Alumni news: keep you with your classmates in Class Notes


 

 

 

 

’60s

Commander John Redden ’65, USN Retired, has written that a recent communication from his Alma Mater brought back memories of an early September day in 1961 when he called Marion Edens to inform him that he could not come to Tusculum the following Sunday.  Despite working two part-time jobs before and after school in his senior year of high school and three jobs during that summer, he had not saved enough money.  In just five days, Edens arranged for a $500 scholarship through his local Presbyterian church. He returned home after one semester to work full time and returned to Tusculum the following fall with a part time job at the Suburban Motel.  The following year his part time job was at King Arthur’s Court. His two and a half years at Tusculum qualified him to enter flight training in the Navy, which led to his career as a carrier pilot.  He said he would not have achieved his childhood dream of flying off of carriers if a very dedicated director of admissions had not taken the time to make it happen. “I will always honor Mr. Edens and Tusculum for the opportunities that the college opened to me.”

 

’70s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Wuest ’78, Herb Bonner ‘78, Rick Scott ‘77 and Leo Holihan ’78 met in Springfield, OH, on March 22 of this year for a mini-reunion.  Tim lives near Cincinnati, Herb near Columbus, Rick in Raleigh, NC, and Leo near Dayton.

 

’80s

The Rev. Nell Stanton Grimm ’85 of Lillington, NC, has opened an independent practice as a counselor in Raleigh, NC.

 

’10s

Former Tusculum Pioneer quarterback Bo Cordell ’13, a native of Cincinnati, OH, has signed a free agent contract to play with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Cordell is the third player from the Tusculum football program to play in the CFL. He played at Tusculum from 2009-2013 and achieved the most prolific passing career in NCAA Division II history.  The All-American owns 15 NCAA II records, including career passing yards (16,265 – fourth in all NCAA divisions), career completions (1,397 – third all NCAA divisions), career pass attempts (2,187 – third all NCAA divisions) career total offensive yards (16,432 – fourth all NCAA divisions) and total offensive plays in a career (2,572 – second all NCAA divisions). Cordell was named the 2013 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first football standout to earn the honor multiple times (2010 and 2013).

 

 

 

Attention Recent Graduates


As you begin the next chapter of your life, Tusculum College would like to make you aware of options related to federal law and your health insurance plans. The attached information describes the healthcare opportunities now available to graduates. This document lays out the options available including getting health insurance through employer-based coverage, staying on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, as well as going to HealthCare.gov to choose a plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

As you may know, graduation is a general mile marker for many significant life changes, such as expired student health insurance or moving from home, that trigger a “Special Enrollment Period” that allows a 60-day window for students to sign up for coverage in the marketplace even though the open enrollment period has ended.

Departing students who don’t have insurance through a job or new educational opportunity have two opportunities through the new health law:

• To check out the marketplace: www.healthcare.gov<http://www.healthcare.gov/>

• Potentially stay on their parents insurance until they are 26.

Again congratulations on joining our alumni ranks! You will now begin receiving our Alumni newsletter and Tusculum magazine. We want to make sure we have your current contact information, so at your earliest convenience, please email jbparker@tusculum.edu with your address, phone number and email address. Or you may contact Assistant Alumni Director Joni Parker at 423.636.7303 to update contact information or for any other assistance you may need.

 

Nurses Week Celebration Walk held Monday on campus


A group of the more than 30 people, above, who participated in the first National Nurses Celebration Walk prepare to begin the walk Monday evening on a section of the Tusculum Trail that passes through Tusculum College. The walk, hosted by the Tusculum College School of Nursing and Health Sciences, was scheduled to mark the ending of National Nurses Week and to celebrate the efforts of the 1,000 nurses in the Greene County area. Prior to the walk, a brief program was held at Pioneer Field near the walking trail. Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College, shared her personal experiences as a nurse and expressed her appreciation of the nurses in the region. Alan Broyles, Greene County mayor, read a resolution declaring May 6-12 as National Nurses Week in Greeneville and Greene County. Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels signed the resolution but was unable to attend the event. May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The celebration was co-sponsored by Laughlin Memorial Hospital, Takoma Regional Hospital and Walters State Community College’s Department of Nursing in Greeneville, as well as the Tusculum School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

More than 300 receive degrees Saturday during spring commencement exercises


More than 300 individuals received degrees during Tusculum College’s spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10, including the presentation of an honorary doctorate to former Navy commander and alumnus Capt. Samuel L. Doak.

