Deadline approaching for Finish Strong tuition-paid scholarship competition at Tusculum College

 
The deadline to apply for a full tuition scholarship to Tusculum College is approaching. The Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway closes on Friday, Sept. 30.

“We don’t want anyone to miss this great opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree through one of our Graduate and Professional Studies programs with a tuition-paid scholarship,” said Lindsey Seal, director of Graduate and Professional Studies enrollment at Tusculum College. “The Tusculum College Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway recognizes the hard work and sacrifices our adult students put forth when returning to school to finish their degree.”

This is the second year Tusculum College has offered the competition. This year’s winner will be able to start their program Spring 2017. Advanced registration dates have been scheduled for November 10 in Greeneville, November 16 in Morristown and December 1 in Knoxville.

“Getting people back to school to finish their degrees is life changing,” said Seal. “Through this essay contest, we learn the individual stories of our students and are able to share them with others who wish to follow in their footsteps. The bonus is that one lucky participant will receive a full tuition scholarship as a prize.”

The winner of last year’s Finish Strong contest was Aimee Teffeteller of Maryville. Teffeteller is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and plans to major in education. “Winning the Finish Strong scholarship has been such a blessing,” said Teffeteller.  “It has enabled me to finish my degree without the financial burden that comes with continuing one’s education.  I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity.”

The Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway is open to all legal U.S. residents age 18 or older with a valid Social Security number at the time of entry. The winner must submit the following:  an application for admission and be accepted to an undergraduate degree program at Tusculum College, an essay and official transcripts of all college level work from regionally accredited schools demonstrating a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average and the equivalent of 54 semester hours or an associate’s degree. Currently enrolled Tusculum College students are ineligible to win.

The required essay should describe how obtaining an undergraduate degree from Tusculum College will transform the entrant’s life.

There is no charge or fee to submit the essay or enter the contest. The essay submitted must contain between 250 and 500 words to be considered a valid entry. In addition to the required essay submission, entrants are encouraged to promote actively their participation in the Scholarship Contest via social media, using #finishstrong. Social media participation is not part of the criteria for eligibility or for judging the best essays.

One grand prize will be awarded. The grand prize package consists of a tuition-paid scholarship to one of Tusculum College’s undergraduate degree-completion programs which can be redeemed at any of the Knoxville, Morristown or Greeneville locations or used for an online program. The scholarship may be applied to pay all of the regular tuition charges for an undergraduate degree-completion program in business administration, management, interdisciplinary studies (education, K-5) and psychology,  behavioral health concentration.

Enrollment into one of the four undergraduate degree programs is subject to availability at the respective class location.  The winner is responsible for paying all other charges, fees and amounts payable by a student enrolled in the program and will not be eligible to receive any additional institutional-based scholarships.

The prize may be combined with other forms of financial aid available through Tusculum College.

To enter, the essay must be submitted in writing to the Tusculum College admissions office. Entrants may visit Tusculum College’s “Finish Strong Scholarship” website at www.tusculum.edu/finish to submit the online entry form.

The Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway is provided by Tusculum College in partnership with Food City and WIVK-Radio. Both Food City and WIVK continue to promote the contest in the greater Knoxville area during the term of the event

A complete copy of the rules may be obtained at the Tusculum College Admissions Office, 60 Shiloh Road, P.O.  Box 5051, Greeneville, TN 37743, during normal operation hours, Monday through Friday, or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the above address.

 

Homecoming 2016 coming in less than a month!

Homecoming 2016 is less than a month away, and many exciting events are planned to welcome alumni back to campus.  Make plans to attend today. A schedule for Homecoming weekend is below.

Thursday, October 20

Hotel Crawl – College staff will be stopping by the local hotels to welcome alumni back to Greeneville.

Noon – General Morgan Inn

12:30 p.m. – Days Inn

1 p.m. – Econo Lodge

1:30 p.m. – Hampton Inn

2 p.m. – Quality Inn

2:30 p.m. – Knight’s Inn

*Be sure to let us know where you are staying.

4:30 p.m. – Creative writing reading featuring faculty – location to TBD

6 p.m. – 1960’s Alumni Party – Hosted by Ann ‘Butch’ Van Buskirk ’61 at her home.  For address and directions, please contact the Alumni Office at 423-636-7303.

 

Friday, October 21

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Registration – Living Room of Niswonger Commons

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Memory Lane  – Living Room of Niswonger Commons – Take a walk down memory lane as the staff of the Museums of Tusculum display outfits, slide shows, pictures from Tusculum’s past, yearbooks and newspapers.

