Tusculum students spend spring break on service trip

In early March, students from Tusculum College’s Bonner Leader program participated in an alternative spring break that included a focus on service, rather than surf time.

The students took a trip to Orlando, Fla., where they stayed with members of the College Park Baptist Church and took part in activities that benefited the community. Due to the onset of snow, they arrived a day late to Florida but they were nonetheless excited to start their spring break and volunteering, according to Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement at the college.

“The Orlando trip was a great experience,” said Megan Buczek, a junior education major from Chattanooga, Tenn. “Through this week not only did I grow in unexpected ways, but I had the honor of watching our group grow in the ways they care about the community and each other.”

Over the duration of their stay in Florida, they worked with the church and helped paint the building and remove wallpaper from the office. They also worked with the Give Kids the World Village, which is a vacation resort run mainly by volunteers for families whose children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses. For the families, the stay is free and many of the entrances to Orlando’s famous themes parks are as well.

The volunteering students got to operate rides for the children while others served dinner at the Gingerbread House. While they were there, they also worked with several non-profit organizations, including the Mustard Seed Foundation, which provides household items for those transitioning to homes or those who have lost everything due to a disaster.

“Coming together as a group and serving others outside Tusculum was a heart-filling experience that will be long-lived,” said Denise Coffey, a sophomore graphic arts major for Reagan.

The students were able to have a recreational day at Universal Studio’s Island of Adventure. They were able to explore the World of Harry Potter at Hogwarts, ride various roller coasters, shop for souvenirs and meet their favorite characters and some dinosaurs. On their day off they were asked about their Alternative Spring Break t-shirts which gave them an opportunity to share what they were doing and their other experiences at Tusculum College.

“It was great to spend my Spring Break doing something meaningful and memorable rather than having the usual Spring Break party experience,” said Josh Suttles, a sophomore environmental science major from Seymour, Tenn.

In addition to Buczek, Coffey and Suttles, other students participating included Kelsey Freeman, a sophomore psychology major from Johnson City; Brianna Werder, a junior education major from Greeneville; Amanda Werder, a freshman from New Market, Ala.; Morgan Jones, a sophomore criminal justice major from Winston, Ga.; Torrey Klee, a nursing major from Jonesborough; Noel Reed, a freshman psychology major from Church Hill;

Miranda Ferguson, a sophomore nursing major from Church Hill; James Ducker, a freshman athletic training major from Winter Park, Fla.; Jacob Hensley, a freshman from Mosheim; Michael Emery, a sophomore education major from Bean Station; Christian Howard, a special education major from Greeneville; Nicole Wilkerson, a sophomore English literature major from Loudon.; and Charlene Garner, a sophomore creative writing major from New Market, Ala. Gentry and Jonathan Calloway, program coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement, also participated in the trip.

 

 

Front row standing from left to right is Christian Howard, Denise Coffey, kneeling is Michael Emery, Charlene Garner. Second row from left to right is Nicole Wilkerson, Amanda Werder, Brianna Werder, Ronda Gentry, Jonathan Calloway, Morgan Jones. Third row from left to right is Josh Suttles, Miranda Ferguson, Megan Buczek, Noel Reed, Jacob Hensley, Kelsey Freeman.

 

 

 

 

 

By Emily Watson, freshman creative writing major from Watauga

Tusculum College receives grant for nursing simulation lab expansion

Tusculum College’s nursing program has been awarded a $116,159 grant from the Tennessee Health Foundation Review Committee, part of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, for expansion of the nursing simulation lab.

Grant funds will be used to expand the nursing programs simulation laboratory by adding an infant and a child simulator for infant and pediatric nursing training.

According to Michelle Arbogast, associate director of foundation and donor relations, the purpose of this grant is to educate nursing students in practical clinical exercises without causing any harm to patients.

“It’s going to provide an alternative to the pediatric clinical,” said Dr. Lois Ewen, dean of the School of Nursing, health sciences and human services and professor of nursing. “Simulation allows us the opportunity to let students make their own decisions and see the consequences of those decisions. We all learn from our mistakes, but in health care we can’t let a student make the wrong decision. With simulation, we can allow mistakes to happen.”

