GREENEVILLE – Four individuals who have contributed significantly to Tusculum University’s success and hold a deep affection for the higher education institution are being honored by the Alumni Association.
Angelo Botta
The group will be honored Friday, Nov. 8, during the Homecoming Alumni Award Celebration and Dance at Hackler Hall Event Center in downtown Greeneville. The Alumni Executive Board selected these four after receiving nominations from Tusculum alumni:
- Ryan Barker, a 2015 Tusculum graduate, who earned bachelor’s degrees in history and English, with a concentration in creative writing – Frontier Award
- Keddrain “K.D.” Bowen, a 2003 Tusculum graduate, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management – Pioneer Award
- Heather Henson-Ramsey, Tusculum’s assistant vice president of academic affairs – National Living Faculty Award
- Larry Coughlin, a prominent supporter of Tusculum’s athletic program, who served for several years at chair of the Pioneer Club campaign – Honorary Alumni Award
“These outstanding leaders represent Tusculum with distinction and class and deserve this recognition,” said Angelo Botta, the Alumni Executive Board’s president and an assistant professor of sport science. “We are proud to recognize their achievements and thank them for the positive light they shine on our university. They are a great model for our students to emulate, and we are thankful for their connections to Tusculum in such meaningful ways.”
Frontier Award
Ryan Barker
Created in 1995, The Frontier Award goes to an outstanding alumnus or alumna for outstanding or meritorious advancement in that person’s career. The former student must have graduated between five and 15 years ago to be eligible, and judges take into account continuing and loyal service to Tusculum.
Since his graduation from Tusculum, Barker has obtained his master’s degree and is close to finishing his doctorate. But he has maintained ties to Tusculum by serving as an adjunct faculty member and as a member of the AEB. He has also served five times as a judge for the National History Day competition in the Northeast Tennessee district.
As part of his career development, Barker has given public lectures, moderated conference panels and served as an adjunct faculty member at Purdue University, where he is a doctoral student, and Franklin College in Indiana. He has published his research and reviewed books for multiple academic journals. He has received awards for his research, including the Southern Association for the History of Medicine and Science’s Robert Nesbit Award for the best graduate student research paper. In 2023, Purdue’s History Department nominated him for the Midwest Association of Graduate School’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Pioneer Award
Keddrain “K.D.” Bowen
The Pioneer Award was created in 1962 and is presented to an outstanding alumnus or alumna in recognition of outstanding or meritorious achievement in that person’s chosen field; distinguished service to his or her church, community, country and humanity; and continuing and loyal service to Tusculum.
Bowen is an author, motivational speakers and life/business coach. He launched his business career from the trunk of his car at age 23 and became the founder and president of Fanatics 101, a sports apparel and memorabilia store located in Johnson City and Asheville, North Carolina. He has also taken Tusculum’s commitment to civic engagement to heart, serving as board chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County and president of Good Samaritan Ministries as well as a former board member of Court Appointed Special Advocates.
He has been honored as a recipient of the 40 Under Forty Award by the Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia. He has also won three Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship awards, earned two Faith in the Future Awards and was recognized for having one of the top 50 stores in America in 2012. He won the Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars competition, which raises money for Jeremiah School in Johnson City, in 2019.
National Living Faculty Award
Dr. Heather Henson-Ramsey
The National Living Faculty Award was created in 1996 and is presented to a Tusculum faculty member. The award’s purpose is to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Tusculum’s academic programs. To qualify the faculty members must have been a Tusculum employee for at least five years.
Dr. Henson-Ramsey teaches courses in anatomy/physiology, epidemiology, and environmental toxicology but is more than a faculty member. She came to Tusculum in 2019 to serve as dean of the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics and was promoted this summer to assistant vice president of academic affairs. In addition, Dr. Henson Ramsey has served as Tusculum’s coordinator of career services since 2020. She has been a major promoter of Tusculum’s extensive undergraduate research program and has spearheaded multiple agreements to help students in their applications for pharmacy and physician assistant programs.
She practices part time as a veterinarian at Greene County Veterinary Medical Center and co-leads the cadettes for a local Girl Scouts troop. When she graduated from North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she received special recognition for her work in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine. This summer, she graduated from the Senior Leadership Academy offered by the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Academic Leadership Institute.
Honorary Alumni Award
Larry Coughlin
The Honorary Alumni Award dates to 1996 and goes to an individual connected with the university who did not attend the institution but has made outstanding contributions to Tusculum and the community. The recipient must have an active relationship with the university for at least five years and excelled in their service to Tusculum by demonstrating a commitment and dedication to its students.
Coughlin has made a remarkable impact on Tusculum University and the Greeneville community through his decades-long dedication to service, support and leadership. He has been a 25-year athletic booster and has been pivotal in securing funds, resources and support for Tusculum student-athletes, ensuring the growth and success of the university’s athletic programs. His commitment earned him the prestigious Tusculum College Sports Benefactor Award. In addition, his contributions have extended to the university’s golf program and facilities.
His service to the Greeneville area includes 33 years on the Consumer Credit Union board of directors, participation with the Greeneville Exchange Club and leadership on the Laughlin Health Care Foundation Board. Coughlin is also a devout member of Notre Dame Catholic Church. Professionally, he retired in 2000 from Philips Consumer Electronics with 34 years of service, including 15 years with GTE Sylvania.
Edward Roberts
“Tusculum is blessed to have these individuals setting examples of leadership and showcasing the value of our university in shaping future professionals,” said Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement. “Our Alumni Executive Board has made excellent choices for these awards, as our honorees represent the high caliber of students, faculty and supporters our university attracts. We congratulate our honorees on this well-deserved recognition.”
Alumni who are interested in attending the award ceremony and dance can reserve a space by visiting https://go.tusculum.edu/homecoming/.
To learn more about Tusculum’s Office of Alumni Engagement and other programs that serve former students, please visit https://web.tusculum.edu/alumni/. Additional information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.