Alumnus returns to campus to encourage psychology majors about graduate school

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Arrowood speaks to psychology majors about his experiences in graduate school and how Tusculum prepared him for continuing his education.

Many alumni were back on campus during the recent Homecoming festivities and graduate Robert Arrowood ’14 took time to encourage students currently in the Tusculum College Psychology Department. Arrowood spoke to students in the current program at the invitation of the psychology faculty.

Arrowood is a currently graduate student working under Dr. Ralph W. Hood, Jr. in the Psychology of Religion Lab at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Tusculum College and is currently working on his Master of Science in research psychology.

During his visit he talked with students about his research, including work in Terror Management Theory, in which he seeks to examine the interaction between death awareness and religious orientation to affect worldview defense. Additionally, he seeks to examine death awareness’s influence on larger aspects such as optimism, sexual interest and cognitive resources. He also has broader interests in social psychology and successful teaching practices.

While on campus for Homecoming, Arrowood was also one of the alumni who joined the Tusculum Marching Band for the Homecoming parade and performance during the game.

Additionally, Arrowood encouraged students to stay with the Tusculum College program, which he said prepared students exceptionally for the graduate school experience. He encouraged them to take a variety of courses and to start right aware exploring which fields hold the greatest interest for them as a career path.

Upon completion of his master’s degree, Arrowood seeks to further his graduate education in a doctoral program in social psychology.

 

’70s

Alumnus Tommy Turner ’76 of Georgia recently visited campus for the first time since leaving college. While vacationing with his wife in the East Tennessee area, Tommy decided to look up classmate and alumnus Larry Bible ’75. Both returned to campus to visit and recall memories from their time here. At right are Turner and Bible in front of Rankin Hall.

 

’80s

Dr. Gerald Miller ’85 retired from the Greene County School System and State of Tennessee in June after serving as an educator and administrator. In July, he accepted a position as principal of Glade Creek Elementary School in Alleghany County in North Carolina. Gerald’s son, Holden, graduated from high school in May and is now a freshman at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

 

’00s

Libby Housewright ’05 has joined Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City, TN, as a sixth grade teacher. She previously taught at Alpha Elementary School in Hamblen County.

 

’10s

Jessica Lee ’12 will graduate with her doctorate in physical therapy in December from East Tennessee State University.

 

 

 

 

Melina Villarreal Adkins ’07 of Bradenton, FL, welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Bronson James Adkins, on June 26, 2015.

 

 

 

 

’50s

Harold J. Waddle ’50 of Tusculum, TN, passed away October 22, 2015. Mr. Waddle was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service, he became an educator. He served as principal and teacher at Midway School for a year and taught two years at Baileyton High School. Mr. Waddle’s career path then changed as he took a position at Magnavox, where he worked 30 years before his retirement. He served two terms on the Greene County Quarterly Court (now known as the County Commission). Mr. Waddle was an active member of the First Christian Church for many years and had served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. In recent years, he had attended Central Christian Church and Greenwood United Methodist Church. A sports enthusiast, he was a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and the St. Louis Cardinals. For 25 years, he served as a high school basketball referee and was coordinator of the East Tennessee District for several years. His survivors include Tusculum alumni brother, the Rev. Richard Waddle ’57 and sister Marjorie Waddle Kruckeburg ’53.

 

Mrs. Beverly Hague McLaren ’55 of Edinboro, PA, passed away on August 14, 2015. She had been a longtime resident of Knoxville and Kingsport, TN, and later of Cocoa Beach, FL. Mrs. McLaren was employed for 20 years by the Department of Employment Security of the State of Tennessee at its Bristol office. She had retired in 1998. Her survivors include her husband of 61 years, Kenneth McLaren ’54.

 

’60s

Frank Wolpert ’61 of Social Circle, GA, passed away October 25, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. He was a long-time resident of New Jersey. He had served as CEO of Premier Packaging Consultants, Inc. of Holmdel, NJ.

 

Donald Lee Carter ’63 of Greeneville, TN, passed away October 18, 2015. A veteran, Mr. Carter had served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He had been retired for several years after having been involved in various businesses in Florida and in Greene County, including the former Towne Gate Motors in Greeneville, where he served as sales manager. Survivors include granddaughter and Tusculum alumna Jessica Wilhoit ’04.

 

’80s

Edith Greta Cockrum ’82 of Afton, TN, passed away October 10, 2015. She had returned to school later in life. Mrs. Cockrum was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was involved with the Women’s Missionary Union. She taught Bible study and served as voluntary missionary in Africa, where she was also involved in drought- and hunger-relief efforts and teaching literacy.

