Eighty-one Tusculum student athletes named to SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll

Eighty-one Tusculum College student-athletes have been named to the 2010-2011 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Commissioner’s Honor Roll announced league officials on August 9.  The conference had 799 student-athletes honored for their achievements in the classroom.

The SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll recognizes those student-athletes who carry at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average and have completed at least one season in the sports of football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf.

Tusculum’s 81 honorees are the fourth-most of the 10 league members.  Newberry College led the way with 130 honorees, Lenoir-Rhyne University (88), Mars Hill College (82), Tusculum, Wingate University (80), Catawba College (74), Carson-Newman College (72), Lincoln Memorial University (71), Brevard College (67) and Anderson University (54).

 

The SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll showcases the SAC member institutions’ commitment to achieving high levels of success both academically and athletically, as multiple sport-related award winners also garnered the distinction.

 

Tusculum honorees include two-time SAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year Simon Holzapfel (Nuremberg, Germany), who was also the recipient of the prestigious SAC Presidents’ Award.  He was also a two-time SAC Scholar Athlete for his sport.

 

Pioneer volleyball setter Ashley Sarmiento (Dayton, Ohio) is also a member of the Honor Roll, while also earning SAC and Southeast Region Freshman of the Year accolades last season.

 

Holzapfel and Sarmiento boasted a perfect 4.00 GPA, along with fellow Pioneers Jenny Grant (Franklin, Tenn. – women’s cross country) and Luis Zamora (Santiago, Chile – men’s tennis).

 