10 a.m. – Arboretum Tour – The tour will showcase trees across the campus of Tusculum.  The campus of Tusculum College is recognized as a level 1 arboretum.  Tour will depart from Niswonger Commons.

11:30 a.m.  – Lunch with students – $10 – Enjoy lunch with students on the terrace of the Thomas J. Garland Library.  Reservations required.

1 p.m. – Campus Tours – Revisit and Rediscover.  The tour will showcase our growing and changing campus, and offer you the chance to experience Tusculum with the President’s Society, a group of elite residential college students.  Tours will depart from Garland Library lobby.

1 p.m. – Golf Tournament – $55 – Enjoy some friendly competition on the Link Hills Golf Course.  Scramble format will be used with handicap system for a net division and gross division.  Registration is at noon with shotgun start at 1 p.m.  Alumni, spouses, faculty, staff and friends are invited to participate.  Dinner will be provided for participants in the golf tournament as well as those who may want to join them following the tournament.  The cost for dinner will be $20 for those not participating in the tournament.  Reservations are required.

2 p.m. – Ice Cream Social and Tusculum College Alumni Travel Preview – no charge – Chalmers – Join alumni and friends as they learn about the exciting destinations that the Tusculum College Alumni Travel will be offering in the coming year. This event is open to all Tusculum College alumni and friends interested in travel.  Visit with classmates, friends, and family you may have traveled with in the past and those you look to travel with in the future.

6 p.m. – Dinner at Link Hills – $20 – Join us for a buffet dinner.  Reservations are required.

7 p.m. – Bonfire, Pep Rally, and Ghost Stories – Welty-Craig/Haynes Lawn – (Quad Area) Enjoy the annual Homecoming Bonfire with current students.

 

Saturday, October 22

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Registration – Living Room of Niswonger Commons

8 a.m. – Memorial Service – Garland Library Lobby – Join us in remembering alumni who have passed away since Homecoming 2015.

8:30 a.m. – Alumni Breakfast – $15 –Chalmers Conference Center – Come enjoy breakfast with alumni and friends.

9 a.m. –Sports Hall of Fame Induction – Chalmers – Come celebrate the newest Sports Hall of Fame award honorees.

10 a.m.  – Alumni Awards and Alumni Meeting – Chalmers – Celebrate the newest alumni, learn the latest about the alumni association, and hear an update on the College.

Alumni Band – Join the current Tusculum College Marching Band in Homecoming performances.  The day will begin with a 10 a.m. rehearsal with events through the 2:30 p.m. football game.

11 a.m. – Class Photos – $10 – In front of Niswonger Commons

11 a.m. – 4th Annual Civil War Scrimmage (Lacrosse Alumni Game) – Indoor Practice Field – Current men’s lacrosse players and alumni will hold their 4th annual scrimmage game.

11:30 a.m. – Student Support Services Luncheon – Alumni who were in the Student Support Services program or ARCHES are invited to a BBQ cookout and other festivities at the Patton House (near Pioneer Park).  Donations are optional, but welcome and can be made at the cookout.

Noon – Homecoming Parade – Watch the 13th Annual Homecoming Parade along the route between the Charles Oliver Gray Complex and Pioneer Park.  The Golden Pioneers will serve as Grand Marshals.

12:30 p.m. – Tailgate – $10 – Enjoy a Tusculum College Pioneer Tailgate Party.

2:30 p.m. – Tusculum Pioneer Football vs. Limestone – Cheer on the Pioneers as they take on Limestone at Pioneer Field.  Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth preceding the game.

7 p.m. – Alumni Baseball Game – Pioneer Park – Current players and alumni.

Alumni Dinner and Dance – GMI

6 p.m. – Alumni and Friends Social Hour – General Morgan Inn

7 p.m. – Alumni and Friends Dinner – General Morgan Inn – $45 – Join us at the General Morgan Inn for dinner.  A cash bar will be available throughout the evening.

8 p.m. – Alumni and Friends Music and Fellowship – $15 (no dinner)-  DJ will provide music

 

Sunday, October 23

Attend the church of your choice.  First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville (110 N. Main Street) is the mother church of the College.  Early service at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., the traditional service at 10:45 a.m.  Learn more at www.firstpresgreeneville.org.

1 p.m. – Tusculum Women’s Soccer hosts Catawba at Pioneer Field.

3:30 p.m. – Tusculum Men’s Soccer hosts Catawba at Pioneer Field.

 

 

Campus Hours

Tusculum College Bookstore Hours

Niswonger Commons

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, October 20

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, October 21

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, October 22

 

Thomas J. Garland Library

8 a.m. – Midnight Thursday, October 20

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, October 21

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, October 22

2 p.m. – Midnight Sunday, October 23

 

Allison Gallery

Rankin House behind Three Blind Mice

12 – 4 p.m. Friday, October 21

12 – 4 p.m. Saturday, October 22

12 – 4 p.m. Sunday, October 23

 

Doak House Museum

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, October 20

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, October 21

Tours are available all day Friday and by appointment on Saturday.