 

Faculty

Dr. Josephine Boyd Bradley of Atlanta, GA, passed away on September 15, 2015. Born in Greenbsoro, NC, she was the first African-American to integrate Greensboro High School and graduated with honors. After earning her doctorate in African-American Studies from Emory University, she went on to a distinguished professional life as a writer, board member, department head and educator for six institutions of higher education, including Tusculum. She loved traveling, reading and writing.
Dr. Carol Hartman of Greeneville, TN, passed away October 5, 2015. Dr. Hartman had served as a teacher and principal in the Union, Grainger, Kingsport and Greeneville City School Systems. She had retired as a professor at Tusculum, where she taught in the School of Education. During her career, she had also been. affiliated with United Methodist Holston Home for Children. Dr. Hartman was a member of Hardin’s Chapel United Methodist Church. She was the first woman to be installed as a member of the Rotary Club in Greeneville. She had been a member of the Greene County Democrat Women’s Club, and in past years was a member of several professional organizations.

 

Tusculum Students Take Barcelona in Block 3 Study Abroad

On Saturday, Oct. 17, students and faculty departed Tusculum College for an eight-day study abroad trip in Barcelona, Spain. Twelve students were chaperoned by Wayne Thomas, dean of arts and sciences and associate professor of English, and Dr. Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement and global studies program, as they toured many of the city’s most famous sites.

Despite an exhausting 13 hours of travel, including a short layover in Munich, Germany, fatigue gave way to excitement as the plane sailed over the Mediterranean Sea and Barcelona came into view. Softened by the afternoon sun, Barcelona resembles an old fresco, ancient stone walls melting into neoclassical ironwork melting into bright mosaics. The evolution of the city is a story told through its architecture, each facade an individual memory in the greater history of Catalonia.

Slightly larger than Manhattan, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain as well as the capital of Catalonia, a separate Franco-Spanish culture that was politically absorbed by Spain in the 12th century. Because the city has both Roman and Spanish foundations, it has become an ideal converging point for Catalan culture. Students explored the city’s Roman heritage at the Barcelona City History Museum where the ruins of an ancient Roman city are under excavation.

Thomas and Gentry taught ENGL 402 and CMNS 480, respectively, which are both variants of Citizen Issues in a Global Era. Lecture was held at IESE Business School, allowing students to discuss Barcelona’s culture in a local context and better apply this understanding during the trip. Additionally, Gentry was invited to present at the International Leadership Association’s 17th annual global conference. This provided students an opportunity to volunteer at the conference as well as attend lectures and interact with leadership experts from around the world.

Walking tours of the Gothic Quarter and the El Born district introduced students to Barcelona’s “old city.” This historic part of Barcelona houses several Gothic cathedrals and the outer walls of Barcino, a much smaller, earlier Roman settlement. Students also visited Antonio Gaudí’s Park Güell and the basilica La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s magnum opus, which has remained a work in progress since 1882 and is not estimated to be completed until at least 2026.

Despite having class and assignments, the professors allowed students to have several free afternoons to explore Barcelona for themselves. For example, some students visited Olympic Park, the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Others made their way to the Mediterranean Sea or spent the day scouring local boutiques and markets for antiques and other souvenirs.

A presentation exhibiting student experiences in Barcelona will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. inside the Rankin House. It will include student readings of creative and academic writing inspired by Barcelona as well as panels discussing the country’s history and culture. Tapas and other refreshments representative of Spanish culture will be served.

For more insight into the study abroad in Barcelona, students participating in Gentry’s service learning class wrote about their personal experiences in a travel blog found at http://web.tusculum.edu/cca/travel-blogs/barcelona-2015/.

By Sarah Holly, a senior creative writing major from Johnson City

Originally published by the Tusculum Manifesto

 

Barcelona vista

 

Tusculum College to host Editors Panel featuring editors of four internationally known literary journals

Tusculum College will host an Editors Panel this month that will include editors of internationally known publications such as Crazyhorse, Sundress Publications, Sundress Academy for the Arts, Connotations Press and The Tusculum Review.

The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Chalmers Conference Center in Niswonger Commons on the Greeneville campus and is part of Tusculum College Humanities Series, sponsored by the Tusculum College English Department. The event is free and open to the public. Arts and Lecture credit is available for Tusculum College students.

During the presentation, the editors will discuss the ins and outs of editing literary work, what they look for in a submission, why a work might get rejected, what goes in to putting a literary journal together and the reach of literature in today’s society. The panel will be a moderated question and answer format, with questions from attendees encouraged.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who is looking to get work published to get a wealth of information to improve their chances of success,” said Dr. Clay Matthews, assistant professor of English and coordinator of the Humanities Series. “This is a highly respected group of editors that can provide insight not easily accessible.”