Ninety-eight students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 152 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition, 19 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees in education, 14 earned Master of Business Administration degrees and 27 earned Master of Arts in Teaching degrees.

The new graduates were addressed by Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody, who congratulated them on their accomplishment. “Each of you made sacrifices, made adjustments and made some tough decisions along the way,” she said. “You have worked hard and you have given something of yourself to earn the right to sit in that chair this morning and to walk across this stage.”

Congressman Phil Roe addresses graduates during the morning ceremony.

The graduates were addressed during the morning ceremony by U.S Rep. Phil Roe (R-1), who challenged the graduates to keep learning all their lives. With the tremendous pace of change in the world, graduates have to be adapt rapidly to challenges, he continued.

Roe shared three secrets of career success with the graduates. “Number one, show up on time,” he said. “Number two, give your best effort every single day, and number three, be a team player.” For success in their personal lives, Roe advised the graduates to put God first in their lives, put family second, their careers third and fourth, give back to the community. Roe was introduced by respected local businessman and philanthropist Dr. Scott M. Niswonger, who is a 1987 graduate of Tusculum and received an honorary degree from the college in 2006.

Receiving an honorary doctorate of public service was Capt. Doak, who is a 1949 alumnus of the college and has served a valued and influential member of the Board of Trustees for 21 years. “Through service, leadership and lifelong support of the College, Capt. Doak exemplifies the Civic Art values that Tusculum College has promoted for 220 years,” said Dr. Moody in conferring the degree.

Capt. Samuel S. Doak, left, a 1949 alumnus of Tusculum and a member of its Board of Trustees, was conferred an honorary doctorate during the afternoon commencement ceremony. Presenting him the diploma and hood are Dr. Melinda Dukes, center, vice president for academic affairs and Dr. Nancy B. Moody, Tusculum president.

Doak, a direct descendent of the founders of the college, distinguished himself during his 30-year career in the Navy, and has contributed his time to building the local community through such activities as teaching senior citizen driving courses. He is an active and dedicated member of Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church and as a regular attendee of First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville. He has also served his Alma Mater as director of alumni affairs.

He and his wife, Emily, are frequently seen supporting art programs, athletic events, lecture programs and other outreach programs of the college. “Sam and Emily have been generous contributors to Tusculum College throughout their lives, supporting the growth, expansion and mission of the College at the highest levels,” Dr. Moody said. “These gifts have impacted the lives of thousands of students who lead better lives today because of the generosity of these two Pioneers who have blazed the trail that others might follow and have the opportunity for a college education. “

Graduating senior Addie Hancock of Mooresburg, center, and Cliff Ott, a member of the Class of 1964, present a combined class gift of $3,128 to Dr. Nancy B. Moody.

Walking with this spring’s graduates were 13 representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1964 who are celebrating their 50th anniversary year. Representatives walked in the procession, clothed in golden caps and gowns and were recognized during the ceremony by Dr. Moody. The Golden Pioneers, along with the Class of 2014, presented a check to Dr. Moody for $3,128 as a gift to the college.

Four student speakers addressed the graduates, including Ashley Sarmiento, a double major in math and math education who represented her fellow bachelor degree graduates in the morning ceremony. She challenged her fellow graduates to be unforgettable. “It is our turn to give back to others, share our wisdom, show our love and leave a mark on others’ lives,” said Sarmeinto, who is from Dayton, Ohio. She encouraged her fellow graduates to always thank those who have made a significant impact in their lives and  to “go with purpose to leave an unforgettable impact on others like Tusculum College has done for us.”

