Winter Commencement Ceremony coming Saturday, Dec. 13


An educational journey will reach its successful end for more than 200 Tusculum College students on Saturday, Dec. 13, as they earn degrees during the Winter Commencement Ceremony.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Pioneer Arena, located inside the Niswonger Commons building on campus. Students will be earning degrees from the Residential College program, from master’s degree programs in education, in the Master of Business Administration program and from the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) bachelor’s degree programs in education, organizational management, business administration and psychology.

Tusculum College applauds the graduates for their hard-earned achievements and is preparing for Dec. 13 as a day of celebration for the newest alumni and their families. The College is busy making preparations to make the day a memorable one and you can help.

Family members are asked to carpool if possible rather than bring multiple cars to the ceremony to help lessen congestion on campus. As you arrive on campus, security personnel will direct you to a parking area.

If you or any of your family members or guests requires special handicapped seating accommodations, please contact Bobbie Greenway at 423-636-7300 ext. 5154 so these needs can be addressed. There will be handicapped parking available in the large parking lot at the Niswonger Commons. If you need a handicapped parking space, please let the security personnel directing traffic and parking know as you enter campus and they will direct you to the lot. Please note that the College will not be able to provide wheelchairs. Those with special seating accommodations are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

You can also assist by encouraging your graduate to be at the Pioneer Arena in time for graduation practice, which will begin at 8:45 a.m. Graduates who arrive prior to the practice times are asked to report to the cafeteria.

Graduates are not allowed to have personnel items such as purses and cameras with them during the ceremony. You can assist them by obtaining these items from them before graduation practice and holding them.  Prior to the practice is a good time for this and other communication between you and your graduate because after graduation practice, the graduates go to the cafeteria where they placed in order for the procession and for the ceremony. It is easier for the College staff getting the graduates in line if they stay inside the cafeteria during this period.

The Pioneer Arena will open for guest seating after completion of the rehearsal. Guests are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

No tickets are required for graduation and there is no limit on the number of guests per graduate. However, to help provide seating for all, guests are asked to not hold seats for others in the last 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

Programs will be placed on the seat of each graduate and they will be distributed to guests at the Pioneer Arena primary entrances. For graduates unable to attend the ceremony, diplomas will be mailed to the graduates’ home addresses after Commencement Day provided all academic and financial obligations are satisfied.

To help preserve the prestigious decorum of the commencement ceremony, guests are asked to observe the following:

  • As a courtesy to other attendees, please consider making alternative arrangements for very young children.  Due to fire marshal regulations, no baby carriers or strollers will be allowed in the auditorium.
  • Cell phones are to be turned off or switched to the silent operating mode during the ceremony.  Do not speak on a cell phone or carry on a conversation during the ceremony as this prevents others from hearing and enjoying the ceremony.
  • Commencement is both a joyous and solemn event.  Please express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speaker and enjoying the ceremony.  Use of air horns, yelling or stomping are disruptive.
  • Please refrain from taking pictures until after your graduate receives his or her diploma.  This will allow the ceremony to flow smoothly and reduce the distractions and disturbances to other audience members as they try to see and hear ongoing presentations. Professional Lifetouch photographers will be taking diploma presentation and candid images during the ceremony. These photos will be available for viewing and purchase at events.lifetouch.com. Please call the local Lifetouch office at 423-764-3778 for more information about these photos.
  • As a courtesy to and out of respect for your fellow graduates, you and your family are requested to remain in the auditorium until the conclusion of the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the faculty traditionally forms a gauntlet and applauds the graduates as they recess from the auditorium.  We ask that your family and friends be respectful of this tradition and remain in the auditorium until the graduates have exited the auditorium.

Mark your calendars for these important spring 2015 semester dates


While the thoughts of most on campus are about finishing the fall semester and enjoying the upcoming Christmas holidays, the spring 2015 semester is also just around the corner.

Please make note of these important dates for the spring semester.