Heinen

Jonathan Heinen is a professor at the College of Charleston where he is the managing editor of Crazyhorse. His writings have appeared in the “Florida Review,” “Arroyo,” “The Boiler” and many others. During this summer he serves as a staff member for the Sewanee Writers’ Conference.

Smith

Dr. Erin Elizabeth Smith is the creative director at the Sundress Academy for the Arts and the author of two full length collections, “The Naming of Strays” and “The Fear of Being Found.” She holds a doctorate in creative writing and teaches in the English Department at the University of Tennessee

Robidoux

Ken Robidoux is the publisher and founding editor-in-chief of Connotation Press. He has published more than 2,500 artists worldwide including one of Tusculum’s professors, Heather Patterson and recent alumni Justin Philip Reed.

Patterson

Heather Patterson joined Tusculum in 2008. She is currently associate professor of English. Her short fiction work has been published in many literary journals, and she currently serves as fiction and managing editor of “The Tusculum Review.”

For more information on the event, contact Dr. Matthews at 423-636-7300.

 

By Kayla Freeman, freshman business major from Charleston, S.C.

Tusculum named to Top Military-Friendly School List

For the sixth year in a row, Tusculum College has been named to the Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2016 list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and dependents and to ensure their academic success. Schools on the list earn the right to use the Military Friendly School logo.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.

“Tusculum College strives to help our veterans find the right program and format to best suit them in completing their college degree in both our residential and Graduate and Professional Studies programs,” said LeAnn Hughes, vice president for marketing and enrollment management at Tusculum College.

She added, “It is a priority of Tusculum College to provide access to any veteran who is seeking higher education opportunities and to make that access as simple and affordable as possible. We are pleased with the number of veterans who choose Tusculum College because of the personalized program that helps them every step along the path to graduation.”

The Military Friendly Schools list is a key resource in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. Hughes added that this is especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.

Tusculum College started participating in the Yellow Ribbon program in August 2009. Under the program, the school matches dollars put in by the Veterans Administration so veterans or their spouse or dependents can work toward their advanced degree, as well as qualify for money to help with housing. There are more than 44 students enrolled in Tusculum degree programs who are receiving the Yellow Ribbon benefits.

“Through the Yellow Ribbon program the college acknowledges the commitment of those who have served our country by providing them with financial support to complete their education,” said Tusculum College President Nancy B. Moody. “With the variety of locations, programs, majors, degrees and scheduling options offered at Tusculum College, we are uniquely suited to serve those whose educational path was interrupted or who are considering beginning or continuing their higher education.”

The Yellow Ribbon program is applicable towards all Tusculum College degree programs, which include traditional undergraduate programs, as well as the Graduate and Professional Studies programs. Tuition benefits under the program are also available to both full and part-time students.

In addition, Tusculum College has a long standing relationship with the United States Navy through its partnership with the U.S.S. Greeneville submarine. Since its christening, Tusculum College has partnered with the crew members, offering an annual scholarship to crewmen and/or members of their family. To date, four people benefiting from that relationship have become Tusculum College alumni and there are currently four students receiving this scholarship in the residential program.

Tusculum College has long offered assistance to veterans returning to higher education and Veterans Affairs Coordinator Pat Simons is available to specifically support veterans with their admissions and financial aid questions. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program or other assistance provided by the college, contact Simons at 423-636-7300.

Additionally, Brad Allen serves as Tusculum College’s enrollment representative military liaison. He is responsible for the recruitment and marketing of Tusculum College to active duty military, veterans and their dependents. He serves as a point of contact for all military personnel, coordinating with other departments to provide academic and financial advice for current and prospective students. Allen can be contacted at 800-729-0116.

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.

Teffeteller wins full tuition scholarship in “Finish Strong” essay competition

Aimee Teffeteller, right, was the grand prize winner of a full tuition scholarship at Tusculum College. At left is LeAnn Hughes, vice president of marketing and enrollment management at Tusculum College.

Aimee Teffeteller of Townsend was the winner of a full tuition scholarship to Tusculum College in the “Finish Strong” essay competition. Winners and finalists were announced on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Tusculum College’s Knoxville Regional Center.

“We are pleased to announce the winner and to welcome her to the Tusculum College family,” said LeAnn Hughes, vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Tusculum College. “The Tusculum College Finish Strong Scholarship Giveaway recognizes the hard work and sacrifices our adult students put forth when returning to school to finish their degree.”
She added, “Tusculum has always been committed to providing education to the community in meaningful ways. As the first in the region to offer accredited adult-oriented degree programs, we furthered our commitment to making lifelong education possible for those living in the communities we serve.

