Tusculum honors veterans with special service Monday

Veterans Day was marked at Tusculum College with a special service that included special readings by student, faculty and staff veterans and a performance by the Tusculum College Band.

A display of American flags marked the area in front of the Niswonger Commons for the service. Tim Ford, a member of the Facilities Management staff and a veteran of the U.S. Marines, displayed the flags as well as lead the assembled group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Veteran and military-related texts were read by veterans representing members of the Tusculum community. David Quesenberry, above, a student who is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on the U.S.S. Greeneville submarine, read General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s D-Day Invasion message.

Dr. Melanie Narkawicz, professor of research who served in the U.S. Army, read a history of Veterans Day. Wayne Murphy, director of campus safety who served in the U.S. Air Force and Navy, read Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Mrs. Bixby, who lost five sons in the Civil War. Bob King, a community member who is a veteran of the Navy, read the poem, “They Did Their Share” by Joan Fuchs.  Mark Stokes, director of religious life and church and community relations at Tusculum, read scripture from John 15. Stokes, who served in the U.S. Marines, organized the service.

Members of the Tusculum College Band, below, performed the National Anthem and a musical salute to the military services, which included the official songs of each branch of the military.

‘Convergence’ brings artwork of Tusculum alumnae to Allison Gallery

“Convergence,” an exhibit of the artwork of four Tusculum College alumnae who represent 40 years of the college’s Art and Design program, is currently on display at the Allison Gallery.

A convergence of these four artists, the exhibit represents the passing of the torch from generation to generation. Featured are artworks by Wanda Rahm, Elizabeth Saville, Brooke Wedding and Pamela Williams. As students, these artists were under the tutelage of professors Clem Allison (for whom the gallery is named), Michael Taylor, Tom Silva, Lou Haney, Keith Herrin, Dr. Deborah Bryan and Aurora Pope.

The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 19. A closing reception will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. A special program has also been scheduled for 4 p.m. on Nov. 15, when artist Wanda Rahm will discuss her work. This program will be an arts and lecture credit program for Tusculum students.

Rahm, a 2005 graduate of Tusculum with a degree in art and design and museum studies, has had her work featured locally at the JamesBen Gallery, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and at the Nelson Gallery in Johnson City.  She currently lives in Afton with her husband and children.

“My recent work is heavily process oriented with its impetus grounded in controlled chance operations,” she said. “Since the process dictates, or informs, the product, when a narrative does emerge, it does so organically out of conversation between the canvas and my conscious and subconscious selves. During the process my fundamental concerns involve the push and pull between positive and negative space and the dynamics of color and shape relationships.”

Elizabeth Saville is a 1972 Tusculum graduate who lives in Greeneville. Her cloisonné jewelry is on display in downtown Greeneville at ArtSpace 4 gallery.

“Since childhood, I have loved drawing,” Saville said. “I became attracted to cloisonné because of the ability to draw with gold wire and firing color into the forms that are defined by the wire. I am fascinated by human fantasies, everyday activities and relationships. These events are the sources of my imagery and excitement for life. I use female and animal forms performing the small but monumental rituals of life. Everyday pleasures such as reading, gardening, sharing a meal or tea, human and animal interaction become my inspiration for cloisonné.”

The work of Brooke Wedding, a 2010 graduate from the college, has been featured previously in the Allison Gallery. Most recently, her work was part of the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit on display last November in the gallery. She is a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State University where she is in her final year of study in the masters of fine art program in graphic design. Wedding has lived in Greene County with her husband and two children for more than 12 years.

Pamela Williams graduated from Tusculum in May and is working as a cultural arts coordinator and exhibiting her work in six galleries. She is enrolling in a traditional blacksmithing school and working on a woodworking collection.

The Allison Gallery is open daily from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Private viewings are available by appointment. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Rankin House, which is located across from the main campus beside Three Blind Mice on the Erwin Highway.