The infant and child simulators will join two adult simulators purchased through a previous grant from the BCBS and the Tennessee Health Foundation in spring 2013.

The simulation lab will also provide opportunities for other academic programs at Tusculum to learn, such as physiology courses in the science and physical education departments and the athletic training program, as well as other health care organizations in the Greeneville community.

Dr. Ewen said, “We’re going to use the simulators to help the community train nursing staff, too. We will open the lab to our partners, and they’ll use our simulators to help train their staff, which enhances the health of our community as a whole.”

 

 

By Corrine Absher, senior digital media major from Kingsport

Summer online courses announced at Tusculum College

Tusculum College will be offering online courses this summer for students wanting to begin or continue their studies off-campus.

In addition to the regular summer catalog, the college will offer more than 25 online courses including topics in business, education, English, history, human resource development, mathematics and sociology during summer term. Each course will be offered in an 8-week format and will consist of four-credit hours.

“The online course option allows students to take additional coursework during the summer months on their own time and schedule,” said Dr. Ron May, vice president of academic affairs at Tusculum College. “The curriculum is adjusted to the online format and the professors will make themselves accessible during the timeframe of the course for additional support.”

All students, including incoming freshmen, will be able to take these courses for the same cost as on-campus summer tuition courses. Courses are available to new and currently registered students and for both students in the Residential and Graduate and Professional Studies programs.

Summer online courses will include: Fraud in Organizations; Special Topic – Business Lessons in Social Media; Income Tax 1: Personal; History, Philosophy and Principals of Education; Comparative International Pedagogy; Composition and Rhetoric; Composition, Research and Rhetoric; World Literature; U.S. History Survey I; U.S. History Survey II; Organizational Performance Management; Introductory Algebra; Quantitative Applications; Elementary Statics; Compensation and Benefits; Personal Selling/Customer Satisfaction Management; Employment and Labor Law; Marketing Promotion; Sport and Society; Officiating Games and Sports; Organization, Administration and Supervision of Physical Education, Health and Wellness; Essentials of Psychology; Principles and Social Instruction, and Transition Strategies for Special Needs Students.

The deadline for registration will be the first day of each course.

For more information, contact Jill Jones, director of academic advising at jjones@tusculum.edu or Dr. Blair Henley, vice president and chief technology officer, at bhenley@tusculum.edu.

Tusculum College organization receives Student Veterans of America designation

The Tusculum Military Assistance Group  has been approved as an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America, a national organization dedicated to providing veterans with the resources needed to succeed in higher education.

“Being a part of SVA will enhance veterans outreach for Tusculum College by making grants, scholarships, marketing material and other resources available to TMAG and Tusculum,” said Tom McKay, the assistant director of academic support, veteran’s advisor and adjunct faculty member.

Formed in 2009 by students Jordan Eggleston and Wes Baessler, TMAG is a student group at Tusculum College that supports student veterans and students currently active in the U.S. Armed Forces. While the veterans and active duty students have given their commitment to our country, TMAG focuses on giving back to them by making the transition into higher education easier.

The group is currently working on a program called Blue Star, which seeks to assist veterans, including those who have exhausted their GI benefits, and provide assistance with gaining a higher education. With more than sixty members, the group is also working to expand to the rest of the Tusculum College campuses and provide more opportunities to our veterans.

With the support of Tusculum College faculty and staff, TMAG is the first certified Graduate and Professional Studies student organization at Tusculum.

For additional information please call Tom McKay at Ext.5020 or email at tmckay@tusculum.edu.

 

 

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

Malinda Hensley named communications clerk at Tusculum College

Malinda Hensley has been named Tusculum College’s communications clerk for the Office of Enrollment Management.

Hensley formerly served as a loan servicing specialist and for the customer service team at Capital Bank, formerly known as GreenBank. She also worked as a customer service representative for Heritage Community Bank.

In her new position, Hensley will provide data entry support of college admission applications and prospective student inquiries. She will also be responsible for daily retention, accuracy, collection and data entry integrity of applications and information request from prospective students, parents and other stakeholders.

