Due to inclement weather, all day and evening classes have been cancelled and all offices are closed at all Tusculum campuses and sites for Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
Weather closing/cancellation update – Tuesday, Jan. 16
Evening classes in Knoxville, Morristown and Greeneville have been cancelled for Tuesday, Jan. 16. Administrative offices in Knoxville and Morristown are now closed. Greeneville administrative offices will remain open on a regular schedule.
First members inducted into Tusculum Education Honors Society
Charter members of the Alpha Iota Zeta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi were initiated at Tusculum on Wednesday, Dec. 6. A national representative was also on hand to officially install the chapter.
Fifteen members were initiated, becoming the charter members of the organization. Charter members include: James Anderson of Elizabethton; Christina Blevins of Jonesborough; Cathryn Carpenter of Knoxville; Cayla Cecil of High Point, North Carolina; Jacob Cutshall of Jonesborough; Mariah Dalton of Bean Station; Blaine Dykes of Greeneville; Katie James of Sevierville; Haylee Kirby of Kodak; Staci Knipp of Greeneville; Deborah McCarthy of Rogersville; Payton Silcox of Jefferson City; Kimberly Slayton of Tazewell; John Rufus Conager Smith of Red Bank, and Nicole Wagner of Greeneville.
Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, was founded by William Bagley, Truman Kelly, and Thomas Edgar Musselman in 1911 at the University of Illinois to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The founders chose the name from the Greek words for knowledge, duty and power.
The mission of Kappa Delta Pi is to sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship, leadership and service.
To qualify for membership in Tusculum’s Alpha Iota Zeta chapter, undergraduate students must have a 3.25 GPA and graduate students must have a 3.75 GPA.
Front row, from left, Dr. DiAnn Casteel, Dr. Peggy Rochelle, Dr. Tricia Hunsader, Michelle Clupper and Stephanie Kirby. Second row: Mariah Dalton, Haylee Kirby, Payton Silcox, Deborah McCarthy, Nicole Wagner, Cayla Cecil, Christina Blevins and Katie James. Back row:Kimberly Slayton, Jacob Cutshaw, Conagher Smith and Blaine Dykes.
Scholarship opportunity available
As a college student, financial support is provided through grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. There are great financial aid representatives who provide support and assistance with receiving funding to cover the cost of educational expenses. You have an opportunity to share your financial aid experience and highlight how financial aid is making a difference in your college experience. Winning entries will receive a $500 scholarship award. More information and a link to the application may be found at this link: https://web.tusculum.edu/faid/making-difference-scholarship-sasfaa/.
This scholarship is offered through the Southern Association of Student financial Aid Administrators.
The scholarship is open to undergraduate students enrolled for the 2017-2018 academic year in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
More than 230 receive degrees Saturday at Tusculum College
Graduating from Tusculum College during winter commencement were 232 individuals in two ceremonies held on Saturday, Dec. 9.
On Saturday 56 students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 72 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 69 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees, eight earned Master of Science degrees and 23 received Master of Business Administration degrees. Four students earned Associate of Arts degrees.
The new graduates were addressed by Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum, who recognized the hard work of the path to graduation, saying, “Today you will receive the diploma you have spent years to earn, and in so doing you will join the longest line of alumni in Tennessee.”
He told the group, “Regardless of how long your journey has taken you, today is its culmination; the day you transform from a college student to a college graduate. And, we are here to celebrate you.”
Speaking at the morning ceremony were graduates Macy French, who received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a creative writing concentration, and Mary Kris Lawson, who receive a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies.
French has been featured in Connotation Press, DASH Literary journal and the Oakland Arts Review. She is a member of the Honors program, Alpha Chi National honors Society and is current staff director at Sundress Publications.
French challenged her fellow graduates to no longer tolerate the status quo. “As graduates we are given immense privilege and responsibility to question the world as we know it.”
She added, “Tusculum uniquely prepares students to work on mutual goals together and to think beyond the context of self.” Adding, “The real work is only beginning.”
Lawson previously owned a small business and taught preschool for 14 years, before relinquishing those duties to begin student teaching this past August. She is passionate about teaching and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of elementary school students.
