Tusculum College receives $100,000 Tusculum First gift from Eastman Credit Union

Tusculum College has received a $100,000 gift from Eastman Credit Union to be used for the new Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math. The gift is part of the Tusculum First capital campaign.

The gift will assist with the construction costs of the new 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Meen Center for Science and Math. The gift also helps to bring the Tusculum First campaign to more than $23.3 million in commitments.

“The new center will enhance academic programs with the goal of graduating students who will strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy through STEM education,” said Heather Patchett, vice president of institutional advancement at Tusculum College. “Strengthening STEM education requires engaging instruction from learned and innovative faculty in a flexible and well designed facility.”

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.

“We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this great facility. With a new branch in Greeneville, it’s important to us that you realize our dedication and desire to support the growth of Greene County,” said ECU President and CEO Olan O. Jones. “I think it will be.”

Jones explained that he is supportive of Tusculum College as a member of their Advisory Board, and that the Meens for whom the building is named were long-time ECU members.

According to Patchett, in spite of the limitations of the current building, science majors at Tusculum College have gone on to successful and distinguished careers in scientific research, health-related fields. “Our students have been admitted to first-rate graduate and professional programs and have contributed to the body of knowledge in their chosen profession. They have made discoveries that have improved lives and have saved lives thanks to the quality education received from dedicated professors at Tusculum College.”

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.

Chairman of the ECU Board Fielding Rolston (left) and President and CEO Olan O. Jones present a $100,000 gift to Tusculum College President Nancy B. Moody. The gift will support the construction of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math.

 

 

Doak House Museum to host wool rug hooking workshop on October 8

The Doak House Museum will offer a workshop in October to teach the American folk craft, wool rug hooking. The workshop will teach the basics of this rug-making technique.

The workshop will be Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

“Overlooked and undervalued for almost two centuries because they were produced by poor women, hooked rugs are an important part of American history and culture. Hooked rugs have persisted as a craft since the mid-19th century but were not appreciated as works of art until the 1970s” said Dr. Angela Keaton, instructor for the workshop. “In fact, many scholars consider hooked rugs to be America’s only original folk art.”

The cost is $25 per person and all materials are provided. Class members will start a project and take home enough materials and a rug hooking tool to finish the piece on their own. Space is limited, registration is required. Contact Boyd at 423-636-8554 or dboyd@tusculum.edu for more information or to pre-register.

 

A note to parents from the President

 

 

 

There are a wide variety of college ranking systems and criteria, and Tusculum College is always pleased to be listed among them; however, recently we were notified that we had ranked highly on a list that I think is of critical importance, particularly to the parents of our students.

Tusculum College has been ranked 23rd among the “Best Bang for the Buck” Colleges in the southern category of the 2016 Washington Monthly College Rankings. Washington Monthly rates institutions based on three criteria: social mobility, research and civic engagement. The ranking also includes colleges that are doing the best job of helping students attain marketable degrees at a reasonable cost.

This breaks down to comparing the cost of attending college and the marketability of those who graduate in the job markets.  It’s value – getting the most for what you pay to receive. There are so many considerations when choosing a college home. Considering value is a critical component. When you choose Tusculum College, it is an investment you make in the rest of your life or your child’s life. Additionally, we are very proud of how well our students do after graduation. Many of our recent graduates have gone on to very promising careers at places such as PriceWaterhouseCooper, Forward Air, Presbyterian College and Mountain States Health Alliance. Others go on to graduate schools in places such as the University of South Carolina, Columbia University, the University of Southern California, the University of the Virgin Islands and many others.

From the very beginning students at Tusculum are supported by our robust Career Services Office. Through the Pioneer Certified program students gain valuable experience related to job hunting, portfolio development, interviewing, networking, internships, meal etiquette, job shadowing, career fairs and professionalism. In short, we believe these rankings recognize the work we are doing to help your students be successful while they are here, and when they leave us.

For anyone interested, the full rankings can be found at www.WashingtonMonthly.com/college_guide/.

Sincerely,

Nancy B. Moody, Ph.D.

President of Tusculum College

First class to graduate from Tusculum College in fully online degree program

The first students to complete a fully online degree program at Tusculum College are set to graduate in December with a Master of Arts in education, human resource development concentration.