Hensley has many years of working with customer service and a basic marketing background. She graduated from Walters State Community College with an associate’s degree in computer science.

“We welcome Malinda and look forward to her being part of our team,” said Melissa Ripley, director of admissions.

Naturalist David Williams to conduct workshop and artist talk at Tusculum College

Join artist, designer and naturalist David Williams for a descriptive tale of how to make work fun during “Wingin’ It Works – The Melding of Art and Science into a Career” sponsored by the Doak House Museum at Tusculum College on March 27-28.

The Friday artist talk will begin at 6 p.m. in Chalmers Conference Room in Niswonger Commons on Tusculum College Greeneville campus. This event is free and open to the public.

An ardent naturalist, wildlife artist and designer, Williams renders work that captures the living essence of the subject matter he portrays. He achieves a skillfully controlled blend of beauty, meticulous accuracy and educational value.

With a strong appreciation for the natural world, he decided to put that enthusiasm to work through full-time graphic/exhibit design, mural painting and scientific illustration.  His work can be seen at many prestigious museums, science centers and other facilities.

David Williams

On Saturday, March 28, the Wingin’ It Workshop will be held. The program participants will meet at the Doak House Museum at 10 a.m. Workshop participants will accompany Williams on a hike to Margarette Falls. Along the way, Williams will explain the process of keeping a field journal, making color studies, a naturalist’s notebook and how he finds inspiration in the natural world.

After the hike, the group will meet at the Doak House for further instruction on the process of keeping a field journal as the launching point for inspiration. Reservations are required as space is limited. Lunch, field journals and all materials are provided. The registration fee for the workshop is $40. To participate in the workshop, attendees must be able to make the hike to the falls, classified as an easy to moderate trail.

Contact Leah Walker at lwalker@tusculum.edu or 423-636-8554 to make a reservation.

“Best of Broadway” to bring popular show music to the AHB stage March 22

“Best of Broadway” show on March 22 at Tusculum College will feature performances of songs from popular stage shows such as “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Rent.”

Music from popular Broadway shows is coming to the stage later this month at Tusculum.

“Best of Broadway” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum campus. The presentation is part of Tusculum College Arts Outreach’s Acts, Arts, Academia 2014-15 performance and lecture series.

The Best of Broadway will feature a cast of eight singers and dancers performing a revue of well known songs from popular Broadway shows such as “Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “Rent,” Mamma Mia” and “Phantom of Opera.”

“The show is a lot of fun and family friendly,” said John McConnell, producer for the performance, which will be divided into two 45-minute segments with an intermission.

The cast features two performers who have won the prestigious Drama Desk award for performances in Off Broadway productions.

Based in Orlando, the cast of the Best of Broadway performs at Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks and has performed around the world, including shows for U.S. troops stationed overseas.

Arts Outreach is appreciative of the opportunity to bring this level of talent to the local community for a inexpensive ticket cost. Admission for the performance is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and over, and $5 for children 12 and under.

For more information, please contact Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu.

Online summer classes announced

Tusculum College will be offering a number of classes online this summer to give students more options in meeting degree requirements.  Please see the informational material below for a list of classes.

Seniors part of effort to leave legacy through Graduates Give Back Campaign

Each year, the graduating class undertakes a special fundraising effort to leave a legacy gift to Tusculum College. The 2015 Graduates Give Back Campaign is designed to honor graduating seniors during their final year at Tusculum and establish a lasting tribute to their accomplishments. In the past, the Graduate Gift Campaign has been instrumental in raising money for special gifts that fund worthwhile projects and physical enhancements that otherwise would not have been possible.

This year, the focus of the 2015 Graduates Give Back Campaign is a scholarship for future students. Gifts from the class of 2015, combined with contributions from this year’s Golden Pioneers (the class of 1965) and the 25th year reunion (the class of 1990), will help provide a scholarship to future students for years to come. Scholarships make college accessible and affordable, especially in the face of diminishing federal aid for hundreds of Tusculum students. Their contribution to scholarships makes this possible!