– Saturday, Jan. 10 – Residence halls reopen

– Monday, Jan. 12 – Block Five classes begin

– Monday, Jan. 19 – College closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

-Thursday, Feb. 5 – Block Five ends

– Monday, Feb. 9 – Block Six begins

– Wednesday, March 4 – Block Six ends

– Thursday, March 5 through Friday, March 13 – Spring Break

– Monday, March 16 – Block Seven begins

– Friday, April 3 – College closed for Good Friday

– Thursday, April 9 – Block Seven ends

– Monday, April 13 – Block Eight begins

– Wednesday, May 6 – Block Eight ends

– Saturday, May 9 – Spring Commencement Ceremony

Students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and members of the community are also invited to a variety of events on campus that provide entertainment and education. Many of these events are also part of the events students can attend to earn the required arts and lecture credits. They include:

– Central Ballet Theatre’s production of “Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale” – Jan. 16-18;

– “Lincoln at Gettysburg” with Chris Small – Feb. 1;

– Theologian-in-Residence lecture series – Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

– “Kaleidoscope of Indian Classical Dance” – Feb. 21

– Tusculum College Band Program’s Winter Concert – Feb. 24;

– Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of “How to Eat Like a Child (And Other Lessons in NOT Being a Grown-up)” – Feb. 27-28 and March 1, 5-8;

– “Back on Broadway” – March 22

– Old Oak Festival – April 17-19

– “5×10,” a production of five 10-minute student written plays – April 17-19, 24-26

– Tusculum College Band Program’s Spring Concert – April 30

– Tusculum College Community Chorus’ Spring Concert – May 4.

 

 

 

Cooper repeats as Conference Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year


David Cooper

Tusculum College’s David Cooper has been named the 2014 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year.

The SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award is a distinction that recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, service and leadership. It is presented to one student-athlete in each of the conference’s 18 championship sports and is selected by the league’s faculty athletics representatives.

Cooper, a senior from Greeneville, Tenn., earns this honor for a second straight season and becomes only the second two-time honoree of this award in program history joining former Pioneer great Simon Holzapfel (2009, 2010). He also becomes only the seventh two-time recipient of the award in conference history.

Cooper carries a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average and is majoring in biology at Tusculum. He is a two-time Capital One Academic All-America® Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Team selection, earning second team honors as a sophomore and was a first team honoree last year.

The Chuckey-Doak High School graduate is a member of the Tusculum Dean’s List, Tusculum President’s List and the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He is also a member of the Alpha Chi Honors Society and the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List. He is the recipient of the Greene County Endowed Scholarship, the Llewelyn M. Fox ’16 Memorial Annual Scholarship and the Ray L. Bowman ’42 Endowed Scholarship.

On the course, Cooper is a three-time All-SAC selection earning first team honors in 2012 and finished eighth at the conference championship in each of the last two years to garner second team recognition. In 2011, he named to the SAC All-Freshman Team and is a four-year team captain.

He has completed one of the finest running careers in Tusculum history. He owns 10 of the top-25 running times (8,000 meters) in program history, including two in the top-10. His career-best 8K time of 26:02 at this year’s Greater Louisville Classic is the fourth-lowest ever by a Pioneer. He recorded three individual wins in his career and led the Pioneers to a pair of team titles as well.

Cooper has been involved in numerous campus and community leadership roles, serving with the Nettie Day of Service, the Greene County YMCA, the TC Athletic Judicial Board and the Greene County Humane Society. He is also the current president of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and is a past participant of the SAC Student-Athlete Leadership Conference.

This marks the 50th time that a Tusculum student-athlete has earned SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors, the most by any league member since 1999.

Lyons nominated for national honors


Caushaud Lyons

Caushaud Lyons, a defensive end for the Tusculum College football team, has been named a finalist for two national awards and earned other regional honors.

Lyons, a senior from Ellenwood, Ga., has been named a national finalist for the 2014 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award and a finalist for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award.

The Gene Upshaw Award is sponsored by the Manheim Touchdown Club and the award  recipient has the opportunity to play in two all-star games. The award is named for the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility.

The Cliff Harris Award recognizes the top small college defensive player of the year for NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA.

In addition, Lyons has been named to the 2014 Daktronics NCAA Division II Football All-Super Region Two second team and was named to the All South Atlantic Conference First Team for football.

Lyons, recorded one of the finest seasons ever by a Tusculum defensive lineman.  He led the Pioneers with 89 tackles this year, which are a new school single-season record for a defensive lineman.  Of those stops, 19 were for loss, which are the second most in College history and most by a Pioneer lineman. He averaged 8.1 tackles per game, which are most in the South Atlantic Conference and Super Region 2 for defensive lineman and fourth most in the nation (NCAA II).