 

President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, October 20

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, October 21

The new exhibit at Old College is “Prologue:  Andrew Johnson’s Political Career Before the Vice Presidency.”  At the same museum there is also an exhibit on the McCormick family and their legacy at the College, a Tusculum College History Gallery, and a gallery of Johnson collection pieces that will be re-designed this coming year.

 

 

 

Hotels in Greeneville:

Econo Lodge

www.econolodge.com

1790 E Andrew Johnson Hwy, Greeneville · (423) 639-4185

 

Days Inn Greeneville

www.daysinn.com

935 E Andrew Johnson Hwy, Greeneville · (423) 639-2156

 

Quality Inn

www.qualityinn.com

3160 E Andrew Johnson Hwy, Greeneville · (423) 638-7511

 

General Morgan Inn

www.generalmorganinn.com

111 N Main St, Greeneville · (423) 787-1000

 

Knights Inn (previously Charray Inn)

www.charrayinn.com

121 Serral Dr, Greeneville · (423) 638-1331

 

Hampton Inn

www.hamptoninn.com

3130 E Andrew Johnson Hwy, Greeneville · (423) 638-3735

Catch up with the latest alumni news

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

’50s

Dr. Ken Bowman '70, chair ofthe Tusculum Board of Trustees, had the opportunity recently to visit with Dr. Ed Kormondy '50 in a trip to California. Dr. Kormondy is a Life Trustee of his Alma Mater.

Dr. Ed Kormondy ’50 H’97 of Los Angeles, CA, celebrated his 90th birthday on June 10 with a surprise visit from family members.  As he had expected, his daughter, Lynn arrived from San Francisco the evening before his birthday and suggested that they go to their favorite Mexican restaurant for an early lunch the next day. The next day, when they arrived at the restaurant, his daughter suggested they dine on the patio since it was such a nice day.  There they found, to Dr. Kormondy’s great surprise, his two sons, Eric and Mark, and their wives, Janet and Susan, who were all wearing oversized glasses, bulbous noses and bushy eyebrows. Later, some close friends joined the family for dinner, complete with a piñata, which Dr. Kormondy “clubbed at blindfolded and missed!” A great time was had by all, and among Dr. Kormondy’s gifts was a cap bearing the words, “Made in 1926.” Dr. Kormondy, has had a long and distinguished career for which he says he is deeply indebted to his time at Tusculum, where he lived in Craig Hall and then in Rankin Hall for his senior year. A biology major at Tusculum, he went on to study at the University of Michigan, earning his master’s degree in 1950 and his doctorate in 1955 from the school. Dr. Kormondy taught at Michigan for two years before joining Oberlin College’s Biology Department, where he remained until 1968 when he moved to Washington D.C. to head a national organization promoting new approaches to the teaching of biology. In 1971, Dr. Kormondy joined The Evergreen State College in its opening year, serving as Dean of Natural Sciences in 1972-73 and as Provost from 1973-78. He spent 1978-79 in Washington, D.C. studying biomedical ethics and then served as Provost of the University of Southern Maine from 1979-82. He joined California State University of Los Angeles as Provost from 1982-86 after which he became Chancellor of the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo and the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, serving until 1993. Returning to Los Angeles, Dr. Kormondy served as President of the University of West Los Angeles from 1995-97, as Special Assistant to the President of Pacific Oaks College from 2000-05 and as Acting President of his Alma Mater in 2007. He served on the Board of Trustees at Tusculum and the University of West Los Angeles until two years ago. Dr. Kormondy, who received a honorary doctorate from Tusculum in 1997, a Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and a Civic Leadership Award in 2008, is a Life Trustee for his Alma Mater.  Dr. Kormondy has also been active and provided leadership for national professional organizations. He was president of the National Association of Biology Teachers in 1981, secretary of the Ecological Society of America from 1976-78 and served on the accrediting body, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges from 1987-96. Dr. Kormondy represented the U.S. Department of Education on missions to Hungary and Poland to examine environmental education, studied and published on higher education of China’s 55 minority nationalities and served as consultant in the life sciences to some 30 institutions, including the Universidad Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela. He served three times as the lead consultant in the life sciences for the State of Florida. Dr. Kormondy is a member of MENSA, the author of more than 70 publications in ecology, biology and science education and some 20 books including “Concepts of Ecology” (1969,1976,1983,1995)in addition to serving as editor of 15 books on the relationship of the biological sciences and society. He is listed in such publications as “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in the World” and the “International Directory of Distinguished Leadership.”