According to Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college, this will be the college’s first graduates in a fully-online degree program, although Tusculum has a successful history of the delivery of online coursework.

Graduates will include 24 students from a variety of locations in Tennessee, from Memphis to the Tri-Cities, as well as one student from Fairburn, Georgia. In the online format, the program participants are able to complete the program in 12 months.

The HRD concentration is designed to prepare professionals with the practical wisdom they need to be effective in helping organizations, groups and individuals work more effectively. As part of their degree program the students completed a consultant/client focused capstone project.

“One of the wonderful things about the HRD program is the variety of experiences our students bring,” said Dr. Jeff Burleson, assistant professor of education. “Our HRD students bring unique skills from local and global companies including Eastman Chemical Company, McGhee Tyson Air Force Base, Pepperidge Farms, the U.S. Pentagon, Jewelry Television, Wilderness of the Smokies, Knox Catholic Schools, Whirlpool, and many more. This diversity creates an engaging learning environment. Their client/consultant capstone projects are always interesting. There is always something new.”

The curriculum addresses the major segments of HRD by focusing on concepts, models, skills and methods. Courses are designed so that theoretical foundations are complemented with practice and application that enable students to build skills and competence. And while the curriculum is identical to the program taught in the traditional in-class format, the entire program has been transitioned to an online delivery system.

“The current trends in education and the need to provide accessible programs to adult and non-traditional students have led the college to decide that the time had come to develop a program that could be offered fully online,” said Dr. Moody. “Tusculum is making strong investments to offer fully online degree programs. Over the last three years, the college has spent $2.2 million dollars on technology, including software programs and data management systems, as well as the hardware to support college-wide wireless access.”

The online format has been popular with adult students as well.

“Being an older adult student at Tusculum College has been an amazing experience for me because I did not expect to feel so welcomed by the entire student body due to my advanced age as an enrolling freshman.,” said Lori Vance, a master’s program student who is part of the group graduating in December as the first fully-online degree recipients from Tusculum. “Deciding to stay to do my graduate studies was an excellent choice for my educational and career goals, as well as my very busy family life because the program had very supportive instructors and it was 100 percent online.”

For more information on any of Tusculum’s academic offerings or degree programs, contact the Tusculum College Admission Office at 1-800-729-0256.

 

Tusculum College to encourage adult students to “Finish Strong” through full tuition essay competition

Tusculum College wants all students to “Finish Strong” and is offering for the second time a full tuition scholarship to one lucky contest winner.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting scholarship contest representing a great opportunity for the winner to complete their undergraduate degree through one of our Graduate and Professional Studies programs,” said LeAnn Hughes, vice president for enrollment management and marketing and director of the Graduate and Professional Studies program 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.”

“Getting people back to school to finish their degrees is life changing,” said Lindsey Seal, director of Graduate and Professional Studies enrollment. “Through this essay contest, we will learn the individual stories of our students and be 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 currently 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 provided by Tusculum College in partnership with Food City and WIVK-Radio. Both Food City and WIVK will promote the contest in the greater Knoxville area during the term of the event.

The Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway will begin on Thursday, Sept. 1, and will end on Friday, Sept. 30. The contest 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 and can 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.

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.

Dr. Tricia Hunsader named Dean of School of Education at Tusculum College

Dr. Tricia Hunsader has been named Dean of the School of Education at Tusculum College. Dr. Hunsader will also serve as professor of education.

“I am confident that Dr. Hunsader will provide key leadership to move Tusculum College forward and that she will guide our School of Education to continue to be a model for teacher education. She will be a strong mentor to our faculty in the program,” said Dr. Ron May, vice president for academic affairs at Tusculum College.

Dr. Hunsader is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in finance, a Master of Arts in elementary education, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in elementary education and specialization in mathematics education.

Dr. Tricia Hunsader

Dr. Hunsader came to Tusculum from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee where she served as coordinator of assessment for the College of Education, chair of the Quality Enhancement Plan Committee, president of the Faculty Senate and vice president of the USF System Faculty Council.

