Tusculum College is pleased to announce the implementation of “Pioneer Alert” by SchoolCast, our new emergency alert and notification system. SchoolCast delivers rapid, multi-platform messages in the event of an emergency to students, faculty members, and staff. This will be your best source for timely information and instructions on what to do in the event of any campus emergency.

You will receive an email with your unique username and password which will allow you to log into the Pioneer Alert Dashboard to edit the information we already have on file for you. Please stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting new system designed to built a better informed, safer community. We thank you for your interest and invite you to contact Student Affairs at x5820 with any questions you may have.

Mark Persaud, a senior Pre-Physical Therapy and Sport Science major, from Greenbelt, MD and Brooklyn, NY has been named the Student of the Block for Block by the Student of the Block Selection committee.

“Mark is a true Pioneer and actively involved in many campus organizations,” said Bonnie Taylor, Student Life Coordinator, on behalf of the selection committee.

Mark is currently president of the Student Activities Board, co-captain of the Tusculum College Cheerleading Squad, a member of the President’s Society, and he is involved in many other ventures around campus.

Mark was nominated by Jacqui Elliott, Vice President of Enrollment Management. She described Mark as a “true believer and supporter of Tusculum who spends countless hours volunteering his time and talent.”

More than 140 Tusculum students, staff, faculty and friends participated in the first annual Sit Lux Celebration at Tusculum College on December 1, sharing in activities such as tree trimming, ornament making and dessert devouring to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.

The event was held at the Niswonger Commons and later moved with the first Christmas march of the Tusculum College Lantern Bearers to Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building for the official lighting of the Grand Christmas Tree. Along the route guests were treated to holiday music from both Tusculum’s own Coach Mike Joy and participants singing carols, and were enjoyed a performance by the Tusculum View Elementary School Chorus at the AHB building.

This new campus holiday event was planned by the Student Activities Board and Student Affairs as an all-in-one event for students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, friends and the community and will be held annually to commemorate both Tusculum College’s history and the holiday season.

“As we look to our past to build traditions for the future, Sit Lux will incorporate both old and new traditions of Tusculum College,” said Jonita Ashley-Pauley, Associate Dean of Students.

Tusculum faculty and staff served rich, decadent holiday desserts to students and guests, who also participated in the trimming of the Niswonger Tree while enjoying the sounds of the season as played by Greeneville High School’s jazz band. There was even a surprise visit from Santa Claus, himself.

Following the Lantern Bearer procession and a Holiday prayer provided by Campus Minister Dr. Steven Weisz, the Grand Tree was lit, glowing with the more than 43,000 lights added by campus Facilities and Maintenance staff.

“I congratulate you on beginning a new tradition that will continue for many years to come,” said Interim President Russell Nichols.

The Doak House Museum invites families to celebrate the Christmas season 19th century style this Saturday, December 6.

The museum, located on the Tusculum College campus, will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the special holiday event. Guest Jim Kevin will be storytelling and entertaining in the historic kitchen. In the Tusculum Academy behind the Doak House, children will have the opportunity to make a tree ornament to take home for their tree.

Discover the story of the Doaks and explore their home during tours scheduled at noon and 2 p.m.

All holiday items in the gift shop inside the museum will be 50 percent off during the special holiday event. Admission is free, but donations are requested.

The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are administered by the Tusculum College Department of Museum Program and Studies under the direction of George Collins, director of Museum Program and Studies, and Cindy Lucas, associate director of the department and director of the Doak House Museum. The department also offers one of the few undergraduate degree programs in museum studies in the country.

The Doak House Museum, which was the home of the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak, co-founder of the college, hosted more than 10,000 school children from East Tennessee last year for a variety of educational programs related to the 19th century and CHARACTER COUNTS!

The Andrew Johnson Museum, located in the oldest academic building on campus, houses a collection of books, papers and memorabilia of the 17th president of the United States. The museum also houses the Charles Coffin Collection from the original college library and the College archives containing documents related to the history of Tusculum. The museums are also two of the 10 structures on the Tusculum campus on the National Register of Historic Places.