2010-2011 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll

Ashley Bagley                    Softball

Clint Biggs                            Baseball

Janik Bold                            Men’s Soccer

Katie Brennan                   Softball

Lindsay Bridges                 Softball

Kim Brown                          W Soccer/W Cross Country

Alesha Buckner                 Softball

Aly Carrino                          Women’s Soccer

Gui Carvalho                      Men’s Tennis

Nathan Carver                   Men’s Cross Country

Cody Coffman                   Baseball

Tyler Collins                        Baseball

Courtney Conley              Women’s Tennis

Eric Conley                          Baseball

Jillian Corum                       Women’s Golf

Blair Cowley                       Baseball

Katie Doane                       Women’s Golf

Paulo dos Santos              Men’s Tennis

Claire Duncan                    Women’s Soccer

Luke Fullen                         Men’s Golf

Lawson George                Men’s Golf

Melanie Gibson                Volleyball

Andy Goellner                   Men’s Soccer

Craig Goodman                 Baseball

Jenny Grant                       Women’s Cross Country

Dionte Grey                       Men’s Basketball

Sam Groeneveld              Men’s Tennis

Justin Harvey                     Men’s Golf

Staci Hicks                           Women’s Basketball

Pat Holleran                       Baseball

Simon Holzapfel               Men’s Cross Country

Dean Hopewell                 Men’s Soccer

Payden Houser                 Baseball

JD Howard                          Baseball

Sara Howard                      Women’s Golf

Clay Jarrell                           Men’s Soccer

Rachael Jennings              Women’s Soccer

Jacob Kadel                        Football

Drew Kiser                          Men’s Tennis

Jessica Lee                          Women’s Soccer

Steven Lin                           Men’s Tennis

Jonathan Lyons                 Football

Taylor MacDonald            Softball

Devan McIntyre               Women’s Soccer

Michelle Meade               Women’s Soccer

Sam Miller                           Women’s Soccer

Amy Morford                    Women’s Soccer

Jessica Figler-Morrow    Women’s Cross Country

Jacob Norris                       Men’s Soccer

Dakota Norton                  Men’s Golf

Daniel O’Conner               Men’s Basketball

Brittni Oliver                       Women’s Basketball

Monica Perez                    Women’s Soccer

Aly Pugh                              Women’s Golf

Taylor Rakes                       Baseball

Alyssa Raterman              Volleyball

Sean Rowe                         Men’s Basketball

Haley Rye                            Women’s Golf

Ashley Sarmiento            Volleyball

Erin Searcy                          Softball

Jason Seaton                     Men’s Cross Country

Brittan Shaw                      Baseball

John-Austin Shepard      Baseball

Billy Sivyer                           Baseball

Jamie Smith                        W.Soccer/Cross Country

Justin Steigerwald           Men’s Basketball

Cody Stites                         Baseball

Katy Stuckwish                  Softball

David Talley                        Men’s Golf

Blake Thompson              Women’s Tennis

Rob Troutman                   Men’s Basketball

Lindsey Umberger           Softball

Sam Underwood              Volleyball

Daniel Vick                          Baseball

Adriana Vizcarrondo       Women’s Golf

Kassie Voelker                  Volleyball

Andrea Wilcox                   Softball

Taylor Wood                      Volleyball

Luis Zamora                        Men’s Tennis

Michael Jones named Tusculum men’s basketball coach

New Head Men's Basketball Coach Michael Jones

Tusculum College has named Michael Jones as its new men’s basketball coach announced Tusculum College Director of Athletics Frankie DeBusk.  Coach Jones will be introduced to the College and Greeneville communities at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Niswonger Student Commons on the Tusculum campus.

Jones comes to Tusculum after serving the last 12 years as head coach at South Atlantic Conference (SAC) member Brevard College.  Jones replaces former Tusculum coach Jim Boone, who resigned last week after six seasons on the Tusculum  sidelines to accept a similar position at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Jones led Brevard to a historic campaign in 2009-2010, as the Tornados finished the season 21-10, while capturing the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament title and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Jones was named the SAC Coach of the Year as the team set or tied 27 individual and team records.

The Maysville, Ky. native has amassed 214 victories in his 14 years as a collegiate head coach, including 175 in his 12 seasons at Brevard.  Jones has led his programs to three national tournaments, including two with the Tornados. Jones has also seen five of his players offered professional basketball contracts, including two in the NBDL.

“I am very excited to welcome Michael Jones to Tusculum College,” said DeBusk. “I am absolutely confident that he will lead our program to success, both on and off the basketball court, while positively representing our College, the South Atlantic Conference and NCAA Division II.  Michael is a well-respected member of the coaching community, an accomplished recruiter and in a short time, has made a positive impact within our conference. There are exciting years ahead for Tusculum basketball.”

 

While at Brevard, Jones’ teams have accounted for 20 wins or more on four occasions.  In 2001-02, his squad was ranked as high as No. 12 nationally (NAIA), while posting an impressive 22-11 worksheet.  The Tornados captured both the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles that season, led by All-American and AAC Player of the Year David Evans.

 

But most impressive with his programs is the 98 percent graduation rate during Jones’ tenure.

 

He has mentored 10 All-Conference performers at Brevard, including this past season with Josh Roper, the 2011 SAC scoring champion.  Roper, a 2011 First Team All-SAC selection and 2011 Daktronics All-South Atlantic Region Second Team selection, finished up his senior season at Brevard leading the league with 21.2 points per game and 2.56 steals per contest.

 

Also among the list of outstanding BC players coached by Jones is the program’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder in All-American Jonathan Whitson (2006-2010).  Whitson is Brevard’s career leader in points (2,028), rebounds (942) and blocked shots (122).

 

“I am so happy and honored to work at such a great institution as Tusculum College and to have this opportunity,” Jones said.  “Tusculum has a great academic and athletic history and I would like to thank (President) Dr. Nancy Moody and Coach DeBusk for affording me the opportunity to lead the Pioneers.  I am excited about the support for our program and the resources we have to achieve our goals at the highest levels.”

 

Coach Jones came to Brevard from Jackson, Ky. where he was the head coach at Hazard Community College from 1997-1999.  There he led the Division III junior college to a 21-9 record in his first year as head coach, while facing a Division I-laden schedule.  In the 1998-99 season at Hazard, the team began with a preseason No. 8 national ranking.

