Contemporary artist Katie Murphy to exhibit “The Great Southern Box Show” for a month at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – A renowned painter from Johnson City who focuses on personal feminism and uses figuration and abstraction as her primary forms of expression will exhibit her cutting-edge work for a month at Tusculum University.
Katie Murphy will present “The Great Southern Box Show” from Friday, Sept. 27-Friday, Oct. 25, in the Clem Allison Gallery, located inside Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. Tusculum’s Center for the Arts will host a reception for her from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, which also falls during the university’s Homecoming celebration. The public is invited to attend the exhibit and the reception, both of which are free. Monetary donations are welcome.
Murphy and Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design at Tusculum, connected through the Johnson City arts scene and have participated in a couple of shows together. Like Conley, she is an arts educator. Assessing her work, Conley is impressed with the talent she brings to the table.
Tusculum alumnus receives Rotary scholarship for further studies to prepare him for potential start of diplomatic career
GREENEVILLE – A Tusculum University alumnus has earned a prestigious scholarship, with help from his alma mater, that could position him to start a career on the diplomatic stage for the United States.
Eirik Dahlgren, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history and museum studies from Tusculum in 2023, has been selected for Rotary International’s Global Grant Scholarship. This is a $35,000 scholarship that will enable him to complete a master’s degree in international conflict and cooperation from the University of Stirling in Scotland. He begins his program there Sept. 23.
Dahlgren plans to use this graduate degree as a springboard to a position with the U.S. Agency for International Development. This organization builds potential trade partnerships with other countries, which have been impacted by natural disasters or wars, through economic development support. Dahlgren’s subsequent goals are to earn a doctorate and then potentially work in an embassy or in other diplomatic initiatives.
Call for auditions issued for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to be held at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is coming to Tusculum University, and Tusculum Arts Outreach invites anyone in the region who wants to be in the cast to audition.
Arts Outreach will hold auditions for the musical Sunday, Sept. 1, through Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 6-9 p.m. in Behan Arena Theatre. If necessary, call-backs will occur Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the same time. Steve Schultz, director of Arts Outreach and the production, is seeking to cast 25-35 people who are 14 and older and 10-20 children who are 8-13 years old.
“We have tremendous theatrical talent in this region and encourage everyone who loves to perform to join us for the auditions,” Schultz said. “This will be an exciting production, a rewarding experience for the cast and a delightful experience for the audience. Whether you are a veteran of Tusculum shows or you want to begin your theatrical journey with us, we look forward to seeing what you can bring this musical.”
New Tusculum University students begin making connections and receive support from faculty and staff at Pioneer Quest
GREENEVILLE – During their studies, new Tusculum University students will receive one-on-one support and mentoring from their professors and staff members as they become career-ready professionals.
That collaboration between faculty and students was on display Friday, July 26, as these new Pioneers met with professors to review their course schedules, ask questions and learn more about Tusculum’s academic programs. Students were also able to spend time with leaders of the advising team to ensure they are on the right path toward graduation from the outset of their studies at Tusculum.
This hands-on support was part of Pioneer Quest. This event brings new students to campus so they can be well prepared when classes begin Monday, Aug. 26. In addition to meeting with faculty members and advisors, these students learned more about the various clubs, groups and programs they can join at Tusculum.
Exterior of the Doak House Museum and the grounds receiving facelift and greater access through state grant
GREENEVILLE – Exterior work at the Doak House Museum is freshening the look of the historic structure and providing enhanced traffic flow for guests arriving and leaving the facility.
Toward the end of 2023, Tusculum University received a $40,000 capital maintenance and improvement grant administered by the Tennessee State Museum. The funds are helping the university preserve the Doak House with repairs and new paint for the windows, doors and other parts of the building. This grant has also enabled Tusculum to address damage to the parking lot from flooding and provided a second access point to the Erwin Highway,
The parking lot update is complete, but the crew working on the house still had a few weeks remaining as of Friday, June 14.
Exhibit of insightful works created by students and community members during European trip coming to Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Students and community members who participated in an 11-day trip to Austria and Germany in March will present at an upcoming show the art they created based on their experiences in these countries.
The 10 participants who visited places such as Salzburg, Austria; Munich, Germany; and the Dachau concentration camp will display their works in the Clem Allison Art Gallery at Tusculum University Thursday, June 6, from 4-7 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free exhibit and speak with the students and community members about their art work.
“This trip was replete with active and experiential learning for the students and community members and enriched their lives,” said Bill Bledsoe, assistant professor of art and design at Tusculum, who led the tour. “The works they have produced based on seeing stunning scenery, extraordinary art and a tragic historic facility are marvelous and thought-provoking, and the public will benefit greatly from viewing this art. We encourage everyone to join us.”