Suzanne Richey, left, and Ashley Sarmiento represented their fellow graduates as speakers in the morning ceremony.

Selected to speak on behalf of the students earning master’s degrees during the morning ceremony was Suzanne Richey, who earned a graduate degree in education with a concentration in organizational training and education. Richey, who lives in Greeneville, expressed appreciation to her parents, who are also Tusculum alumni, as well as her teachers during her formative years and Tusculum professors who nurtured her love of learning and challenged her to reach goals she thought unattainable.

Congratulating her fellow graduates, Richey encouraged them to “Keep learning. Keep evaluating what you know. Keep your mind open to new ideas and diverse opinions. Read what you disagree with and understand why you disagree. Learn from anyone who will mentor you. And most importantly, keep sharing what you know and what you think with others.”

Speakers at the afternoon Tusculum College commencement service were Shalee Tipton of Maryville and Danielle Warren of Knoxville. Tipton is graduating with a bachelor science degree in organizational management. Warren is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Shalee Tipton, left, and Danielle Warren were selected as the speakers to represent their fellow graduates during the afternoon ceremony.

The first college graduate in her family, Tipton spoke about the support she has had from family, friends, co-workers, faculty and her fellow classmates. As a student at Tusculum, she said she has learned that she can accomplish her goals and that determination is the key to success.

As she has thought of graduation, Tipton said she has contemplated the meaning prosperity. While many think of that word in financial terms, she said, “I do believe that the best definition of prosperity is to thrive or flourish and my wish for each of my fellow graduates is that you leave this journey feeling prepared and energized for the next phase of your life.”

Warren recalled her educational journey began almost four years ago as she was invited to a Tusculum commencement by a close friend who was earning a degree and watching the graduates earn their degrees inspired to begin the process to achieve her own educational aspirations.

“One of the most valuable lessons that I will take with me from my time at Tusculum is the power of teamwork,” Warren said. “I have always been fiercely independent, so learning to rely on others was challenging at first. . . . If it had not been for the patience and support of my family and friends; the dedication and mentorship of the faculty and staff; and of course, my fabulous learning team, I would not be standing before you today.”

The afternoon ceremony featured a sermon by Tusculum Chaplain Mark Stokes in which he challenged the graduates to make a positive impact in the world around them. Noting the example of Tabitha in the Bible, who made clothes for needy widows, Stokes said she was placed by God in a place and time in which her skills were needed by others in her community.   Stokes challenged the graduates to allow God to guide them to the place where their skills and talents can make the lives of others better. “Can you make a positive impact?” he asked the graduates. “With God’s help, I am willing to believe you can.”

Receiving the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership award for the Residential College was Dr. Bill Garris, associate professor of psychology who has led the college’s Quality Enhancement Program initiative. Receiving the award for the Graduate and Professional Studies program was Dr. Peggy Goodson-Rochelle, assistant professor of education.

10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony Program

1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Program

Doak House Museum to host art and history summer camps


The Doak House Museum is now taking reservations for its two summer campus for children.

“History Around the World” camp will be held June 16 -20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. During the camp, children will discover the world as it was 200 years ago through fun activities, crafts and games. All materials and a daily snack are provided.

“Art Around the World” camp is scheduled July 7 -11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Participants will take a trip around the world with five days of projects inspired by the art of the Americas, Asia, Europe, India and Africa. All materials and a daily snack will be provided.

The two camps are open to children ages 6-12. The tuition is $85 per child with sibling and Tusculum College faculty, staff and student discounts available.

Space is limited and a deposit is required. Please contact Dollie Boyd at 423-636-8554 or dboyd@tusculum.edu to reserve a spot.

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.

 

Explatory Task Force formed to research options to restart local community theater


A second meeting of community members, interested in forming a local theatre group, met on Saturday, May 3, at Tusculum College.