 

Before his three-year stint at Hazard, Jones was on the coaching staff at his alma mater at Eastern Kentucky University, where was on the Colonels’ sidelines from 1994-1996.  Jones earned his Bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1994 from Eastern Kentucky and followed that with his Master’s degree in physical education & sports administration in 1996 from EKU.

 

Coach Jones is married to the former Lori Mason and has a 10-year-old daughter, Rheanna and twin girls Lilly and Caris.

 

 

Tusculum College librarians to attend Undergraduate Research Behavior Workshop

Tusculum College’s Anne Osborne, assistant library director for distance learning, and Kathy Hipps, information literacy librarian, have been invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Behavior workshop sponsored by the Council on Library and Information Resources and The Council of Independent Colleges.

The workshop will be led by Nancy Fried Foster, lead anthropologist for the River Campus Libraries at the University of Rochester and co-manager of the Libraries’ Digital Initiatives Unit. Foster possesses a Ph.D. in applied anthropology from Columbia University and a diploma from Oxford University in social anthropology. She conducts research on faculty, staff and students, documenting work habits and identifying needs for web-based products to support research and writing.

The workshop will take place September 13-14 at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to the generosity of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are no registration or program fees for workshop participants and all travel and lodging costs will also be covered.

Osborne and Hipps were awarded the invitation after successful completion and review of their program application. Osborne has a Master of Arts in library and information science from the University of Iowa and has been with Tusculum College since 2002.  Hipps has a Master of Science in information science from the University of Tennessee and has been with the Garland Library since October 2002.

“The entire library staff is very excited for and proud of these two dedicated professionals,” said Library Director Jack Smith. “This is a huge opportunity that will benefit not only Ms. Osborne and Ms. Hipps, but also all of the students the library serves.”

Student achievement recognized during annual Honors Convocation

Tusculum President Dr. Nancy B. Moody presents the President's Award to Simon Holzaphel

Student excellence in academics and service were recognized during Tusculum College’s annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 28.

The two top honors for students presented by the College are the President’s Award and the Bruce G. Batts Award. Simon Holzapfel, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, was presented the President’s Award and Amber Sharp, of Tazewell, Tenn., was presented the Bruce G. Batts Award.

President’s Award

The President’s Award is presented to the graduating senior who has contributed the most to the College and who has been the most outstanding achiever in the combined areas of academic work, athletics, campus leadership and personality. The selection is made on the basis of the student’s total four-year record at Tusculum.

In presenting the award, Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody said that Holzapfel “has excelled in what he has endeavored, whether it is in the classroom, in athletic competition or involvement in campus life.”

Holzapfel has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout his time at Tusculum, earning him places on the college’s academic honors lists as well as various academic awards. His excellence in the classroom as a sport management major has also earned him the South Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year for Men’s Cross Country for the past two years, and he was named to the ESPN Academic All-American Team two years.

Holzapfel’s success athletically equals his success in the classroom. He is a two-time South Atlantic Conference Runner of the Year. He won 16 individual titles during his career, including six in a row last fall.  Holzapfel closed his career with a streak of 21 consecutive top-10 finishes, a run that spanned three seasons. He also holds the records for the top 11 8,000-meter running times in school history and 14 of the best 20 in school history.

Bringing attention to Tusculum statewide, Holzapfel was honored last November with the James E. Ward Outstanding Major award from the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, the first Tusculum student to receive the statewide award. Earlier this year, he was one of three college students selected nationwide to serve as delegates to the Alliance Assembly, the governing body of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Active in life on campus, Holzapfel has been involved in the Student Government Association, President’s Society, Track and Field Club, Pioneer Green Team, Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He has served as a peer tutor and a resident assistant.

During the Honors Convocation ceremony, Holzapfel also received the TAHPERD (Tennessee Association Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Outstanding Major Award and the NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education) Award.

