Tusculum College is collection site for West Virginia flood relief; donation deadline is July 1

Tusculum College in Greene County will serve as a collection site for victims of the West Virginia floods, which have devastated the area, leaving thousands in need of assistance.

Collections are underway to be taken to West Virginia. Anyone willing to donate items may contact cwashburn@tusculum.edu or call 423.636.7300 and ask for Courtney Washburn, coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum College. Drop offs must be made by Friday, July 1, by 4 p.m. and drops may be made at the Niswonger Commons Living Room on the Greeneville campus.

Water is the number one item needed. Other specifically requested items include: packaged nonperishable breakfast items that do not require heating, including granola bars, pop tarts, etc.; cleaning supplies, including trash bags, heavy rubber gloves, bleach, tarps, shovels, bins, and trash cans; baby diapers and wipes.

There are three additional locations in Johnson City accepting donations. These include: Downtown Farming, located at 221 Cherry Street, accepting bottled water, bleach and other cleaning supplies, trash bags, tarps, nonperishable food items, and pet food; The Willow Tree Coffee House, located at 216 E Main Street, accepting diapers, diaper wipes, toiletries, basic first aid supplies, clean summer clothing, shoes, blankets and kid’s art supplies and books; and Shakti in the Mountains, located at 409 E. Unaka Ave., accepting feminine hygiene and personal care products, and baby/child care products including but not limited to: diapers, diaper wipes, diaper cream, formula, packaged nonperishable healthy snacks for children and baby food.

Donation sites in surrounding areas are still being sought. Groups, churches or organizations interested in serving as a volunteer drop off point should email Rachel@arcd.org. The final donation drop off must be made no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1. Items will be delivered to a relief station in Fayetteville, West Virginia, on Saturday, July 2.

Anyone interested in assisting with transportation costs, may make monetary donations to the Appalachian RC&D Council at the Downtown Farming collection site or to send money directly to organizations helping the victims, either of the following two sites may be used: United Way of Greenbrier Valley at http://www.unitedwaygreenbrier.org; and Red Cross: 1-800-RedCross or online at http://www.redcross.org/ and select “donate funds.”

 

 

Cruise on Rhine River in 2017 to kick off new alumni travel program

A Viking River cruise will kick off the new alumni travel program at Tusculum College, according to Heather Patchett, vice president of Institutional Advancement. The inaugural event will be an eight-day cruise on Rhine River scheduled for April 2017.

Tusculum College is partnering with Kristin Small of Cruise Planners to manage the new travel program.

“The goal of the program is to continue the educational relationship between our alumni and the college,” said Patchett.  “Traveling together in a relaxed setting will foster bonds between our alumni and encourage learning in an informal setting.”

Viking River Cruises offers a wide range of opportunities to visit a number of World Heritage sites and to participate in guided tours of the cities that are visited. River cruising provides an opportunity to explore the towns along the river in an intimate way, said Small. “You can stroll the streets and explore the markets, churches and museums. We will have an opportunity to visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg and Strasbourg.”

For more information about the Alumni Travel Program please contact Joni Parker, Office of Alumni Relations at 423-636-7303 or Small at 855-278-9377. More information can be found about the Rhine River Cruise at this site.

 

This map shows some of the locales along the route of the Rhine River cruise.

Doaks recognized for community service by Exchange Club

Doaks presented Book of Golden Deeds award from Greeneville Exchange Club

Capt. Sam Doak (USN Ret.) '49 H'14 and his wife, Emily, were recognized for their service to the community, including Tusculum, by the Greeneville Exchange Club.

Capt. Sam Doak (USN Ret.) ’49 H’14 and his wife, Emily, were the recipients of the 2016 Book of Golden Deeds award from the Greeneville Exchange Club on June 14. The award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give of their time and talents to make their community a better place to live.

In the 50 years that the Greeneville organization has presented the award, the Doaks were only the second couple to be recognized with the honor. Sam’s service to Tusculum College includes serving many years as a trustee and now as a life trustee. His community service includes teaching senior citizen driving courses in his own senior years. During the presentation, it was noted that Emily is an Epsilon Sigma Alpha DIANA-award winner who has been involved with local organizations and a constant supporter of the arts in the area. Emily has been a longtime volunteer for the Museums of Tusculum College.

As their health has permitted, the Doaks have attended numerous events on campus, including Theatre-at-Tusculum productions, band and chorus concerts and athletic events. The Doaks have been active members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church and maintain a relationship with First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

’60s

Cliff Ott ’64 recently had his foot amputated and is recuperating at the Shawneespring Health Care Center in Harrison, OH. He would love to hear from Tusculum friends. He can be contacted at Shawneespring of Harrison, 10111 Simonson Rd., Harrison, OH 45030 or at (513) 367-1752.

 

’80s

Shelly Smith ’88 of Greeneville, TN, has been named principal of Chuckey-Doak High School. A Greene County native, Smith has 28 years of experience in public K-12 education, with 11 of those years in administrative roles including principal and chief human resources officer. Smith and her husband, Nathan, have twin daughters, Lauren and Lindsey.

 

’90s

Daniel Gene Thompson ’96 of Greeneville, TN, has been named assistant principal at Chuckey-Doak High School. Thompson has 19 years of experience in both private and public K-12 education, with three of those years spent as director of the Thomas Howard McNeese Educational Center, Greene County’s alternative school. He has also been an adjunct professor at Tusculum since 2005 in the Physical Education Department. Thompson is currently pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. Thompson and his wife, Jodie, have two sons, Ty Cooper Thompson and Trey Kolbey Thompson.

