Science degree in sport psychology from the University of Tennessee in December 2012. While at UT, she served as a graduate assistant in the university’s Dean of Students office.

 

Rev. Vinton Copeland ’13 will be installed Sunday, December 4, as a pastor at Powell Baptist Church in Talbotton, GA.

 

Justin Reaves ’14 Greeneville, TN, has joined the Greeneville Real Estate and Auction Team. He is a member of the Northeast Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Prior to joining Greeneville Real Estate and Auction Team, Reaves worked in the banking and financing industry, most recently as an assistant vice president and branch manager.

 

 

 

 

Rustin and Casey (Westmoreland) Jones ’06 ’13 of Greeneville, TN, are excited to announce the birth of their son Lincoln Howard Jones born on September 8, 2016.  Rustin is a government and economics teacher and head soccer coach at West Greene High School.  Casey is a third grade teacher at Glenwood Elementary School.  Proud grandparents include Charles ’95 and Susie (retired employee of Tusculum) Jones and Lori and Rick Fannon and Gary Westmoreland all of Greeneville.  Lincoln’s uncles are Eben Jones ’95 and Frank Jones ’99. Rustin was on evening WCYB-TV newscasts on Nov. 7 regarding a mock election he conducted at West Greene High.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Morris E. Katz ’37 of Sarasota, FL, passed away October 28, 2016, his 102nd birthday.  Dr. Katz had been honored earlier this year by his Alma Mater with the Distinguished Service Award, presented during the annual President’s Dinner. After graduating from Tusculum, he went on to the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine where he earned his medical degree in 1942. He interned at the William W. Bacchus Hospital in Norwich, CT,  in 1941-1942 where he met Frieda Hillson whom he married in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in that same year and served as a battalion surgeon with the 28th Infantry Division under the command of General Omar Bradley until 1945, retiring with the rank of Major. In 1950 Dr. Katz opened an Ear, Nose and Throat practice in Norwich that he maintained until his retirement in 1987 when he and Frieda moved to Sarasota. She passed away in 1994. Dr. Katz had been a very active member of the Glenridge on Palmer Ranch community where he lived independently until just a few weeks before his passing.

 

Marjorie “Margie” Taylor Bright ’38 of Greeneville, TN, passed away on November 20, 2016. Marjorie had married the love of her life, J.C. Bright, at age 19 and they celebrated 70 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2007. Mrs. Bright began her teaching career in a one-teacher school called Campbell’s School. While teaching and raising her family, she earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Tusculum. Mrs. Bright was an award-winning teacher who loved her students and devoted much of her life to education, retiring from Doak Elementary School after 38 years of teaching Greene County children. Her devotion to teaching and to her students is demonstrated by how frequently former students speak with respect and admiration of their “favorite teacher ever.” Of all the roles she embraced with love and enthusiasm, the ones that she treasured most were wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Friendly and gregarious with a quick, mischievous humor, Mrs. Bright  touched many people during her life. Her caring influence made a positive difference in many lives. An outstanding cook, she often fed family and friends her delicious feasts and never-to-be-forgotten pies. Her membership in Mount Zion United Methodist Church spanned more than 80 years. After retirement from teaching, Mrs. Bright began volunteering at Durham-Hensley Health & Rehabilitation Center, where she experienced much joy with her “little people.”  She volunteered there for almost 20 years until she was unable to due to her husband’s declining health. The couple moved to Wellington Place of Greeneville, now Brookdale Assisted Living, where Mrs. Bright lived until her passing. Because she was so active and engaged in the Wellington Place community, she was known as “the mayor” until her own health caused her to slow considerably.

 

The Honorable Ralph Zehler ’47 of Sarasota, FL, and formerly of Charlottesville, VA, passed away on October 14, 2016. He was a retired Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in Charlottesville  and surrounding areas.

 

Kermit Crane ’49 of Kingsport, TN, passed away on October 14, 2014. Mr. Crane was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was retired from Tennessee Eastman Company. He was  a member of Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church.