Batts Award

Amber Sharp received the Bruce G. Batts Award from Dr. Kimberly Estep, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Presented in memory of a beloved educator at Tusculum who helped define the college’s civic arts curricular focus, the Bruce G. Batts Award is presented to a student who clearly demonstrates the qualities that reflect the civic arts ideals.

This year’s recipient, senior Amber Sharp, has excelled academically in one of the most rigorous majors at Tusculum, athletic training. Sharp has balanced her many academic responsibilities with co-curricular activities, which include the Student Alumni Association, the Bonner Leader program, the President’s Society, the Athletic Training Student Society, Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Association, the Southeastern Athletic Training Association and serving as a mentor for the Murdock Circle, a student living and learning community.

Sharp is serving as a co-president of the Bonner Leaders this year. As a Bonner Leader, she has coordinated successful fashion shows to benefit Greene County Habitat for Humanity. She was awarded a grant through the Bonner Foundation two years ago to create videos about Bonner activities on the Tusculum campus and in the community to promote the program.

Sharp also received the Bonner Leaders Program Award during the ceremony for her commitment and efforts with the organization.

Student-Chosen Awards

Dr. Brian Davis, assistant professor of mathematics, left, was presented the Outstanding Service to Students Award by Chuck Whitfield, chairman of the Greene County Partnership Board of Directors.

Also presented were faculty, staff and community awards whose recipients were selected by student vote. Receiving the Outstanding Service to Students Award, a faculty honor, was Dr. Brian Davis, assistant professor of mathematics.

In presenting the award, Chuck Whitfield, chairman of the board of the Greene County Partnership, said that Davis “has made a mark in a short time at Tusculum College, gaining the respect and affection from students in the Tusculum College math program. Dr. Davis is able to bring this conceptual field of study to life for the students.”

Bonnie Weston, student life coordinator for multicultural affairs, received the Staff Award from Erika Witt, president of the SGA

The Staff Award was presented to Bonnie Weston, student life coordinator for multicultural affairs. In presenting the award, Student Government Association (SGA) President Erika Witt commended Weston’s dedication to assisting students and expressed personal appreciation for the assistance Weston had given her in her SGA duties.

Heather Gomez, left, accepts the Community Award on behalf of her father, Cecil Mills, Jr., from Vinton Copeland, SGA Senator

Heather Gomez, left, accepts the Community Award on behalf of her father, Cecil Mills, Jr., from Vinton Copeland, SGA Senator

The Community Award for exemplary service to students was presented to Cecil Mills, Jr., assistant district general for the Third Judicial District and pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Greeneville. SGA Senator Vinton Copeland, who presented the award, described Mills as a mentor and said he found a local spiritual home at Friendship Baptist Church. Copeland also noted Mills’ professional accomplishments, his varied community involvement, his numerous honors and his ministerial service. Mills was unable to attend the ceremony and the award was accepted by his daughter, Heather Gomez.

Academic Honors

Recognized with Senior Honor Key Awards in teacher licensure programs were, left, Amber Willis in Human Growth and Learning, Elementary Education K-6; Josh Ellis in Mathematics Education, 7-12; Karnika Ervin in Human Growth and Learning, Early Childhood and PreK-3, and Marci Moore in Business Education, 7-12

Senior Honor Key Awards were presented to students who have earned a 3.25 grade point average or higher in their major, shown achievement and aptitude in the major, and possess strong character.  The following are the award recipients and their degree programs:

Art and Design – Tylan Adams of Greeneville, Tenn.;

Accounting – Luke Fullen of Greeneville, Tenn.;

Athletic Training – Jessica Figler of Merritt Island, Fla.;

Biology  – Cindy Barrett of Surgoinsville, Tenn.;

Business Administration – Kiarra Ervin of Chattanooga, Tenn.;

Business Education , 7-12 – Marci Moore of Parrottsville, Tenn.;

Environmental Science – Jessica Shipley of Greeneville, Tenn.;

History – Jillean Roberts of Greeneville, Tenn.;