Lawson told the audience that she never thought of herself as college material, and only made the leap to get her college degree after watching her husband successfully complete the program at Tusculum.
“I’ve met people that I will never forget,” she said. “My life has been enriched in so many ways because of my experience with Tusculum; I am a better person because of my journey here. Let me say thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of you that assisted me while achieving my dream, I could not have done it without you.”
Speaking during the afternoon ceremony was Nick Forsberg, who received his master’s degree in talent development. Forsberg also received his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Tusculum. He is passionate about community service and the Make-a-Wish foundation. Under his guidance, the student-athletes involved in the Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Council have raised more than $9,000 in the last two and a half years, making Tusculum the top fundraising member in the South Atlantic conference in two of the last three years.
Forsberg shared advice for success after graduation. “Be yourself – be who you are,” he said, adding that taking chances and not being afraid to fail leads to growth. “If you fall, fall forward.” He added “You don’t have to look very far to find someone who has it worse than you. Be grateful for that.” He encouraged the graduates to hold themselves to a higher standard and to “put God first in everything you do.”
During the afternoon ceremony, John Fisher was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters for many years he has “demonstrated his love for Tusculum College through his noble works that honor and compliment the style and architectural tradition of the central historical campus.”
Fisher’s legacy to Tusculum College includes the Niswonger Commons where we gather today, the beautifully renovated Thomas J. Garland Library, the several apartment-style dormitories, the football stadium, Pioneer Park, the Knoxville Regional Center, and most recently the phenomenal academic building, the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math.
Fisher’s impact to the community, the region, and the country go way beyond Tusculum’s campuses. These include the Greeneville High School, renovations creating the General Morgan Hotel and Conference Center, Greeneville’s Walters State Community College building, The Niswonger Performing Arts centers in Greeneville, Tennessee and Van Wert, Ohio, and the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City.
On the East Tennessee State University campus John’s credits include Governors Hall, Centennial Hall, the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Medicine Student Center, and Buc Ridge II, III, and IV. John was also on ETSU design teams for The Campus Green, the Soccer Complex, the Football Stadium, the Performing Art Center, the Parking Garage, and the Culp Center Renovation.
On the Purdue University campus John is responsible for the Administration Building of the Aviation Technology Program and Purdue’s Flight Simulation Building.
John Fisher received an honorary doctorate from Tusculum on Saturday for his philanthropic works in education and his architectural legacy at Tusculum and in the community. From left are Dr. Scott Niswonger, Dr. John Fisher and Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum.
Tusculum students present at national criminal justice conference
ree Tusculum students had the opportunity to attend a national conference on criminal justice, with two of the students assisting one of their professors with a presentation.
Students attending the American Society of Criminology annual conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania included Clarissa Stanton, a junior from Fruita, Colorado; Olivia Harrell, who graduated in December; and Ragen McNair, a sophomore from Franklin, North Carolina.
The students attended and presented along with Dr. Erica Hutton, assistant professor of criminal justice. Presentations from the Tusculum delegation included, “The Exploration of Animal Cruelty and Gender Disparity in Juvenile Offenders: Profiling Typologies Associated to Perpetration,” “Investigating the Criminality Patterns of Victimization: Profiling Typologies of Offenders That Burn Children” and “Investigating the Criminality Patterns of Victimization: Profiling Typologies of Offenders that Dismember their Victims.”
According to Dr. Hutton, the conference was a great opportunity for students to attend a national criminal justice conference and for the criminal justice program at Tusculum to be in the limelight.
The ASC conference allows researchers to disseminate criminological knowledge, including that related to applied research programs and teaching methods, she added.
Tusculum, the first college in Tennessee and the 28th oldest in the nation, is committed to providing a liberal arts education in a Judeo-Christian and civic arts environment, with pathways for career preparation, personal development and civic engagement. Approximately eighteen hundred students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville and two off-site locations in East Tennessee. The academic programs for both traditional-aged students and working adults served through the Graduate and Professional Studies program are delivered using focused calendars.
Left to Right: Clarissa Stanton, Olivia Harrell, Dr. Erica Hutton and Ragen McNair.