Prior to her academic career, she worked as an asset manager for a commercial real estate investment group, an elementary and high school mathematics teacher and controller and event coordinator for Hunsader Farms.

Dr. Hunsader has co-authored two books and has published more than 20 articles and book chapters. She has presented her research in mathematics assessment nationally and internationally and serves as a reviewer for national and international mathematics education journals.

Dr. Hunsader is married to Michael Hunsader, a third-generation farmer. They have five grown children (four sons and one daughter), and two grandsons, most of whom live and work on Jeter Mountain Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina, a 400-acre tomato and apple farm and event venue.

 

Tusculum College named Best Bang for the Buck college

Tusculum College has been ranked 23rd among the Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the Southern category of the 2016 Washington Monthly College Rankings.

Additionally, Tusculum was named 78th among all colleges and universities that offer master’s degree programs.

Washington Monthly rates institutions based on three criteria: social mobility, research and civic engagement. The ranking also includes colleges that are doing the best job of helping students attain marketable degrees at a reasonable cost.

Earlier this year, Tusculum College was ranked among the top colleges in the State of Tennessee in the first-ever rankings of American colleges and universities by The Economist.

“There are so many considerations when choosing a college home,’ said LeAnn Hughes, vice president of enrollment management and marketing and director of the Graduate and Professional Studies program at Tusculum College. “Considering value is a critical component. When you choose Tusculum College, it is an investment you make in the rest of your life.”

Hughes added 75 percent of recently surveyed alumni reported obtaining a position in their field of study within nine months of graduation. Additionally, 95 percent of recently surveyed alumni reported that Tusculum prepared them well for their current job or graduate studies.

“From the very beginning students at Tusculum are supported by our robust Career Services Office,” said Hughes. “Through the Pioneer Certified program students gain valuable experience related to job hunting, portfolio development, interviewing, networking, internships, meal etiquette, job shadowing, career fairs and professionalism.”

The full rankings can be found at www.WashingtonMonthly.com/college_guide/.

For more information on Tusculum’s programs, contact an enrollment representative at 800.729.0256.

 

Pioneer tailgate makes 2016 debut this Thursday

Back for its fourth straight year, the Pioneer Tailgate returns this Thursday to the Tusculum College campus when the Pioneers open the 2016 football season when they take on the UVa-Wise at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.

The Pioneer Tailgate begins at 4:30 p.m. next to the main entrance of the stadium and will include live music, games, food and fun for all ages will take place all the way until the 6 p.m. kickoff between the Pioneers and Cavaliers.  Live music at the Pioneer Tailgate will be provided DJ Dadre.

There will be a Kids Zone with games and events for children of all ages.  There will also be Corn Hole Can Jam and other activities for the adult fans.

Immediately following the football game, there will be a fireworks show.

The Pioneer Tailgate will be held prior to each Tusculum College home football game this season with fun and music for the entire family.

For more information, contact associate athletic director Randy Loggins at (423) 636-7300, ext. 5292 or email at rloggins@tusculum.edu.

 

Tusculum students to provide a day of service in the community

Tusculum College students will demonstrate the college’s commitment to both learning and serving on Wednesday, Sept. 14, as they spend a day helping others and improving the community.

All freshmen and first-year transfer students will participate in Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day as part of the Tusculum Experience course. Many other students, faculty, staff and alumni have also made plans to volunteer. 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.

“Community engagement is a key element of the Tusculum College experience,” said Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement and coordinator of the event. “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.”

This year, Nettie Day participants will fan out into the region helping numerous organizations, including Rural Resources, 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.

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 is 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.

 

 

Each year, Tusculum College students help in the community on "Nettie Day"

 

Tusculum College begins recycling program

Students, faculty and staff at Tusculum College will have the opportunity to recycle mixed paper on campus beginning in September.

Led by the student organization, the Green Team, the new program developed through a partnership with the college’s facilities management department, the Center for Civic Advancement and the Town of Greeneville.

According to Courtney Washburn, program coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement, the program will provide the campus with the opportunity to recycle mixed paper.

“We are launching a small and focused recycling program in an effort to create sustainable change,” said Washburn. “We expect to see the program grow and expand in availability and acceptable materials as it becomes ingrained within the Tusculum culture and community.”

