Commencement address available for online viewing

Dr. David Baker

Dr. David Baker delivered the commencement address to students at both ceremonies on Saturday, May 7, in the Pioneer Arena in Niswonger Commons on the Greeneville campus. Dr. Baker provided some valuable advice to the graduates about success in the workplace from what he has learned in the more than three decades of his career. You may view the commencement address at this site:  https://vimeo.com/167919821/7cc5fb0ad3.

 

Dr. Baker oversees DIRECTV Group’s national network of installation and service providers and is charged with improving the quality of the customer experience at the point of installation and service. Additionally, he is responsible for DIRECTV Home Services, which is DIRECTV’s owned and operated field services operation. He is currently based in DIRECTV’s Denver offices.

 

Dr. Baker’s career includes more than 20 years with The DIRECTV Group and its former parent company. Between 1998 and 2006, he held leadership positions with DIRECTV Latin America and DIRECTV Japan, as well as several senior-level financial and operational roles.

 

Most recently Baker was executive vice president and chief operating officer for On Command Corporation, where he led the integration of On Command into its new parent company, LodgeNet. Also, as a managing director at Nightingale and Associates, LLP, Baker restructured a $350 million construction company to return it to profitability.

 

Prior to DIRECTV, Baker was at Weyerhaeuser Company as an engineer in raw materials and research and development in Federal Way, WA, and then worked as an operations research analyst for Getty Oil Company in Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Dr. Baker holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from West Virginia University and earned his doctorate in mineral economics at the Colorado School of Mines.

 

Dr. Baker and wife, Nancy, reside in Parker, Colorado, and have one daughter who is nearing graduation from West Virginia University.

 

Tusculum College’s Pioneer Fishing Club currently 12th in BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship

The Tusculum College Pioneer Fishing Club currently sits in 12th place at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, being held this week at Pickwick Lake in Alabama. There are two more days of competition and more than 140 teams competing.

The two-man team of Nick Hatfield, a senior business administration major from Greeneville,  and Cory Neece, a sophomore environmental science major from Bristol,  are doing more than holding their own with a first day weigh in of 16.68.

First place is currently held by Louisiana State University, Weighing in right at 23.06lbs.

To watch the teams battle it out on Pickwick Lake on the final two days, there will be a live blog for updates throughout the day at http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/. There will also be a live weigh in beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, to see who will be crowned the 2016 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Champions.

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.

 

College now enrolling for family nurse practitioner program

Tusculum College is now enrolling for its new nurse practitioner master’s degree program in family nurse practitioner, having received final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The college received approval by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in February to move forward in planning the new degree program and has received initial approval to start the program from the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

The family nurse practitioner program is a graduate level Master of Science degree designed to address the need for more primary healthcare providers in the community. It will be led by Dr. Linda Garrett, assistant dean of nursing, health sciences and human services and chair of graduate nursing.

“We are very happy to be able to start this new program in the fall,” said Dr. Lois Ewen, dean of nursing, health sciences and human services. “The family nurse practitioner program will provide nurses in our area with a local choice for earning their master’s degree,” she added.

“Nurse practitioners provide primary care across the lifespan to people of all ages with simple to complex illnesses. We provide care for patients that have comorbidities. We have the same privileges that family physicians have, such as prescribing medications,” said Dr. Garrett.

Applications for enrollment in the program will be available in late spring.  The first class is tentatively set to graduate in fall 2017.

“One of the things that is special about this program, especially in this part of the country, is that we plan to develop an RN to MSN program, which will allow nurses with associate degrees to obtain their master’s degree in six semesters,” said Dr. Garrett.

With this bridge component, Dr. Ewen hopes to serve more nurses in the area and serve the community with quality advanced practice nurses. The nurse practitioner program will be housed in the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Math and Science, where the students will have access to state-of-the-art equipment specialized for their degree.

“The Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Math and Science will provide students with a lab separate from the lab for the undergraduate program,” said Dr. Garrett. “The undergraduate lab is styled like a hospital, the nurse practitioner labs will be designed much like a typical medical office with high technological recording capabilities.”

Dr. Garrett hopes to work with the theater program at Tusculum and have people trained as “standardized patients.” These standardized patients would act as real patients through scenarios developed by the nursing faculty in order to assist nurse practitioner students in patient interaction and diagnosis.