 

Stephanie Potter ’97 of Kingsport, TN, has been named director of professional learning for the Kingsport City School System. Potter will provide leadership in the area of professional learning for all aspects of the district. She has served the Kingsport system for seven years, serving as an associate principal and principal. Prior to joining the Kingsport system, Potter taught school in Virginia.

 

Dr. Amy Doran’99 of Kingsport, TN, has been named coordinator of early childhood education and a grant writer for the Kingsport City School System. Doran will supervise systemwide pre-K programs, early intervention programs and early childhood learning center programs; serve as building administrator for the Palmer Early Learning Center; and oversee all functions and activities associated with federal, state, foundation, and private enterprise grants for the district. Doran has been employed by the system for 24 years and has served as an elementary school teacher, system-wide literacy coach and associate principal. Prior to joining the Kingsport system, Doran taught school in Georgetown, SC, was an interventionist with Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) and served as director of the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Day School.

 

Rev. Jonas M. Hayes ’99 has been named new head pastor of Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Hayes has more than 13 years of experience, including mission outreach, education, pastoral care and preaching. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and began his pastorate as a chaplain at California Pacific Medical Center.

 

’10s

Sean Cotten ’11 of Mooresville, NC, was jackman in the race crew for Kurt Busch in his NASCAR win at the raceway at Pocono on June 6. A jackman is a member of the pit crew responsible for lifting the car with a jack. He was also part of the pit crew that was named Most Valuable Pit Crew of 2015. Cotten has worked for Stewart-Haas Racing since 2012 when he was hired as a gasman.

 

Chris Raasch ’16 is playing for the Forest City (NC) Owls in the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League. He started on the pitcher’s mound for the Owls in their opening night win of the season.

 

 

 

Aly Carrino ’13 and Michael Curtis Collins were married on May 28, 2016. The groomsmen included the bride’s brother, J.T. Carrino ’13. Following a honeymoon to St. Lucia, the couple is living in Greeneville. Aly is the resource development and athletics director at the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County.

 

 

 

 

Col. Silas Purvis (Ret. U.S Air Force) ’44 of San Antonio, TX, passed away on March 1, 2016. A native of Greeneville, TN, Col. Purvis had retired as a highly-decorated Air Force veteran with more than 30 years in the military service. He served in three wars, including extensive combat roles flying on B-26 bombers in World War II and completion of 55 combat missions in the Korean War. Col. Purvis held a major post in Air Force intelligence operations in South Vietnam during the conflict in that country and also served in high-level military intelligence-related assignments at the Pentagon. His military decorations included, among numerous others, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak-leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with six oak-leaf clusters, the Purple Heart with two oak-leaf clusters and the French Croix de Guerre with palm. He moved back to his hometown in the mid-1980s. Even prior to moving back, he had become a widely popular and much respected figure in Greene County through his practice of writing congratulatory or appreciative notes and cards to local individuals, and through his financial support for various local civic organizations and fundraising drives. Col. Purvis took an active role in various civic organizations, including the Greene County Heritage Trust and the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society during the time he lived in Greeneville before moving to Texas in 1989. He was one of the largest contributors to the Humane Society. Other longstanding interests included the YMCA and revitalization of downtown Greeneville. In Texas, Col. Purvis was also active in various aspects of community life. His survivors include sister and Tusculum alumna Mary Belle Purvis ’53.

 

Peggy Carson Cheezem ’47 of Florence, SC, formerly of Greenwood, SC, passed away August 30, 2015.A native of Washington County, TN, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Tennessee. She was a volunteer in her community, serving at a local museum, in the hospital auxiliary and on a hospital foundation special committee. Mrs. Cheezem was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Greenwood. She was able to return to her Alma Mater as recently as Homecoming 2007 and she fondly remembered her days living in the residence halls on campus.

 

Pearl Woolsey Morgan ’56 of Greeneville, TN, passed away June 15, 2016. Mrs. Morgan, who was 101 years of age at her passing, was a retired educator from the Greene County School System, having started her teaching career in 1938. She was a charter member of Harris Memorial Free Will Baptist Church, and was its last surviving founder and deacon. Mrs. Morgan was a member of the Arthritic Aerobics Class at the YMCA for a number of years and was an avid sports fan, particularly of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols.

 

Robert Harwin Cooper ’63 of Wilmington, DE, passed away on November 23, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Cooper was a veteran, having served three as a captain in the U.S. Army’s Medical Services Corps, including a tour in Vietnam. After leaving the military, he served as director of social services for the Children’s Home in Claymont, DE. Mr. Cooper then went on to spend eight years counseling fellow Vietnam veterans and their families through the Veterans Center in Wilmington. He was a licensed clinical social worker and served as president of the Delaware Association of Group Care Agencies from 1980-82. An avid fisherman, Mr. Cooper loved taking his boat to undiscovered fishing spots in Maryland and Delaware.

Patricia McGarvey ’69 of Concord, CA, passed away on March 7, 2016. After graduating Tusculum, she taught school for a year in Camden, NJ, before moving to California. Ms. McGarvey had a 39-year career with the Social Security Administration there, working as a systems analyst. She found great enjoyment and satisfaction working with all of her colleagues at Social Security, many of whom remained close friends during her retirement. Ms. McGarvey was known for her love of swimming. Some of her most memorable swims were the English Channel Relay and her many swims in San Francisco Bay with other Dolphin Club members.

 

Betty Phaler  ’72 of Blackwood, NJ, passed away suddenly on June 13, 2015, at her home. Mrs. Phaler was a substitute school teacher and then went on to work as a bus driver.