In 2014, he recorded 10 or more tackles on four occasions, including a career-high 15 stops against Carson-Newman.  A week later, he posted seven tackles, including four for loss and two sacks in Tusculum’s 14-10 road win at Wingate.  Against the Bulldogs, he made five quarterback hurries and broke up a pass.  He was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week and the Tennessee Sportswriters Association College Player of the Week.

Lyons wraps up his collegiate career with 181 tackles, which are a new Tusculum record for a defensive lineman.  His 28 career tackles for loss are 10th in school history and second most by a Pioneer lineman.  His 13 career sacks are tied for seventh in program history (3rd for defensive lineman).  He also was credited for two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended, including an interception.

Tusculum finished the season with a 6-5 overall record, including a 4-3 league mark to finish in sole possession of third place in the conference.  After starting the year 1-4, the Pioneers rebounded by winning five of their final six contests, including a four-game winning streak to conclude the 2014 campaign.

Discover the latest about your fellow alumni


 

 

 

 

 

 

’60s

Dennis A. Wolford ’68 of Lafayette, TN, received the A.C.H.E. Regents Senior Level Health Care Executive Award at the Tennessee Hospital Association’s annual meeting on Nov. 7 in Nashville. He was recognized for his 44 years of service and leadership in the healthcare field and his community. Dennis has been CEO of Macon County General Hospital for 30 years. He has been board certified in healthcare administration since 1988. Dennis has served on the Tennessee Hospital Association’s board of directors and several other committees for the association. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the Upper Middle Tennessee Rural Health Network, chairman of the Macon County Health Council, chairman of the board for the Macon county Senior Citizen’s Center and chairman of the Makin’ Macon Fit Family Fitness Festival Wellness Committee. Dennis is also a member of the Lafayette Rotary Club.

 

’70s

Wayne Eichele ’73 of Ventura, CA, and his wife Pam have retired and are looking forward to the next chapter of their lives. They have just returned from a trip across the Canadian Rockies via the Rocky Mountain Rail Road. They plan to cruise to Alaska next spring and also tour Italy in the future. Wayne volunteers several hours a week at an elementary school and finds its rewarding in many different ways. The students and staff are awesome, he writes, and are appreciative of volunteers who can help students improve their academics and social/civic skills. Wayne would love to hear from fellow alumni. He can be reached at weichele@bcglobal.net.

 

’80s

Dory Wetzel Creech ’82 of Kingsport, TN, is a finalist for the 2014-15 Supervisor of the Year honor representing the First Region of Northeast Tennessee. In her position as assistant superintendent of instruction for the Kingsport City Schools, she oversees 14 people and has been with the system for 26 years.

 

 

 

 

Lesley Murray ’04 was married to Ryan Hawk on October 25, 2014, at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, GA. Bridesmaids included Rebecca Muncy ’05 and Julie Maples ’05. Following a wedding trip to Antigua in the West Indies, the couple is residing in Monroe.

 

Jade Bussell ’14 and Jonathan Essary were married November 8, 2014, at Christ United Methodist Church in Greeneville, TN. Bridesmaids included Ashley Fritz ’14, Kristen Lane ’14 and Latisha Stover ’14 and current Tusculum student Bailey Lawson. Following a wedding trip to Gatlinburg, the couple is living in Greeneville. Jade is a case manager for Frontier Health.

 

 

 

 

Lauren Abramson Baes ’02 of Franklin, TN, and her husband, Kevin, celebrated the birth of their son, Jack Adair Baes, on October 26, 2014. He weighed six pounds and 10 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.  Proud grandparents are Roger and Sanda Montgomery Abramson ’64 ’65.

 

 

 

 

’30s

Ellen Fletcher Kay ’37 of Tequesta, FL, passed away September 17, 2013. She was a retired receptionist of the Bath and Tennis Club.

