Architectural drawings for new science and math facility approved

Architectural and schematic drawings for the planned new science and math facility were approved by the Tusculum College Board of Trustees as they held their fall meeting in conjunction with Homecoming 2013.

“With approval from the Board of Trustees on the drawings and the public celebration and groundbreaking in the afternoon, Friday was an exciting day for celebrating the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math,” said President Nancy B. Moody.

Architect John Fisher presented the updated plans that include a four-story structure of approximately 88,000 square feet. Interiors include wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and environmental science. There will also be lab space and research areas for both faculty and students.

Students participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the science and math facililty with College Benefactor Verna June Meen and Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum (center).

The ground floor features the environmental science wing with a loading dock, as well as larger general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. A large lecture hall will also be included on the ground floor.

Members of the Tusculum faculty and Cabinet participate in the groundbreaking with Mrs. Meen.

In other action, an updated Strategic Plan was presented and approved. The board also gave final approval to a $30.7 million budget for 2013-14 and approved tuition and room and board rates for the 2014-15 academic year. The new rates reflect a 1.9 percent increase in tuition over the previous year, well below the national average, according to Steve Gehret, vice president and chief financial officer.

“With the updated strategic plan and the approved final budget, the Board of Trustees went a long way in securing the vision for the future of Tusculum College. As we watch the development of new Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math and marvel at the completed residence halls, we also have a firm plan and foundation for the future,” said Dr. Ken Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and 1970 graduate of Tusculum College.

Dr. Blair Henley, vice president for Information Systems and chief technology officer, reported that the Information Systems department is in the final stages of implementing campus wide wireless access. Implementation will continue throughout October.

Henley also reported that fall dual enrollment courses, a new program with Tusculum College and regional high schools offering courses to those students for dual high school and college credit, is showing good numbers. There are currently 30 students enrolled in classes, including composition, U.S. history, probability and statistics, psychology and world literature.

Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Frankie DeBusk reported that the college will be announcing the hiring of Tusculum College’s first coach of Women’s Lacrosse in the near future. Recruiting will occur in the next year, with the first games scheduled for spring 2015.

Officers for the 2014-15 year were elected for the board. Officers elected included all returning officers, Chair, Bowman; Vice Chair, Edward J. Kormondy; Treasurer, Dwight Ferguson, and Secretary, Mark R. Williams.

Bowman, who currently resides in Apollo, Pa., has been a member of the Board since 1998 and chair since 2006.

Kormondy, a member of Tusculum’s Class of 1950, is chancellor emeritus of the University of Hawaii-Hilo in West Oahu and currently lives in Los Angeles, Calif. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1998. Ferguson joined the board in 2009. He is retired from Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., located in Erwin, where he served as president and chief executive officer from March 1992 until January 2009. Williams, of Greeneville, joined the Board in 2001. He is a broker with Century 21 Legacy.
Also re-elected for an additional term as board member were Bowman, Dr. Larry Brotherton, Dr. Robert S. Cowles, III, Dr. Dan Donaldson, Charlotte Gray, Kormondy, Rev. Lester Lattany and Williams.

The next meeting of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees is February 7-8, 2014.

Above is an artistic rendering of the new science and math facility.

 

Tusculum alumni: learn the latest about your classmates

 

 

 

 

’50s

The Rev. Don Wright ’53 of Canton, MI, is now pastor emeritus of The First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, MI. He is still an active pastor, serving the Erin Presbyterian Church of Roseville, MI, and as parish associate at the Dearborn Church. Don and his wife Dorothy (Jaynes) ’54 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 1, 2013. They have four adult children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 

’90s

Dr. Brian L. Pike ’95, upon completion of his two-year tour at the Naval Medical Research Center in Maryland, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He and his wife, Alexandria, will be relocating in December to the Naval Medical Research Unit – Asia, located in Singapore.

 

’00s

Richelle Gregory ’02 ’09 of Maryville, TN, is now working in her new position as global talent manager for the global primary products division of the Alcoa Company. She is responsible for leading key talent management efforts across the division, leading development programs, preparing annual reviews and driving other key talent-related projects. She joined Alcoa in 1997 and has held positions of increasing human resources responsibility throughout her career.