Facilitated by Arts Outreach artist-in-residence Marilyn duBrisk, and assisted by Arts Outreach assistant director Brian Ricker, the group examined the visions and options discussed at the first meeting on April 6, and concluded that there was enough local support and interest to move forward.

Everyone present enthusiastically selected an Exploratory Task Force charged with reviewing and researching options and queries agreed upon by those present, and will report back to the group with their recommendations.

The task force of seven are; Margo Olmsted, Stuart Hoeke, Paige Mengel, Laura Dupler, Sandy Nienaber, Judi Austin and Bill Regan.

“It is obvious that the talent and expertise is present within this creative group,” duBrisk said, “all of us at Arts Outreach are thrilled by the response and are ready to help wherever we can.”

The next meeting will be scheduled by the Exploratory Task Force.

National Nurses Week Celebration Walk set for Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m.


A National Nurses Week Celebration Walk has been scheduled for Monday, May 12, to mark the ending of National Nurses Week. Registration for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the event itself beginning at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Field on the Tusculum College campus.

The event is sponsored by the Tusculum College School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Laughlin Memorial Hospital and Takoma Regional Hospital and is designed as a celebration of the 1,000 nurses in the Greene County area. A brief program will take place in the stadium before the walk on the Tusculum Trail begins.

“We are having the Nurses Week Walk to celebrate the accomplishments of the Greene County nurses,” said Dr. Lois Ewen, dean of nursing and health sciences at Tusculum College. “We want to recognize their hard work and dedication to the citizens of Greene County.”

May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This year’s theme for National Nurses Week, “Nurses: Leading the Way,” recognizes nurses as leaders at the bedside, in the boardroom, throughout communities and in the halls of government.

No preregistration is required and everyone is welcome to attend. Hosts will be providing the opportunity to make a donation on behalf of a nurse to Second Harvest Food Bank. Funds collected will be used to help feed underprivileged Greene County students in the summer

In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Indoor Practice Facility on the Tusculum Campus. For more information, contact Dr. Ewen at lewen@tusculum.edu.

Winkelmann named ‘Student of the Block’ for Seventh Block


Tennis Head Coach Tommy Arnett, left, presents Lukas Winkelmann with the “Student of the Block” award during a ceremony on May 1.

Lukas Winkelmann, a junior from Boeblingen, Germany, has been recognized as “Student of the Block” for the Seventh Block at Tusculum College.

Winkelmann, who is majoring in pre-medicine, was recognized Thursday, May 1, in a brief ceremony in the Niswonger Commons. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members, and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.

Tommy Arnett, head coach of men’s and women’s tennis, nominated Winkelmann for the honor. During the ceremony, Arnett said that Winkelmann’s numerous achievements in the classroom and on the court speak for themselves, and he wanted to speak about Winkelmann as a individual. Three words that come to mind when he thinks about Winkelmann are “caring, passionate and leadership.”

Arnett said he has watched Winkelmann interact with the children, his peers and faculty and staff, and it is obvious he is a caring person. “By passionate, I mean that Lukas puts 100 percent into whatever he does – he goes above and beyond what is expected,” Arnett said.

During his time at Tusculum, Winkelmann has grown as a person and a leader, and Arnett said he appreciates the leadership he has shown as captain of the tennis team.

As he accepted the award, Winkelmann thanked Coach Arnett and his science professors for the encouragement and assistance they have given him. He noted that Coach Arnett emphasizes to tennis team members that academics are to come first and while the coach, of course, wants them to excel on the court, he checks regularly to make sure they are doing well academically.

Winkelmann also thanked Bobbie Greenway, an academic counselor at Tusculum, whom he described as his “mom at Tusculum.” Greenway was Winkelmann’s first advisor at Tusculum and helped him as an international student get acclimated to the college and also helped him in his efforts to improve his English.  “She welcomed me with a big heart and put forth a lot of effort in helping me to become successful here at Tusculum. When you are in an unfamiliar area, it pays to have someone that you can trust that will not take advantage of you.”