 

Tony Odell ’68 of Chuckey, TN, passed away November 14, 2016. Mr. O’Dell was a public school teacher, having been tenured by the Greene County Board of Education and the Greeneville City Board of Education. He started as a classroom teacher for the county and worked at several other assignments. His last position was as program director for the Alternative Learning Program. Mr. O’Dell almost always worked more than one job at a time. He had worked for the National Park Service, Adult Education, Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, Green Giant Company and Magnavox. During latter years, he worked as a retail supervisor for a local convenience store chain, Marsh Petroleum, usually working 12-14 stores in about six counties. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Tusculum, Mr. O’Dell had earned a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University. In addition, he studied and attended workshops at Vanderbilt University, Walters State Community College and the University of Tennessee. He studied Homiletics at Anderson University and the School of Theology in Anderson, IN. Mr. O’Dell attended Cedar Creek Church of God frequently, and Horse Creek Church of God, as long as health permitted. He held leadership roles in the district and state movements of the Church of God. Mr. O’Dell was also active in youth programs and church activities, working with one of the largest youth programs in the Church of God, “Anderson Movement.” He worked with the youth at Horse Creek Church of God and Campground Church of God. He had also served as the teacher of the senior age class at Elizabethton Church of God. Mr. O’Dell started Camp Greeneville, an active camping outreach, in the state camping program for the Church of God youth. Out of the youth work and camping program, he had at least five young men who became active full time ministers. Mr. O’Dell also spent a great deal of his time in the music program and was affiliated with the Salvation Singers Inc.

 

Philip Steven Hirlemann ’70 of Belvidere, NJ, passed away April 19, 2016, after a year-and-a-half battle with skin cancer. Mr. Hirlemann had served as an art teacher at Hopatcong High School for more than 25 years. Former pupils remembered him as a teacher who taught his students not only about an academic discipline, but also about how to be a good citizen, do the right thing and think outside the box.  Mr. Hirlemann enjoyed sharing his love of photography, art and cars, but his greatest joy was spending time with friends and family. After his retirement, he had helped his children with projects at their homes and spent much time with his grandchildren.

Annual Christmas band concert set for Tuesday, Nov. 29

Sounds of Christmas will fill the air on the Tusculum College campus Tuesday, Nov. 29, as the Tusculum College Band program presents its annual holiday concert.

The local community is invited to the performance, which is free and open to the public.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the concert will feature the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Handbell Choir.

The Concert Band and Jazz Band’s repertoire includes some Christmas favorites as well as some pieces that may be new to the audience. The Concert Band will be performing “Feliz Navidad,” “Brazilian Bell Carol,” “Christmas Variants,” “Christmas Declaration” and “Fantasia on Silent Night.”

Toes will be tapping with the Jazz Band’s renditions of “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” “O Holy Night,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

The Handbell Choir will be performing four pieces of diverse styles – “On Christmas Day in the Morning,” “Noel Nouvelet,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Still, Still, Still.”

The band program began in 2010 with the formation of a pep band and has grown to include a Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Handbell Choir and various small ensembles.

The annual Christmas Concert by the Tusculum College Band Program will be at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus.

Youth auditions for ‘My Son Pinocchio JR’ scheduled Nov. 28 and 29

Youth ages seven to 18 are sought for the cast of “My Son Pinocchio JR,” the February 2017 production for Theatre-at-Tusculum and Actors Coming Together.

“My Son Pinocchio JR” is part of the popular Broadway Junior Collection of live-theater musicals and will be directed by Marilyn duBrisk with an all youth cast.

Auditions are scheduled Monday, Nov. 28, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, in the Behan Arena Theatre, located on the lower level (side entrance) of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. with auditions starting at 4 p.m. and lasting until about 6 p.m. both days. Possible callbacks will be held 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1. Those wishing to audition are not required to attend both audition dates but are asked to be available for possible callbacks on Dec. 1 if needed.

Auditions will consist of a singing portion, a choreography portion and readings from the show’s script. No prepared audition pieces are required but those wishing to audition are asked to wear comfortable clothing and shoes with closed toes.