“My vision is to provide the community with primary care providers–this is an area of need—to provide the folks in this community access to good quality care and to get the nurse practitioner program going and graduating students.”

Individuals with interest in attending the family nurse practitioner program should contact the nursing department at nursing@tusculum.edu or 423-636-7430 for more information.  Tusculum College is now accepting applications for admission into the college.

 

Science, math and technology programs expected to expand at Tusculum College

Science, mathematics and technology programs are expected to expand at Tusculum College with the addition of new degree programs and the investment in new facilities.

With the re-introduction of chemistry as a major in 2013, the addition of a master’s degree in nursing and a new planned Bachelor of Science in health care administration degree program, growth is expected to continue in these areas, according to LeAnn Hughes, vice president of enrollment management and marketing and director of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Earlier this month, a Bachelor of Science in computer science, a Bachelor of Science in information technology and a Master of Accountancy were preliminarily approved by Tusculum’s Board of Trustees pending development of the curriculum. Also approved was the development of a minor in web design.

The new programs will be initiated between now and 2019.

“Tusculum has a reputation for producing science graduates that have gone on to great success within their respective fields. Bringing back the chemistry major as an additional opportunity was the beginning of a process to expand these offerings,” said Hughes. “Now, with the completion of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Mathematics just around the corner, we expect enrollment in these programs to expand.”

Following the addition of the chemistry major, Tusculum College invested significantly by purchasing equipment and other useful tools including high performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectrometer, atomic absorption spectrometer, gas chromatography and a visible spectrometer. These new instruments, partially funded by gifts from alumni, assist the program to equip chemistry majors for a career in industry or graduate studies and further enhance already robust undergraduate research opportunities.

The Meen Center for Science and Math, expected to be completed in January 2017, will be a four-story structure of approximately 100,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, nursing, computer science and environmental science. There will also be lab space and research areas for both faculty and students.

The ground floor features the environmental science wing with large general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will be included on the ground floor. Space is also allocated to house the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing and the Master of Science degree in nursing.

For more information about any of these programs, contact Melissa Ripley, director of operations for admissions at 1-800-729-0256 or email mripley@tusculum.edu.

Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math

 

 

 

Class of 1966 celebrate 50th reunion during commencement weekend

Members of the Class of 1966 and their spouses gather for a group photo with Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody following the reception on May 6.

Members of the Class of 1966 were in the spotlight during the weekend of of Spring Commencement, May 6 and 7, as they reunited on campus to celebrate their 50th anniversary year.

Seventeen members of the Class of 1966 returned to campus to mark this significant milestone.

During a reception for the class members at the President’s House, each was presented a commemorative medallion by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.

A welcome surprise for the class members was the arrival of Dr. Douglas Trout at the reception. Dr. Trout was serving as president of Tusculum during 1966, and members of the Class of 1966 had voted that year to make him an honorary member of their class.  Dr. Trout participated in the activities as a member of the class.

Following the reception, the members broke bread together at a Brumley’s Restaurant at the General Morgan Inn in downtown Greeneville.

Activities started early for the newest Golden Pioneers on Saturday with a breakfast in the Pioneer Perk coffee house on campus prior to the commencement ceremony.

Following breakfast, the class members donned their gold robes and mortar boards along with their medallions and posed for a few photos before lining up in the hallway to be part of the processional in the morning Commencement ceremony.

Members of the Golden Pioneers pose with Dr. Moody and Dr. Trout.

The Golden Pioneers led the graduating students into Pioneer Arena and sat in the front row in front of the stage. During the ceremony, Dr. Moody recognized each by name, and the group was applauded by the soon-to-be graduates and the audience. A presentation was also made to Dr. Moody during the ceremony of the combined class gift of $50,818.32 from the members of the Class of 1966 and the graduating seniors. The funds are to be used in the creation of an endowed Tusculum First scholarship to benefit future students.

Following the ceremony, the Golden Pioneers returned to the Perk for lunch and more fellowship.

Presenting the class gift to Dr. Moody were, left, Michael Fernando, representing the Class of 2016, and Bruce Howell, representing the Class of 1966.


Alumnus Justin Reed’s essay selected as one of nation’s best of 2016

Justin Phillip Reed '13

Justin Phillip Reed’s essay, “Killing Like They Do in the Movies,” has been selected for Best American Essays 2016, edited by Pulitzer Prize nominee Jonathan Franzen.