 

Craig B. Allen ’74 of Naperville, IL, passed away October 8, 2010. After leaving Tusculum, Mr. Allen bought his own business, The Dog Patch, in Naperville. Over the next 38 years, he pioneered many practices and philosophies in pet care. Through his endless dedication and love of animals, Mr. Allen set a gold standard nationally for the entire pet industry.

 

Picnic with the Doaks event set for June 24

The community is invited to join the Doak Family on Friday, June 24, to celebrate the legacy of the Doak family and the Doak House Museum in the community.

The event, which will begin at 5 p.m., will feature a catered picnic, followed by the museum’s monthly old-time music jam session, Pickin’ at the Doaks, beginning at 6 p.m.

The museum’s staff will be providing free house tours and collecting contact information for a future oral history project that will document Tusculum College and family history.

“In the next year, the museum department will begin an oral history project that focuses on the Doak family and the relationship that community members have to Tusculum College and the Doak House,” said Dollie Boyd, director of museums. “Over the years, the people in this area have visited the historic home as guests of the family, worked on one of its restorations, dined in the home when it was a restaurant, visited on field trips and had their pictures made here to document important life moments.

“We also want to hear from alumni and college community members about their time at Tusculum. Preserving local history is an important aim of this project.”

The museum is located at 690 Erwin Highway, Greeneville, TN. The event is free and open to the public, although RSVPs are appreciated.

Contact the museum at 423-636-8554 or email dboyd@tusculum.edu for more information.

 

Pickin’ at the Doaks jam sessions draw musicians from around the area and spectators alike.

 

Tusculum College announces alumni travel program

A Viking River cruise will kick off the new alumni travel program at Tusculum College, according to Heather Patchett, vice president of Institutional Advancement. The inaugural event will be an eight-day cruise on Rhine River scheduled for April 2017.

Tusculum College is partnering with Kristin Small of Cruise Planners to manage the new travel program.

“The goal of the program is to continue the educational relationship between our alumni and the college,” said Patchett.  “Traveling together in a relaxed setting will foster bonds between our alumni and encourage learning in an informal setting.”

Viking River Cruises offers a wide range of opportunities to visit a number of World Heritage sites and to participate in guided tours of the cities that are visited. River cruising provides an opportunity to explore the towns along the river in an intimate way, said Small. “You can stroll the streets and explore the markets, churches and museums. We will have an opportunity to visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg and Strasbourg.”

For more information about the Alumni Travel Program please contact Joni Parker, Office of Alumni Relations at 423-636-7303.

 

Torres earns three national pitcher of the year honors

Placido Torres

Tusculum College’s Placido Torres has earned himself a place in Tusculum history has he has  been named the recipient of not one, not two, but three “National Pitcher of the Year” awards.

Torres has been named the 2016 NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association; the 2016 NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s National Baseball Pitcher of the Year (selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America) and the the 2016 NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Year by the National College Baseball Writers Association

In addition, he has been named the recipient of the  third annual Brett Tomko Award, which recognizes the DII National Pitcher of the Year by D2BaseballNews.com. The annual award is bestowed to a college baseball pitcher whose on the field performance is deemed the most outstanding at the NCAA Division II level.

Torres is the first player in program history to earn national pitcher of the year laurels. He is the 21st baseball All-American in Tusculum history and the sixth Pioneer pitcher to garner All-America recognition.

He joins former Pioneers on the ABCA All-America list including: Guy O’Connell (2003), Greg Stotser (2006), Carlos Rivera (2007), Maikol Gonzalez (2008), Alexi Colon (2012) and Craig Goodman (2012).

The senior left-hander, from North Brunswick, N.J., is also a consensus DII Southeast Region Pitcher of the Year honoree, receiving the recognition from the NCBWA, ABCA and D2CCA. He was also named the 2015-16 Tusculum College Male Athlete of the Year.

Torres has accounted for the best season ever by a Tusculum hurler as he owns a perfect 11-0 record in his 14 starts where he pitched seven complete games, including a TC-single-season record four shutouts.

His 11 wins tied for second-most in a TC season and are the most by a Pioneer hurler during the NCAA Division II era (1999-present). His 0.70 earned run average is best in NCAA II (4th for all NCAA divisions) and is a new program and conference record. He leads all three NCAA divisions with a school single-season record 162 strikeouts. His seasonal strikeout total is the second most in SAC history and the 10th most in NCAA II history. He threw a school record 116 innings this season where he allowed 24 walks and limited the opposition to a .154 batting average. He also leads NCAA II in fewest hits allowed per nine innings pitched (4.73).

Earlier this season, the two-time All-SAC first team selection recorded a school single-game record 17 strikeouts against Stillman. He has posted 12 or more strikeouts on eight occasions this year, including 15 strikeouts in a one-hit shutout over Wingate, earning him national pitcher of the week honors by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Torres has been named SAC Pitcher of the Week six times and NCBWA Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week on four occasions.

Torres pitched a pair of complete game victories in his two postseason starts this year. He tossed a four-hit shutout in Tusculum’s SAC Tournament opener against Lincoln Memorial, earning him a spot on the SAC All-Tournament Team. He followed that with last Saturday’s nine-inning complete game victory over 15th-ranked Belmont Abbey in an elimination contest of the NCAA II Southeast Regional in Columbus, Georgia. In that game, he allowed a run on seven hits, with two walks and a dozen strikeouts.