 

The Rev. Collin Adams ’05 of Pollocksville, NC, appeared on the September 23 episode of “Jeopardy.” Although he did not win the game, he was in the lead as the three contestants went into the “Final Jeopardy” round. While at Tusculum, Adams was part of the Scholar’s Bowl team, and he is now a pastor at Pollocksville Presbyterian Church.

 

’10s

David Talley ’13 dropped by campus in August and visited with the Institutional Advancement staff.  He is currently living in Blountville and is working as a financial representative at Northwest Mutual in Johnson City.

 

 

 

Rustin Jones ’06 and Casey Westmoreland were married on July 20, 2013. Following a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple is living in Greeneville, TN. Rustin is a teacher at West Greene High School, where he is also the head boys and girls soccer coach. Casey is a student at Tusculum, who is scheduled to graduate in December.

 

 

 

’40s

Lt. Col. John H. Mack USAFR (ret.) ’48 passed away on Febreuary 13, 2012, in Durham, NC.

 

’50s

Frank M. Brogden ’50 of Kingsport, TN, passed away on September 6, 2013. At the time of his passing, Mr. Brogden was serving his Alma Mater as a Life Trustee. During his tenure on the College’s Board of Trustees, he had served for vice-chair. A veteran, Mr. Brogden served in the U.S. Navy during 1945 and 1946. After graduating from Tusculum, he served as director of admissions for Tusculum. Mr. Brogden then entered the industrial world when he was hired by the Holston Defense Corporation in Kingsport and later began working with the Tennessee Eastman Company. Most of his 38 years with Eastman were spent in public relations and communications. At his retirement in 1990, he was an assistant vice president and director of communications and public affairs. Mr. Brogden had an active career in Kingsport community life. He served as president of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, and was elected a life member of the Chamber. Mr. Brogden was Santa for 20 years on the Chamber/CSX Railroad Santa Train and Parade and was chair for the 1986 Kingsport Fun Fest event. He was a former president and a current member of the Kingsport Kiwanis Club. Mr. Brogden was a member of the American Legion, and also a member of the City of Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen for eight years. He was a director for the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency. Mr. Brogden chaired the former State Health Facilities Commission and was a member of the Tennessee Student Assistance Agency and of the State Water Quality Control Board. He was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church and the Greer Memorial Sunday School Class, with a range of related responsibilities during his 57 years as a member. He was preceded in death by son Reid Brogden ’82. His survivors include wife and Tusculum alumna Rolien (Brown) Brogden ’51.

 

Mary Jane Evans Lintz ’50 of Greeneville, TN, passed away September 12, 2013. Mrs. Lintz and her husband, Luther, operated the family farm with their sons. She was a member of Hunts Chapel United Methodist Church, the former Greene County Home Demonstration Club, the Greene County Democratic Women’s Club, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Farm Bureau Women. She was also a supporter of the Caney Branch Volunteer Fire Department. Her survivors include sister-in-law and Tusculum alumna Betty Irene Lintz Yates ’49.

’60s

Carl Cranston Davenport, Jr., ’64 of Greeneville, TN, passed away August 31, 2013, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Davenport and his wife of 50 years, Babara (Banks) ’64, had owned and operated Tri-State Auto Glass in Jonesborough, TN, until their retirement in 2010. After retirement, they continued to enjoy their farm on Shiloh Road near campus. He and his wife were avid travelers and traveled extensively in the United States in their RV. Mr. Davenport, along with his daughter and granddaughter, had shown Tennessee Walking Horses for many years. He was a member and former elder of First Christian Church.

Mary Frank Bales ’65 of Morristown, TN, passed away September 18, 2013. She was retired after serving many years as an associate professor of business at Walters State Community College. She was an avid volunteer for local organizations and enjoyed painting and photography.

’00s

Bobbie Renee Southerland ’05 of Mosheim, TN, passed away September 18, 2013. She worked at TI Automotive. She loved traveling, especially to the beach.

 

Simulated Disaster Scenario planned for Greeneville campus on Oct. 14

On Monday, Oct. 14, Tusculum College will be hosting a simulated disaster scenario at the Greeneville campus that will involve numerous emergency response providers including Tusculum Campus Safety, Greeneville City Police, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, Wings, Laughlin Memorial Hospital, Tusculum Fire Department, Greeneville Fire Department, WSCC Police Academy and the Emergency Management Agency.  This scenario will stage a mock emergency and is designed to improve the preparedness for the Tusculum College community and surrounding emergency response personnel. This will help prepare responders in the event of a real emergency.