He also thanked former teammates Steven Lin, a 2012 Tusculum graduate, and Luis Zamora, a 2013 graduate, for providing an example of success for him to follow on both the court and in the classroom and encouraging him to be the best he can be.

As well as serving as captain of the men’s tennis team, he is a member of the Tusculum Chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and the Pioneer Student Athletic Advisory Council.

Winkelmann has been recognized numerous times for his success on the tennis court and in the classroom. Last week, he was honored as the South Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year for men’s tennis, the second straight year he has received the honor. He has also been recognized for the past two years as the conference’s Men’s Tennis Player of the Year for his accomplishments on the court.

During the 2013-14 season, Winkelmann posted a perfect 23-0 singles record and 20-3 record in doubles, including 19-2 with his younger brother Jonas, who joined his brother last year as a student at Tusculum and member of the tennis team.

As a sophomore, Winkelmann was named to the 2012-13 Capital One Academic All-America® first team, the first Tusculum sophomore to garner Academic All-America® first team distinction. He has been named the Tusculum College Male Athlete of the Year in each of the last two years and recognized as the most valuable player of the tennis team three times.

Ottinger named ‘Student of the Block’ for Block Six


Tusculum College Business Professors Dr. Antonio Bos, left and Dr. Michelle Freeman congratulate Jordan Ottinger as he receives the Student of the Block Award for the Sixth Block.

Jordan Ottinger, a business major from Newport who many in the community may know from his work with the Tusculum College’s Help Me Help You small business program, has been named “Student of the Block” for the Sixth Block at the college.

Ottinger, who is majoring in accounting with a minor in general management, recognized Tuesday, April 29, in a brief ceremony in the Niswonger Commons. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members, and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.

Dr. Michelle Freeman, professor of business administration, said that Ottinger has inspired her with his commitment to excellence academically and his generosity in helping others and being involved outside the classroom. Freeman nominated Ottinger for the honor along with Dr. Antonio Bos, professor of economics.

Active in the Tusculum College Business Club, he has served as its president. Ottinger is in the Tusculum Honors Program, serves as an ambassador for the college as a member of the President’s Society and is a member of the Tusculum Chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honors Society.

Ottinger has also worked with the Help Me Help You program to assist small businesses with business plans, marketing and other areassince the program’s inception. He founded the personal finance program of Tusculum’s Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. In addition, Ottinger has tutored in the areas of business and accounting as a member of the center.

An upbeat individual who has contributed much to campus, Ottinger said that Tusculum has given him the opportunity to live out his passions through campus organizations and allowed him to return to the community through the knowledge he has gained.. “Tusculum College has prepared me for a career in accounting, which I will begin before graduation in May,” he said.

Ottinger counts “time with friends and developing the Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship” as among his favorite memories of Tusculum. His favorite class was accounting as well as religion, and his two favorite professors are Dr. Freeman and Dr. Bos, he said, because they gave him the opportunity to excel in his fields of business and accounting. His advice for underclassmen is to achieve above what is required so it will transfer into their professional lives. The keys to succeeding at Tusculum are to be honest and diligent, he added.

After Ottinger graduates from Tusculum, he aspires to finish up the requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant. After he finishes his prerequisites he plans to get his Masters of Divinity and ultimately a Doctorate in Religion.

Second meeting to discuss formation of community theater group to be May 3


A second  open meeting to discuss the formation of  a Greeneville/Greene County community theater group will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

The meeting will be held in Room 46 in the lower level of the Annie Hogan Byrd building, across the lobby from the Behan Arena Theatre. The meeting will be facilitated by Tusculum College Artist-in-Residence, Marilyn duBrisk.

More than 60 people attended a meeting earlier this month to discuss the formation of a community theater group. Based on discussions and suggestions from this meeting, Saturday’s meeting:

Based on suggestions made at that meeting, the agenda for Saturday’s meeting will include:

• Revisiting ideas about  the general vision and options defined during the earlier meeting

• Discussing  organizational structure, and

• Forming an exploratory committee, who will review and research the options put forth by the group, and report back with their recommendations.