While the national and global economies continue to cause uncertainty and unease, the Greeneville financial community is pulling together to help citizens make sense of recent economic and financial changes and conditions by bringing in top experts with the latest information to answer citizens’ questions.

On Nov. 24, a coalition of local banks will be presenting an Economic Forum titled “Get the Answers to Your Most Important Questions.” The forum will be held at Annie Hogan Auditorium on the Campus of Tusculum College and will begin at 1 p.m. Seating will be limited.

The forum is open to the public. Guest speakers and a panel of Tusculum College business and economic experts will provide the latest information on topics such as FDIC Insurance, Financial Institution and Market Outlook, the Regional Economic Outlook and the Economic Impact on Higher Education.

The format will be a combination of formal presentations and a panel discussion, with audience participation. Panelists and special guests include Commissioner Greg Gonzalez, Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions; Regional Manager Gary Beasley, FDIC Division of Insurance and Research and Tusculum College staff and faculty experts who include Dr. Antonio Bos, professor of Business Administration; Dr. George Darko, associate professor of Economics, and Dr. Stella Schramm, professor of Management.

According to local banking officials, the shakeups of Wall Street, the collapse of mortgage markets and the need for government bailout subsidies has created financial turbulence for the banking industry and the U.S. Economy. To address these issues and the uncertainty they cause for many people, American Patriot Bank along with Tusculum College, Andrew Johnson Bank, Greene County Partnership, Greeneville Federal Bank, GreenBank, Heritage Bank and Consumer Credit Union are working together to sponsor this Economic Forum for the community.

“With the rapidly changing financial markets, it is vital that everyone understands the many changes taking place,” said Jerry A. Simmerly, President and CEO of American Patriot Bank.

“It is not easy to understand all that is changing, even for those of us who live in this environment everyday. Our bank chose to sponsor the event as part of our ‘strength through communities’ initiative to provide our stakeholders the opportunity to gain a better understanding and much more knowledge as to all the changes taking place in these difficult times.

“I encourage anyone who wishes to attend this forum and if you have specific questions you wish to have answered our panelist will be happy to answer those questions,” he added.

Tusculum College is hosting the event, providing faculty experts to participate on the panel and co-sponsoring the event.

“We at Tusculum College are pleased to welcome our community friends to the campus for this historic Economic Summit,” said Dr. Russell L. Nichols, Interim President of Tusculum College.

“In these difficult economic times with so much conflicting information, it is encouraging to see the financial community show the leadership to provide a clearer picture of the causes of the problems and the options before us. By hosting the event and lending the expertise of our faculty and staff, Tusculum is proud to be a partner with the financial community leaders on this important occasion.”

A new street inside the city Town of Greeneville has been named in honor of Tusculum College Life Trustee Jim Emory.

Emory Road was officially opened Thursday morning and was dedicated in a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Greene County Partnership.

The new road connects the Tusculum View extension road with East Andrew Johnson Highway near Sonic Drive-In and O’Reilly Auto Parts. It is part of the overall project to connect Snapps Ferry Road with the Andrew Johnson Highway.

It was named in honor of Emory to recognize the significant contribution he has made in the efforts to make the connector road a reality. His efforts were praised by representatives from the Greene County Partnership and State Rep. David Hawk (R-5).

The connector road will be an important addition to the community. “The road will open up land for development and bring new businesses to the city,” Emory said. He noted the current construction of a medical office along the new Emory Road and that there has been business interest in other undeveloped lots along the roadway.

Emory, a successful businessman, has been an active member of the community and a respected public servant. He served as an alderman for the Town of Greeneville for several years, was a member of the Greeneville Light and Power Board, a member of the Greene County Bank Board and the Laughlin Hospital Foundation Board.

A native of Skyland, N.C., Emory came to East Tennessee as student, graduating from East Tennessee State University in 1955. He came to Greeneville in the 1960s when he established the Burger Chef franchise in the town.