 

This event will run throughout most of the day on Monday, Oct. 14.   We are looking for numerous volunteers to participate in our drill from our faculty, staff and students.  If you are willing to participate in this scenario from the hours of 8 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m., please contact Dr. Jonita Ashley-Pauley in the Office of Student Affairs at jpauley@tusculum.edu, or x5820.

 

If you are not volunteering or do not have a role directly in responding to or managing the event, we are asking faculty and staff to stay in their normal work areas during that day.  Agencies involved will be treating the scenario as though it were a real event, your arrival to the scene of the event could result in you being involuntarily delayed while agencies play out the incident.

 

As the date approaches, the Tusculum community will be notified with increasing frequency of the event to ensure everyone is aware.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Staff of Tusculum College TRIO programs participates in Warrior Dash

Six current and former staff members of the Tusculum College TRIO programs participated in a recent Warrior Dash 5-K in Kentucky to promote the mission of the educational programs and raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Warrior Dash, which is called “The World’s Largest Obstacle Race Series,” is a periodic event held across various sites across the United States. The TRIO staff members participated in a race on Aug. 9 in Versailles, Ky., near Lexington.

The event consists of a 3.4-mile run through a wooded, rural area that includes a minimum of 12 obstacles that participants must complete. Obstacles include coals of fire that runner must jump, a 15-foot climbing wall and a barbed-wire covered 12-foot mud trough through which participants must navigate on their hands and knees.

Warrior Dash entrants may participate as individuals or part of a team. The TRIO program staff, wearing matching blue “Tusculum” shirts, opted to finish the race as a team. Their focus was raising awareness of TRIO Programs as well as promoting teamwork and wellness. Tusculum College hosts three educational programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Federal TRIO programs, Student Support Services, Talent Search and Upward Bound. Although the programs differ in terms of the specific services they provide, all target first generation and low income students who have the skills and motivation necessary to graduate from high school and successfully enter and/or complete college.

The event also supported the Tusculum College and TRIO mission of civic engagement as participants were encouraged to raise money to benefit St. Jude in addition to the entrance fees that were donated to St. Jude. In addition, participants are encouraged at the conclusion of the race to donate their soiled running shoes to be recycled and/or refurbished.

The group plans to participate in another Warrior Dash next spring in Charlotte, N.C.

A Tusculum College TRIO programs team participated in a recent Warrior Dash 5-K obstacle race in Kentucky. The team included, from left, David Smith, director of Student Support Services; Wesley Greear, associate director of Talent Search; Jeanne Stokes, director of TRIO Programs; Sarah Gardner, associate director and counselor for Student Support Services; Chuck Sutton, Upward Bound advisor; Jordan Reams, Talent Search advisor, and John Davison, former Upward Bound counselor and professor at Northeast State Community College.

Make plans to attend Homecoming 2013 today

Make your plans to return to Tusculum College and enjoy four days of activities that include some returning favorites and some new attractions.

Special reunion events are planned during Homecoming for the 1960s alumni, 1970s alumni and the Classes of 1978 and 1988. Keep watching this space for more details.

Activities scheduled this year for Homecoming include:

Wednesday, September 25

6 p.m. – “The Magnificent Seven” Lecture – Joe Romano ’63 will present a lecture on the history of the film “The Magnificent Seven” and the great quest at the heart of the western. The event will be held in the lecture hall of Tredway Hall, with a movie showing following the lecture.

8-11 p.m. – Casino Night – Try your hand at a multitude of casino games for fun and prizes.  Will be held in the Pioneer Gym.

Thursday, September 26

All day – Alumni Care Package Deliveries – Bring a goody basket or snacks to deliver to the current student(s) living in your old dorm room or apartment. Call the Office of Alumni Relations at 423-636-7303 for details prior to Sept. 20.

2 – 5 p.m. Registration – Living Room of Niswonger Commons

3:30 p.m. Hotel Crawl – College staff will be stopping by the local hotels to welcome alumni back to Greeneville (General Morgan Inn, 3:30 p.m.; Days Inn, 4 p.m.; Comfort Inn, 4:30 p.m.; Hampton Inn 5 p.m., and Quality Inn, 5:30 p.m.) *Be sure to let us know where you are staying* Visit www.tusculum.edu/HomecomingforHotelinformation.

