The founder and developer of the Museum of Appalachia, John Rice Irwin, was presented with an honorary doctorate on Thursday, Sept. 1, by Tusculum College.
The honorary doctor of humane letters degree was presented to Irwin by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum, during the Opening Convocation ceremony, which marks the start of the college’s two-hundred eighteenth academic year. Student government officers were also installed during the ceremony, new faculty members introduced and faculty and staff honored for longevity of service.
Although Irwin is known primarily for his work with the Museum of Appalachia near Norris, Tenn., the scope of his accomplishments is much broader, which have brought him recognition in the Appalachian region and beyond, said Dr. Moody.
“Irwin certainly has lived a life that adheres to the tenants of the Tusculum College mission,” she said. “He has strived for success in his personal life, while never forgetting his sense of community and his goal of preservation of the past for future generations. His love of history and of the Appalachian Region has shone through as he has lived and worked and served.”
Irwin is the author of seven nationally and internationally distributed books. He has lectured on the subject of Appalachian history throughout the eastern United States.
In 1989, Irwin was one of 29 individuals admitted to the MacArthur Fellows Program. He was honored by the East Tennessee Historical Society in 1992 as one of nine East Tennesseans “whose accomplishments have distinguished them far beyond East Tennessee,” and in 1993, he was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Cumberland College.
In 1994, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of East Tennessee’s Business Hall of Fame. Six years later in 2000, he was the recipient of the annual Outstanding Educational Service to Appalachia Award. He is the 2008 recipient of the Trailblazer Award and in 2009 was named to the Anderson County Hall of Fame.
John Rice Irwin, at the lectern, addresses the audience after accepting an honorary doctorate from Tusculum College. Irwin was presented the doctorate by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College, at left.
A part of the annual ceremony is installation of the Student Government Association officers. Installed as president for 2011-12 was Isiah Lyman, a junior from Boiling Springs, S.C., majoring in independent studies; as vice president, Vinton Copeland, a junior from LaGrange, Ga., majoring in political science; as secretary, Casey Reagan, a freshman from Dickson, Tenn., majoring in art, and as treasurer, Bess Gutenstein, a senior from Marietta, Ga., majoring in education. Kimsie Hall, who is serving as chief justice of the Student Government Association, administered the oaths of office. Hall, who is from Cleveland, Tenn., is a junior majoring in athletic training.
Lyman spoke after the officer installation, challenging the students to get involved on campus in community service and to make their college experience the best it can be.
New Student Government Association President Isiah Lyman, at lectern, addressed the student body after the officer installation. Listening from left are Kimsie Hall of Cleveland, chief of the SGA who administered the oaths of office to each of the officers; SGA Secretary Casey Reagan, SGA Vice President Vinton Copeland and SGA Treasurer BessGutenstein.
New faculty members were also introduced. They were Dr. Michael J. Bodary, visiting professor of English; Dr. Paul Fox, visiting assistant professor of education and interim director of the School of Education; James P. Greene, visiting professor of sociology; Jan Matthews, visiting professor of English; Dr. Nick McGaughey, visiting assistant professor of accounting and finance; Dr. Peter Noll, visiting assistant professor of public history and museum studies; Aurora Pope, visiting professor of art; Amy Reaves, visiting assistant professor of early childhood education; Dr. Richard Thompson, assistant professor of chemistry; Ms. Terri Tilson, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Travis Williams, visiting professor of sociology.
New faculty were introduced during the ceremony. From left are Dr. Michael Bodary, Dr. Paul Fox, Aurora Pope, Jan Matthews, Dr. Travis Williams, Amy Reaves, Dr. Peter Noll and Dr. Richard Thompson.
Charles Tunstall
Longevity awards were also presented to faculty and staff. Mr. Charles Tunstall, reference/instructional service librarian, was honored for his 30 years of service to Tusculum. In addition to his duties in the library, Tunstall has taught public speaking and guitar on an adjunct basis for the college. He holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Carson-Newman College.
Marilyn duBrisk
Marilyn duBrisk, director of Arts Outreach and artist-in-residence at the college, was recognized for 20 years of service to Tusculum. She is also artist-in-residence for the Greeneville City School System. Her work is supported by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. duBrisk has also been awarded the Harriet Reaves Neff Chair of Fine Arts at Tusculum.
Honored for 15 years of service were Ron McCallister, director of the School of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of computer science; Dee Roby, executive assistant to the interim vice president of academic affairs and faculty secretary; Karen Sartain, executive director of enrollment management, and Robin Underwood, manager of faculty services for the southeast region of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Recognized for 15 years of service were, from left, Karen Sartain, Ron McCallister and Dee Roby.
Recognized for 10 years of service were Tommy Arnett, men’s and women’s tennis coach; Dr. Michael Curry, assistant professor of management; Kelly Edens, data and records coordinator for Graduate and Professional Studies; Eugenia Estes, assistant director of communications; Marsha Griffith, public services librarian; Cliff Hoy, bookstore and postal service manager; Carrie Maggert, officer of the Business Office; Tony Narkawicz, institutional researcher; Melissa Ripley, director of admission; Dr. Diane Robinette, associate professor of education; Dr. Stella Schramm, professor of management; Dr. Cynthia Solomon, associate professor of education, and Jonathan Taylor, facility management level II.
Among those recognized for 10 years of service were Carrie Maggert, Kelly Edens, Tony Narkawicz, Jonathan Taylor, Eugenia Estes and Tommy Arnett and Dr. Diane Robinette.
Those honored for five years of service were Amy Brooks, assistant professor of athletic training and clinical instructor; Nina Collins, accounting manager; Tim Ford, facilities management level IV; Michael Hawkins, associate head athletic trainer; Tracey Julian, controller; Stephanie Kirby, field experience coordinator for Graduate and Professional Studies; Amy Lyttle, assistant professor of education; Wayne Murphy, director of campus safety; Dottie Price, post office supervisor; Mary Sonner, director of personnel services; Dr. Kathy Stone, assistant professor of mathematics; Tom Stueber, assistant professor of athletic training and director of the Athletic Training Education Program, and Micah Wood, facilities management level IV.
Among those recognized for five years of service were Tracey Julian, Tim Ford, Mary Sonner, Dr. Kathy Stone, Michael Hawkins, Micah Wood, Nina Collins, Amy Brooks and Wayne Murphy (partially hidden).