“Balancing work, family and school can be challenging, and our adult students put in a great deal of time, effort, heart and soul to fulfill their dream of a college degree. This Scholarship Giveaway is a great opportunity for the Tusculum community to honor these Pioneers who go the extra mile to further the future of their families.”
First runner up and finalists were also announced and received recognition. First runner up was Donnie Todd Spence of Sevierville. Finalists were Deanna Hutcheson of Kingston, Joshua Higgins of Maryville and Keith Phillips of LaFollette.

 

Finish Strong finalists included, from left, Todd Spence, Aimee Teffeteller, Joshua Higgins, Deanna Hutcheson and Keith Phillips.

“While it is our extreme pleasure to be able to offer this scholarship to the winner, it was not easy to choose one from the five worthy finalists. We hope that each of you will continue to seek out ways to attain your degree because you all exhibit qualities key to succeeding: perseverance, strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to your goal,” said Hughes.
In her winning essay, Teffeteller wrote about turning dreams into plans, sharing how obtaining her bachelor’s degree would mean she would finally have a career, instead of a job. As a single mother to her 7-year-old daughter, she works two jobs to help make sure her child’s needs are met.

Her passion is working with children and she works as a bus driver for Blount County Schools during the morning and afternoon and, in between, she works as a Special Education teaching assistant at Mary Blount Elementary School. Her hope is to attain her degree so that she may become a licensed teacher.

She shared that, “There are few things more gratifying than the look of pride and excitement on a child’s face the first time they realize that they ‘got it’.” Exhibiting true determination to achieve her degree, she went on to state that, “…the question is not if I will complete my degree, but when.”

Getting people back to school to finish their degrees is life changing, said Lindsey Seal, director of Graduate and Professional Studies enrollment. “Through this essay contest, we learned individual stories of our students and hope to be able to share them with others who wish to follow in their footsteps.”

The grand prize package consists of a tuition-paid scholarship to one of Tusculum College’s degree-completion programs which can be redeemed at any of the Knoxville, Morristown or Greeneville locations and can be applied to pay all of the regular tuition charges for an undergraduate degree-completion program in business administration, management, interdisciplinary studies (education, K-5) and psychology,  behavioral health concentration.

For more information on Tusculum’s degree programs of financial aid, contact the Admissions Office at 888.488.7285.

 

 

Tusculum College Halloween events to “scare up” some fun

The Thomas J. Garland Library at Tusculum College is ready to kick off Tusculum College’s Halloween season on Monday, Oct. 26, with their annual “Haints and Boogers” program. Beginning at 6 p.m., the lights will dim upon costumed librarians and staff as they tell a wide selection of ghost stories from Tusculum’s campus and the surrounding areas.

Several new stories have been added with the participation of the tutoring center’s Meagan Stark, coordinator of academic support and tutoring, and Leeann Smith, administrative assistant for the tutoring center. Additionally, retired library director Myron J. “Jack” Smith will be returning as a guest storyteller.

“Haints and Boogers” is family-friendly, and Arts and Lecture Series creditis available residential students. The event should last approximately one hour and refreshments will be served afterward.

Later in the week, the college’s Tredway Hall will transform into a haunted house on Friday, Oct. 30. Courtesy of the Mathematics and Sciences departments as well as the Pioneer Science Club, the event will offer family friendly activities and haunted house tours. From 7 to 8 p.m., children may join in crafts and games on the ground floor. During this time, a magic show will be held in the lecture hall.

From 9 to 10 p.m., faculty and staff will open the rest of the building, including some special areas normally closed off, for haunted tours. “We’re going to pull out specimens and things that people have never seen,” said Lillian Burchnell, administrative lab assistant.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kathy Hipps, library director, at khipps@tusculum.edu or Melissa Keller, assistant professor of biology and chair of the Science Department, at mkeller@tusculum.edu.

 

 

By Sarah Holly, a senior creative writing major from Johnson City

Dr. Linda Garrett named assistant dean of nursing at Tusculum College

Tusculum College has named Dr. Linda Garrett assistant dean of nursing, health sciences and human services and chair of the graduate nursing program.

At Tusculum College, Dr. Garrett will be responsible for the growth and development of nurse practitioner programs, effective operations within the school and recruitment of students. She will also oversee the faculty in the nurse practitioner program.