 

 

’80s

Marie Trapp ’81 of Nashville, TN, has volunteer 2,500 hours in schools, churches and hospitals in her community since 2012. She is also officially in remission from cancer as of this past June.

 

’90s

Diane Ball ’96 has been promoted to vice president of information security for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.  She will be responsible for leading the Information Security program across the health insurer. Ball joined BlueCross last year after serving as chief information security officer and vice president of enterprise risk and security for Fujitsu America, Inc., in Durham, N.C. She has more than 20 years of security and privacy leadership experience at companies including BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Wachovia Bank, where she served as vice president and senior information security manager.

 

Edna “Leanne” Light Miller ’98 has joined the Oak Ridge School System as a teacher at Willow Brook Elementary School. She has worked 15 years as a special education teacher in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Louisiana schools.

 

’00s

Andrew Merriman ’02 is now an assistant county manager in York County, SC. In his new position, Merriman oversees the Public Safety Communications, Emergency Management, Fire Safety, Ebenezer Park and Summer Feeding departments. He also assists in implementing policies as established by the County Council and assist other staff members in the preparation, review and monitoring of county operating and capital budgets. Merriman has 10 years of experience in local government. For the last four years, he’s served as the Assistant County Administrator for Aiken County, SC.

 

’10s

Keith Hickey ’12 has joined First Community Bank of East Tennessee as Vice President and Commercial Lender. With more than 22 years of banking experience, Hickey was previously employed at First Tennessee Bank as vice president and commercial lender for the East Tennessee market. He is also a member of the 2016-2017 Leadership Kingsport Class.

 

Phillip Justin Reed ’13 is now working at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation as public engagement coordinator in St. Louis, MO.

 

 

 

 

Chad David Ward ’07 and Joy Beth Franklin were married September 12, 2016. The couple is living in Atlanta, GA, and in Greeneville, TN. Chad is assistant manager at ReLogistics LLC’s reverse logistics center in Atlanta, and Joy is a student at Georgia State University.

 

 

 

 

Emily Hawk Moughon ’06 and her husband, Luke, of Indianapolis, IN, are celebrating the birth of a son, Gabriel Christopher, on August 30, 2016. He weighed 9 lbs and 5 oz., and was also welcomed by older siblings, Caleb and Karis.

 

Rustin and Casey (Westmoreland) Jones ’06 ’13 of Greeneville, TN, welcomed a son, Lincoln Howard, on September 8, 2016. He weighed 8 lbs and 1 ounce.

 

 

 

 

Maurice M. “Jimmy” Yates Jr. ’49 of Greeneville, TN, passed away September 12, 2016. Mr. Yates was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the European Theater of Operations. His signal battalion was attached to Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge, and he was later assigned to France where his battalion was responsible for the communication lines used by General Eisenhower. Following the war, Mr. Yates was assigned to the French Alps for a six-month tour of duty where he served as the electronics specialist and wire chief. He received campaign ribbons for Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns, as well as the American Theater Ribbon, European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbons and World War II Victory Ribbon. Mr. Yates was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Following the war, he focused on his collegiate education and was a member of the first graduate accounting class in the history of the University of Tennessee. Mr. Yates served an internship in professional auditing and tax in the Atlanta office of Arthur Anderson & Co. He practiced as a certified public accountant in upper East Tennessee for 40 years with offices in Greeneville, Rogersville and Newport. Mr. Yates was a well-known speaker on taxation and lectured on opportunities in public accounting to advanced accounting students at East Tennessee State University for a period of years. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, for which he served as vice president and secretary. Mr. Yates was also a member of the Appalachian Chapter of the Tennessee Society of C.P.A.s, in which organization, he served as president, and the TriCities Estate Planning Council, in which organization he also served as president. He was a member of the Greeneville (Noon) Rotary Club for more than 50 years, Greeneville Lodge No. 3, F&AM, was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Kerbela Shrine Temple in Knoxville, the Greeneville Shrine Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Andrew Johnson Post No. 1990, and the East Tennessee Management Club. Mr. Yates was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church of Greeneville for many years.

 

Dale M. Quillen ’50 of Nashville, TN, passed away August 13, 2016. Mr. Quillen practiced law for some 60 years.  A veteran, he was most proud of his association with the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Quillen enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and fought with the Third Division on Guam and Iwo Jima. He maintained contact with his Marine buddies throughout his life. Part of his ashes will be spread over the graves of his parents and sister in Baileyton, TN, and part of his ashes will be spread over the beaches on Guam and Iwo Jima.