Grad Finale is Feb. 22
Commencement is a milestone in your life.
It honors and recognizes your completion of the requirements established by Tusculum College to earn your degree. It is also a big event in the lives of your family and friends as well.
The Office of Alumni Relations sponsors Grad Finale Events to ensure that your graduation is a most memorable one! Grad Finale allows you to have all of your questions concerning graduation answered at one place and at one time.
Grad Finale dates for the May Commencement have been set for Thursday, Feb. 22, in Greeneville, from 3-6 p.m. and in Knoxville from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dr. David Smith named Dean of Students at Tusculum
Dr. David Smith will begin his tenure serving in the Office of Student Success at Tusculum in mid-January, Doug Jones, vice president of student success and athletics, announced on Thursday.
“David brings a wealth of experience serving the students of Tusculum College. He is a dedicated student advocate, and I look forward to the accomplishments we will achieve together in the Office of Student Success,” said Jones.
Dr. David Smith
At Tusculum, Dr. Smith has served in a variety of TRIO programs-related educational support initiatives. Since 2008, Dr. Smith has served the institution’s residential and adult-learner student populations as director of Student Support Services.
A native of Gate City, Virginia, Dr. Smith earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Mountain Empire Community College, where he first forged an interest in the student affairs profession. Smith continued his education at East Tennessee State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1995 and a Master of Arts degree in English in 1998. In fall of 2015, Dr. Smith earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Smith’s research at the University of Tennessee focused on collegiate living-learning communities and their impact on student persistence. The genesis of his research interests began at Tusculum when working to establish the Hurley Society Living-Learning Community. Smith’s research earned distinction from the Southern Association for College Student Affairs as Dissertation of the Year in 2015.
Dr. Smith said of his role as dean of students that he looks forward to furthering his service to Tusculum students by forging continued relationships across the institution’s residential student body and adult-learner population at all three campus sites. “I am blessed to have the privilege to work with a great team of professionals who seek to enrich students’ collegiate experiences, and I am excited about the opportunities we have to build the Office of Student Success.”
Tusculum College program to provide free tax preparation services
A free program, implemented through the efforts of Tusculum, will provide free tax preparation services in Greene and surrounding counties.
The IRS-certified tax preparation program will host appointments at Tusculum’s Greeneville campus, where trained volunteers will be available to assist members of the public with the preparation of their tax returns.
Appointments are being booked now and are offered each Thursday, beginning February 1, 2018.
The program is sponsored in partnership with the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union, a long-time partner with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in the area.
Led by Dr. Harold Branstrator, associate professor of management at Tusculum College, the VITA program offers a free alternative to the expensive services of a paid tax professional. The volunteers of the VITA program have completed roughly 1,000 returns annually since 2014, often saving clients $200 or more that they would have spent on payments for alternative, fee-based, services.
Taxpayers eligible for VITA services include: individuals with annual incomes of less than $54,000, individuals over 55 years of age, individuals diagnosed with a physical disability and non English-speaking citizens.
“Tusculum is thrilled to be part of the VITA program this year and hopes to expand the service to reach more people in the region,” said Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum College. “With service to community so ingrained in our mission as a college, the VITA program is an additional way that we can engage our community through service in an area that is a significant need in our region.”
Under the supervision of Dr. Branstrator, a former IRS employee, returns are prepared by Tusculum students who have completed a VITA-standard three-week certification process that facilitates their ability to meet the high level professional standards expected by the IRS.
According to Dr. Branstrator, “The East Tennessee VITA program has become one of the strongest in the Southeast.” He added, “We see this as a ministry of justice to low and moderate-income taxpayers, our volunteers (mostly Tusculum students) are competent, courteous and respectful and we have a near-zero error rate, much lower than the average for paid preparers.”
Dr. Branstrator said the program has also helped students, particularly those in business-related fields of study, utilize classroom skills to acquire needed real world practice.
Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call (800) 378-3778 and wait for the operator, or register online at http://web.tusculum.edu/vita.
Angel Tree project at Tusculum meets need in community
As a way to celebrate the holiday season and also give back to the community, Tusculum students, faculty and staff participated in the Angel Tree program to help families who may not be able to give gifts to their children.