Human Growth and Learning, Early Childhood PreK-3 – Karnika Ervin of Chattanooga, Tenn.;

Human Growth and Learning, Elementary Education K-6 – Amber Willis of Fall Branch, Tenn.;

Mathematics – Logan Goodin of Maryville, Tenn.;

Mathematics Education, 7-12 – Josh Ellis of Rockledge, Fla.;

Physical Education – Robert Troutman of Mt. Washington, Ky.;

Physical Education K-12 – Tyler Collins of Flowery Branch, Ga.;

Psychology – Dustin Collins of Bluff City, Tenn.;

Sport Management – Cory Pratt of Morristown, Tenn., and

Sports Science – Cody Stites of Festus, Mo.

Recognized as Honor Students for having the highest grade point average of their class (all have a 4.0 grade point average) were:

seniors – Simon Holzapfel and Derek Murrell of Bulls Gap;

junior –  Jennifer L. Grant;

sophomores – Addie M. Hancock of Mooresburg, Tenn.; Ashley N. Sarmiento of Dayton, Ohio; Elizabeth A. Wright of Powell, Tenn., and Luis Zamora of Santiago, Chile, and

freshmen – Anjelica R. Bailey, Antonio J. Bujana, Ryan J. Byars, John Z. Conlon, Emma L. Fain and Billy W. Leach.

Senior members of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society were also recognized. Upperclassmen who are ranked in the top 10 academically of their classmates are invited to join the honor society. Recognized were:

Emily Broyles of Chuckey, Tenn.;

Kiarra Ervin of Chattanooga, Tenn.;

Brandon Gann of Newport, Tenn.;

Devona Hamm of Adamsville, Tenn.;

Simon Holzapfel of Nuremberg, Germany;

Elizabeth McDonnell of Memphis, Tenn.;

Marci Moore of Parrottsville, Tenn.;

David Roncskevitz of Franklin, Tenn.;

Jason Seaton of Midway, Tenn., and

Amber Willis of Fall Branch, Tenn.

The Alpha Chi Academic Excellence Award, which honors the highest academically ranked member of the junior class, was presented to Derek Murrell of Bulls Gap, Tenn.

The 2011 Curtis '28 and Billie Owens Literary Prize winners are, from left, David Roncskevitz - fiction, Elizabeth McDonnell - creative nonfiction, Ben Sneyd - poetry and Brittany Connolly - scriptwriting. Wayne Thomas, assistant professor of English, at right, presented the awards.

Students who were chosen for the Curtis and Billie Owens Literary Prizes were honored. Students submit original, creative works in the annual writing competition, which were judged this year by award-winning poet John Hoppenthaler. The winners were: poetry – Ben Sneyd of Unicoi, Tenn.; fiction – David Roncskevitz of Franklin, Tenn.; creative non-fiction – Elizabeth McDonnell of Memphis, Tenn., and scriptwriting – Brittany Connolly of Greeneville, Tenn.,

The Dr. Shirley Beck Award for an outstanding Master of Arts in Education major was presented to CWO2 Clydie H. Shumate USN (Ret.) of Johnson City, Tenn. Shumate is a teacher at Cherokee High School in Hawkins County.

The Outstanding Education Student Award was presented to Melissa Church, a student in the bachelor’s degree program in Human Growth and Learning in the Graduate and Professional Studies program.

A new award was presented in memory of Jean Hixon, a long-time member of the Graduate and Professional Studies staff. The award was presented to Gary Glover for the Northeast Tennessee region and Bernice McClure for the Southeast Tennessee region. Hixon’s sister Anne Hall and her husband, James Hall, presented the award.

The E.H. Sargent Award in Science was presented to Derek Murrell of Bulls Gap, Tenn. In choosing the recipient, science faculty members consider overall grade point average, total hours in science and variety of areas covered in the sciences.