 

William Guy Justis Jr. ’53 of Bulls Gap, TN, passed away on September 10, 2016.  Mr. Justis was retired as superintendent of the Hawkins County School System. He was also the former three-time mayor of Bulls Gap and was serving on the governing board of the Rural Health Consortium at the time of his passing. Mr. Justis was a former director of the Upper East Tennessee Regional Health Agency, served on the Tennessee Soil Conservation board, and was appointed Grand Sentinel of the Grand Chapter of Tennessee, The Order of the Eastern Star in 1996. He was a delegate of the Democratic Party during the President Carter years, served on the Hawkins County Court and served as chairman on the Hawkins County Election Commission. Mr. Justis was a veteran of the 5th Ranger Battalion serving from 1944-46.  He was a 33rd degree Mason, Shriner of the Jericho Temple, a charter member of Bulls Gap Lodge No. 764, F&M and Bulls Gap Chapter No. 471, The Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Justis was appointed to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and was a charter member of Bulls Gap Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 9683. He was the Wesley Class Sunday School class teacher of Bulls Gap First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 58 years and Tusculum alumna, Ima Smith Justis ’81.

 

Betty Crabtree Drain ’69 of Chuckey, TN, passed away September 3, 2016. Mrs. Drain taught music in elementary schools in the Greene County School System. An accomplished violinist, she continued her passion for teaching, playing and enjoying music throughout her life. Mrs. Drain was also an award-winning activities director at Life Care Center of Greeneville for many years and enjoyed sharing the arts with all ages.

 

Jeremiah Luke Fullen ’11 of Greeneville, TN, passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2016. Mr. Fullen was an outstanding member of the Pioneer men’s golf team from 2009-2011. His 74.71 career scoring average is fourth in the Tusculum record book. Mr. Fullen was also an outstanding student and was named a two-time Golf Coaches Association of America All-American Scholar. After earning an accounting degree, he remained faithful to his Alma Mater and was a regular attendee at the Pioneers’ home golf tournaments every year. Mr. Fullen worked for Carrier Construction and was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.

 

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett to “Rock the Vote” with Tusculum College on Wednesday, Sept. 28

Helping students and the community get registered to vote is the goal of Tusculum College’s Rock the Vote event, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the Pioneer Arena in Niswonger Commons. The event will feature keynote speaker Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State.

The event will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Secretary Hargett will also be available to answer questions about voter registration and Tusculum College will provide an opportunity for voter registration on site. Also during the event a mock vote will be held and plans are also to have interactive games on the democratic system.

Hargett was elected by the Tennessee General Assembly to serve as Tennessee’s 37th secretary of state in 2009 and reelected in 2013. He is the chief executive officer of the Department of State with oversight of more than 300 employees.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett

In order to help increase voter registration, turnout and awareness across Tennessee, Secretary Hargett launched the GoVoteTN campaign. Through this program, during the month of September, which is National Voter Registration Month, Tennesseans should have someone take a picture of them holding an “I’m registered to vote. Are you?” sign, then post it using the hashtag #GoVoteTN.

A flurry of posts is expected on Tuesday, Sept. 27 to celebrate National Voter Registration Day.

“This is a great educational opportunity for our students and our community,” said Courtney Washburn, program coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum College. “We want to educate and also get people registered to vote, and this is an open, fun way to reach those goals.”

The Rock the Vote event is a project in support of Constitution Day and is supported by the Center for Civic Advancement, the Bonner Leader Program and Tusculum’s Service Learning program. Additionally, it is part of the S.P.I.E.S. initiative, a campus-wide Individual Wellness through Community Engagement initiative.

For more information, contact Courtney Washburn, program coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement, at cwashburn@tusculum.edu.

 

Fall enrollment numbers up from previous year

The first weeks of Tusculum College enrollment for 2016-2017 has passed last year’s numbers. This year’s entering residential class totals 368 incoming freshman and transfer students, an increase of 15 percent over 2015-2016.

The official registration total was announced by LeAnn Hughes, vice president for enrollment management and marketing and director of the Graduate and Professional Studies program for Tusculum College, who said that the number includes 296 entering freshmen, 52 transfer students and 20 new international students.

“Tusculum College’s residential program continues to grow for a number of reasons,” said Hughes. “Our unique Civic Arts focus takes the liberal arts a step further in a nationally recognized approach to educating individuals of integrity and ideals. Additionally a wide range of majors – from museum studies to nursing – are combined with service learning and travel opportunities to create a completely unique environment.”

Officials at the college are pleased to see the fruits of its expanded enrollment and retention efforts, furthering the goal of serving the region with accessible, affordable higher education opportunities.