6 – 8 p.m. – Dinner at the Butcher’s Block Dutch treat and brown bag your favorite drink. The restaurant is located at 125 Serral Drive, Greeneville, 37745. Reservations required.

9 p.m. Bonfire – Enjoy the annual Homecoming Bonfire with current students in the large gravel parking lot off Shiloh Road just beyond the Niswonger Commons.

Friday, September 27

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration – Living Room of Niswonger Commons

10:30 a.m. Groundbreaking for the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Science and Math Center – At site adjacent to parking area at Pioneer Field.

11:30 a.m. Lunch with Students – Enjoy lunch with students on the terrace of the Thomas J. Garland Library. Reservations required.

1:30 p.m.  Acting Career Workshop – Kim Lapsley Muir ’68 will share from her expertise in the Behan Arena Theater (lower level of the Annie Hogan Byrd building) and give tips on how individuals can get a successful start toward an acting career in Los Angeles. A theater major who ventured to New York and then Los Angeles, Muir was an agent for many years in L.A.  Now retired, she does workshops for people who have moved to Los Angeles to get into acting, and specifically, commercials.

2 p.m. Golf Tournament – Enjoy some friendly competition on the Link Hills Golf Course. Scramble format will be used with handicap system for a net division and gross division. Registration is at 1 p.m. with shotgun start at 2 p.m. Dinner will be provided for participants in the golf tournament as well as those who may want to join them following the tournament. The cost for dinner will be $20 for those not participating in the tournament. Reservations are required.

7 p.m. – Volleyball Game Pioneer Arena

 

Saturday, September 28

8 – 10 a.m. Registration – Outside the Pioneer Perk in the Niswonger Commons

9 a.m. Alumni Breakfast and Alumni Association Meeting – (Pioneer Arena Lobby) Come enjoy breakfast and stay for the annual Alumni Association meeting and the presentation of the 2013 Alumni Awards.

11 a.m. Class Photos – In front of Niswonger Commons

11 a.m. Student Support Services Luncheon – Alumni who were in the Student Support Services program or ARCHES are invited to a cookout and other festivities at the Patton House (near Pioneer Park).

12 p.m. Homecoming Parade – Watch the 10th Annual Homecoming Parade along the route between the Charles Oliver Gray Complex and Pioneer Park. The Golden Pioneers will serve as Grand Marshals.

12 p.m. Volleyball Game- Pioneer Arena

12:30 p.m. Football Tailgate – Enjoy a Pioneer Tailgate Party at Pioneer Park.

2:30 p.m. Football Game – Cheer on the Pioneers as they take on the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. Tickets can be purchased at the game.

7 p.m. All-Alumni Dinner – Join us for a casual dinner from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Event Center (93 North Rufe Taylor Rd.). A cash bar will be available. Music will begin at 8:30 p.m., provided by “Shiloh Band and Friends”.  Original Shiloh members, Herb Rupert, Wayne Hensley, Bobby B.B. Brown and Ken “Shadow” Winterbauer  will make it an All Alumni Show. Shadow’s wife Gail will join the group for back-up vocals and flute solos.  This will be the fourth show in the past year of the original Shiloh Band from Tusculum and Greeneville, which toured the south in the middle and late 70s, founded on the campus of Tusculum. Reservations required.

7:30 p.m. Kellie Pickler Concert – Niswonger Performing Arts Center at Greeneville High School. Alumni will receive a discounted ticket price if reservations received prior to Sept. 13.  The date for the Tusculum discount has passed.  For tickets, please contact the Niswonger Performing Arts Center directly at 423) 638-1328.

 

Sunday, September 29

8:30 a.m. Alumni Pancake Breakfast – Join us for breakfast in the Chalmers Conference Center in Niswonger Commons.

9:30 a.m. Chapel and Memorial Service – Join us for a worship service in the Thomas J. Garland Library lobby. We will also be remembering alumni who have passed away since Homecoming 2012.