The production features a cast of approximately 30 actors, singers and dancers. Characters include Geppetto, Pinocchio, Stromboli-the Puppet Master, The Blue Fairy and four “Fairies-In-Training.” Supporting roles include: Signora Giovanni, Pinocchio’s teacher; Professore Buongrazzoa, a mad scientist; Junior, his assistant and The Ringleader who runs Pleasure Island. In addition a large ensemble is needed for Town Children and Town Parents, Children of Idyllia and the Roustabouts and Delinquents of Pleasure Island.

Performances are scheduled for Feb. 17-19 and 23-26 with rehearsals beginning in January. Those wanting to audition are asked to be prepared to list any scheduling conflicts between Jan. 5 and the production show dates.

A tentative rehearsal schedule will be posted during auditions and will include some mandatory rehearsal dates and the mandatory performance dates. Rehearsals will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and some Sunday afternoons from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. Specific times and days are dependant upon the individual role.

Show director duBrisk will lead the auditions along with her production team: assistant director Brian Ricker, musical director Angie Clendenon and choreographer Kim Berry, with help from the show’s accompanist, Kasie Shelnutt.

“My Son Pinocchio JR” has its roots in the classic Walt Disney animated feature film “Pinocchio,” which premiered in 1940. The musical includes the songs “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings” by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington from the animated film. Unlike the animated film the stage production is told from the perspective of Geppetto rather than Pinocchio, similar to the 2000 Disney live-action television movie “Geppetto” starring Drew Carey.

The stage musical includes music and lyrics by Oscar and Grammy winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Broadway’s “Wicked,” and Disney’s “Pocahontas,” “The Prince of Egypt” and “Enchanted”) and book by David Stern.

For more information regarding auditions, the production or other Arts Outreach programs, please call 423-798-1620.

 

Update on construction of the new Tusculum College science and math building

The finishing touches are underway on the construction of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College. Interior work continues with flooring, electrical and furniture installation well underway.

According to David Martin, director of facilities at Tusculum College, construction will be completed in the next few weeks and plans are to being moving into the building over the Christmas break. Classes will be held in the new facility beginning in January with the start of the spring semester.

The Meen Center for Science and Math is a four-story structure of approximately 100,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and environmental science. 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 large general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will be included on the ground floor. Space is also allocated to house the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing and the Master of Science degree in Nursing.

The facility is possible in part to the late Verna June Meen, whose $3.875 million gift towards funding the facility in memory of her husband, Dr. Ronald H. Meen, allowed the leadership of the college to move forward with plans for the facility.

Much of the laboratory equipment has been installed as the finishing touches are added to the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College.

The finishing touches on the exterior of the building are under way including sidewalk construction.

 

 

Canned food drive effort to be held at basketball games Nov. 19

Tusculum College basketball fans will have the opportunity to help two local non-profit organizations at the upcoming Nov. 19 home games.

At both the men’s and women’s basketball games, fans can gain free admission with the donation of four non-perishable food items. The women’s game begins at 2 p.m. in Pioneer Arena on the Tusculum campus while the men’s game follows at 4 p.m. Both teams will be taking on Wingate University in South Atlantic Conference action.

The collection is part of a campus-wide canned food drive sponsored by the Psychology Club and the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum.

Donations will be distributed to the Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries Food Bank and the Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen.

Tusculum College named to Top Military-Friendly School List

For the seventh year in a row, Tusculum College has been named to the Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2017 list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and dependents and to ensure their academic success. Schools on the list earn the right to use the Military Friendly School logo.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.

“Tusculum College strives to help our veterans find the right program and format to best suit them in completing their college degree in both our residential and Graduate and Professional Studies programs,” said Melissa , interim vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Tusculum College.

She added, “It is a priority of Tusculum College to provide access to any veteran who is seeking higher education opportunities and to make that access as simple and affordable as possible. We are pleased with the number of veterans who choose Tusculum College because of the personalized program that helps them every step along the path to graduation.”

The Military Friendly Schools list is a key resource in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. Ripley added that this is especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.