Justin is a 2013 graduate of Tusculum and a South Carolina native. He is the author of the “YesYes Books” chapbook and “A History of Flamboyance.”

The full publication of Best American Essays 2016 is available for pre-order on Amazon.com, and Justin’s essay can be read at https://catapult.co/stor…/killing-like-they-do-in-the-movies.

His poems will also appear in future editions of “Boston Review,” “Vinyl Poetry,” “joINT,” “PLUCK!,” “Muzzle” and in other publications. His work has been anthologized in the “Best Undergraduate Writing,” section of “plain china” and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in English at Tusculum, Justin served as assistant managing editor of “The Tusculum Review.” He currently lives in Saint Louis, MO, where he is a Master of Fine Arts candidate in the writing program at Washington University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

’80s

Dana Matlock ’89 of Oak Ridge, TN, was selected as one of the “Teachers of the Year” in the Morgan County School System. Matlock has taught at Sunbright School for 21 years

 

’10s

Joseph Elphingstone ’15 has completed his graduate program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the University of Southern California. Elphingstone is a native of Calhoun, GA, and played tennis while at Tusculum.

 

Emee Herbert

Emee Herbert ’15 has participated in the LPGA Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Va., her first LPGA event. The native of Johns Creek, GA, played two seasons for the Pioneers, earning South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2012 and was named conference Player of the Year in 2013. She holds the Tusculum career record with a stroke average of 76.81 in 43 rounds, which is also good for second-best in conference history. Herbert completed her collegiate career at NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina University, where she was named All-Big South.

 

 

 

 

 

Estelle Burrows Thornley ’42 of Selbyville, DE, and formerly of Fair Lawn, NJ, passed away March 31, 2016. Mrs. Thornley was a retired computer programmer with the Ridgewood School District in New Jersey. She was a member of Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View, DE.

 

Mary Mitchell Yowell ’44 of Bealeton, Va, passed away October 13, 2015. Mrs. Yowell worked in Oak Ridge, TN, on the Manhatten Project during World War II as a librarian. She later taught in Rappahannock and Faquier counties in Virginia, finishing her career at Margaret M. Pierce Elementary.

 

Progress continues on Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math

Progress continues on the construction of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College, with interior work continuing, including window installment.

According to David Martin, director of facilities for Tusculum College, exterior damp proofing and windows are complete with the exception of custom windows for the Board Room, which will be installed next week.

“The roof is dried in, metal panels and copper gutters are ongoing. Window trim and masonry in progress,” said Martin, adding that rough grading of the north lot is complete.

As work continues, drywall, insulation, drywall soffits and finishing are ongoing on all floors, and fire protection is 90 percent complete. Paint priming will begin in two weeks.

It is expected that the construction will be completed by the end of the year and will be ready for utilization when students return for spring semester 2017.

The Meen Center for Science and Math will be a four-story structure of approximately 100,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and environmental science. There will also be lab space and research areas for both faculty and students.

The ground floor features the environmental science wing with a loading dock, as well as large general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will be included on the ground floor. Space is also allocated to house the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing and at least one other graduate level health-related program.

Interior finishing and window installation at the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math

 

 

Trustees approve new academic programs, track and field

The Tusculum College Board of Trustees approved the addition of several new degree programs and a track and field program at its spring meeting, held May 13-14 on the Greeneville campus. With the addition of men’s and women’s track and field teams, the number of NCAA sports offered at Tusculum increases to 18.

The Board gave full approval to a Bachelor of Science in health care administration degree program. A Bachelor of Science in computer science, a Bachelor of Science in information technology and a Master of Accountancy were preliminarily approved pending development of the curriculum. Also approved was the development of a minor in web design.

The new programs will be initiated between now and 2019.

“As an institution it is important that we continue to be responsive to the students we serve as well as the communities around us,” said Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board and 1970 alumnus of the college. “Changing, and particularly adding degree programs, allows us to serve the needs of students today and into the future.”

The Board also received a report on the recent Mock Disaster Scenario conducted on campus in March. The simulation was a tornado which had collapsed Katherine Hall at approximately 2 a.m. during an academic day. Participants included: Greene County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department, Greeneville Police Department, Greeneville Fire Department, Greene County EMS, Greene County 911, Laughlin Memorial Hospital, and Takoma Regional Hospital. Tusculum College provided volunteers from employees and students to act as casualties.