“Dr. Garrett has spent most of her life as a leader for nursing in higher education,” said Dr. Lois Ewen, dean of nursing, health sciences and human services. “Her experience in teaching and developing successful nursing programs will help the college grow and address a critical need in the community for quality healthcare.”

Dr. Linda Garrett

As part of her position, Dr. Garrett will develop a nurse practitioner program that is anticipated to begin in Fall 2016, pending the approval of the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the Southern Association of Colleges-Commission on Colleges.

“My vision is to address the need for primary care providers in the community and to provide the folks in this rural community access to good quality care. Also, my goal is to get the nurse practitioner program going and graduating students,” said Dr. Garrett.

With a 40-year background in nursing, she has served in various positions, including nurse practitioner for several facilities, clinical director of the occupational health program at East Tennessee State University, interim chair of family and community nursing at ETSU, director of nurse practitioner specialties at ETSU, director of the family nurse practitioner program at Lincoln Memorial University and chair of graduate nursing programs at LMU, as well as several positions as an instructor and associate professor.

At Lincoln Memorial University, Dr. Garrett developed the strategic plan, evaluation and curriculum for the Master of Science in Nursing program, which was approved by the SACS-COC and implemented in Fall 2014. She prepared the strategic plan and evaluation documents for the graduate nursing program, which was benchmarked by Educational Benchmarking Incorporated, and wrote the curriculum for the Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice concentration in the graduate nursing program. In addition, she reviewed, wrote and edited the curriculum portion of the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia for reaccreditation of the concentration for LMU, which received the maximum 10 years for accreditation with no follow-up report.

“When I went to Lincoln Memorial, the pass rates were adequate and in the 80 percent range, which each school has to have at least an 83 percent average to stay accredited,” said Dr. Garrett. “The first year I began there, I initiated a comprehensive exam system, which brought the pass rates to 96 percent. The years following that didn’t drop below 98 percent.”

Dr. Garrett began the new cohort of family nurse practitioner students at the Kingsport Higher Education Center, through which the first graduates had 100 percent pass rate on certification.

“My expertise is program development,” she said. “Each program that I have developed has been successful.”

She earned her license in practical nursing from the Kingsport School of Nursing, and later her Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing and doctorate in nursing from ETSU. She has also received certificates in basic life support, qualitative research, pediatric physical and sexual assault examination, legal nurse consultation, medicolegal death investigation and sexual assault examination.

Dr. Garrett has been published in “Military Medicine,” “American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal,” “Journal of American Medical Directors Association,” “Journal of American Association of Nurse Practioners,” “Tennessee Medicine,” “Issues in Mental Health Nursing,” “Social Work in Health Care,” “Women & Health,” “International Library of Poetry” and “Clinician Reviews.”

She is also a member of several organizations, including the Tennessee Nurses Association, Northeast Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Association, National League of Nurses, Tennessee Association of Forensic Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International (Epsilon Chapter), American Nurses Association and the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children.

For more information on the graduate program in nursing, contact Dr. Garrett at lgarrett@tusculum.edu.

 

By Stephanie Turner, senior journalism and professional writing major from Shelbyville

Fall Fun Day set for Saturday at the Doak House Museum

Area families are invited to Fall Fun Day at the Doak House Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The public is welcome to visit the museum and enjoy  traditional craft demonstrations and interactive learning stations with take-home projects. Admission is free. Through hands-on activities, children and adults will learn about life as the Doak family experienced long ago.

No reservations are required but according to Museums Director Dollie Boyd, visitors should plan to spend at least an hour on the site to experience all the event has to offer. Additionally, there will be discounts in the gift shop and Christmas ornaments and special items will be available for early bird holiday shoppers.

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

Theatre-at-Tusculum’s performance of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ to open Nov. 13

A flying car will take center stage as Theatre-at-Tusculum presents Ian Fleming’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” as its annual fall musical production.

The musical is the stage adaptation of the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke who played the lead character Caractus Potts. The film and subsequent stage adaptation are based on the novel, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car,” a children’s story by author Ian Fleming, who is probably best known for his James Bond novels.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov.13-14, 19-21 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 22 in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus.

Caractus Potts, portrayed by Chris Greene, and Truly Scrumptious, played by Audrey Shoemaker, rehearse “Doll on a Music Box” from the upcoming Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

The story follows Caractus Potts, a widower, who is being brought to life by Theatre-at-Tusculum veteran, Chris Greene, and his two children, Jeremy and Jemima Potts, played by Jackson Beddingfield and Mylee Doty respectively. Beddingfield and Doty were last seen on the stage in the Theatre-at-Tusculum production of “How to Eat Like a Child and Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up.”  Audiences may also remember Beddingfield from his role as Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol” and Doty from her role as Tassel in “The Addams Family Musical.”