 

’40s

Patrick H. Miller ’43 of Kingsport, TN, passed away on Oct. 18, 2014. As a student at Tusculum, he lettered in several sports and was captain of the football team. He was inducted into the College’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Miller left Tusculum to enlist in the U.S. Marines. He was stationed in Hawaii and became a C-42 pilot in the Pacific Theatre. His Marine transport squadron led similar units in total ton miles flown, passenger miles and flying hours. He rose to the rank of first lieutenant and logged more than 1,400 flight hours. After the war, Mr. Miller and his life-long friend, B.O. Ripley ’42, tried their hands at both the grocery and ice cream business before Mr. Miller returned to college on the G.I. Bill, completing his degree at the University of Florida. He then returned to Kingsport and began his career at Holston Defense, later transferring to Tennessee Electric Company, Inc., where he retired as senior financial associate in the comptrollers department. Mr. Miller was active in volunteer work at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. He gave his time generously to Civitan, Meals on Wheels and Junior Achievement. Mr. Miller amassed a wonderful wild flower garden over the years and delighted in sharing it with others. He also was a natural storyteller and loved to recite poetry.

 

’50s

Edgar A. Bergholtz ’50 of Cottageville, SC, passed away on September 28, 2014. Mr. Bergholtz was a veteran, having joined the Navy in 1942 following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was a boatswain’s mate first class when he was discharged. He was a retired FBI special agent. While at the Bureau, he received several meritorious recognitions from Director J. Edgar Hoover and worked mainly in the area of organized crime. Mr. Bergholtz was a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI as well as the Irish Society.

 

Lt. Col. Jack Hoover Jenkins, USAF (Ret.) ’50 of Centennial, CO, passed away June 18, 2014. Lt. Col. Jenkins was an accountant and received his MBA in accounting from Michigan State University. During his service in the Air Force, he was stationed all over the United States.

 

Phyllis “Mimi” Pierce McAmis ’50 of Greeneville, TN, passed away Nov. 17, 2014. Mrs. McAmis had worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Calvin Reviere, then as an aide at Tusculum View Elementary School and retired as a bookkeeper for Central Drug Store. She was a member of Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she had made the communion bread for more than 40 years. She had also started the tradition of the Halloween Popcorn House. Mrs. McAmis served on the board of directors of the Greeneville-Greene County YMCA for several members, was a member of The Bridge Club and volunteered as a cook at Camp John Speer for several years. Her survivors include Tusculum alumni daughter Terri Morrell ’04, granddaughter Sarah Morrell Mathes ’03, sister Wanda Pierce Hall ’54, brother Jimmy Pierce ’60, sister-in-law Betty McAmis King ’50 and her husband, Dick ’51 and sister-in-law Mary McAmis Smith ’53.

Harley Lee Reel ’53 of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, passed away on October 8, 2014. Mr. Reel had enjoyed a productive 40-year career in business. He enjoyed outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends. He was active in his local community government and organizations.

 

Joseph S. Schwartz ’59 of Cherry Hill, NJ, passed away November 19, 2014. Mr. Schwartz was a Life Trustee of Tusculum College and had served as an active member of the Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2011. He was the retired president and owner of Guaranteed Brake Parts, Inc., his family’s auto parts rebuilding company, as well as a member of the Auto Parts Rebuilders Association Board and chairman of the Brake and Clutch Institute. He and his wife Kathy (Cheek) ’58 served their Alma Mater as decade chairpersons for the alumni phase of the Tusculum College 2000 Campaign and in key leadership roles in the Bicentennial Campaign. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cheek-Schwartz Endowment Fund at Tusculum.

 

’60s

Eva J. Hill White ’61 of Greeneville, TN, passed away October 31, 2014. Mrs. White was a school teacher, working in the Greeneville City School System for 30 years before she retired in 1984. She was a graduate of Morristown College in 1941, earning a degree in secretarial science and she then attended A&I (Tennessee) State University in 1943, earning a degree in special education. She then earned a degree in education from Tusculum as one of the first African-Americans to attend and graduate from the College in the modern era. Mrs. White had said she found it a blessing to be able to attend a local college while raising her children and helping her husband take care of her family. Mrs. White earned a master’s degree in elementary education in 1972 from East Tennessee State University. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and was very active in organizations in the church as long as she was able. As her health declined, she continued to attend church and bring joy to many of her fellow church members until her last time attending services on September 28. Her survivors include daughter ant Tusculum alumna Sharon White Jefferson ’98.