The intent of the drill was to test Tusculum’s ability to initially respond to a natural disaster and communicate with local emergency responders in order to provide emergency care to the Tusculum community. Specifically, the college tested its ability to initially respond to a catastrophic emergency, its ability to handle a large number of casualties and displaced persons and its ability to perform long-term recovery operations and continue business operations.

The initial assessment immediately following the event from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency was that the Tusculum College initial response and Emergency Operations Center performance was “excellent.”

As a result of recent state legislation, the Board reviewed its policies on guns on campus. As a result, both the faculty and student handbooks will be amended to state that the “Board of Trustees of Tusculum College has determined that Tusculum College and all of its property is a weapon-free school,” as described in Tennessee Code Annotated. “No person, except a person who is a sworn peace officer, is allowed to carry a firearm on any property owned or operated by Tusculum College.”

According to Jon Gresham, director of campus safety for Tusculum College, while new wording was adopted, the intent and extent of the policy remains consistent with the policy that had been in operation prior to recent legislation.

The Board also recommended preliminary approval of the 2016-2017 operating budget. The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees will be October 2016.

 

Jack Smith recognized during President’s Dinner for service to Tusculum

Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody, left, and Board of Trustees Chair Kenneth Bowman, right, make the presentation to Myron J. "Jack" Smith during the President's Dinner.

Myron J. “Jack” Smith was recognized during the President’s Dinner on Friday, May 13, for his more than 20 years of service to Tusculum College as director of the library.

Smith was presented a framed copy of the resolution honoring his service to Tusculum and academia that had been approved by the Tusculum College Board of Trustees at its February meeting. Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum, and Dr. Kenneth Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees, made the presentation.

The Board of Trustees has also granted the honorary status of faculty emeritus to Smith.

The resolution reads:

“Whereas, Myron J. Smith, Jr. was awarded degrees from Ashland University, Western Michigan University, and Shippensburg University and pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, Indiana-Purdue University, and The Ohio State University; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith began his career at the Detroit Public Library as a young adult services librarian; and

Whereas, while at Western Maryland College, he worked summers as a bibliographer at the Navy Department Library in Washington, DC where he was mentored on occasion by the noted historian Samuel Eliot Morison; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith worked as library director at the Huntington Public Library before returning to academic service at Salem College where he remained for fifteen years before coming to Tusculum; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith joined Tusculum College in 1990 where he served until 2015 retiring from the positions of library director and professor of library science and history; and

Whereas, he worked diligently to improve library resources and access opportunities for the Tusculum community and coordinated partnerships with local and regional libraries; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith is an internationally-known author and bibliographer on subjects ranging in topic from airline to Watergate and from baseball to the U.S. Civil War and has published eighty-eight books which have been sold in or acquired by libraries in forty-four countries and every state in the United States; and

Whereas, in 1993, he received the Nelson Ross Award from the Professional Football Writers Association, and he remains the only American to have received the Richard Franck Preis for historical bibliography from the German Government; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith was granted Faculty Emeritus status by the Board of Trustees;

Now Therefore, be it resolved, that the Tusculum College Board of Trustees, meeting in Greeneville, Tennessee, on February 20, 2016, does hereby acknowledge, commend, and honor Myron J. Smith, Jr for extraordinary service to Tusculum College and to the people of this state and nation and extends to Mr. Smith its best wishes for a rewarding and fulfilling retirement.”

Kramer named to Tusculum College Board of Trustees

Jo Ann Kramer

The Tusculum College Board of Trustees approved Jo Ann Soderquist Kramer as its newest board members in a meeting on Saturday, May 14.

“We are very excited to welcome Jo Ann and anticipate her experience and expertise will benefit the entire Tusculum community through her service,” said Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and 1970 graduate of the college.

Kramer graduated with an aerospace engineering graduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1967, making her the first woman in UVA history to earn a degree in engineering. She holds an undergraduate degree in physics from Sweet Briar College, where she also served on the Sweet Briar College Board of Directors and as a leading fundraiser for the school in the midst of its recent restructuring.