Nineteen students inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Nineteen Tusculum College students received one of the highest honors bestowed by the school on Saturday, Oct. 26, with their induction into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

To be eligible for membership in Tusculum’s Alpha Chi Chapter, students must be either juniors or seniors who rank in the top 10 percent of their classes academically. Members are admitted to the honor society from all academic disciplines. The invitation to join the honor society, extended by the college’s faculty, recognizes previous accomplishments and provides opportunity for continued growth and service.

The students were inducted into Tusculum’s chapter of Alpha Chi in a ceremony before family and friends in the Chalmers Conference Center on campus.

Inducted were:

Ryan Barker of Laurens, S.C., a senior majoring in creative writing and history. He is serving as Student Government Association president, served as an intern for the Niswonger Foundation, the Museums of Tusculum College and the Office of College Communications, served on the Judicial Review Board and the Old Oak Festival planning committee, and presented papers at the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference.

David Cooper of Chuckey, a junior majoring in biology. Cooper is president of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Council and is a member of the President’s Society. A member of the Pioneer cross country team, he has received accolades for his athletic and classroom success, including being named Capitol One Academic All American.

Danielle DeBusk of Knoxville, a junior majoring in mathematics. She has been named to the college’s academic honor lists each semester.

Paige Fultz of Mascot, a senior majoring in political science. Fultz serves in the Army Reserves and has participated in the college’s Study Abroad Program through a trip to Malta.

Ashley Gregg of Parrottsville, a junior majoring in art and design. She is a member of the Pioneer cross country team.

Megan Hasse of Kingston Springs, a junior majoring in pre-physical therapy. Hasse is a member of the Pioneer volleyball team.

Owen Hensley of Nashville, is a junior majoring in athletic training. Hensley is a member of the President’s Society.

Kate Hutchinson of Calhoun, Ga., is a junior majoring in pre-medicine. She is a member of the Pioneer women’s tennis team.

Martin Jorgensen of Beder, Denmark, is a junior majoring in sports science with a minor in psychology. He is a member of the Pioneer men’s basketball team and received the 2011-12 Tusculum Freshman of the Year Academic Award.

Pamela Keen of McEwen, is a senior majoring in political science. Keen has served on the college’s Community Standards Board.

Staci Knipp of Greeneville, is a junior majoring in education K-8. She is a member of the Marching Band, Jazz Band and Concert Band and was also involved in the band program as a high school student.

John Landers, of Lithonia, Ga., is a junior majoring in political science. A dedicated student, he was named an Honor Student for his freshman class for having the highest grade point average among his classmates.

Jonathan Nash of Talbott, is a senior majoring in professional writing and journalism. He is editor of the Pioneer Frontier Magazine, a student-produced magazine printed each semester.

Theodore Oing of Hixson, is a senior majoring in psychology. Oing is a member of Tusculum’s chapter of the Psi Chi psychology honor society, serves as a tutor and has presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association’s annual meeting.

Bonnie Parks of Cartersville, is a senior majoring in English. She has been active in the theater program at Tusculum both onstage and backstage, helping with set construction.

Leneice Rice of New Castle, Pa., is a senior majoring in psychology. She has served as a student mentor and been active in the campus life program.

Michael Scott of Colorado Springs, Co., is a junior majoring in business. He is a member of the Pioneer baseball team.

Lukas Winkelmann of Boblingen, Germany, is a junior majoring in pre-medicine with a minor in chemistry. A member of the men’s tennis team, Winkelmann was named 2012-13 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and the conference’s 2012-13 Men’s Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year. He is also a Capital One Academic All American.

Erica Worrell of Bridgeton, N.J., is a junior majoring in elementary education. Worrell is part of Student Support Services and has served on the Student Government Association.

The new Alpha Chi inductees were congratulated on their achievement by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “I salute your many successes and challenge you to continue the hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence that has brought you to this place in your life,” she said.

Beth Wright, president of Tusculum’s Alpha Chi chapter, shared history and information about the honor society. Alpha Chi has been a respected college honor society since its founding in 1922. The society’s purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction. Its name is derived from the first letter of the Greek words meaning truth and character, and its motto is “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” taken from John 8:32 in the Bible.  Tusculum’s chapter was the first one established in the state.