A long-time supporter of Tusculum College, Emory has been a member of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees since 1988 and was named a Life Member in 2001. He was recognized by the College in 1996 with the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his exemplary service to the both the College and the community.

The international flags in the Niswonger Commons Living Room at Tusculum College will be revitalized with new flags representing the College’s entire international student population, including current students and alumni, as a cap to a week-long celebration on campus of International Education Week.

The Flag Ceremony will be held on Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:45 a.m.

Tusculum currently has 39 students representing 18 countries enrolled and many more countries have been represented through former students and alumni.

International Education Week begins on Monday, Nov. 17 with International Students Day, celebrating the cultural diversity of the Tusculum College campus through education. Throughout the day students will be marking their place on a combined World Map located outside the Student Affairs Office.

Other activities planned for the week include a Belly Dancing Workshop, a “Make Your Own Sushi Class” featuring Chef Mike Dubose and the Baraka Mundi School for the Folkloric Arts will present a workshop on Middle Eastern dance.

For more information on the International Education Week Activities planned on the Tusculum College Campus, including times and locations of individual events and activities, contact Bonnie Taylor, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, at (423) 636-7412.

Suzanne S. Richey has been named the new Director of College Communications for Tusculum College, College officials announced today.

Richey joins the Institutional Advancement staff and began her duties this week, said Susan Vance, Interim Vice President for Intuitional Advancement.

“We are extremely pleased to have Suzanne as part of our staff and part of the Tusculum family,” Vance said. “With Suzanne, we were able to find the qualities we needed to lead the Communications Team combined with the advantages of her having been a recognizable leader in the regional community.”

Richey brings 16 years of diversified experience in the field of communications to Tusculum College, including previous positions with The Greeneville Sun, the Greene County Partnership and Ferguson Development Network.

During her career, she has demonstrated accomplishments in all aspects of communication, including writing, editing, organizing and disseminating information and has extensive experience in implementing and managing not-for-profit programs.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lend my skills to the Tusculum College team,” Richey said. “It isn’t often that a job matches so well with the life and job experience I have had for the past 16 years. Tusculum College is a well-respected institution with a long history of serving the public good, and I am honored to be part of this team.

“Having the opportunity to work the great staff already assembled, and once again work with Susan Vance, has made this transition smooth and exciting. I am enjoying every minute as I hit the ground running,” Richey said.

According to Vance, Richey will be working diligently to enhance a communications strategy for Tusculum College, and will interact closely with college leadership, as well as envision and implement an integrated marketing and communications program for the College, targeting both internal and external constituencies for the main campus, as well as the three off-site locations.

Richey will work to establish a public presence for the College through campus-wide communication, marketing and branding efforts, managing media relations, assisting with the College’s web presence and exploring, developing and implementing innovative communication approaches. She will also serve as a liaison for campus public affairs and media relations.

Richey is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a major in Journalism and a minor in English.

She and her family live in Greeneville. She is married to Steve Richey and they have two daughters: Lane, a freshman at Greeneville High School; and Emily, a sixth grader at Greeneville Middle School. Her parents are Tusculum College alumni, Howard and Mary Jo Slagle ( ’61 ’60) who reside in Greeneville.

Tusculum College claimed victory in more than one contest Saturday afternoon.

By 51–unit margin, Tusculum College was the victor in the 2008 “Blood Drive Bowl” over in-state rival, Carson-Newman College. During the days preceding the football game between the conference rivals, students and fans of both schools donated blood to the Medic Regional Blood Center in the name of their respective schools.

Tusculum students and fans gave 173 units of blood at drives on the main campus, the college’s Morristown class site, and the Wal-Mart and Kmart stores in Greeneville. Carson-Newman’s total was 122 units. The competition provided a total of 295 units of blood for Medic, which provides blood products to 21 counties and 28 hospitals in the region.