Other main characters include Grandpa Potts, played by Wess duBrisk’ Truly Scrumptious played by Audrey Shoemaker’ Baron and Baroness Bomburst of Vulgaria played by Tom Sizemore and Sandy Nienaber, the Toymaker played by Angela Willis, and the wicked Childcatcher played by Margo Olmsted. Bringing added fun and laughter to the production are Vulgarian Captain played by Mike Willis and his two Vulgarian Soldiers played by Kendra Tarlton and Casey Martha as well as Vulgarian Spies, Boris and Goran, played by Jeff Ward and Brian Ricker.

The cast includes an adult ensemble of 24 playing various roles including an English crowd at the 1910 British Grand Prix, workers in a candy factored owned by Lord Scrumptious (played by Richard Schuech), a Fun Fair crowd and ‘Morris Men’ dancers, a group of ancient inventors, and lords, ladies, and townspeople of the fictional nation of Vulgaria.

A junior ensemble made up of 32 children portray Fun Fair crowd children and the poor banished children of Vulgaria who are in hiding from the Childcatcher who has been employed by the Baroness of Vulgaria who has banished children from the nation.

Leading the production team are Director Marilyn duBrisk and Assistant Director Brian Ricker.

With a cast of nearly 70 and several cast members playing multiple roles, Costume Director Barbara Holt and her team of volunteers have been busy preparing over 140 costumes for the production.

Rehearsing a scene from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in which Grandpa Potts is in danger of being beheaded by the sinister Baron and his soldiers are, from left, Mike Willis as a Vulgarian captain, Tom Sizemore as Baron Bomburst, Casey Martha as a Vulgarian soldier, Wess duBrisk as Grandpa Potts, and kneeling is Kendra Tarlton as a Vulgarian soldier.

Costuming is not the only massive undertaking with this production as Technical Director, Frank Mengel, with help from local artist Garry Renfro and volunteers, have tackled the challenge of creating a world that includes turn-of-the-century England, the fictional country of Vulgaria, and of course, a flying car. Stage Managers, Jim Holt and Suzanne Greene are charged with the task of running the show and all its technical intricacies. Props will be managed by Hannah Faith Rader and Kayeanna Olmsted, with help from props gatherer Sandy Nienaber.

Choreographer Kim Berry has been busy creating several dance sequences that include many styles of dance, including traditional English Morris Men dancing, tap, and Samba, just to name a few.

Musical Director Angie Clendenon with assistance from accompanist Kasie Shelnutt and percussionist David Price have been working hard to bring the well-known score to the stage including the Academy Award nominated song, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

Music and lyrics in the score were written by famed Disney composers Richard M. Sherman and Robert M. Sherman whose work include the musical scores to “Mary Poppins,” “The Parent Trap,” “The Jungle Book” and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.” The film’s script was written by Roald Dahl (“Matilda,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) and Ken Hughes, who also directed the film. Music and lyrics were written by famed Disney composers Richard M. Sherman and Robert M. Sherman whose work include the musical scores to “Mary Poppins,” “The Parent Trap,” “The Jungle Book” and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.” The film was adapted for stage by Jeremy Sams and the music is presented through special arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing

Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (60 and over) and $5 for children (12 and under). Tickets may be reserved by calling Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or by e-mailing Box Office Manager Jennifer Hollowell at jhollowell@tusculum.edu.

Tusculum holds “topping out” ceremony for Meen Center for Science and Math

A milestone in the construction of the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College was celebrated Oct.15 in a “topping out” ceremony.

The ceremony culminated in the placement of two beams at the topmost point of the building. One of the beams was signed during the ceremony by Verna June Meen, who gave a $3.875 million towards the building’s construction and Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college.

Verna June Meen, a significant donor to the construction of the new Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College, signs the topping beam.

“These kinds of accomplishments take teams of people to bring about,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody. “This building will be here for years to come and have an immeasurable impact. What we are doing will change lives.”

Attending the brief ceremony were Tusculum students, faculty, staff and members of the college’s Board of Trustees, as well co-workers of Dr. Ronald H. Meen at Eastman Chemical during his career there.

Attached to the steel beams were steel plates containing signatures of Tusculum students, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees, as well as community members. The plates were available for faculty, staff and trustees to sign at a campus event last week. Students, alumni and community members were able to sign a plate during the Homecoming football game on Oct. 10, and students were provided an opportunity to sign it earlier this week as well.