 

Faline Mather Gray ’65 of Lansdale, PA, passed away unexpectedly on September 10, 2014. She and her beloved husband William K. Gray, Sr. ’65 had celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on August 28. Mrs. Gray was director of the Building Blocks Christian Nursery School for 27 years. She had also served as a special education teacher in the North Penn School District. Mrs. Gray was a member of the Lansdale Presbyterian Church where she served as an ESL volunteer teacher and Bible Study leader. She was a foster parent with Bethany Christian Services for 17 years. She was involved with Mothers of Pre-Schoolers as a mentor mother, a member of Heritage Questers, served as a Pennsylvania home school evaluator for 29 years and did sewing for Creative Stitches. She enjoyed baking and cooking and used her talents for the Food from the Heart program.

’80s

Mary Katherine  “Kaye” Marshall ’87 of Henderson, Ky., formerly of Greeneville, Tenn., passed away on November 12, 2013, at her home under the care of hospice. Ms. Marshall was a registered nurse and had worked 17 years for the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services. She was a member of Henderson’s First Baptist Church. Ms. Marshall earned a degree in English literature from Tusculum and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed her flower garden and cooking for her family.

’90s

Raymond Dennis Powers ’97 of Kingston, TN, passed away on July 3, 2014.  Mr. Powers was a maintenance supervisor for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

 

’00s

Douglas Eric Baker ’00 of Liberty Hill, TN, passed away November 11, 2014. Mr. Baker had been a manager of Starbucks in Knoxville, TN, and a member of the staff of Holston Home for Children in Greeneville, TN.

 

Tamara Allison ’04 of Maryville, TN, passed away September 11, 2007. She had worked at TDS Telecom.

 

William Mims ’04 of Dandridge, TN, passed away February 3, 2009, after complications with surgery. Mr. Mims worked at ITT in Knoxville, TN, and had been selected as “Teacher of the Year” in 2008. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Newport. He enjoyed tennis and biking.

 

Auditions scheduled for ‘How to Eat Like a Child – And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up’


An all-youth cast is needed for Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of “How to Eat Like a Child – And Other Lessons in Not Being Grown Up” to be staged early next year.

The fast-paced musical needs actors, singers and dancers. Auditions are for boys and girls in the third through eighth grade, and are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3 and 4, with possible callbacks on Friday, Dec. 5.

Auditions will begin at 4 p.m. in auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus with registration starting at 3:30 p.m. No prepared audition materials will be required, but those auditioning are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

The audition committee hopes to cast approximately 25 youth.

Rehearsals for the play will begin in January with performances scheduled in Tusculum College’s Behan Arena Theatre for Feb. 27-28 and March 1, 5-8.

“How to Eat Like a Child – And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up” was written by Delia Ephron, John Forster and Judith Kahan with music and lyrics by John Forster.

The musical will be directed for Theatre-at-Tusculum by Mairlyn duBrisk. Brian Ricker will serve as assistant director, the vocal director will be Angie Clendenon and the choreographer will be Kim Berry.

For more information about the auditions, please contact Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620.

 

Tusculum opens Little Free Library


The new Little Free Library is inside the first floor of the Rankin House. From left are Dr. Michael Bodary, assistant professor of English, and students Ryan Barker, Matthew Pierce and Madilyn Elliott.

Tusculum College is opening a new reading resource on the Greeneville campus for both the students and the community. Sponsored by the English honor society Sigma Tau Delta, the Little Free Library of Tusculum College is located on the first floor of Rankin House.

“This is an additional resource intended to foster leisure reading,” said Dr. Michael Bodary, assistant professor of English. Our hope is that it will provide an avenue for students, faculty, staff and the people of Greeneville to freely and easily share top-shelf books—good stories that can stir the imagination—with one another.”

Little Free Libraries can be found across the country, sprouting up through the generosity, commitment and creativity of those who support a free, unrestricted exchange of books. Using the Little Free Library at Tusculum College does not require a membership card, and it is open to everyone in the community. There are no due dates or late charges. It operates on the honor system and a “take a book, leave a book” exchange concept, although people who do not have a book to leave can always borrow a book and bring it back.

People can donate as well; however, as the library is very small, the focus for the library is on the quality of the books it offers—not the quantity. Like most higher education institutes, Tusculum College’s Garland library’s vast collection is focused on academia, research materials and literary documents.