1 p.m. Women’s Soccer – Pioneer Field

3:30 p.m. Men’s Soccer – Pioneer Field

 

Also please note the hours of the following on campus:

Tusculum College Bookstore
Niswonger Commons
• 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 26
• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri., Sept. 27
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 28
President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thurs. – Fri., Sept. 26-27
Pickin’ at the Doaks
(informal traditional music jam)
Doak House Museum
• 6 p.m. Fri., Sept. 27, No admission fee.
Allison Art Gallery
(Rankin House behind Three Blind Mice)
3:30 – 5 p.m. Fri., Sept. 27

Register Online!

Please make every effort to make your reservations prior to Friday, September 20 in order for us to provide accurate estimates on food preparations.

 

Tusculum College Old Oak tree named co-champion in Tennessee

The landmark Old Oak tree on the Tusculum College campus has been named co-champion white oak in the State of Tennessee.

After measuring the Old Oak in September, representatives of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division announced that the Tusculum oak is tied with the previous champion, which is a white oak in Union County, making them now co-state champion trees.

The Tusculum Old Oak tree is a natural landmark in Greene County and is now co-champion white oak in the State of Tennessee based on size.

The tree measures 273 in circumference and 102 feet in height. It also has a 124 foot average spread. According to Tom Simpson, regional urban forester, there are only six trees of any variety in the state that are larger in size than the Tusculum College Old Oak

“We’ve always known that the Old Oak was special, and we are thrilled with its new designation as a state champion,” said Dollie Boyd, director of the Museums of Tusculum College. “We hope that the tree will thrive for years to come and that future generations of Tusculum students will be able to celebrate and appreciate this wonder of nature.”

The Old Oak sits on the Tusculum College campus next to Old College and is estimated to be somewhere between 250 and 300 years old. It has remained a noticeable feature in the area since before the Reverend Samuel Witherspoon Doak founded the College. As result, the oldest building on campus, Old College, was built in the Old Oak’s shade and the tree has witnessed major events in American history such as the Civil War and Reconstruction, not to mention countless Tusculum students who have spent time beneath the tree’s branches.

Last spring, the tree was officially named to the Tennessee Landmark Tree Register. The Landmark and Historic Tree Register allowed for a brief history of the Old Oak to be added to the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council’s website, a plaque commemorating the tree and funding for a sign at the tree’s location.

 

 

Staff at Knoxville Regional Center volunteers during “Nettie Day”

The faculty and staff of Tusculum College Knoxville Regional Center volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Maryville in honor of Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day.  Approximately 15 people participated, and the group bagged, weighed, tagged and boxed more than 700 pounds of corn flakes.

“It was a great experience for us, and hopefully we did them some good as well,” said Stephanie Langley of KRC’s Student Support Services Office.

Tusculum College named to Top Military-Friendly School List

Tusculum College has for the fourth year been named to the Military Friendly Schools®list for 2014. The list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and dependents and to ensure their academic success.

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

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

He added, “We are pleased with the number of veterans who choose Tusculum College because of the personalized program that helps them every step along the path to graduation.”

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

Tusculum College started participating in the Yellow Ribbon program in August 2009. Under the program, the school matches dollars put in by the Veterans Administration so veterans or their spouse or dependents can work toward their advanced degree, as well as qualify for money to help with housing. There are already more than 20 students enrolled in Tusculum degree programs who are receiving the Yellow Ribbon benefits.

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

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

In addition, Tusculum College has a long standing relationship with the United States Navy through its partnership with the U.S.S. Greeneville submarine. Since its christening, Tusculum College has partnered with the crew members, offering an annual scholarship to crewmen and/or members of their family. To date, three people benefiting from that relationship have become Tusculum College alumni and one is currently a sophomore on the Residential campus.

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

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

‘The Magnificent Seven’ to be shown Sept. 25 and feature commentary from alumnus

The iconic western, “The Magnificent Seven” will be shown at Tusculum College on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Accompanying the film will be commentary about the history of the film and the great quest at the heart of the western by Joe Romano, a 1963 graduate of Tusculum College. The program will begin at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall of Tredway Hall on campus and is sponsored by the Department of History and Museum Studies. There is no charge for the event and the public is welcome.