The beams also contain two quotes. “Sit Lux,” the college’s motto that is part of the Tusculum seal, was painted on the smaller beam. A Latin phrase, it can be translated as “let there be light” or “be the light.”

The larger beam contains the quote, “Join hands and heart in our mission to develop educated citizens distinguished by academic excellence, public service, and qualities of Judeo-Christian character,” from the Rev. Dr. Angus Shaw, a life trustee of the college.

Also affixed to the beam were an American flag and a cedar tree, which reflect long-standing traditions of topping out ceremonies that have their origins in early northern Europe. The placing of the tree on the beam can be traced back to Scandinavia and has come to represent good fortune for the occupants of the building. In America, it also can be traced back to an acknowledgment of a Native American belief that no structure should be taller than a tree.

The placement of the flag is an American tradition that dates back more than a century. When steel framing became popular, the flags were placed to show patriotism, to represent the American dream, to thank American soldiers and to acknowledge a foundational product made in the U.S.A.

The topping beam for the Dr. Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math at Tusculum College was capped off with a cedar tree and an American flag.

The two beams were placed at the center of the building and provide the framing for one of the architectural design features of the building, an arched entryway. Work continues on the steel framing of the building by the contractors, Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated. Construction on the building began in early May. The construction progress can be viewed on the Tusculum College web site at http://my.tusculum.edu/cam/.

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 will feature 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.

The building’s construction is part of the Tusculum First Campaign, which seeks to provide students with the best possible living and learning communities, innovative and responsive academic programs, and expanded opportunities for students to become engaged as global citizens. For more information on how to contribute to the campaign, contact Heather Patchett, vice president for Institutional Advancement, directly by calling 423-636-7303 or 1-800-729-0256 ext. 5303 or by emailing hpatchett@tusculum.edu.

Tusculum College Board of Trustees approves changes to encourage enrollment of transfer students

The Tusculum College Board of Trustees approved measures to greatly improve the ability of students to transfer into the institution, including changes in course scheduling at their fall meeting on the Greeneville campus, October 8-9.

The board met for two days, which included a faculty-staff appreciation event on Thursday night and led into Homecoming 2015 activities which began on Friday.

“Tusculum’s faculty, staff, students and trustees have been working for more than a year to identify changes to meet the needs of today’s and future students who are impacted by the ever increasing cost of a college education. Recent changes reviewed by interdisciplinary work groups, town hall meetings, faculty and students and approved by the Board also help ensure the success of our students, the primary reason for any college or university to exist,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.

Beginning in Fall 2016, Tusculum College will change their current 18-day course format to an eight-week course format. These changes were required by the modifications in graduation requirements from a minimum of 128 credit hours to 120 credit hours, moving most courses from four to three credits and changes in the general education requirements that reduced the required credit hours in general education from 46-52 credit hours to 41. Faculty have approved adding to the curricula a number of transfer pathways designed specifically to reduce barriers for students transferring to Tusculum after completing an associate in arts or science at a Tennessee community college.

“As the governing body of this institution, it is critical that we continue to reshape Tusculum College in ways that will make our students more successful while we also look after the future of the college,” said Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board and 1970 alumnus of the college. “These improvements are necessary as we align Tusculum College’s curriculum with other colleges and universities in our country, while we keep the distinctiveness of the focused schedule that is uniquely Tusculum’s.”

As part of their meeting, the Board set aside time for a strategic planning session, led by consultant, Dr. Kris Cohen, vice president for strategy at CREDO. Dr. Cohen has worked in higher education since 1989 with a wide range of institutions. Prior to joining Credo, Kris held the position of Vice President for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University, where she was responsible for providing overall leadership, management, and coordination of the University’s undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions, registrar, student enrollment services, and financial aid programs. She is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Higher Education Administration at New York University, where she completed her dissertation research developing a model of master’s student persistence.

The Board also heard a facilities report, which included improvements to the student game room in Katherine Hall on the Greeneville campus and improvements to office and classroom space in the Charles Oliver Gray North administrative building, also in Greeneville.

In other action of the board, December graduation candidates were approved. Also approved was professor emeritus status for recent retirees, Dr. John Paulling and Myron Jack Smith, Jr.

Officers elected included: Chair, Dr. Bowman; Vice Chair, the Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson; Treasurer, Dwight Ferguson, and Secretary, Mark R. Williams.

Bowman, who currently resides in Apollo, Pa., has been a member of the board since 1998 and chair since 2006. Rev. Donaldson is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville. He also serves as director of the Calvin Center, the Camp and Conference Center for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Ferguson joined the board in 2009. He is retired from Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., located in Erwin, where he served as president and chief executive officer from March 1992 until January 2009. Williams, of Greeneville, joined the board in 2001. He is a broker with Century 21 Legacy.
Re-elected for an additional term as board members were David M. Baker, James F. Durham, Ferguson, Thomas J. Garland, Scott M. Niswonger, Donald R. Raber, and Ann E. Westervelt.