The Warren Lynn Drain Award was presented to Adriana Vizcarrondo,a native of Anaco, Venezuela.  A graduating senior determined most outstanding in Business and Economics is presented the award and GPA and achievement are the criteria for the choice of recipient.

The Theatre Award was given to Emily Paige Hudson of Hixson, Tenn., for her participation and dedication to the theater program at Tusculum College. Hudson has appeared onstage in Theatre-at-Tusculum productions as well as working backstage building sets.

The Pinnacle Award for highest scores on annual comprehensive examinations taken by athletic training education majors was presented to Chelsea Morris of Taylorsville, N.C.; and Jason Seaton of Midway, Tenn.

Service Awards

The Service-Learning Award was presented to Mara Rutherford of Morristown, Tenn. Rutherford was part of a service-learning course last fall that worked at Rural Resources. Robin Fife, assistant professor of social science, said that Rutherford was always willing to do whatever needed to be done and was instrumental in a project that resulted in the creation of a mobile handwashing unit for Rural Resources.

Maltese Ambassador visits Tusculum, meets with students

Malta’s Ambassador to the United States visited the Tusculum College campus at the end of March.

Alumni, friends and special guests of the College were greeted at the entrance to the Thomas J. Garland Library by, from left, Dr. Ken Bowman ’70, chair of the Tusculum Board of Trustees; his wife, Jo Ellen; Dr. Bruce Shine ’60, a former member of the board of trustees; his wife, Betsy; Maltese Ambassador to the U.S., Mark Miceli; Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum, and her husband, Tom Moody.

Ambassador Mark Miceli was the guest of honor at a reception on Sunday, March 27, for the international photography exhibit, “Malta’s Magnificent Megalithic Monuments,” which was displayed in the Thomas J. Garland Library lobby during the month of March. The photographic exhibit featured a photographic study of the Mediterranean island nation”s prehistoric temples and artifacts, the work of artist Daniel Cilia.

Ambassador Miceli also spent time sharing about Malta’s history and its role in the European Union with students on Monday, March 28.

The college is appreciative of the assistance of or Dr. and Mrs. D. Bruce Shine of Kingsport for coordinating the loan of this exhibit to Tusculum. Dr. Shine is a 1960 graduate of Tusculum College and a 15-year member of its Board of Trustees and former Chairman of the Board.

Ambassador Miceli gave a presentation to students about Malta's history and its place in the European Union.

Dr. Shine and his wife, Betsy, have developed close ties with the country of Malta through Shine’s years teaching at the International Maritime Law Institute and coordinated not only the loan of the exhibit, but also the ambassador’s visit.

The exhibit and visit also garnered Tusculum some publicity in Malta. An article about the exhibit was posted on Malta’s U.S. Embassy website . The exhibit is now on display in California.

Stokes serving as president of Tennessee Association of Special Programs

Jeanne Stokes

Jeanne Stokes, director of the TRIO programs at Tusculum College, is serving as president of the Tennessee Association of Special Programs (TASP).

Stokes was installed as president of the organization on Feb. 28, during the regional meeting of TRIO professionals. She will serve a two-year term.

As president, Stokes will preside at all meetings of the association and make all appointments to both standing and special committees with the advice and consent of the organization’s Executive Board. The president of the organization also serves as a board member of the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP).

TASP was established in 1973 to bring together those persons who have an active interest in broadening access to postsecondary education to low-income and first generation individuals in Tennessee. The TRIO programs, which Tusculum hosts, are federally funded initiatives that provide educational and enrichments programs and resources to encourage middle and high school students who would be first-general college students and/or whose families meet income requirements to continue their education after high school. The TRIO programs also provide similar support services to college students.

Stokes has been involved in the Tusculum TRIO Programs for 20 years at Tusculum, joining the staff as coordinator for the Talent Search program. She has been an instructor at Tusculum and Warren Wilson colleges and also worked as a teacher at Concord Middle School and EastView Elementary. At Tusculum, she also serves as a member of the Judicial Review Board, the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee and as an advisor for students.