During his two-year Tusculum career, he amassed a 20-3 record in his 31 mound appearances with a 1.43 ERA which is the lowest ever by a Pioneer pitcher. In his 27 career starts, he has pitched eight complete games, including a program-record five shutouts. His 272 career strikeouts are a new TC record and are the sixth-most in the SAC record book. His 201.1 career innings pitched are sixth in program history, while his 20 wins are fifth-most by a Pioneer.

Tusculum finished the year with a 38-18 overall record, including wins in five of its last seven games. The Pioneers captured a share of the SAC Tournament title for the program’s fourth league postseason crown. Tusculum earned the program its seventh NCAA II Tournament appearance, which are the second most of any SAC member. The Pioneers have accounted for 16 consecutive winning seasons, including 14 straight 30-win campaigns.

The Pioneers posted a 2-2 record at the NCAA II Southeast Regional to claim third place honors. The Pioneers lost its opening game 2-1 to 19th-ranked USC Aiken before bouncing back with wins over Belmont Abbey (7-1) and Mount Olive (3-2) before falling to USC Aiken again in the elimination bracket final.

Torres pitched a pair of complete game victories in his two postseason starts this year.

 

Student athletes earn academic honors

Four Tusculum College student athletes have been recognized for their academic excellence at the conference and national level.

Max Gaubert, a member of the Pioneer football team, has been named to the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society.

Tusculum also had three students named “Scholar Athlete of Year” for their respective sports in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). Nick Forsberg was named the “Scholar Athlete of the Year” for men’s golf for the second year in a row. Tusculum scored a clean sweep in tennis – Erin Mills was named the honoree for women’s tennis and Jonas Winklelmann was the recipient for men’s tennis.

The SAC Scholar Athlete Award is presented to one male and one female student-athlete in each of the conference’s 18 championship sports.  The awards are selected by the league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.

Max Gaubert

Max Gaubert

To qualify for membership in the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, a student-athlete must: be a starter or significant reserve in one’s last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III or an NAIA college or university; achieve a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout the entire course of undergraduate study; and meet all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.

Gaubert, an offensive lineman from Bogart, Ga., has been an integral part of the Tusculum front line for the past four seasons, including the last three in the starting line-up.  He has a 3.34 cumulative grade point average and graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in special education.

The North Oconee High School graduate is a member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

 

Nick Forsberg

Nick Forsberg

Tusculum College’s Nick Forsberg was named the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Golf Scholar Athlete of the Year for a second consecutive year.

This marks the seventh time a Tusculum men’s golfer has earned this honor that recognizes academic achievement, athletic accomplishment, community service and leadership.  Tusculum’s seven honorees are the most by a league men’s golf program since 2000.

Forsberg, a native of Staples, Minn., graduated from Tusculum in May with a 3.73 cumulative grade point average and majored in sport management.  He is a four-time member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.  A four-time Dean’s List honoree, Forsberg was named to the Charles Oliver Honors List.

“Nick is one of the most outstanding young men I’ve had the honor to in my 27 years at Tusculum,” said head coach Bob Dibble. “He’s an outstanding player, an outstanding teammate and a great student. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Forsberg closed out his senior season with a 72.93 scoring average, which ranks fifth-best in program history while earning All-SAC first team accolades.  He turned in eight sub-par rounds during his senior campaign and won a share of medalist honors at the Etowah Spring Challenge.  His play helped the Pioneers to five tournament titles this past season and ended his career with a 74.40 stroke average to rank third in Tusculum history.  He posted seven top-10 finishes, including five times in the top-5.

In the 2015 South Atlantic Conference Championship, Forsberg earned medalist honors after firing a one-under par 143. As a team, the Pioneers took home five championships, including the 2015 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Golf Title last season.

He earned second-team All-Conference honors as a freshman and was named the Tusculum College Men’s Golf Most Valuable Player during his freshman and sophomore seasons.  During his sophomore campaign, Forsberg earned runner-up honors at the 2014 SAC Men’s Golf Championship.

In the community, Forsberg has served as a volunteer with the Greene County Food Bank all four years at Tusculum and has volunteered at the Nolichucky View Golf Course as a spotter at golf tournaments.  He has worked with the Make-A-Wish foundation as a volunteer and was a junior golf camp worker at the Craguns Golf Resort in his hometown in Minnesota. Forsberg is also busy on campus as he served this past year as president of the Pioneer Student-Athletes Advisory Council and was an intern in the Tusculum College Athletic Department.

 

 

Erin Mills

Erin Mills

Mills was named the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Women’s Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year for the first time in her career. This is the sixth time that a Pioneer has won the women’s tennis honor.

A native of Duluth, Ga., Mills graduated from Tusculum in May with a 3.76 cumulative grade point average while majoring in economics and international business.  She has been named to the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and earned a spot on the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List, Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List each of her four years at Tusculum.  Mills was also tabbed an ITA Scholar-Athlete during her years as a Pioneer.

“Erin’s successes both on and off the court are a direct reflection of her commitment to excellence in everything she does,” said TC head coach Adam Jackson.  “She is truly a dedicated, hard-working, exceptional student-athlete, and this is a well-deserved honor. Erin embodies all the traits we are looking for in our student-athletes at Tusculum.”

Mills went 16-7 in singles this season, including a 7-4 mark in conference play. She finished 20-4 in doubles with a 10-1 mark in SAC matches. For her career, she was 57-26 in singles and 65-16 in doubles, while helping the Pioneers to a 38-4 conference record during her four years at Tusculum.

Named the  2013 SAC Freshman of the Year, Mills also took home the SAC Women’s Tennis Tournament Most Valuable Player honor during the 2014 season.  She earned All-Conference accolades three straight years and was named the Astroturf Player of the Week four times in her career.  She closed her career out on the court as a team captain this past season.