Dean of Students David McMahan also reported that housing numbers are up for this fall at the college.  There are currently 792 in-residence students, up 46 from fall 2015.

“Tusculum College was founded in 1794 to serve a population that had no other access to the opportunities of higher education,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “Today we continue that tradition by continuing to provide access and opportunity to many students who would not otherwise be able to further their dreams through higher education.”

Hughes said the college will continue to recruit new students and is still accepting applications and registrations for students who will be able to start classes in either Block Two or in January, the beginning of the spring semester.

Enrollment numbers also reflect an increased focus on keeping enrolled students on campus until graduation. Tusculum’s support service for students provides everything from tutoring to book loan programs to help students achieve their dream of a college education. To this end, Tusculum College retained 68.2 percent of the first-time, full-time undergraduate students who enrolled during fall 2015.

“We are reassured that students and their parents are realizing that even in difficult economic times, an education is a valuable investment, and we are pleased that so many of those families have chosen Tusculum College as a place where they feel confident their student can be successful,” said Hughes.

In addition to the college enrollment, Tusculum College currently has 63 students from high schools across the region enrolled in dual enrollment courses. Tusculum offers a variety of courses and course options for high school students wanting to get a head start in their college career or needing specific classes. The courses are offered online, a convenience for students in not having to drive to campus during the school day, and scholarship and financial aid assistance is available.

Anyone interested in enrolling at Tusculum College, may still register. For registration information, contact the Office of Enrollment at 423-636-7374.

 

Tusculum College’s Travis Williams publishes several articles

Tusculum College’s Dr. Travis B. Williams, assistant professor of religion, will have several academic articles published in the next few months.

“Intertextuality and Methodological Bias: A Prolegomena to the Evaluation of Source Materials in 1 Peter” will be published in the December issue of the “Journal for the Study of the New Testament,” while “Reciprocity and Suffering in 1 Peter 2,19-20: Reading Xάρις in Its Ancient Social Context,” is scheduled to appear in the upcoming issue of “Biblica.”

He has also been invited to contribute an essay to a forthcoming reference series, “The Reception of Jesus in the First Three Centuries” (Bloomsbury T&T Clark). His contribution will be entitled, “The Reception of Jesus in the Petrine Epistles and Jude.”

“Intertextuality and Methodological Bias: A Prolegomena to the Evaluation of Source Materials in 1 Peter” attempts to expose some of the methodological problems surrounding the consensus view on the similarities of 1 Peter and other New Testament epistles, and seeks to establish reliable criteria which can be used to determine literary relationships between New Testament documents.

“Reciprocity and Suffering in 1 Peter 2,19-20: Reading Xάρις in Its Ancient Social Context” looks at the ancient social dynamics which underlie 1 Peter 2:19-20. By interpreting χάρις within the framework of reciprocity and gift-exchange in the Greco-Roman world, the study not only brings fresh perspective to a problem which has long divided scholarship, it also suggests a new direction for understanding the letter’s theology of suffering.

Williams has taught for the college since 2010 and has several previous books and articles written on 1 Peter. Williams’ received a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

 

Tusculum receives $381,170 ARC grant for new facility

Tusculum College has received a $381,170 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to purchase instructional equipment to enhance the academic programs housed in the new Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math.

The grant will be used to purchase equipment for programs in biology, chemistry, environmental science, math, geology, physics, computer science and nursing, according to Michelle Arbogast, director of foundation and donor relations at the college.

“This contribution from the Appalachian Regional Commission will have a tremendous impact on the region for years to come,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “The purchase of state-of-the-art instructional equipment will allow Tusculum College to enhance the educational programs and achievements of students to strengthen the capacity of the Appalachian Region to compete in the global economy through workforce and economic development.”

The Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math will replace Tredway Hall, long known as Science Hall, on the Tusculum College campus as the home of science and math. Tredway was constructed in 1928 for a much smaller student population, at a time when scientific research and instrumentation was much different.

The new Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math will also bring changes to the teaching of math and the sciences at Tusculum College. More spacious classrooms will accommodate students comfortably, with ready access to technology. Labs will incorporate the latest instrumentation and safety features. With additional labs, all students will have the opportunity for hands-on experiences in scientific research.

Tusculum First is designed to address the college’s areas of greatest need including a new center for science and math, growth of academic programs, endowed scholarships, student life improvements, technology, an environmental resources and facilities center and support to the Tusculum Fund.

 

Make plans to attend Family Weekend Sept. 23-24

Parents, siblings, grandparents and others who have been significant in the lives of Tusculum students  are invited to be special guests on campus September 23 and 24 for Family Weekend festivities.