According to Dr. Bodary, “We’re not competing with the historic, vastly larger academic library already on campus. The Little Free Library is focused on having a small and mostly fiction-based selection for pleasure reading.”

The exchanging of books will keep a variety of genres present for every reader to enjoy, from mysteries to science fiction to romance.

“We hope students will take books, but also replace them with others they are willing to share with other users of the library,” said Ryan Barker, a senior history and creative writing major from Laurens, S.C. “If we can encourage this, we will always have fresh selections.”

Tusculum to present dramatization of “Lincoln/Johnson: The Winning Ticket in Time of War”


Through first-person interpretations, award-winning presenters Chris Small and Daniel Luther will bring President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President-elect Andrew Johnson to life on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. The performance will be held in the Behan Arena in the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center on the Tusculum College’s Greeneville campus.

Presented by Tusculum College’s history and museum studies department and the Andrew Johnson National Historical Site, the lively first person interpretations will reveal the two politicians’ thoughts and opinions regarding the 1864 election, the impending end of war and the possible abolition of slavery, as well as their opinions about re-joining the nation after the uproar of the Civil War.

In addition, Lincoln and Johnson will be interviewed by the Tennessee Technological University Professor William Hardy. Lincoln was a Northern Republican and Johnson was a Southern Democrat who joined forces on the overwhelmingly successful National Union Party ticket in the 1864 elections. This was the one and only time in history that the National Union Party ticket was named in a presidential election.

The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Tree Lighting and Christmas Band Concert set Tuesday, Dec. 2


People gathered and sang carols following the tree lighting during last year's ceremony.

Get into the holiday spirit Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Tusculum College with a Christmas tree lighting and the annual holiday concert by the College’s Band Program.

The local community is invited to the celebration and concert, which are both free and open to the public.

Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the tree and caroling in front of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus.  Wassail and cookies will be served in the lobby of the Byrd building following the lighting.

The Christmas Band Concert will follow at 7 p.m., featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Handbell Choir.

The Concert Band and Jazz Band’s repertoire will include Christmas favorites. The Concert Band will be performing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo,” “Merry Christmas Darling,” “Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus” and “Wonderful Christmastime.” The Jazz Band will be performing “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Three Guys.”

The Handbell Choir will be performing three traditional carols, “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” “The Ukrainian Carol of the Bells” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”

The band program began in 2010 with the formation of a pep band and has grown to include a Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Handbell Choir and various small ensembles.

 

Come enjoy some refreshments between the tree lighting festivities and Band concert.

The College's Concert Band performs during last year's concert.

 

 

Doak House Museum prepares to celebrate holidays with two programs


The Doak House Museum is preparing to celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Open House on Dec. 6 and with its popular children’s program, “Storytelling and Gingerbread” through Dec. 18.

An open house will be held at the museum on the Tusculum College campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Free tours of the museum will be provided along with refreshments, crafts and games for the children, storytelling and specials in the museum’s gift shop with proceeds going toward the museum’s programs. A storyteller will perform at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and tours will offered throughout the event.

The museum, which is the 1830s home of Tusculum College co-founder the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak, will be decorated in a charming 19th century style, as a home would be during that time period.

“Storytelling and Gingerbread,” the Doak House Museum’s most popular children’s program, will be continuing through Dec. 18. Molly Mouse is the guide for the children as they experience holiday customs that the Doak family enjoyed in the 19th century. They learn about holiday foods from the period, gift giving and decorating customs as people lived them 200 years ago.

The program is open to public and private school groups as well as home schooled children. The museum is also able to offer Title I schools a discounted admission.

On Friday, Dec. 12, the program will be offered for home school children. One adult per family will be admitted free of charge. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.

For more information about the Open House, contact Leah Walker at the museum at 423-636-8554 or lwalker@tusculum.edu.

To make a reservation for the “Storytelling and Gingerbread” program, please contact Dollie Boyd at 423-636-8554 or dboyd@tusculum.edu.

The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are operated by the Department of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College. In addition to the museums, the department is responsible for the College Archives and offers one of the few undergraduate Museum Studies degree programs in the country. The two museums are also part of the National Historic District on the Tusculum College campus. Follow the museums on Facebook and Twitter to learn the latest news and upcoming events or visit its Web site at www.tusculum.edu/museums to learn more about the variety of programs offered at the museums.