Diverse graduating class of about 200 students leaves its mark at Tusculum University as it advances to the next stage in life
GREENEVILLE – Descending the stage as Tusculum University’s newest alumni, graduates left their imprint on the higher education institution in the classroom and through extracurricular activities and emerged from their studies as career-ready, civically engaged professionals.
Nearly 200 students from 25 states and territories and 10 countries moved their tassels from one side of the cap to the other during graduation Saturday, May 4, in Pioneer Arena. They earned associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in multiple disciplines, but most importantly, many were just as active in other endeavors during their days as Pioneers.
“A Tusculum degree is rooted in active and experiential learning, which strongly prepares students for the workforce or the next step in their careers,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “Our pioneering spirit also enables students to impact the campus and the community in other ways through the mentorship of our expert faculty and dedicated staff. We have been pleased to watch our graduates embrace this opportunity and make the most of their years at Tusculum.”
Newly published edition of Tusculum University’s “Sit Lux,” a student-led journal, focuses on personal experiences and lives
GREENEVILLE – Personal reflections, profiles and perspectives combined with art of varying styles fill the pages of the newest edition of “Sit Lux,” a student-led publication that highlights the clever and creative writing and design that permeates Tusculum University.
The publication features 29 pages of nonfiction and poetry crafted by six students and two alumni as well as four pieces of digital art and one graphite drawing inside and digital illustrations on the covers developed by five students. The contributors come from a variety of academic disciplines but share a passion for stimulating writing and attractive art. Readers learn more about these creative writers and artists and the two lead editors – senior Zach Mitchell and junior Kiersten Paxton — and the poetry editor, junior Zoey Seay, in mini-profiles.
“It’s definitely more community-based than prior editions and about personal experiences and personal lives,” Paxton said.
Tusculum University Community Band to perform “Holst and Friends” at Niswonger Performing Arts Center
GREENEVILLE – The Tusculum University Community Band will transport the audience to the stars in a celestially themed concert as the musicians remember a prominent and widely respected composer on his 150th birthday and play works of other great artists.
“Holst and Friends” is the name for the band’s annual spring concert Thursday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Lasting about 90 minutes with an intermission, the concert will feature three works by Gustav Holst, an English composer and music teacher born in 1874 and known best for his orchestral suite “The Planets.” The band will also play works by seven other composers.
The concert is free, but donations are welcome. Donations will be directed to the purchase of additional uniforms for the Tusculum University student marching band.
Tusculum students demonstrate their creativity, research and presentation skills at Academic Symposium on campus
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University students showcased their creativity, research and presentation skills Friday, April 19, at the Academic Symposium on campus, an event that highlights the high-quality hands-on learning they receive from the higher education institution.
Thirty-four students exhibited multiple forms of art, research papers and posters that revealed their talent and the knowledge they have gained during their studies. Among the academic programs represented were art and design, biology, chemistry, English, environmental science. history, mathematics, psychology and sport science. People can view the list of students who participated, their majors and their subject matter at https://www3.tusculum.edu/news/tusc-family/2024/25317/.
In addition, a Tusculum alumna gave students valuable tips as she detailed her journey from her undergraduate days to now holding a doctorate. Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president, praised the students for their product as he touted the value of a Tusculum education.
Tusculum University honors talented student writers and presents a distinguished author during awards ceremony
GREENEVILLE – Two up-and-coming authors captured the top awards honoring the best student writing in four genres during the annual Curtis ’28 and Billie Owens Literary Prize ceremony Thursday, April 11, at Tusculum University.
Junior Kiersten Paxton won in the drama, fiction and nonfiction categories for the titles “A Royal Kill,” “Green is Blue” and “Kids Can See,” respectively. Senior Zach Mitchell was victorious in poetry for “My Night at Ford Theater.”
Paxton and Mitchell also earned honorable mention in poetry and nonfiction, respectively for “The Dogs” and “The Nature of Resurrection.” Junior Tate Haugen was the other writer who received recognition with an honorable mention in poetry for “Language Barrier.” All of the recipients are English majors, concentrating in creative writing, at Tusculum.
Greene County high school students experience college life and learn during Old Oak Workshops at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Students from two Greene County schools experienced campus life and learned from Tusculum University faculty and staff members as well as students in a fun and inviting manner during the annual Old Oak Workshops Friday, April 5.
The Tusculum employees provided active and experiential learning for the 68 students from West Greene High School and South Greene High School who attended this traditional event. Students had an opportunity to discover more about poetry, voting, video games, the heart and many other subjects in three hourlong sessions. They were also able to eat in the Tusculum cafeteria.
“We relish the opportunity to bring these students to Tusculum for additional learning and fun,” said Vicky Johnson Bós, associate professor of English, who leads the event. “Civic engagement is an element of our mission, and the workshops provide us an opportunity to further develop our relationships with local schools and show why Tusculum would be an excellent place for students to continue their studies.”