The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees will be February 2016.

Family Weekend 2015 coming Nov. 6-7

Family Weekend 2015 is coming in less than a month and will feature several fun activities on campus for families, as well as the opportunity to explore what the region has to offer in entertainment and events.

Make plans to attend today. You may register online here.

Below is the schedule of events with the campus events listed in orange bold lettering.

Thursday, Nov. 5

An option for families arriving in town on Thursday: A concert by Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian artist Sandy Patty at 7:30 p.m. at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in downtown Greeneville (Visit www.NPACgreeneville.com or call 423-638-1679 for ticket information)

 

Friday, Nov. 6

8 a.m.-4 p.m.  Family Registration in Niswonger Living Room

9 a.m.-5 p.m.  Doak House Museum and President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library hours of operation.

11 a.m.  Arboretum Tour will depart from Niswonger Commons.  As a Level 1 arboretum, Tusculum College features more than 30 species of trees, most of which are indigenous to the area.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  Lunch in the café with your student

2-4 p.m.  Campus Tours will depart from Niswonger Commons.

3:30-4:30 p.m.  Ice Cream Social with Tusculum Faculty and Staff in Chalmers Conference Center in Niswonger Commons

6 p.m. TC Volleyball vs. Lenior-Rhyne University in Pioneer Arena

7:30 p.m.  Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” (Visit www.jonesboroughtheatre.com or call 423-753-1010 for ticket information)

8 p.m.  Barter Theatre (127 W. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210) Two separate shows, “Curtains” and “The Doyle and Debbie Show,” will be staged at 8 p.m. (Visit www.bartertheatre.com or call 276-628-3991 for ticket information)

 

Saturday, November 7

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Greeneville Woman’s Club Holiday Expo and Craft Bazaar Hal Henard Elementary School (425 East Vann Rd., Greeneville, TN 37743)  Kick off your holiday season with this annual shopping festivity featuring over 100 vendor booths selling holiday gift items such as ornaments, jewelry, clothing, quilting, floral decor, food and more.  Admission: $3 one day, $5/weekend, children 12 and under free.

9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  Campus Tours departing from the porch of Virginia Hall at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

10 a.m.-1 p.m . “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” set building in Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre with Frank Mengel

11 a.m.-12 p.m.  Cornhole Tournament next to Pioneer Club tailgate tent in front of Pioneer Field

12 p.m.  TC Volleyball vs. Brevard College in Pioneer Arena

12-1:30 p.m.  Pioneer Club tailgate All parents and families of students are invited to the tailgate under the large tent in front of Pioneer Field.

1:30 p.m.  TC football vs. Catawba College ($5 per family member through Friday, Nov. 6; $10 per family member if purchased on game day)

2 p.m. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” (Visit www.jonesboroughtheatre.com or call 423-753-1010 for ticket information)

5-8 p.m.  Pioneer Fest in Niswonger Commons. Fall festival event designed for the entire family. There will be carnival games for all ages, prizes, music and a bonfire for S’Mores and activities!

7 p.m.  Hillbilly Bad at the Capitol Theatre (104 S. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37743) A professional five-piece band playing original and cover music.

7:30 p.m.  Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” (Visit www.jonesboroughtheatre.com or call 423-753-1010 for ticket information)

8 p.m.  Barter Theatre (127 W. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210) Two separate shows, “The Three Musketeers” and “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight,” will be staged at 8 p.m. (Visit www.bartertheatre.com or call 276-628-3991 for ticket information)

 

Sunday, Nov. 8

Attend church service of your choice with your student. First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville (110 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37743) is the mother church of the College.  Early service at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., traditional service at 10:45 a.m.  Learn more at  www.firstpresgreeneville.org.

12-5 p.m.  Greeneville Woman’s Club Holiday Expo and Craft Bazaar Hal Henard Elementary School (425 East Vann Rd., Greeneville, TN 37743)  Kick off your holiday season with this annual shopping festivity featuring over 100 vendor booths selling holiday gift items such as ornaments, jewelry, clothing, quilting, floral decor, food and more.  Admission: $3 one day, $5/weekend, children 12 and under free.

All campus events are no charge except football game admission. Please RSVP for Family Weekend by Nov. 4 by filling out the registration form online, calling 423.636.7303 or emailing bsell@tusculum.edu.