Participating in the induction ceremony were Jordan Ottinger, vice president of the chapter, Joesph Elphingstone, secretary of the chapter; Addie Hancock of Mooresburg, treasurer of Alpha Chi, Dr. Troy Goodale, faculty sponsor for Tusculum’s Alpha Chi chapter and assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Melinda Dukes, vice president for academic affairs.

To see inductee photos, please visit Tusculum’s Facebook page.

 

Tusculum Professor co-edits new Appalachian literature anthology

Tusculum College’s Wayne Thomas, chair of the Fine Arts Department and associate professor of creative writing, is the co-editor of a recently released anthology with John E. Branscum.

The book, “Red Holler: Contemporary Appalachian Literature,” contains poetry, fiction, non-fiction and graphic narratives written in the past ten years and extending from the mountain ranges of Mississippi to New York.

“Red Holler” illuminates the lively culture of the Appalachian Mountains and contains pieces written by both known and new authors. From Native American myth, African-American urban legend, folk culture and European ghost stories, this is an anthology of disenfranchised, yet robust peoples. The stories and poems of “Red Holler” elegantly cohere to depict what makes Appalachia so fascinating: its irreverent and outlaw challenges to mainstream notions of propriety and convention.

Professor Thomas’s essays, stories, and plays have also been seen in several literary journals and anthologies, including “Sudden Stories: The Mammoth Book of Miniscule Fiction” and “River Teeth.”

Thomas has been with Tusculum College since 2005. He has served as editor of the Tusculum Review, overseeing the student-driven production of the college’s literary journal. Thomas is also the 2012 recipient of Tusculum College’s Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.

Tusculum College’s Travis Williams publishes several articles

Tusculum College’s Assistant Professor of Religion, Travis B. Williams recently had four articles accepted for publication. The articles, “Benefiting the Community through Good Works? The Economic Feasibility of civic Benefaction in 1 Peter,” “Reading Social Conflict through Greek Grammar: Reconciling the Difficulties of the Fourth-Class Condition in 1Pet. 3, 14,” “Visuality, Vivid Description, and the Message of 1 Peter: The Significance of the Roaring Lion (1Pet. 5.8)” and “Ancient Prophets and Inspired Exegetes: Interpreting Prophetic Scripture in 1QpHab and 1 Peter” are to be released this year.

The article on ancient prophets, Williams explained, is an invited essay to appear in a German festschrift, a book honoring a respected person in the field. In the other articles, Williams explores such issues as early Christian Communities’ ability to perform community works, an explanation of why 1 Peter utilized vague grammatical references and rhetorical devices used to inspire early Christians.

Williams has taught for the college since 2010 and has several previous books and articles written on 1 Peter. Williams received a Doctorate of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

Ghosts of Tusculum College featured in Halloween event at Tusculum College’s Garland Library

Back by popular demand, “Haints and Boogers: Ghosts and Spirits at Tusculum College and Upper East Tennessee” will return in a supersized program.

This year’s event will be a Tusculum College arts and lecture credit event, beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the specially-darkened main reading room of the Thomas J. Garland Library. The entire library staff will be involved in parts of the presentation, including Elmer the Library Gremlin.

The presentation will include illustrated stories concerning paranormal activities on campus and in the surrounding community, and refreshments will follow the presentation.

“We have expanded the program this year to include ghost stories of Tusculum College, plus Greene County and the East Tennessee region,” said Library Director Jack Smith. “The event is open to the public, free of charge and will include ghost stories and tales from Virginia, Haynes and Katherine halls on the main Tusculum campus.”

For more information, contact the Garland Library at 423-636-7320.

Tusculum College Upward Bound celebrates 40th anniversary

Tusculum College Upward Bound celebrated its 40th anniversary this past year. Upward Bound made its debut at Tusculum in 1973 when it launched with a mission to aid first-generation college students and those challenged by socio-economic hardships.