The Tusculum Honors program coordinated the event this year under the direction of student Savanna Draper.
Draper, a senior from Portland, is studying political science with a history minor. Following graduation, she plans to attend law school and specialize in constitutional law with a focus on civil rights.
She got involved in the program after being contacted by Dr. Mary Cooper, faculty sponsor of the Honors Program, to help coordinate the Angel Tree efforts at Tusculum. She and other honors students garnered participation by recruiting gift buyers outside the cafeteria in the Niswonger Commons student center.
“It would be great to see all the kids getting these gifts,” said Draper. “A lot of these children don’t get other Christmas gifts, so to see these big bags for them, I think that would be awesome.”
JoAnne Swecker, administrative assistant in Enrollment Management, has coordinated the Angel Tree program since 2008, previously as part of the Office of Student Affairs, and now from admissions. She personally buys gifts to donate to the Angel Tree in addition to running the project.
The Greeneville Greene County Food Bank coordinates with Tusculum to deliver the presents and have been known to brag on the Angel Tree Program at Tusculum.
Swecker explained that the program is for people who do not have the ability to take care of gifts for their children during the holiday season. “This is an extra arm extended to them in kindness, courtesy, friendship and love.”
Angel Tree donations began just after Thanksgiving. Cards included information on the child’s age, gender and some gift suggestions. According to Dr. Cooper, 33 individuals were served by this year’s Angel Tree at Tusculum.
By Sydney McCallister, freshman English and history major from Greeneville
Dr. Troy Goodale, faculty moderator; Savanna Draper, Tusculum student, and Dr. Mary Cooper, director of the Tusculum Honors Program, gathered gifts to serve 33 families in the community through the Angel Tree project.
Richard Dean Hurley named chief of campus safety at Tusculum
Richard Dean Hurley of Jonesborough has been named chief of campus safety at Tusculum.
Hurley comes to Tusculum after a 38-year career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
During his time with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Hurley served as commander of the statewide enforcement operation and supervised approximately 850 people in law enforcement operations and special assignments.
He also oversaw statewide law enforcement operations, disciplinary actions, promotional interviews, evaluations and recommendations for hiring highway patrol personnel.
“Tusculum is fortunate to have someone of Lt. Col. Hurley’s experience join the Tusculum team,” said Dr. James Hurley, president for Tusculum. “As we move forward to reorganize this department, Lt. Col. Hurley will provide the oversight and leadership we need for our new professional campus safety department.”
Richard Dean Hurley
In his new role Lt. Col. Hurley will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating all campus safety activities to ensure compliance with all certification requirements. He will promote adherence to all college policies and procedures and establish a foundation for the accountability necessary to assure safety of students, staff, faculty, invitees and visitors on campus property, in campus facilities and at institutional events by enforcing campus policies and regulations.
He will supervise and oversee the training for all Tusculum commissioned safety officers.
“It is extremely exciting for me to be chosen as chief of campus safety for Tusculum,” said Lt. Col. Hurley. “The safety of both students and staff is my number one priority. They will be assured that the environment in which they study and work is safe and secure. It is my aspiration to see that visibility and accountability of campus safety officers will be evident to everyone on campus.”
He added, “The administration at Tusculum has enlightened me of the goals they wish to achieve. I feel that I possess the experience and leadership skills it will take to accomplish these goals.”
Lt. Col. Hurley holds a Master of Arts in criminology from East Tennessee State University, where he also earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He also holds an associate degree in criminal justice technology from Walters State Community College.
He has served as an adjunct faculty member at King University and at East Tennessee State University. He has also provided numerous training opportunities through the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Walters State and other state organizations.
Tusculum Band program signs Lily Hensley from North Greene High School
Lily Hensley, a senior at North Greene High School has committed to attend Tusculum and play with the Tusculum Band program, announced Tusculum Director of Music David Price. Seated, from left to right, are Priscilla Hensley, Lily Hensley and Rick Hensley. Standing, from left to right, are David Price, Brandon Woods, the NGHS band director and Chris Gardenhour, assistant principal at NGHS.