More than 700 served through RAM free health care clinic hosted by Tusculum


Through the Remote Area Medical health care clinic hosted by Tusculum College on the Greeneville campus this weekend, 761 people received professional medical care completely free of charge.

Remote Area Medical is a Knoxville-based organization providing free medical care for the uninsured and underinsured.

“What an experience to be part of this project and see a critical need in our region being met by hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend,” said Dr. Nancy Moody, president of the college.

During the weekend clinic, volunteers provided medical services, dental work and optometry services and glasses on-site free of charge. Health care services provided included comprehensive screening for diabetes and hypertension, procedures such as retinal screening using telemedicine technology, chest x-rays, pulmonary function studies, chiropractic services and some gynecological procedures.

During the Tusculum clinic, $413,494 in medical services were provided free to anyone in need, including $338,102 in dental care, $71,737 in vision care and $3,655 in medical services. Additionally, 319 pairs of prescription eyeglasses were given out. More than 6,700 volunteer hours were dedicated to the event, from more than 500 volunteers, two-thirds of which were professionals in medical-related fields. Volunteers included staff, faculty, alumni and students from Tusculum College, medical students from other colleges and universities and hundreds of volunteers from the community.

Tusculum nursing students were among the volunteers taking vital signs and making notes about patient's medical histories in the "triage" area each visited prior to getting in line for either vision or dental services.

“It was a very humbling experience to see the critical nature of what the RAM organization has adopted as its mission,” said Mark Stokes, Tusculum chaplain and planning committee chairman. “This community responded with such incredible generosity, it is impossible to thank everyone who supported the event.”

Businesses, churches and community organizations responded by donating time and resources at a tremendous level. Food for volunteers, transportation resources and equipment were just a few of the needs met by the local community, according to Stokes.

Students came from Tusculum College, University of Buffalo Dental School, Virginia Southern University, Middle Tennessee State University, East Tennessee State University, the Southern College of Optometry, the University of Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. More than 40 Tusculum College nursing students worked throughout the weekend, alongside their faculty and dean, Dr. Lois Ewen.

Dental students from the University of Buffalo received valuable experience during the clinic performing tooth extractions and fillings.

“Many of these students talked about how the experience had changed their lives, as well as giving them a learning experience that was invaluable,” said Dr. Ewen.

Dr Moody added, “What a sense of real impact was felt by everyone involved in this project. We were aided by many community organizations, including the East Tennessee Foundation, which provided a grant of $12,000 through the Dr. J. G. Hawkins Memorial Fund. I am personally awed by the students, faculty, staff, alumni,  friends and local businesses who dedicated their time, talent and resources to make this happen for those in need.”

Planning Committee members included Stokes, Dr. Moody, Dr. Ewen, Steve Gehret, vice president and chief executive officer; Audrey Brackens, administrative assistant for the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Psychology; Jennifer Hollowell, Arts Outreach coordinator; Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement, Jon Gresham, campus safety director; David Martin, director of facilities; Suzanne Richey, director of college communications; Mike Hollowell, executive director of the Greene County YMCA, and Vickie Andrew, vice president for chamber operations at the Greene County Partnership.

Patients seeking vision care were given a thorough exam and those needing new prescription glasses were able to get them at the clinic as well.

Tusculum welcomes parents to campus for Family Weekend


Tusculum College recently welcomed parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of students to campus for Family Weekend.
While the cold, rainy-snowy weather caused some changes to events, including moving the cornhole tournament inside the Indoor Practice Facility, families and students still enjoyed time together during the weekend.
Friday’s highlights included an ice cream social and the opportunity to learn the latest updates about the college from President Nancy B. Moody and the Cabinet and ask them questions.
On Saturday, Jim Allison and his daugher, Erika, successfully defended their title as Family Weekended cornhole tournament champions, winning for the fourth year. Below are some of the photos from Family Weekend.

Erika and Jim Allison were cornhole tournament champions. The duo has won the tournament for the past four years.

 

 

Dr. David McMahan, dean of students, talks to parents about student life at Tusculum during a panel Saturday morning. Robin Lay, director of Career Services, also shared information about the services her offices provides students.

 

 

Parents and Tusculum staff members mngle and enjoy a delicious mid-afternoon snack during the ice cream social on Friday.