A talented cast, precise directing and striking musical score are among the elements that took what could have been a fairly routine western into the realm of a classic and a landmark in the development of the western movie. The 1960 film is set in a Mexican village, whose residents hire a mix of gunslingers to protect the citizens from pillaging by a bandit and his small army of farmers. Its cast includes actors who would go onto become superstars over the next decade, such as Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn and Charles Bronson. The film has grown in popularity since its release and is the second most film shown on television, behind only “The Wizard of Oz.”

“The Magnificent Seven” is an American retelling of the 1954 Japanese film, “Seven Samurai,” which in turn was greatly influenced by John Ford’s westerns. The tale in both movies, which involves a gathering of heroes who set out on a great guest, is a form that extends back to the ancient Greeks and Romans and can be found in the works of such great writers as Shakespeare. Artists from cultures around the world have reworked these timeless and universal themes from the beginning of recorded history. Romano will explore this history and present film clips from “Seven Samurai” before “The Magnificent Seven” is screened in its entirety. Any questions or comments will be discussed following the movie.

Romano graduated from Tusculum with a degree in history and also earned a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Tennessee. He has written local history, including the story of Free Acres, the transcendental community where he and his wife Sue, a Tusculum alumna, lived for 45 years. He also authored a section of “From the Passaiack to the Wach Unks,” the official history of Berkeley Heights, N.J. and an article about a man who rode with General George Patton through France and Germany in World War II.

Constitution Day marked on Tusculum campus

Constitution Day 2013 was marked on the Tusculum College campus with a variety of activities, including allowing students the opportunity to sign their “John Hancock” to an oversized version of the Constitution in the Niswonger Commons.

The replica signing was provided as part of Constitution Day activities at the college. Representatives from the Center for Civic Advancement handed out pocket Constitutions and assistance was provided in helping students register to vote.

Additionally, resources and activities related to Constitution Day are currently available on the Tusculum College website at http://www.tusculum.edu/academics/constitution.html.

Resources include a direct link to the Constitution of the United States of America document, as well as resources for learning more about the Constitution and about Constitution Day.

In 1956, in order to encourage all Americans to learn more about the Constitution, Congress established Constitution Week, to begin each year on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Convention signed the Constitution. In 2004, September 17, officially became Constitution Day.

 

Tusculum campus experiencing an ‘Orange Rush’

Tusculum has experienced an “Orange Rush” for the past week.

“Orange Rush” has been a week-long set of activities to help students enjoy the first Block Break of the 2013-14 academic year as well as serve others and learn valuable life skills.

Students search their boards during the "Nettie"-style Bingo Monday evening.

Activities began Monday with the kick-off event – a scavenger hunt around campus and “Nettie”- themed Bingo games with prizes.

Students learned about community organizations where they can provide service in their interest areas durig the Community Organization Fair on Tuesday. Students had an opportunity to put their service commitment into action with the Pioneer Mentoring Program that afternoon. The Pioneer Mentoring Program involves college students working with third graders from a local elementary school once a week.

Alan Corley, chief of the Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department, speaks during the 9-11 Reflection Chapel Service.

The 12th anniversary of September 11 was marked with a special chapel service in front of the Niswonger Commons. The Reflection Service featured representatives from local emergency agencies sharing their remembrances about Sept. 11. Participating were Mark Foulks, chief of the Greeneville Fire Department; Robert Sane, director of the Greeneville-Greene County EMS; Danny Greene, chief of the Tusculum Fire Department and Dr. Alan Corley, chief of the Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department, who is also a trustee of the college.

Students had the opportunity to answer the national call of service for Patriot Day by volunteering at the Tabernacle Soup Kitchen. Issues of hunger were also in the spotlight that evening at the OxFam Hunger Banquet. A representative from the Second Harvet Food Bank shared information about hunger in this area and ways that students can volunteer or be an advocate for hunger issues.

The banquet itself provides a vivid illustration of the distribution of food resources in the world. Those attending were divided into three groups – low income, middle income and high income to represent the ratios of those populations internationally. The low income groups had water and rice without eating utensils; the middle income group were provided beans and cornbread with access to utensils and the high income group were served a balanced meal.

Thursday was Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day on campus.  In the morning, freshmen and transfer students in Tusculum Experience classes as well as members of the Bonner Leader student service organizaiton and the President’s Society student ambassador group provided a morning of service to community service organizations, schools and churches.