Very active in the community, Mills  has volunteered Greene County Humane Society and the Brain Rehabilitation Facility each year she has been at Tusculum.  She has also assisted with “Project Tennis in Schools” and the Greene County Ministerial Alliance Food Bank.

Mills has served as a member of the Tusculum College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee throughout her time at Tusculum and taught a personal finance class as a junior and senior.  An assisted living volunteer, she was very involved with the Tusculum Tennis Adopt a Family program.

 

Jonas Winkelmann

Jonas Winkelmann

The SAC Men’s Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year honor is the first for Winkelmann in his career, but marks the fifth consecutive year that a Pioneer has earned this honor which recognizes academic achievement, athletic accomplishment, community service and leadership.

Winkelmann, a senior from Böblingen, Germany, graduated with a 3.68 cumulative grade point average in business administration during the spring commencement in May.  He has earned Dean’s List, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and SAC Commissioner Honor Roll honors in each of his four years at Tusculum.  He was also named to the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List all four years at TC to go along with earning CoSIDA Academic All-America® honors during his junior season.

“Jonas is a very talented student and athlete that supports his talent through hard work in the classroom and on the court,” said Tusculum head tennis coach Adam Jackson.  “He is exactly the kind of student, athlete, and person we are trying to recruit and develop here at Tusculum. His achievements as a player and as a student are a testament to the amount of effort he puts into everything he does.”

During the 2016 season, Winkelmann posted a 13-9 singles record, including an 8-3 mark in conference play.  His doubles tandem went 20-2 overall and 10-1 in league action.

Winkelmann has earned All-SAC honors in each of his four seasons as a Pioneer and was named the Astroturf South Atlantic Conference Player of Week three times in his career.  A three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, he was a key player for a team that went 37-5 in the SAC during his time on the squad and earned two South Atlantic Conference team titles.  He finished his career with a 60-22 record in singles play and a 74-11 record in doubles action.

In the community, Winkelmann has served as a volunteer at a local hospital and has spent time with Project “Tennis in Schools” to promote the sport of tennis at area elementary schools.  Winkelmann also participated in Tusculum Tennis Adopt-a-Family initiative to help a local family during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  He has been a youth tennis clinic volunteer in his home country of Germany and has worked with the Greene County Ministerial Alliance Food Bank as a volunteer.

Winkelmann has also stayed busy helping out on the Tusculum campus.  He is a member of the TC President’s Society and served on the Tusculum Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and attended the South Atlantic Conference Leadership Conference. He was a member of the college’s “Up to Us” team that placed fifth nationwide in the campus competition in which college students raise awareness on issues stemming from the national debt among their peers.

 

Spring 2016 Athletic Director Honor Roll announced

Two-hundred and seventy-nine student-athletes have been named to the 2016 Tusculum College Athletic Director’s Spring Honor Roll announced Doug Jones, Tusculum director of athletics.

To be selected to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, a student-athlete must accumulate either a spring semester or overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The Tusculum men’s tennis team had the highest cumulative grade point average of the 16 sports sponsored by the College with a 3.645 team GPA.  Of Tusculum’s 16 athletic programs, 13 boasted team GPAs of 3.00 or better. The women’s tennis team was second with a 3.622 GPA, followed by softball (3.534), volleyball (3.527), men’s golf (3.493), women’s golf (3.485), women’s cross country (3.385), men’s cross country (3.284), women’s soccer (3.234), women’s basketball (3.220), women’s lacrosse (3.163), men’s soccer (3.118) and men’s lacrosse (3.069).

Ten Tusculum student-athletes currently have a perfect cumulative GPA of 4.00 including: Jule Brass (women’s tennis), Jordan Fullerton (women’s soccer), Franziska Funke (women’s tennis), Calley Lawson (women’s golf), Emma MacDonald (women’s soccer), Morgan Mahaffey (softball), Fabian Paier (men’s tennis), Jonathan Spicher (men’s soccer), Carlie Thornber (women’s soccer) and Parker Wright (cheerleading).

The Tusculum football team boasted the most student-athletes on the honor roll with 50 honorees.  The Pioneer baseball and women’s soccer teams were tied for second with 31 selections each.  The men’s soccer team was fourth on the list with 21 honorees, while the Pioneer softball and men’s lacrosse teams were tied for fifth with 19 selections apiece.  The women’s lacrosse team was seventh with 17 representatives, followed by volleyball (15), women’s golf (12), women’s basketball (10), men’s basketball (nine), women’s cross country (nine), women’s tennis (eight), men’s tennis (eight), men’s golf (seven) and men’s cross country (six).

The Tusculum cheerleading squad also had 11 members recognized on this semester’s honor roll.

 

2016 Tusculum College Athletic Director’s Fall Honor Roll

Student-Athlete               Sport(s)