Tusculum College started participating in the Yellow Ribbon program in August 2009. Under the program, the school matches dollars put in by the Veterans Administration so veterans or their spouse or dependents can work toward their advanced degree, as well as qualify for money to help with housing. There are more than 44 students enrolled in Tusculum degree programs who are receiving the Yellow Ribbon benefits.

“Through the Yellow Ribbon program the college acknowledges the commitment of those who have served our country by providing them with financial support to complete their education,” said Tusculum College President Nancy B. Moody. “With the variety of locations, programs, majors, degrees and scheduling options offered at Tusculum College, we are uniquely suited to serve those whose educational path was interrupted or who are considering beginning or continuing their higher education.”

The Yellow Ribbon program is applicable towards all Tusculum College degree programs, which include traditional undergraduate programs, as well as the Graduate and Professional Studies programs. Tuition benefits under the program are also available to both full and part-time students.

In addition, Tusculum College has a long standing relationship with the United States Navy through its partnership with the U.S.S. Greeneville submarine. Since its christening, Tusculum College has partnered with the crew members, offering an annual scholarship to crewmen and/or members of their family. To date, four people benefiting from that relationship have become Tusculum College alumni and there are currently four students receiving this scholarship in the residential program.

Tusculum College has long offered assistance to veterans returning to higher education and Veterans Affairs Coordinator Pat Simons is available to specifically support veterans with their admissions and financial aid questions. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program or other assistance provided by the college, contact Simons at 423-636-7300.

Additionally, Jerry Sullivan serves as Tusculum College’s enrollment representative military liaison. He is responsible for the recruitment and marketing of Tusculum College to active duty military, veterans and their dependents. He serves as a point of contact for all military personnel, coordinating with other departments to provide academic and financial advice for current and prospective students. Sullivan may be contacted at 800-729-0116.

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.

 

Tusculum College receives Tennessee Higher Education Commission grant for improved teacher quality efforts

Tusculum College has received a $74,991 grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to fund a regional educational effort to improve skills of high school mathematics and computer science teachers.

The grant will be used to fund the Tusculum College Python TEAM2 project, which is designed to enhance the content knowledge, pedagogical skills and pedagogical content knowledge of high school mathematics and computer science teachers in the high-needs school districts surrounding Tusculum College’s home campus in Greene County and its instructional sites in Hamblen and Knox counties.

Project participants will benefit from five on-site days of professional development in Tusculum College’s Meen Center for Science and Math along with a 10-month online credit-bearing course in the Python computer language. The content focus will be on the use of Python computer programming to solve mathematical problems. Participants will explore mathematical concepts, learn the Python programming language and develop programs to solve the kinds of problems they teach in their high school classrooms.

According to Dr. Tricia Hunsader, dean of the School of Education and professor of education, participants’ growth in content knowledge related to mathematics concepts, programming basics and the Python computer language will be assessed via a pre-test and post-test. Participant surveys will assess teachers’ perceptions of the learning experiences and their growth in content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and pedagogical content knowledge.

“The primary content objectives are to increase high school mathematics and computer science teachers’ knowledge of and practical skills in fundamental mathematical concepts directly applicable to computer programming, essential structures and algorithms used in object-oriented programming, the writing of Python code to solve mathematical problems and numerical methods applicable to the high school mathematics curriculum,” said Dr. Hunsader.

The program is a partnership among Tusculum College’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science within the School of Arts and Sciences, Tusculum College’s School of Education and regional high-need school systems, which include Greene County, Greeneville City, Hamblen County, Hawkins County, Jefferson County, Knox County and Washington County school districts.

THEC administers this federal program, which was established to provide grants for colleges and universities to develop and implement workshops for K-12 teachers in the areas of mathematics, science and humanities. The purpose is to establish a collaborative planning partnership between higher education and K-12 education for teacher preparation and continuing professional development. – See more at: https://www.tn.gov/thec/article/itq#sthash.VkHDDXu5.dpuf

 

Tusculum College program offers free tax assistance

Certified-IRS volunteers at Tusculum College will be available to provide income tax assistance through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

The Tusculum College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is an IRS grant program that offers free tax preparation to qualifying taxpayers in Greeneville and the Tri-Cities region. All volunteers for the program are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service.

According to Dr. Harold Branstrator, associate professor of management at Tusculum College, although the program has been around for quite some time, this year marks the first year for the VITA program at Tusculum College. The Tusculum College VITA program is intended to assist a variety of taxpayers who need help in filing their own tax returns.

Person who qualify include those who generally earn less than $54,000 per year, persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and other urban and rural residents.

Participants in the program will be assisted by well-trained IRS-certified student volunteers.

Dr. Branstrator, a former IRS employee, oversees the VITA Program at Tusculum College. The program prepares students who are trained extensively and certified by the Internal Revenue Service to prepare returns for the citizens of Greeneville and the surrounding area. Additionally, said Dr. Branstrator, through the program, student volunteers learn valuable skills in tax preparation, professionalism and interviewing, while serving the community.

 

Tusculum Commencement ceremony to feature Dr. Ron May

Dr. Ron May, vice president of academic affairs at Tusculum College and a 1968 graduate, will be the speaker at Tusculum College’s winter commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Dr. May will deliver the address to students at both ceremonies in the Pioneer Arena in Niswonger Commons on the Greeneville campus. The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The afternoon ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.

Dr. Ron May

“Dr. Ron May joined Tusculum College in 2014 and has helped guide us through a significant period of change in the academic arena,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. His leadership has been invaluable as we steer the college through difficult times in higher education. He will most certainly leave Tusculum in a better place.”

Dr. May has had a distinguished career in higher education, retiring in June 2014 as president of Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana. In his career he has taught public school, as well as served as a college professor, department head, dean, vice president and twice as a college president, at Ancilla and at Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina. Dr. May also holds faculty rank as professor of education.

In his career, Dr. May has been recognized by numerous organizations, including by the Leadership Marshall County program with their Leader of the Year Award in 2011. He served Tusculum College as dean of faculty from 1985 to 1988. He also served for a time as the president of the Tusculum College Alumni Association.

Dr. May earned a Doctorate of Education from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from East Tennessee State University and an Associate of Science from Vincennes University. He returned to serve as interim vice president of academic affairs in June 2014.

 

Tusculum College participating in White House Healthy Campus Challenge

Making sure students have access to affordable health insurance is the primary focus of Tusculum College’s participation in the White House Healthy Campus Challenge.

The Healthy Campus Challenge aims to engage college and university campuses, and in particular community college campuses, across the country in enrollment efforts of the Affordable Health Care Act.

Groups on participating campuses will implement focused activities to reach the uninsured both on campus and in the surrounding community, during the open enrollment period.

“We are aware that we have students on campus who do not have health insurance and have felt the need to address this issue prior to the announcement of the White House Challenge,” said Rev. Dr. Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum College. “The challenge fits in well with what we were making plans to address, so it is a natural fit for Tusculum College.”

She added that additional activities will be held addressing how to live a healthy lifestyle that will provide opportunities to discuss insurance and its importance.

Tusculum Colleges efforts will include undertaking in-person enrollment activities on campus, sending e-mails to students and faculty reminding them of the opportunity to enroll in coverage, using social media platforms to highlight open enrollment for students, faculty and staff, as well additional educational programming on how to access insurance options.

Efforts began on Wednesday, Nov. 2, with the incorporation of healthcare-related activities into Tusculum’s S.P.I.E.S. program, a campus-wide Individual Wellness through Community Engagement initiative. The acronym S.P.I.E.S. stands for social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. During the S.P.I.E.S. event, staff talked with the approximately 250 students in attendance about the healthcare exchange and walked interested students through the application process. Additional activities were designed to educate students on simple exercises they can add to their day, as well as how to eat healthy on a college student budget. Students also participated in group biking, trail hike, lawn games or yoga activities.

The 2016 White House Healthy Campus Challenge builds on the successful 2015 White House Healthy Communities Challenge, in which Milwaukee – the challenge winner – saw about 38,000 people newly select a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace during the open enrollment period.

 

Students participated in a healthy lifestyle event at Tusculum College on Wednesday that included learning about health insurance options and is part of the college’s participation in the White House Health Campus Challenge.