GREENEVILLE – Students benefit from the support of others as they navigate the various challenges they face throughout their education.
Eliza Land Fink speaks at the First Scholars Appreciation Week event on Tusculum University’s Greeneville campus.
Eliza Land Fink, a first-generation college student, is a prime example. The former Greene County student who later received a bachelor’s degree in English from Tusculum University found her way in large measure through the TRIO federal programs administered at the higher education institution.
She participated in the Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services programs of TRIO from 1996 until she graduated from Tusculum in 2007. An element of that relationship that had a major impact during that time was the visit from counselors and advisers prior to her enrolling at Tusculum.
“David Smith, Joy Foster and John Davidson and a whole host of fantastic counselors started to come to my school and visit me very consistently – about once a month,” she said at a ceremony Monday, Nov. 4, at Tusculum’s Greeneville campus that marked the start of First Scholars Appreciation Week. “They always made me feel like I was deserving of their attention. That continued through elementary school and into high school.
“I cannot underscore enough the importance of having someone there who believed in me and wanted to know what was going on in my life and wanted to support me in whatever way they possibly could.”
Fink said TRIO personnel were her biggest advocates during her 11 years in the three programs. She said the Student Support Services program was particularly helpful when she was a student at Tusculum.
“Student Support Services was always there to set me on the right path,” she said. “They helped me by providing me with a book to study for the Law School Admission Test, which I could not have afforded otherwise. They wanted to be with me through every step of the way of the application process.”
Speakers at the First Scholars Appreciation Week event on Tusculum University’s Greeneville campus were, left to right, Eliza Land Fink, a Tusculum alumna; Dr. Greg Nelson, Tusculum’s acting president; Rachael Barnett, Tusculum’s director of Student Support Services; and state Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville.
After graduating from Tusculum, she entered law school at the University of Tennessee. She graduated there and then practiced law before returning to the law school in 2016 to serve as an assistant professor and digital resources and services librarian. She also earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Wayne State University.
Fink encouraged students to allow themselves to ask for help because it makes them vulnerable – in a good way.
“Vulnerability is something that you can only be capable of if you are truly a strong person,” she said. “Making yourself vulnerable is one of the most frightening things that you can possibly do, but you can never be brave if you’re not actually scared of anything. So please, take the opportunity when you can to make yourself vulnerable, receive help, ask for help and ask for the love that you deserve, which you will find here in your TRIO family.”
By definition, a first-generation student does not have a parent or guardian who has earned a bachelor’s degree. At the conclusion of Monday’s event, Tusculum students as well as faculty and staff members, had the opportunity to place their names on a board to indicate their pride in being a first scholar.
In addition to Fink, Dr. Greg Nelson, Tusculum’s acting president, and state Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, provided inspiring remarks to the audience.
“First-generation students, your family, your friends and the ones around you are going to stand on your shoulders one day because of your achievements,” Dr. Nelson said. “You’ll inspire the next generation to do even more because you have come a long way already. And your path will make it easier for those around you to take their particular journeys.”
Like Fink, Hawk is a first-generation student. He said college was always something in his future, although he was not certain exactly how it would happen. He said his parents started college but did not complete their studies, so it was important to them that their son not only go to college but also receive a degree. Hawk earned a bachelor’s degree. He commended the programs that are available to Tusculum students.
“Thankfully, you have folks at Tusculum who have a system and a structure that ensures your success,” he said.
Tusculum is also holding First Scholars Appreciation Week events at its facilities in Knoxville and Morristown.