Irim Aiken                           Football

Antoinette Allen               Women’s Soccer/Lacrosse

Makenzi Alley                     Women’s Cross Country

Evan Altizer                         Football

Jorge Alvarez                      Men’s Soccer

Andrea Amettis                  Volleyball

Katja Andersson                 Women’s Soccer

Ashley Andrukonis            Women’s Cross Country

Ben Arnold                             Men’s Basketball

Will Arrington                       Football

Kristen Atwell                       Women’s Basketball

Kyle Bailey                             Football

Tyler Bailey                           Baseball

Sarah Baker                           Women’s Tennis

Brandyn Bartlett                 Football

Seth Batsel                             Football

Taylor Battle                         Softball

Miranda Beeler                    Softball

Keegan Bell                           Men’s Lacrosse

John Bennett                       Baseball

Patrick Benson                    Football

Alexis Berlin                        Cheerleading

Hannah Berling                   Volleyball

Paige Bible                            Women’s Cross Country

Brandon Black                     Baseball

Danny Black                         Football

Cassandra Born                  Volleyball

Dalton Boslooper               Baseball

Sarah Bouley                        Volleyball

Brittney Bowers                  Women’s Soccer

Ben Boyd                                Men’s Lacrosse

Jule Brass                               Women’s Tennis

Cheyenne Bray                     Women’s Lacrosse

Spencer Brothers                Baseball

Lawson Burrow                   Men’s Cross Country

Lindsay Butler                     Women’s Golf

Alison Camp                         Women’s Soccer

Corey Cantrell                      Football

Hunter Cantrell                   Football

Michaelae Carden             Cheerleading

Erin Carmody                      Volleyball

Ethan Carpenter                 Baseball

Darius Carter                       Men’s Basketball

Ben Cash                                 Baseball

Cayla Cecil                            Softball

Mitch Chapman                 Men’s Lacrosse

Lia Clark                               Women’s Soccer

Chris Cochrane                  Baseball

Matthew Cole                     Football

Sarah Combs                      Women’s Soccer

Jalen Connor                      Football

Christen Craig                    Women’s Lacrosse

Heather Crouch                Women’s Soccer/Basketball

Kelsey Crow                       Women’s Lacrosse

Bailey Culler                       Softball

Caleb Cutshall                    Men’s Cross Country

Jacob Cutshall                    Men’s Cross Country

Ricardo Da Silva                Men’s Soccer

Deshawn Davis                   Football

Eliza Davis                            Softball

Samuel Davis                     Men’s Golf

Zach Davis                           Men’s Basketball

Rachel Del Duca                Women’s Lacrosse

Andre De Giorgi                Men’s Soccer

Payton DeHart                  Women’s Soccer

Seth DeHaven                    Baseball

Kyle Dickson                      Men’s Soccer

Kelly Donnelly                   Football

Drake Dormann                 Football

Tandon Dorn                      Baseball

Britney Dotson                  Cheerleading

Malik Drury                         Football

Gary Dunlop                       Men’s Soccer

Dallas Dunn                         Men’s Soccer

Savannah Elliott                Women’s Lacrosse

Cory Fagan                           Men’s Basketball

Todd Fidler                           Men’s Soccer

Zack Finchum                      Baseball

Harper Ford                         Softball

Nick Forsberg                      Men’s Golf

Jordan Fullerton               Women’s Soccer

Franziska Funke                Women’s Tennis

Rachel Garnett                    Volleyball

Anthony Gatewood           Men’s Lacrosse

Max Gaubert                         Football

Emmanuel Gbunblee         Football

Guillem Giro                          Men’s Soccer/Cheerleading

Hannah Graham                   Women’s Soccer

Destani Gray                          Cheerleading

Shelby Gray                            Women’s Lacrosse

Davante Griffin                       Football

Sierra Haas                             Women’s Lacrosse

Courtney Hackney              Women’s Soccer

Kevin Haggerty                    Men’s Lacrosse

Brock Hakalmazian             Baseball

Holly Hall                                Women’s Soccer

Tyler Hall                                 Baseball

Sierra Hanson                        Women’s Cross Country

Dillon Hardy                           Baseball

Rictrell Harris                        Football

Cooper Harrison                  Football

Zach Hartle                            Men’s Basketball

Kayla Hartley                        Volleyball

Harrison Harvey                 Men’s Soccer

Michala Hash                        Women’s Basketball

Kelsey Haun                          Women’s Golf

Brad Hawkins                       Men’s Golf

Maelyn Head                        Women’s Basketball

Kealee Heffner                     Women’s Tennis

Emily Hester                         Softball

Cameron High                      Baseball

Luke Hillis                             Football

Ryan Hillshouse                 Baseball

Alexis Hoffman                   Softball

Trista Holder                      Women’s Golf

Malek Holman                    Football

Rachel Holmes                  Women’s Lacrosse

Sayre Hopper                    Women’s Golf

Kelly Horrell                      Women’s Golf

Justin Houston                  Football

Chris Hutson                      Men’s Golf

Cooper Jackson                Baseball

J’Quen Johnson               Men’s Cross Country

Tashique Kader                Men’s Tennis

Cody Kammerzell            Men’s Soccer

Adrienne Kaye                  Women’s Tennis

Jordan Keene                    Softball

Calyn Kelly                         Women’s Lacrosse/Basketball

Lindsey Kelly                     Women’s Soccer

Jaylynn Kesterson          Football

Dante Key                           Baseball

Olivia Kilgore                     Women’s Soccer

Indya Kinard                      Women’s Basketball

Tyler Klarner                      Men’s Lacrosse

Alexander Kleinberg       Men’s Lacrosse

Toby de Klerk                     Men’s Tennis

Andrew Kransberger       Men’s Lacrosse

Austin Kulp                         Men’s Soccer

Dallas Kuykendall             Football

Andreas Kvam                   Men’s Soccer