Tusculum College student selected as delegate to the national assembly of professional organization

Simon Holzapfel

Simon Holzapel, a senior at Tusculum College majoring in sports science, has been selected as one of the three student delegates to the Alliance Assembly of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

The Alliance Assembly is a governing body of AAHPERD with approximately 250 representatives from all states, districts, territories and national associations. The student delegates will represent all student members, both graduate and undergraduate, of the AAHPERD with the authority to vote on behalf of these students.

This is the first time that a Tusculum College student has been chosen as a delegate. In addition to Holzapfel, one student from Purdue University and another from the University of Washington will serve as delegates. They will serve a term ending Dec. 31, 2011.

Tusculum Professor of Education Dr. Kirpal Mahal encouraged Holzapfel, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, to apply for the tremendous learning opportunity that a delegate position would bring. Dr. Mahal said that it is a great honor for the college and the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies to have Holzapfel selected as one of only three students nationwide. “Although we are small, we have taken long strides because of the brilliance of our students and support of our administration,” he said.

As a delegate, Holzapfel was required to attend the Alliance Assembly Session held in San Diego on April 2 during the 126th National AAHPERD Convention, which started on March 30. The session, lasting four hours, was preceded by a number of preparation and discussion forums during the convention.

Delegates had a duty to cast votes in the election of the Alliance’s president-elect and to take action on proposed motions that included adding the District of Columbia as a  different structure from a state or territorial association to the Alliance, recognizing overseas associations as affiliated organizations and not as integral parts of the Alliance. Delegates could also bring forward motions on which the Assembly must take action.

Dr. Mahal accompanied Holzapfel and a group of other Physical Education, Sports Science and Sport Management students to the convention. Also attending the convention were Elisa Andriano of North York, Ontario; Calvin Britt of Augusta, Ga.; Dean Hopewell of Leicester, England; Cassandra Melnike of Pickering, Ontario; Angie Michaud of Surgionsville, Tenn., and Katie Prisco of Rogersville, Tenn.

Five Tusculum students present at Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference

tclogoandseal2Four students from Tusculum College’s English Department and one student from the Mathematics and Computer Science Department were presenters on Friday, March 25, at the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference, held at Maryville College.

English students presenting were Elizabeth McDonnell, a senior from Memphis; Abigail Wolfenbarger, a junior from New Market; Kenneth Hill, a junior from White Pine, and David Roncskevitz, a senior from Franklin. Elizabeth Wright, a sophomore from Powell, Tenn., represented the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.

All of the English papers presented were the product of a literary theory class the students took with Dr. Sheila Morton, assistant professor of English, and were focused on an interpretation of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” Each paper employed different theoretical lenses in their study.

“The variety of their arguments illustrate just how much literary theory can enrich our reading of a single text, offering various and compelling readings that yet ring true,” said Morton. “In her paper, for example, McDonnell approaches the text as a new historicist, drawing parallels to other discourses contemporary with Christie’s novel, most notably film noir. Though very different in their realization, she argues, both are propelled by similar social feelings of isolation and alienation.”

Both Wolfenbarger and Hill approach the novel from the standpoint of reader response critics, Wolfenbarger arguing that the failure of the novel to surprise many twenty-first century readers is due in part to our changing “horizon of expectations” that has grown to accommodate the idea of a dishonest first-person narrator.  Hill, by contrast, focuses on the shifting role of the “narrattee,” a role the reader is asked to play as they enact the drama of the novel.

Roncskevitz’s presentation showed how he deconstructs the novel, likening the piecing of “clues” in whodunit novels to the linguistic piecemealing of everyday language.

According to Morton, the panel was a huge success, garnering considerable praise and attention, including an email from the coordinator of the conference.

Wright, who is majoring in mathematics with a concentration in computer science, made a presentation about “Secure Programming in Python” during the conference.