Gifts from parents of seniors wishing to honor their students’ achievements are welcomed to the 2015 Graduates Give Back Campaign. For a parent of a Tusculum student, the 2015 Graduates Give Back Campaign can be a generous tribute to that student’s college experience and achievements.  For the College, it is a tremendous acknowledgement of success of the students, the College, the community, and, yes, parents . It is a sign that all  together have nurtured and nourished a new group of young people who are educated and enthusiastic, caring and competent. They are ready for life ahead.

If you have any questions about the 2015 Graduates Give Back Campaign, please contact Nicole Wagner, Coordinator of the Tusculum Fund, at 423.636.7303 or nwagner@tusculum.edu.

Help your child leave their legacy and put Pioneers First today!

During the May 2014 commencement ceremony, graduating senior Addie Hancock of Mooresburg, center, and Cliff Ott, a member of the Class of 1964, present their combined class gift to Dr. Nancy B. Moody.

Pioneer Club events in softball, lacrosse and tennis scheduled

The Pioneer Club will be celebrating Tusculum spring sports with three upcoming events.

Lacrosse will be the focus of a Pioneer Club event Saturday, March 21. The event is scheduled from noon until 3 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The President’s Box will be open from noon to the end of the men’s game for members of the Pioneer Club.

March will hopefully go out like a lamb  for the Pioneer tennis teams. A Pioneer Club event is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, next to the tennis courts. The matches will begin at 1 p.m.

A softball event has been scheduled for Saturday, April 11. The event will be from 1 – 2 p.m. next to the Red Edmonds Field. The game will begin at 2 p.m. This event had been originally scheduled for March 14.

The Pioneer Club helps provide annual scholarship funds for more than 300 Tusculum College student-athletes.  Gifts to the Pioneer Club provides scholarships and program support to enable the Pioneers to excel in the classroom and find success on the field, court, or course of competition.  Tusculum College’s Athletic Program has been built on a solid foundation of support from alumni, parents, and friends.  To join, please call 423-636-7303 or email bcantrell@tusculum.edu.

Admission to each of the March Pioneer Club events is $10. No admission fee for Mountaineer level and above Pioneer Club members. Please RSVP by calling 423.636.7303.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming family events on campus

–Pack the Park for Education May 2 Mark your calendars to join the Tusculum community for an afternoon of family fun with live music, games and children’s activities prior to the Tusculum College Pioneer baseball game against Bluefield State. Fireworks will follow the game.
– Commencement Saturday May 9 Celebrate with the graduates who have reached a milestone in their academic journey.
-Homecoming October 9-10Join alumni and students in the annual Homecoming festivities.
– Family Weekend November 6-7 It is not too early to make plans to enjoy a weekend on the Tusculum campus as our special guests.

‘Charles Tunstall’s World of Guitar’ scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, in the Library

Charles Tunstall, reference and instructional services librarian at Tusculum, will be sharing his musical talent during a performance at 6 p.m. on March 24 in the lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library.

Guitar music from the Renaissance period to the current day will be featured in a performance by Charles Tunstall and special guests on Tuesday, March 24, at Tusculum College.

The program, “Charles Tunstall’s World of Guitar” will be presented at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library on the Tusculum campus.

As in years past, Tunstall will feature guitar music from a variety of periods in his performance, almost all of which he has not previously performed publicly.  Selections will include music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Fernando Sur, Mauro Guiliani, Luiz Bonfa and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Tunstall will also be performing a Celtic folk song, a hymn, “Malaguena,” and his arrangement of “America the Beautiful.”

Special guests will be featured on some selections.

Tunstall has more than 50 years of experience playing the guitar. He is primarily self-taught but has been mentored by a large number of individuals. Though preferring to entertain as a solo performer, he has played in a variety of bands over the years. While Tunstall enjoys several types of guitars and playing styles, his main focus is in finger-style playing on the classical nylon-string guitar. He emerged from a country-bluegrass background and now enjoys playing and learning music from different periods. His guitar idols include Christopher Parkening, Chet Atkins, Rick Foster and Charlie Byrd. He has had the opportunity to personally meet Parkening and Byrd.

Admission to the performance is free and refreshments will be served following the program. Arts and lecture credit will be available for Tusculum students.