Pablo Laguna                      Men’s Soccer

Taylor Lambertsen           Women’s Golf

Zack Lane                               Football

Bailey Laws                            Cheerleading

Calley Lawson                       Women’s Golf

Guillermo Lazcano              Men’s Soccer/Cheerleading

Mariah Lewis                          Volleyball

Taylor Lewis                           Women’s Soccer/Softball

Tyler Linkous                        Men’s Soccer

Meghan Lively                      Women’s Soccer

Jeffrey Lohman                    Men’s Soccer

Eric Lynch                              Football

Emma MacDonald               Women’s Soccer

Morgan Mahaffey                Softball

Madison Malone                  Women’s Lacrosse

Tanner Maloof                      Baseball

Lindsey Mank                       Women’s Cross Country

Luke Manning                       Football

Miriah Martin                       Women’s Soccer

Chase McAllister                 Baseball

Mitch McCain                       Baseball

Kelli McCalla                        Women’s Soccer

Caleb McCormick               Football

Conor McKenna                 Men’s Soccer

Dominic McLaren             Men’s Soccer

Logan McMahan                Baseball

Nicole McMillen               Women’s Soccer

Kristen McMillion            Women’s Basketball

Nate Mendez                      Men’s Soccer

Ethan Merrow                   Men’s Lacrosse

Carly Mill                             Women’s Soccer

Charles Mills                      Men’s Lacrosse

Erin Mills                            Women’s Tennis

Connor Mitchell              Men’s Basketball

Vasco Monteiro              Men’s Soccer

Brian Montgomery         Football

Pauline Muiruri               Women’s Cross Country

Billy Munker                     Football

Eduardo Munoz               Men’s Tennis

Shannon Murphy            Volleyball

Cydney Murrell               Women’s Golf

Loyd Napier                      Football

David New                          Baseball

Jordan Newby                  Women’s Soccer

Mackenzie Newsome     Women’s Cross Country

Will Noel                              Men’s Cross Country

Ian O’Grady                        Football

Alycea Ohl                           Women’s Lacrosse

Fabian Paier                       Men’s Tennis

Ross Parsons                      Men’s Lacrosse

Anthony Patrick                Football

Callie Patterson                  Women’s Basketball

Kendall Patterson              Men’s Basketball

Taylor Plemons                   Softball

Diego Poore                          Men’s Basketball

Jasmine Queen                    Women’s Basketball

Christian Raasch                 Baseball

Cory Ramsey                        Men’s Cross Country

Matt Ramsay                        Baseball

Heath Ratliff                         Men’s Golf

Ciara Rattana                       Women’s Golf

Zachary Redden                 Football

Treslyn Reese                      Softball

Jenna Restivo                      Softball

Rachel Roberts                   Women’s Soccer

Cameron Rogers                Men’s Lacrosse

Chris Ryan                            Men’s Lacrosse

DJ Samuels                           Football

Reanna Saunders               Cheerleading

Sabrina Schleuger              Volleyball

Brooke Schreder                Women’s Soccer

Drew Schreder                     Football

Blythe Scrivner                   Women’s Golf

Leon Seiz                               Men’s Tennis

Jordon Shippy                    Football

Jaelyn Shoemaker            Cheerleading

Matt Shown                         Men’s Basketball

Madison Shumaker          Volleyball

David Siegle                         Men’s Tennis

Erin Sims                              Women’s Lacrosse/Basketball

Christian Sisto                    Football

Trevor Skiles                      Football

Zach Slagle                          Baseball

Jake Smith                          Men’s Lacrosse

Jordan Smith                     Women’s Lacrosse

Taylor Smith                      Men’s Golf

Zack Smith                          Football

Ally Soldati                        Volleyball

James Spears                     Men’s Lacrosse

Jonathan Spicher             Men’s Soccer

Claire Stanton                     Women’s Lacrosse

Danae Stauffer                    Volleyball

Tim Stierle                           Men’s Tennis

Robin Stoner                       Softball

Chaz Story                            Football

Kaytlin Stroinski                Volleyball

Amanda Sumner               Women’s Tennis

Shannele Sunderland      Women’s Soccer

Terrie Taylor                      Cheerleading

Cameron Thomas              Football

Martez Thompkins            Football

Brandon Thompson          Football

Carlie Thornber                  Women’s Soccer

Jim Tolle                                Baseball

Ellie Tomassoni                  Women’s Soccer

Katie Tomassoni                Women’s Golf

John Topoleski                   Baseball

Preston Tucker                  Men’s Golf

Cheyenne Upton               Women’s Soccer

Eric Varlas                           Men’s Lacrosse

Veronica Vineyard          Women’s Soccer

Samantha Vogt                  Women’s Cross Country

Dallas Wade                         Men’s Lacrosse

Nate Wade                           Men’s Lacrosse

Brooke Wagner                  Women’s Lacrosse

Lillian Wallace                   Women’s Cross Country

Morgan Ward                      Softball

Jason Ware                           Football

Justin Ware                          Football

Nick Wasylyk                       Football

Emily Waters                       Women’s Tennis

Devan Watts                        Baseball

Coneisha Waugh                Women’s Lacrosse/Soccer

Kaily Weiss                          Volleyball

J.J. Wesley                          Baseball

Jadin West                           Football

Emily White                        Softball

Taylor White                      Women’s Golf

Shynese Whitener            Women’s Basketball

Creighton Wilke                 Baseball

Carolyn Williamson         Softball

Jason Willis                        Men’s Lacrosse

Sydney Wilson                  Women’s Basketball

Jonas Winkelmann          Men’s Tennis

Kaitlin Winnie                    Women’s Lacrosse

Rachel Wisner                   Softball

Parker Wright                    Cheerleading

Peyton Yancey                  Women’s Soccer

Tusculum receives $50,000 grant from First Tennessee Foundation

Tusculum College has received a $50,000 grant from First Tennessee Foundation to name the foyer area of the new Center for Science and Math. The gift is part of the Tusculum First capital campaign.