 

Tusculum College Community Chorus to feature ‘Rutter’s Requiem’ in concert May 5


The Tusculum College Community Chorus will perform “Rutter’s Requiem,” one of today’s best loved choral works during its spring concert Monday, May 5, at Tusculum College.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum campus.

The first half of the program will be a performance of “Requiem” by John Rutter. The most common topics of art are the most mysterious and profound characteristics of human experience – love and death, Dr. David Hendricksen, conductor of the Community Chorus, noted during a lecture about the requiem earlier this month. Requiems were originally the addition of music to the texts used in the funeral mass, Hendricksen said, and evolved both lyrically and musically over the centuries.

In his work, John Rutter incorporates characteristics of previous requiems, Hendricksen explained. The piece was written in 1985 after the death of Rutter’s father. Hendricksen explained that Rutter was concerned with practicality so he wrote two versions – one for an orchestra and chorus and a scaled down version that could be performed by small music ensembles and choirs.

The Community Chorus will be accompanied by an instrumental ensemble of outstanding professional musicians in performing “Requiem.”  Beth Brimer and Jill Jones are the two soloists. James Winfree will be accompanist for the Community Chorus throughout the concert.

After intermission, the choir will sing a medley of music from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, and a whimsical setting of “Five Nursery Rhymes” by Ralph Hunter.

Founded in 1996 as a way to involve singers from throughout the community in a broad range of sacred and secular repertoire, the Tusculum College Community Chorus has grown to more than 50 singers.  For further information, please contact conductor David Hendricksen by phone at 638-0409 or email:  conductordavid@embarqmail.com

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

Shipsey named ‘Student of the Block’ for Block Five


Dr. Angela Keaton, right, congratulates Emily Shipsey for being named “Student of the Block” for Block Six.

Emily Shipsey, a museum studies major from Bath, Maine, was named “Student of the Block” for Block Five at Tusculum College.

Shipsey, who is originally from Nashville, was recognized Tuesday, April 22, in a brief ceremony in the Niswonger Commons. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members, and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.

During the ceremony, Dr. Angela Keaton, associate professor of history and the commons, said she nominated Shipsey because of her outstanding qualities including her intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn, her work ethic and her honesty and strong moral character.

Shipsey is no stranger to accolades, starting from the time she was in high school to her internship at the Old Sturbridge Village museum in Massachusetts. She was the only intern chosen for this museum, and was also selected for the History Day Internship. Shipsey has a passion for helping younger students learn more about history.

In addition to work ethic, Shipsey believes there are three fundamental qualities of an outstanding individual – honesty, dedication and compassion, all qualities that she has exemplified as a student at Tusculum.

A graduate of Bellehaven Christian Academy where she was an active student in extracurricular activities, Shipsey has continued that level of involvement in the Tusculum community. She has served as a member of the President’s Society, helping recruit prospective students to the campus. As a museum studies major, she has engaged students here at Tusculum to deepen their understanding of the college’s history on a personal level. She also helped create two award-winning exhibits for display in the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on campus.

The daughter of Mark and Susan Shipsey, Emily counts her mother as her role model along with Audrey Hepburn, Emily Dickenson, Charles Dickens and Will Ferrell.

As a Tennessee native, Shipsey said she has been blessed to attend a school like Tusculum and be part of the Museum Studies program. The friends she has made and her experiences have fueled her drive to pursue her goals, which include attending graduate school at Eastern Illinois University and seeking a master’s degree in historical administration.

Academically, she has enjoyed “Progressive America,” taught by Dr. David Key, assistant professor of history, and “Material, Culture and History and Uses of Gender” by Dr. Keaton.

Shipsey’s advice to future Tusculum students is “you can do better, don’t give into the trend of wearing sweatpants to class, respect your professors as well as their time and act your age because life isn’t a frat party.” She also advises students to develop their time management skills because it is the key to success at Tusculum.