Students get ready to start a game during "Gamers Coliseum" on Friday.

During the afternoon, students could tie-dye their Orange Rush shirts in the Library Bowl and Gamers Coliseum, a popular event, featuring video, card and board games began in the Chalmers Conference Center. The evening meal was a student-planned dinner with an international flavor that was served in the Library Bowl.

Gamers Coliseum continued all day Friday while friendly competitios between residence halls began.

An Organizational Fair provided the new students an opportunity to learn about the various organizations on campus in which they can become involved.

Friday afternoon featured sessions for students to learn some valuable life skills. Business professor Dr. Michelle Freeman led a workshop about personal finance and Robin Lay, director of career serivces, offered workshops about how to get started on job searches, including tips to find internships.

The evening activities will begin with a pig roast in the Library Bowl and the Psychology Club will sponsor the showing of a horror movie in the Bowl after dark.

On Saturday, students will have opportunities to provide service at various organizations and the competitions between residence halls will continue. An outdoor basketball intramural tournament is scheduled all day and students can share their talent in open mic time in the Library Bowl.

In the evening, a lacrosse clinic is scheduled to introduce the campus to Tusculum’s newest varsity sport as well as a DJ Dance Party.

“Orange Rush” activities will conclude on Sunday morning with an interfaith worship service.

Nettie Day’ brings Tusculum students into the community to provide service

Tusculum College students scrape the entrance gate at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.

Flashes of Tusculum College orange could be seen throughout Greeneville and Greene County Thursday morning as students volunteered at a variety of nonprofit organizations, churches and schools.

Thursday was Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day, one of the longest held traditions for the college that involves students spending time in service to others. Participation in “Nettie Day,” as it is informally called on campus, is required for all new students as part of the Tusculum Experience course, and upperclassmen from such organizations as the Bonner Leader student service organization and the President’s Society student ambassador team. College administrators and staff members also took part in the service activities.

Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college, encouraged the students to enjoy their day of service during a brief assembly and to remember the importance that service can make in the lives of others. She noted that volunteer service has become increasingly important to the non-profit organizations and schools that are challenged with shrinking budgetary resources as they try to meet needs of the community.

Many of the students found themselves working outdoors, whether it was painting the picnic shelters at the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, clearing weeds trying to sprout around the fencing of a children’s playground at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, power washing the sides of cottages at Greene Valley Developmental Center or scraping old paint from the entrance gates at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery and putting a primer coat on them. Dr. Moody joined the class that volunteered at  Rural Resources, where they cleared gardens, planted and built fences.

Some of the indoor tasks for the students included painting a hallway and stairwell at Doak Elementary School, cleaning the kitchen at First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville and visiting with and playing games with residents at Plaza Towers.

Students also volunteered at the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, Mustang Alley Horse Rescue, Inc., the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center and Second Harvest/Mosheim Community Outreach.

Painting the picnic shelters at the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County was the one of the projects for a group of Tusculum College students during “Nettie Day” as the annual service effort is known on campus.

The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library, the Doak House Museum and the Rankin House on campus were also the beneficiaries of student efforts. Members of the President’s Society could be found working in flower beds and other landscaping on campus.

This year, Nettie Day is also part of “Orange Rush” week on campus. Activities have ranged from career and personal finance workshops to scavenger hunts to demonstrations of archery and Tusculum’s newest varsity sport, lacrosse.

Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day, which is conducted under the auspices of the Center for Civic Advancement, honors the memory and altruistic way of life of Nettie Fowler McCormick, widow of reaper inventor Cyrus McCormick, who was a 19th century supporter and advocate of Tusculum College. The McCormicks, staunch Presbyterians from Chicago, learned of Tusculum College through Tusculum graduates who attended their McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and became donors to the Northeast Tennessee school.

Nettie McCormick is recognized as the college’s first benefactor, a term that denotes a donor whose cumulative gifts total at least $1 million to the college. Nettie McCormick funded the construction of several of Tusculum’s historic structures, including Haynes Hall, Rankin Hall, Welty-Craig Hall, Virginia Hall and McCormick Hall, which is named after the McCormick family.

McCormick Day began as a day of cleaning the campus in reflection of Nettie McCormick’s insistence on clean living environments. The day has evolved to take on a more generalized community service emphasis.