A trophy was presented to Tusculum’s Student Government Association President Kat Spears during half-time of the college’s thrilling grid-iron victory over Carson-Newman. The trophy will remain at the college until next year’s event.

The “Blood Drive Bowl” was sponsored by CHOICE Corporate Training, Medic, News Channel 11, The Greeneville Sun, WIKQ Radio, and WSMG Radio.

The NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Committee announced today the field of 32 teams for the 2008 Division II Men’s Soccer Championship, and Tusculum College has been selected as the number one seed and the host for the Southeast Regional Tournament.

Tusculum (18-2-1) and Lees-McRae (15-2-3) receive first round byes and will face the winners of the two first round matches on Wednesday. Francis Marion University and Carson-Newman College will square off on Wednesday in Jefferson City, Tenn. at 7 p.m., while Lander University and Limestone College will play a 1 p.m. match on Wednesday in Gaffney, S.C.

The winner of the Lander/Limestone match will then face Lees-McRae on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Pioneer Field. Tusculum will face the winner of Francis Marion and Carson-Newman on Friday at 7 p.m. The semifinal winners will square off for the Southeast Region championship on Sunday at 2 p.m.

This marks the second year Tusculum has hosted an NCAA II Regional, and the third time in school history.

A Tusculum College professor has become the sole academic figure on the board of a new organization designed to “observe and monitor media sources – including print, online and television – and provide an archive of information about philanthropic, charity and community efforts in and using sports.”

Dr. Dale Gibson, professor of physical education and chair of the PE Department, was officially notified at the end of October of his placement as a member of the Board of Directors of Progress Avenue, an organization that Gibson describes as “concentrating on the positives of athletics and athletes.”

The mission of the organization harmonizes with Tusculum College’s own mission. Progress Avenue seeks “to inspire and motivate people, regardless of their connection to sports, to get involved in their own community, and to be a resource of information for individuals who are already involved in their own communities,” according to its web site.

Gibson said that America’s sports community has embraced Progress Avenue, with groups such as the National Football League involving themselves.

Prior to coming to Tusculum in 2004, Gibson was men’s basketball coach at Virginia’s Liberty University, formerly Lynchburg Baptist College. After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty, where he started the school’s Sport Management program.

As a coach, he served as the first assistant basketball coach at Liberty University beginning with the program’s launch in 1972. In 1978, he was named the school’s third-ever men’s basketball head coach. In his second season, he led Liberty’s Flames to a national championship in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

For the first time in school history, Tusculum College has earned a berth to the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. The Pioneers are the No. 4 seed in Super Regional Two and will face fifth-seeded Albany State University this coming Saturday. Game time has yet to be announced.

The 24-team, four-region tournament field was announced Sunday on ESPN News.

Tusculum, who is riding a three-game winning streak, captured a share of its second South Atlantic Conference championship as the Pioneers defeated 15th-ranked Carson-Newman College, 45-44 in a thriller at Pioneer Field on Saturday.

Delta State University and the University of North Alabama earned the top two seeds, respectively. Both teams will receive a bye and host the regional semifinal round on their respective campuses on Nov. 22nd.

Defending national champion Valdosta State University is the No. 3 seed and will face sixth-seed Carson-Newman this Saturday in a first round contest.

The winner of the Tusculum/Albany State game will travel to top-seed Delta State, while North Alabama will get the winner of the Valdosta State/Carson-Newman contest.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Tusculum and Albany State on the gridiron. The Rams enter the postseason with a 7-3 overall record including Saturday’s 42-0 win over Miles College. Albany State is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

Tickets are $10 each and all seats are general admission (no reserved seating). All students and youth ages 12 and under will be admitted for $5. All students must have a valid school ID card for admission.

Tickets go on sale at the stadium beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. No advance tickets sales and no passes of any kind will be accepted. All Tusculum season ticket holders and Pioneer Club members must purchase tickets to be admitted.

Tusculum College students will be admitted free, but must have a valid TC ID for admission.