The grant for the foyer naming will assist with the construction costs of the new 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math. The grant helps to bring the Tusculum First campaign to more than $21.7 million in commitments.

The First Tennessee Foundation Foyer is located on the ground floor which will be the main entrance to the center utilized by faculty, staff, students and visitors.

“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.

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.

Dr. Nancy B. Moody, left, accepts the initial payment on a $50,000 grant to Tusculum College from Jennifer Keller, vice president of community banking, at First Tennessee in Greeneville. The grant from First Tennessee Foundation will name the foyer area of the new Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math.

A note to parents from the President

There are some exciting changes in store for all students this coming fall, including an enhanced Honors Program. Several changes have been made in the program to allow for more customization for individual participants, as well as expanding the number of participants who may participate without it disrupting their four-year plan. If you are the parent of a new student or have a returning student who is interested in participating, the new structure is more flexible and allows for more participation from students than ever before.

We have named a new director for the program, Meagan Stark, coordinator of academic support and co-director of the Honors Program. Dr. Troy Goodale, associate professor of political science and faculty moderator, will serve as faculty director. The two have, along with a team of dedicated faculty and staff who serve on the Honors Council, developed a new structure for the program over the course of the past year. The program, which was also developed to work with the new eight-week block schedule, promotes a cross-discipline dialogue between students that includes three core seminar courses. These courses are taught across the semester, every semester, to provide students ample opportunities to participate. The Honors courses we have developed are designed to be interesting courses that the instructors and students can be passionate about. The courses continue to be challenging courses, but participants will also gain experiences in other areas such as leadership and research. In addition to the main Honors courses, a core concentration course will be required in areas that include global awareness, peer leadership, civic engagement or research.

Enrichment opportunities, such as the honors program, provide your young adult not just for graduation or just for their chosen career but for a life of opportunity for which they will be well prepared.

Several recruitment events will be held on the Greeneville campus during the Advanced Registration period, and the application deadline will be January 15, 2017. Candidate interviews will be held in February and selections made on March 1. So, if you have a student interested in participating in our Honors program, I encourage you to contact Ms. Stark at mstark@tusculum.edu.

Best Regards,

Nancy B. Moody, PhD

President

Tusculum College’s Pioneer Fishing Club finishes 9th in BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship

The Tusculum College Pioneer Fishing Club finished in 9th place at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, held last week at Pickwick Lake in Alabama. More than 140 teams competed.

The championship went to Auburn University’s team, which weighed in a total of 44.21 pounds.

Tusculum’s two-man team of Nick Hatfield, a senior business administration major from Greeneville, and Cory Neece, a sophomore environmental science major from Bristol, had a two-day compiled weigh in of 31.41 pounds.

Tusculum was the second highest finishing team from the State of Tennessee, with Bethel University finishing 3rd and 12th with their two teams, and Bryan College finishing 17th and 21st. Teams from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga came in 25th and 35th and teams from University of Tennessee-Knoxville came in 58th and 106th.

The Pioneer Fishing Club is sponsor is Dr. Jason Jones, assistant professor of physical education. Anyone interested in the club should email nickhatfield.nh@gmail.com.

The Association of Collegiate Anglers, a division of CarecoTV and in association with the Bass Federation, is a sanctioning body developed to facilitate growth, development and structure within competitive collegiate bass fishing.

 

Director named for Tusculum College Honors Program

Meagan Stark, coordinator of academic support at Tusculum College, has been named program director of the Honors Program.

Stark received her bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from East Tennessee State University and her master’s degree in political science from Syracuse University.

She has been part of the Student Support Services team at Tusculum College since 2014.

Meagan Stark

Stark will direct the restructured program along with Dr. Troy Goodale, associate professor of political science and faculty moderator, who will serve as faculty director.

“Ms. Stark brings a great deal of passion to the leadership of the Honors Program,” said Dr. Goodale. “Her previous experience at Syracuse University and East Tennessee State University allow her to bring a new perspective to Tusculum’s Honors Program. As the director of Peer Tutoring services at Tusculum, Ms. Stark has developed meaningful relationships with our students that uniquely positions her to cultivate a rapport with our Honors students and collaborate with each student to create a richer Honors Program experience.”

Several changes were developed over the course of the past year by the Honors Council, which is comprised of both faculty and staff dedicated to the success of the program.

The Tusculum College Honors Program promotes a cross-discipline dialogue between students that includes three core seminar courses. These courses are taught across the semester, every semester, to provide students ample opportunities to participate.

“The Honors courses we have developed are designed to be interesting courses that the instructors and students can be passionate about,” said Stark. “The courses continue to be challenging courses, but participants will also gain experiences in other areas such as leadership and research.”

In addition to the main Honors courses, a core concentration course will be required in areas that include global awareness, peer leadership, civic engagement or research.

“The Honors Program connects like-minded students who push one another to discuss socially and politically-important ideas, news and concepts,” said Sarah Holley, a 2016 graduate who plans to serve a year with AmeriCorps before attending graduate school to become an archivist/museum curator.

She added, “I met my best friend through this program, and they challenged me to become better culturally and academically. My favorite components of this program have been the special topic seminars because they facilitate discussion and create an open dialogue that spills from the classroom into daily life.”

To qualify for the program, first-time students must have a composite score of at least 25 on the ACT or 1150 on the SAT, have a high school grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and rank in the top 10 percent of high school graduating class.

“This year several recruitment events will be held on the Greeneville campus during the Advanced Registration period, and the application deadline will be Jan. 15, 2017,” said Stark. Candidate interviews will be held in February and selections made on March 1.

For more information, contact Stark at mstark@tusculum.edu.