According to Washburn, marked mixed paper recycling bins are being placed at three locations on campus: the Niswonger Commons, the Thomas J. Garland Library and McCormick Hall. These bins may be used by anyone on campus and will be clearly marked as mixed paper recycling containers. Students from the Green Team will service the bins once a week and take them to collection containers serviced by the Town of Greeneville.

Items that may be placed in the bins include  non-confidential documents and items such as newspaper, mixed office paper, notebook paper, magazines, phone books, envelopes (including window envelops) and sticky notes.  Paper may contain staples; however no paper clips, binder slips or spiral binding may be placed in the bins. Cardboard, cardstock and paperboard, such as cereal boxes, are not being collected at this time.

“We are beginning with mixed paper because on a college campus, it is the largest volume of recyclable material,” said Washburn. She added, however, that as the program grows, waste audits will be conducted to determine what materials would have the most impact when diverted from the college’s waste stream to recycling collection.

Funding to initiate the recycling program came from the Tusculum College Student Government Association.

For more information on the program or to arrange for a large volume mixed paper pick up, contact Washburn at cwashburn@tusculum.edu.

 

Tusculum College receives 2016 Veteran Reconnect grant

Tusculum College is one of six colleges and universities to receive a 2016 Veteran Reconnect grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The six campuses will receive nearly $1 million in funds, with Tusculum College receiving $185,470 for its veterans programs.

The THEC grant is part of the State of Tennessee’s larger efforts to support and encourage adult learners, many of whom are veterans, studying at Tennessee institutions.

The most recent round of the Veteran Reconnect program, which was awarded through a competitive proposal process, aims to build on proven practices to support veterans on campuses and will provide funding for a 22-month grant period.

“This grant will allow us to move forward with plans for expanding our reputation for being a veteran-friendly institution,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “We want to provide a wide range of services to a growing number of veterans and their dependents that will insure college and career success on a much larger scale than currently possible. In recent years, the enrollment of military veterans at Tusculum College has significantly increased and we see that trend continuing.”

Tusculum College will use Veteran Reconnect funds to develop, create and hire the position of Director of Veterans Affairs. In addition, the college will enhance the services of its Veteran Education Program by providing veterans with streamlined enrollment, promotion of student veteran resources, financial advisement, implementation of faculty and staff training to increase awareness of veterans’ needs and workforce partnerships.

“Every student enrolled in college has a unique set of needs and that is especially true for veteran students,” said THEC Executive Director Mike Krause. “Veteran Reconnect is assisting veterans on Tennessee campuses to both connect with their campus and with their fellow servicemen.”

The programs funded through Veteran Reconnect will increase campus services for student veterans and provide veteran-specific resources, such as the expansion of campus veteran centers or professional development for faculty and staff on the specific needs of students with military experience.

Community partners supporting the grant include ABC Family Dentistry, DTR Tennessee Inc., the General Morgan Inn, Landair, Laughlin Memorial Hospital Inc., Parker Hannifin Corporation Hydraulics Group, the Town of Greeneville, and the United States Army Reserve Center.

 

Tusculum College informs public of pet exercise zones

In an effort to control animal waste and protect campus property, while still allowing the community to enjoy access to the beauty of the campus during an evening stroll, Tusculum College has established Pet Exercise Zones on its campus.

“Tusculum College allows pets on its campus under limited circumstances,” said Steve Gehret, vice president of finance and chief financial officer. “This policy applies both to the Tusculum College community and the general public.”

The college does permit pet owners to walk their pets on campus in designated Pet Exercise Zones. Animals are not permitted outside these designated areas or inside any Tusculum College building. Pets are not permitted at any game, practice field or stadium.

In an effort to better maintain the campus, pet owners are required to keep their animals within the confines of one of the two designated pet areas on campus, which include the area south of the Facilities Maintenance building called “the wetlands” and the area south of the Indoor Practice Facility Drive at the edge of Tusculum College property.

Any guide or signal dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, and the work is directly related to the individual’s disability, is an exception to these regulations, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Those visitors who choose to bring pets to campus must be cleared by the office of campus safety.