Beginning her career as an aerospace engineer with Martin Marietta Corp. in Orlando, Fla., Kramer later served in the same capacity with Lockheed Martin Corp. in Burlington, Vt. She retired in 2011 from her position as director of air and naval defense system programs for General Dynamics Corp. in Burlington.

She is affiliated with Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, the National Defense Industrial Association and Women in Defense. She has worked on the Board of Directors of the North Country Federal Credit Union and on the Sweet Briar College Alumnae Association Board.

In addition, Kramer spoke at the spring 2015 commencement ceremony at Tusculum College, during which she advised graduates to be unafraid to step up and impact the fate of their organization through decisive action. She also encouraged students to promote environments that are open to opposing opinions. Kramer will bring these experiences and mindsets to her service on the Tusculum College Board of Trustees.

Kramer’s mother, Mabel F. Soderquist, is a 1937 graduate of Tusculum College. Kramer herself also took several courses at Tusculum College.

Dr. Morris Katz honored with Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Morris E. Katz '37, right, was presented the Distinguished Service Award in absentia during the President's Dinner on May 13. The photo above was made of Dr. Katz and Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody when she visited with him a few years ago in Florida.

Dr. Morris E. Katz, a 1937 graduate of Tusculum College and long-time friend of the college, was presented in absentia the Distinguished Service Award during the annual Tusculum College President’s Dinner on Friday, May 13.

Dr. Katz was recognized for his service and support of Tusculum College. The award was presented via video link. Dr. Katz accepted the award surrounded by friends and family. Dr. Katz is a native of Athol, Massachusetts, who now resides in Sarasota, Florida. Tusculum President Dr. Nancy B. Moody and Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and 1970 alumnus of the college, presented the award.

The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or individuals who have a history of outstanding support of Tusculum College. The award is presented at the President’s Dinner, which honors the college’s major donors.

“It gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to a son of Tusculum College, an excellent student and athlete; a man very dedicated to his family and also dedicated to improving the human condition and making the world a better place; to a very humble person who has loved and celebrated life for 101 years and is dedicated to providing others the opportunity for an education, the gift of a lifetime,” said Dr. Moody.

While a student at Tusculum, Dr. Katz excelled in the pre-med program and was a member of the Outing Club, as well as a member of the cross country and swimming teams. He also served as president of his senior class.

Following his time at Tusculum, Dr. Katz interned for a year at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn.  Through the support of Tusculum College President, The Reverend Dr. Charles Anderson, Morris was admitted to and subsequently graduated from the University of the Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1941.

As a Major in the Medical Corps, Dr. Morris Katz began service as a Battalion Surgeon in the 28th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, seeing action in the European Theater in World War II.  Upon his discharge in 1945, Dr. Katz received additional training at Beth-Israel Hospital and the Boston City Hospital.  In July 1950, he opened a practice in Norwich, Connecticut, where his specialty was eye-ear-nose and throat.

Board certified in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, Dr. Katz served the community for approximately 46 years until his retirement in 1987.  His professional memberships included the New London County Medical Association, the Connecticut State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Dr. Katz retired to Florida where he served as a medical volunteer for the Senior Friendship Center until recently. In memory of his wife, Freda, Dr. Katz established The Morris E. and Freda Hillson Katz Endowed Scholarship Fund in 1996. Freda was born in 1914 in Malden, Massachusetts and passed away in 1994. With gifts and a generous planned gift by Dr. Katz, this scholarship seeks to support able and deserving pre-medical students and other science majors.

“With his commitment to education and health care in the community and at Tusculum College,” said Dr. Bowman, “Dr. Katz has made a significant impact. His legacy will continue to impact the lives of students for many, many years to come.”

Eagle Scout leads water testing project

On Saturday, April 30, Eagle Scout Samuel Van Amberg led four participants in water testing at Paint Creek as part of his service project with the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, supported by a Tennessee Valley Authority Community Outreach Support grant. Participants learned how to sample for macro-invertebrates and use what they found to determine the health of the creek.

Participants also learned how to perform basic water quality tests including dissolved oxygen, pH, and carbon dioxide. Levels in Paint Creek were ideal for fish and wildlife, and results will be sent to the U.S. Forest Service. Previously, Sam led two stream monitoring days at College Creek on the Tusculum College campus, pictured below.

He has worked primarily with high school and college-aged students.

Tusculum College Biology Students Practice Stream Monitoring at College Creek