According to Jeanne Stokes, director of the program, Upward Bound still strives to assist high school students in achieving success in a rigorous academic curriculum, as well as preparing them to excel in college and post-secondary education. “Upward Bound’s ultimate goal is for each of its participants to graduate with a four-year degree, or even better with a master’s degree and beyond,” she said.

There were 139 students ranging from grades 9-12 who participated in the program this past year and attended the anniversary celebrations. These celebrations included a super-sized birthday cake for students and their families, as well as neon-colored t-shirts for all participants with the 40th Anniversary emblem on the front and inspirational words on the back.

This year approximately 90 students lived on the campus for the six-week program and attended classes during the day and participated in evening activities. According to Stokes, unlike many strictly academia-based programs, Upward Bound has a unique cultural component as well. Students attend concerts, tour museums, watch plays and musicals, as well as visit unique cities enriched in a wealth of the country’s history such as Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and New Orleans.

“Not only does Upward Bound introduce students to a world often beyond the narrow scope to which they were born, but through the years Upward Bound has made it a charge to open students’ eyes to the plight of those in their very own backyard,” said Stokes.

“It achieves this by maintaining a very strong emphasis on academic success, as well as service learning.”

This summer alone, Upward Bound students gave back to the community with more than 500 hours of their time at the Humane Society, Plaza Towers and other community agencies.

than 100 high school students participated in 40th anniversary celebration activities for Tusculum College’s Upward Bound program.

“Reaching this milestone is quite an accomplishment in this fiscal climate when many Department of Education programs are being cut. We would love to hear from former participants and their accomplishments,” said Stokes.

Upward Bound is funded by the US Department of Education and sponsored by Tusculum College.

To contact Stokes or for more information about Upward Bound, call 423-636-7325.

Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ to open Friday, Nov. 15

Theatre-at-Tusculum will bring Charles Dickens’ beloved story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim and its timeless themes of love, generosity and second chances to the stage in November.

“A Christmas Carol” will be brought to life on stage in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus at 7 p.m. Nov. 15-16 and 21-23. Sunday matinees will be presented at 2 p.m. Nov. 17 and 24.

While most everyone is familiar with the Dickens’ classic, many may not be familiar with the Royal Shakespearean Company adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” that Theatre-at-Tusculum will bring to the stage and they are in for a pleasant surprise.

Against a background of songs and sounds, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, played by local veteran actor Brian Ricker, meets the ghost of his old partner, Jacob Marley (played by another local veteran of the stage, Tom Sizemore). The show moves quickly from one adventure to the next.

The Royal Shakespeare Company first presented this particular adaptation in 1994. Sunday Times critic John Peter wrote that he found the production “… boisterous, sentimental and compassionate; fairy tale and social criticism; moral parable and family entertainment, appealing to the grown-up in children and the child in grown-ups.”

Ebeneezer Scrooge (Brian Ricker) waits pensively for the Ghost of Christmas Past in this scene from "A Christmas Carol."

Under the direction of Marilyn duBrisk, a diverse cast of 92 and backstage crew of 16, sweep the story forward through the past, present and future. A dramatic and original set, designed by Frank Mengel, provides a creative backdrop, while accompanist/composer Chris Beste will enchant audiences with both traditional and original music, as well as some very scary sound effects.

Providing the melodic segues for Scrooge’s fantastic journeys are two choruses, one junior and one senior.  Traditional “Olde English” carols, rhymes and dances are planned to fill the audience with the Christmas Spirit.

Guaranteed to touch all who come to see it, this production aims to be a wonderful family experience, providing both tears and laughter.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and over and $5 for children 12 and under.  For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu.

Tiny Tim (Jackson Beddingfield) entertains his parents and siblings in this scene from "A Christmas Carol." The production includes a cast of more than 90.

Take a look at some of the fun from Homecoming 2013

Homecoming 2013 was a special time for the Tusculum College community with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new science and math facility, the alumni honors and having all our alumni back on campus.

