Crystal and Tom Jesse and Patrick Eramo and Sally Underwood were presented the 2018 Distinguished Service Award during the President’s Dinner at Tusculum on Friday, May 11.
The four were recognized for their service and support of Tusculum. The award was presented by Dr. James Hurley, president. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or individuals who have a history of outstanding support of Tusculum at the President’s Dinner, which honors the college’s major donors.
Crystal Jessee has been supporting Tusculum College since 2016. She is an attorney who practices primarily in Greeneville and Johnson City. Her husband, Tom Jessee, is also an attorney who primarily practices in Johnson City.
Crystal received her law degree from the University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
Crystal has supported Tusculum’s nursing program through generous sponsorship of the white coat ceremony, by providing lab coats and by donating an EKG machine to be used as a training tool. She has also supported the Pioneer Club and the Pioneer Softball program.
From left, Tom Jesse, Crystal Jesse, Kindall Hurley and Dr. James Hurley.
Eramo graduated from Tusculum in 1955 with a degree in biology and chemistry. He and his wife, Sally Underwood, both have a passion for travel and supporting those in need. They have spent time living in Ecuador, Uruguay and Panama.
In 2013, they started the Patrick J. Eramo – Ferrante ’55 and Sally L. Orum – Duvall Endowed Work Study Fund to help support international students with the opportunity to obtain financial assistance through a work study program. Eramo has supported Tusculum in various ways and was the first person to make a gift to the School of Optometry
Eramo and Underwood, have returned to Tusculum to live out their retirement years. They have also become members of the Heritage Club, a recognition given to alumni and friends who have included Tusculum in their estate plans, as they intend to leave their estate to Tusculum to create an endowed fund to provide work study funds to international students.
From left: Kindall Hurley, Patrick Eramo, Sally Underwood (front) and Dr. James Hurley