Python is a commonly used program language and in her presentation, Wright focused on ways to make programs written in the language more secure. She explored the use of pre-conditions and post-conditions on each function to make the determination if it is functioning properly. She also investigated the use of loop invariants, which are logical properties relating to the data that should be true at each repetition of the statements within the program as it loops.

The Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference is designed to encourage undergraduates in colleges in the Appalachian region to conduct research projects by providing a high-quality, low pressure forum for presentations. More than 80 undergraduate students from eight colleges in East Tennessee and Kentucky are expected to attend the 2011 conference. Approximately 60 separate presentations are planned.

Library Director Jack Smith to present at annual Abraham Lincoln Colloquium

Myron J. “Jack” Smith, Jr., professor of library science and history and director of the Thomas J. Garland Library, will be one of six presenters when the Association of Lincoln Presenters comes to Greeneville, April 14-17, for their annual Lincoln Colloquium, held this year at the General Morgan Inn.

Smith will present an illustrated talk on the history of the McCormick Hall bell. According to a story by Dr. Landon C. “Daddy” Haynes in the 1942 college yearbook, the bell now housed in the tower came to Tusculum in 1890 as payment in kind for student tuitions. Over the years, the bell has been rung to call the community to various events, to note the achievement of significant milestones or just to hear its rich sounds. Smith will profile the exciting history behind the 400-pound brass bell.

At Tusculum since 1990, Professor Smith is the author of more than 80 books, including six on the Civil War. He authored the bicentennial college history Glimpses of Tusculum with Professor Emeritus Donal Sexton in 1994. Several of his latest titles are available for purchase at the College bookstore.

Additional information on the Colloquium and other activities of the Association of Lincoln Presenters’ Annual National Convention can be found at www.ALP2011.thelincolnproject.com.

Confucius Institute representatives visit Tusculum to discuss potential partnerships

Representatives the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis visited the Tusculum College campus to discuss potential partnering opportunities for students and faculty at the college. The group was in town to meet with officials at the Greeneville City School System, with which they already have developed partnership programs, said Dr. Kim Estep, academic vice president at Tusculum College.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis promotes understanding of the Chinese language and culture among the people of the United States, develops friendly relations between the two countries, accelerates the expansion of multiculturalism and provides opportunities for students studying the Chinese language. “We asked to have an exploratory meeting to discuss future partnerships with Tusculum College, particularly in the areas of language and culture classes and travel opportunities,” said Estep.

The group met on the Greeneville main campus and gave the Tusculum representatives a presentation on what they do and what kinds of partnership they have already developed with other institutions, including the Greeneville City School System. Also joining the group was Tusculum College alumnus Noah Wagner. Wagner, a 1951 graduate, has long been interested in strengthening the foreign language program at Tusculum College, as his business and language background at the school has been key to his successes throughout the years.

“I think after our discussions we really feel there are two main areas where a partnership might develop with the Confucius Institution,” said Estep. Those areas include the possibility of offering Chinese language and culture courses to students not only on the residential campus, but potentially through the Graduate and Professional Studies program as well.

“The discussions went really well, and we are continuing to explore paths to implementation,” said Estep. “We are opening up dialogue now with faculty to see about incorporating some of the ideas discussed into existing courses in our curricula.” She added the further discussions will be held in the upcoming weeks and a teleconference with representatives of the college’s Center for Global Studies Advisory Council and representatives of the Business Administration Department is being planned.

“We look forward to partnering with the faculty, students and staff at Tusculum College to provide Chinese language and cultural classes and programs independently and through interdisciplinary means as well,” said Dr. Hsiang-te Kung, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis.

“We are committed to providing a global, world-class education to students as young as two up to ninety-two,” said Riki Jackson, assistant director of the Confucius Institute. “Our commitment is to reach as many students as possible at the preschool, K-12, collegiate and post-collegiate level as well as in the business community from the far southwest corner of the state all the way to the far northeast corner of Tennessee. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to explore a partnership with the wonderful students and faculty at Tusculum College.”

confuciusinstitute