Of course, there was lots of fun too as people had a chance to reminisce about their days on campus and make some new memories.

Check out these photos of some of that fun from the alumni photo booth at the tailgate party on Saturday!

Thanks to Tusculum College Arts Outreach for use of some of their props from the Costume Shoppe that added to the fun at the booth.

Tusculum College Archives site has growing number of images

Alumni can help provide caption information

The Museums of Tusculum Colleges needs the help of our alumni. There is a growing collection of images from the  Tusculum College Archives  for alumni and the general public to explore on the Internet. However, the information about some of the photos is incomplete, incorrect or simply missing, and alumni assistance is sought to help identify people, places and events in these photos.

The Archives are located at this website. Please type “Tusculum College” in the search bar. Enjoy browsing through the images. If you see an image you would like to see larger, left click on the image.

If while looking through the photos, you find photos that have incorrect information or missing information that you may now, please contact Kathy Cuff, CA, archivist, at the museum. She can be reached at 1-800-729-0256 ext. 5653 or by email at kcuff@tusculum.edu.

Please have the title, description or other information about the photo available to help Cuff find the image and the correct information. If you send an email, you can right click the address bar for the photo and select copy. Then paste it into the message of your email by right clicking and selecting “Paste.” Please type the correct information after the hyperlink.

Check out the latest about your fellow alumni

 

 

 

 

’40s

The late Clifton Earle Shotwell ’47 was honored with the dedication of The Shotwell Cup for Excellence in Cross Country and The Shotwell Memorial Bench recently at the University of the South, Sewanee. The dedication was held on October 31, 2013. The cup and bench were dedicated by the undefeated 1953 and 1954 teams at the University of the South in memory
of their beloved coach, who they described as their  “motivation, inspiration, and friend”.  He was cross country  coach and mathematics professor at Sewanee from 1949 – 1955.

’90s

Gayle Mrock ’90 ’94 has been promoted to vice president of program services at Holston United Methodist Home for Children. She began her career at Holston Home as a teacher in the Beacon School, Holston Home’s on-campus school. She served previously as director of the school for two years.

 

’10s

Luis Zamora ’13 of Chile has joined PricewaterhouseCoopers as a strategy and operations consultant. Luis will be part of a team that will provide leadership for the firm through a Latin American integration to be followed by the firm’s global integration of consulting services in 2014. He will have the opportunity to rotate between departments and industries for extensive training during the next two years.

 

 

’40s

Harriet Hastings Mooradian ’46 of Nassau, NY, passed away on February 27, 2013, following a brief illness. Mrs. Mooradian was a librarian at Sterling Winthrop in Rennselear, where she met her husband of 60 years, the late Dr. Aram Mooradian. She loved being outside and had a passion for gardening, which prompted her to become a founder and president of the Hudson Valley Daylily Society. She eventually had a beautiful daylily named after her – the Hemerocallis “Harriet Mooradian” daylily.

 

’90s

Dr. Paul W. “P.W.” Holdridge ’92 of Chattanooga, TN, passed away on September 7, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Dr. Holdridge earned his master’s degree in organizational management at Tusculum before earning a doctorate at Union Institute and University. He was the retired owner of H-Group Design, LLC. He has also worked as a home designer, mortgage banker and business teacher at Chattanooga State Community College. Dr. Holdridge served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for six years. He was a member of the Alhambra Shrines Clown Unit, Jesters, and as a York and Scottish Rite Mason. Dr. Holdridge was a deacon, elder, church office trainer, a church trustee and Sunday school teacher at Brainerd Presbyterian Church.

 

Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness on Monday, Oct. 21

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and students in the Nursing Program are asking students, faculty and staff to wear pink on Monday, Oct. 21, to show support for victims of the disease, survivors, and continuing research to find better treatment and a cure for this common type of cancer. To help the campus community learn more about breast cancer, the nursing students will be have an informational display in the Niswonger Commons lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday. Information will be available about the disease and how to perform self-breast exams, one of the best methods of early detection of the disease.