Make plans today to attend this fun weekend on campus. You can register by visiting this link.

The schedule for the weekend includes:
Friday, Sept. 23
11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Family registration in Pioneer Perk

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration for Zombie Tag, hosted by Tusculum Activities Board

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Lunch in the café with your student
2-4 p.m. – Campus tours given by the President’s Society departing from Niswonger Commons
7 p.m. – Pioneer volleyball vs. Queens in Pioneer Arena

7 p.m. “Clue,” a mock crime scene/murder mystery hosted by Lambda Alpha Epsilon Criminal Justice Association in the Library Bowl
7:30 p.m. – Jonesborough Repertory Theatre – “Camelot” (call 423-753-1010 for ticket information)

Saturday, Sept. 24
10 a.m.-Noon – Family registration at Pioneer Club Tailgate Tent
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Cornhole tournament  sponsored by Bonner Leaders, next to Pioneer Club tailgate tent in front of Pioneer Field, $5 per team to enter
11:45 a.m.  –  Campus tours given by the President’s Society departing from Niswonger Commons.
12-1:30 p.m. – Pioneer Club tailgate – Located under large tent in front of Pioneer Field.
1:30 p.m. – Pioneer football vs. Newberry College

2 p.m. Pioneer volleyball vs. Catawba
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Jonesborough Repertory Theatre – “Camelot” (call 423-753-1010 for ticket information)
8 p.m. Outdoor Movie presented by the Pioneer Anime Club

On Sunday, families are encouraged to attend the church service of your choice. First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville (110 N. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743) is the mother church of the College. Its early service is at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 and the traditional service at 10:45 a.m. Learn more at www.firstpresgreeneville.org.

Tusculum Access Grant at Tusculum College now available for high school students

Students considering dual enrollment options at Tusculum College have additional financial assistance available with the announcement of the Tusculum Access Grant being offered by the college.

The grant is specifically for students who have already taken or who will have completed two dual enrollment courses through Tusculum College and would cover the $400 gap in state funding that students who are eligible receive.

Tusculum offers a variety of courses and course options for high school students wanting to get a head start in their college career or needing specific classes. The courses are offered online, a convenience for students in not having to drive to campus during the school day.

High school students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit through the dual enrollment program at Tusculum College. Through the program, high school students can take a variety of courses, including in English, math, history, psychology, sociology, art history, computer science, religion and speech.

Students are eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program beginning the summer before their junior year in high school. Individuals must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their dual enrollment college course work.

While the Tusculum Access Grant is specifically for students who are seeking to take their third or fourth dual enrollment course at Tusculum College, other financial assistance may be available for others who are interested in Tusculum’s dual enrollment program.

For more information about the new program or to apply, please visit http://web.tusculum.edu/dualenrollment. Individuals may also call 423-636-7349 or email bhenley@tusuclum.edu to learn more about the program.

 

Acclaimed storyteller performs at local school through Doak House Museum partnership

Storyteller Oba William King performed for students at Doak Elementary School on Sept. 15, engaging the students through an interactive style that included rhythm, singing and hand motions. King performed at Doak through a partnership between the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough and the Museums of Tusculum College. As part of the partnership, storytellers in the center’s Tellers in Residence program perform for local school children each year. King, who is the Teller in Residence this week at the International Storytelling Center is known as the “Poetic Storyteller” and tours nationally presenting programs of story, song and drum for all ages. His school- and library-based assembly presentation and Family Reading Night program have received acclaim nationally.

Nearly 700 put in day of service as part of Tusculum College “Nettie Day”

Getting the prop room organized and cleaned out was the task of volunteers who assisted with the Theater Guild of Greeneville.

 

Nearly 700 students, faculty, staff and alumni fanned out into the region on Wednesday to provide a day of service through helping others and improving the community.

All freshmen and first-year transfer students participated in Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day as part of the Tusculum Experience course. Many other students, faculty, staff and alumni also pitched in totaling 651 participants, the largest group to take part in a decade, according to Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement and coordinator of the event.

Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day is one of the longest-held traditions on the Tusculum campus and involves students spending time in service to others. Some of the projects that the students will undertake include working with local non-profit organizations and schools.

“Today we celebrate what Tusculum does,” said Gentry. “Nettie Day serves as an introduction to our new students and a reminder to our entire community of the importance and value of community involvement.”

In the morning kick-off session, Gentry told the group that what they would do today would impact tens of thousands of lives.

This year, Nettie Day participants helped numerous organizations, including Rural Resources, the Greeneville Boys and Girls Club, the Greeneville/Greene County Humane Society, local parks and several schools. Service activities will be conducted at all the Tusculum sites and campus in Greeneville, Knoxville and Morristown.

Additionally, one group of students travelled to Johnson City to help set up the city’s first Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day, which is conducted under the auspices of the Center for Civic Advancement, honors the memory and altruistic way of life of Nettie Fowler McCormick, widow of reaper inventor Cyrus McCormick, who was a 19th century supporter and advocate of Tusculum College. The McCormicks, staunch Presbyterians from Chicago, learned of Tusculum College through Tusculum graduates who attended their McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and became some of the most significant donors in the college’s history.

Nettie McCormick is recognized as the college’s first Benefactor, a term that in Tusculum usage denotes a donor whose cumulative gifts total at least $1 million. Nettie McCormick funded construction of several of Tusculum’s historic structures, including Haynes Hall, Rankin Hall, Welty-Craig Hall, Virginia Hall and McCormick Hall, which is named after the McCormick family.

McCormick Day, now often informally called Nettie Day at the college, began as a day of cleaning the campus in reflection of Nettie McCormick’s insistence on clean living environments. The day has evolved to take on a more generalized community service emphasis.

This year’s Nettie Day was made possible through a gift from the estate of Nancy and Leon Leslie. Leon “Moose” Leslie was a key member of the last football team at Tusculum College prior to it being reinstated in the 1990s. He graduated from Tusculum in 1951 with a major in economics. He married his Westwood, New Jersey high school sweetheart, the former Nancy Hill. Mr. Leslie was elected a trustee of his alma mater in 1990 and served with distinction on the Athletic Committee until his death in 1996. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie served in the Bicentennial Campaign as members of the East Coast Advance Gifts Committee. In recognition of their generous support of Tusculum College throughout the capital campaign, the Leslie Resident Apartment in Craig Hall was named in their honor.

Members of the Tusculum College Men’s Tennis Team and their coaches worked with community volunteers to install new landscaping at the Greeneville-Greene County Tennis Center.

Volunteers clear headstones at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Nettie Day volunteers repainted structures on the playground at the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County.

Finding art in the everyday world to be topic of lecture Sept. 20 by Dr. Deborah Bryan

“False Turkey Tail” by Dr. Deborah Bryan, associate professor of art at Tusculum, is an example of the topic of her lecture on Tuesday, Sept. 20, which will encourage audience members to “see” the art around them. Dr. Bryan’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre in the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus.

Discovering inspiration for art in everyday surroundings will be the topic of a lecture by professor and artist Dr. Deborah Bryan on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Tusculum College.

“Looking: Art Around You” will be the topic for a presentation by Dr. Bryan, associate professor of art at Tusculum. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre on the lower level (side entrance) of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building.

Dr. Bryan’s presentation is the first for this academic year in the Cicero Lecture Series, which is part of the Acts, Arts, Academia performance and lecture series. Acts, Arts, Academia is a program of Tusculum College’s Arts Outreach that features outside performers and lecturers, as well as those from the college, for the enrichment of campus and community.  The Acts, Arts, Academia series is supported by the late Dr. Sam Miller in memory of Agnes Ault Miller, Hearts for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Arts Outreach and generous donors and volunteers.

In her lecture, Dr. Bryan will encourage audience members to “see” things in their surroundings that they might typically ignore through showing them artworks based on those ignoble things. She will also introduce the audience to art media with which they may be unfamiliar and demonstrate some of the technical side of those media.

A professor at Tusculum since 2007, Dr. Bryan teaches such courses as Introduction to Art, Drawing, Printmaking, Service Learning in the Arts and Art History. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from East Tennessee State University. She also holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Kent State University and was a practicing clinician before deciding to make a career change. Prior to coming to Tusculum, Dr. Bryan taught for several years as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Art and Design at ETSU and worked as a studio artist specializing in etchings, monotypes and book arts.

Cirsium Negatives, aquatint reversal with chine colle

Her work has been shown in over one hundred regional, national and international juried exhibitions and is in numerous private, university and museum collections. Dr. Bryan has exhibited at the Red Clay Survey at the Huntsville Museum of Art, the New Orleans Triennial at the New Orleans Museum of Art, Prints USA at the Springfield Museum of Art, the Wrexham Print International in Wrexham, Wales, the Society of American Graphic Artists Juried Members’ Exhibition in Prague, the Halpert Biennial at the Turchin Center in Boone, North Carolina, the International Biennial Juried Print Exhibition at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung, Taiwan, and the Southeastern Juried Exhibition at the Mobile Museum of Art in Mobile, Alabama. Examples of some of her artwork can be found at www.deborahbryanprints.com.

Admission for the lecture is $7. For more information about the lecture, call Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620, or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu.