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.”
Student writers to be honored for their work, award-winning author to read during annual ceremony at Tusculum
GREENEVILLE – Celebrate great writing created by Tusculum University students during an annual awards ceremony that will also feature an accomplished author and professor reading from her works.
Tusculum’s English and Languages Department and College of Civic and Liberal Arts will honor student writers at the Curtis ’28 and Billie Owens Literary Prize event Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. The event will take place in the Brotherton Boardroom on the third floor of the Meen Center. The public is welcome.
Tusculum University, Greeneville High School students expand knowledge, further develop art skills during trip to Europe
GREENEVILLE – They did not sing about doe or being 16 going on 17, but Tusculum University and local high school students and a professor recently used the locations from the classic movie “The Sound of Music” and other places to enhance their drawing and painting skills.
Bill Bledsoe, assistant professor of art and design, recently led a contingent of students and adults on a trip to Salzburg, Austria, where they drew and painted at the places many of the scenes from the movie were filmed. They also traveled to Germany and drew at the site where atrocious acts occurred – the Dachau concentration camp.
The students have since returned to America and are completing the works they started in Europe. They will unveil their finished projects at an upcoming show. Details are forthcoming.
Cast members hand out newspapers in local shopping center to promote “Newsies” performances at The Capitol Theatre
GREENEVILLE – “Newsies, hit the streets!” Jack Kelly yelled to his fellow salesmen. The newsies cheered in support of the directive.
The mission immediately began as the newsies fanned out across the Greeneville Commons on Saturday, March 30, to hand out copies of The Greeneville Sun, along with a small flyer promoting the upcoming performances of the musical “Newsies.” These cast members, dressed in full costume, enthusiastically offered the newspapers, provided for free by the Sun, to customers as they entered the various stores.
Thirteen days ahead of opening night, these cast members, led by Todd Wallin, who plays Kelly, displayed the same energy and vibe on the sidewalks of the Commons that they will demonstrate when the curtain rises in The Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville for each of the six performances of “Newsies.” The Sun is the musical’s media sponsor, and the Commons graciously agreed to let cast members promote the shows in this innovative manner.
Four Tusculum history majors showcase their knowledge with presentations at honor society conference on campus
GREENEVILLE – Four history majors at Tusculum University demonstrated their knowledge on varied local, state and national subjects during a recent conference for college students that was held on campus.
Tusculum’s Alpha Pi Alpha chapter hosted the Tennessee Regional Conference of the national Phi Alpha Theta history honor society Saturday, March 23, in Chalmers Conference Center. The event brought students from Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama universities to discuss their research.
“We were thrilled to host the conference and showcase what our students have learned from their active and experiential coursework at Tusculum,” said Dr. Jeffrey Perry, associate professor of history, who served as the conference’s organizer. “Research is an important element of a Tusculum student’s undergraduate experience, and our history students’ presentations during the conference demonstrate their growing ability to develop original research questions, evaluate both archival materials and secondary sources and disseminate their findings. Such skills are valuable for myriad careers.”
Six camps scheduled for this summer at Tusculum University to provide active and experiential learning in beautiful setting
GREENEVILLE – Families seeking a high-quality experience at summer camps will find exactly what they need at Tusculum University.
Tusculum has developed six camps, capturing an array of interests, that will take place in June and July on campus. The university’s faculty and staff are ready to spend a week at each camp providing active and experiential learning that will grow children’s skills in a fun and inviting manner.
“Our gorgeous and historic campus is a perfect setting for children to enjoy a portion of their summer away from school while still expanding their knowledge,” said Greg Fay, Tusculum’s director of camps and continuing education. “The university’s faculty and staff members have prepared exciting camps that will create memories children will take with them for a lifetime.”
Lively Broadway musical “Newsies,” presented by Tusculum, coming to the Capitol Theatre for six shows in April
GREENEVILLE – High-caliber acting, singing and dancing await guests when the curtain rises for six performances of the musical “Newsies” presented by Tusculum University.
Theatre-at-Tusculum will hold lively shows April 12, April 13, April 19 and April 20 at 7 p.m. and April 14 and April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville. Steve Schultz, the director of “Newsies,” has teamed since January with an ensemble cast of about 70 to produce a show that will have audiences singing the songs and quoting lines as they return home.
“Cast members are focused on creating an exceptional and memorable experience for our audiences with this fun musical,” said Schultz, who also serves as director of Tusculum Arts Outreach. “The tremendous energy audiences will feel when they come to the shows and the quality of our production have been reflected in our rehearsals. We encourage community members throughout East Tennessee to join us for one or more of these outstanding shows.”
Accomplished Bulgarian artist’s work to be auctioned at Tusculum University; presentation on one of his books and exciting drawing workshop to follow
GREENEVILLE – A renowned artist from Bulgaria, who has traveled the globe to participate in a variety of events in his profession, will showcase and sell some of his work and conduct a workshop on drawing Thursday, March 21, at Tusculum University.
Doncho Donchev has produced a diverse portfolio during his prolific and extensive career. He has conducted live painting performances on stage and created illustrations, paintings, sculptures and playing cards using a variety of materials and techniques. He most recently participated in the Tadweer Art Exhibition 2024 in Qatar. Now, he will share his talent with East Tennessee residents as well as Tusculum students, faculty and staff.
“This event at Tusculum will provide a tremendous opportunity for our art and design students to develop their skills and knowledge further and be inspired through their interaction with a world-class multidimensional artist,” said Rouja Green, director of Tusculum’s Center for the Arts. “In addition, community members at all artistic talent levels will benefit from hearing him talk about his work and then teaching them about drawing. This can’t-miss event highlights our commitment to civic engagement and preparing our students to be career-ready professionals.”
Dean of Tusculum’s College of Civic and Liberal Arts to examine 100 years of the short story during Cicero Lecture on campus
GREENEVILLE – Spend an evening learning about the history and value of short stories from an expert writer and Tusculum University leader during the annual lecture that captures elements of the higher education institution’s commitment to civic engagement.
Wayne Thomas, dean of the College of Civic and Liberal Arts and an associate professor of English, will give the Cicero Lecture Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre on campus. The title of his comprehensive and insightful presentation is “American History and the Short Story: Readings and a Lecture.”
“The themes and styles of the American short story offer striking parallels and contemporaneous commentary on American history,” Thomas said. “The lecture will trace 100 years of that history via this literary form, decade by decade, starting with the early 20th century and continuing through the early 21st century.”
Community invited to share the words and voices of African Americans during Black History Month event at Tusculum
GREENEVILLE – Community members are encouraged to celebrate the words and voices of African Americans as Tusculum University concludes its Black History Month observance with one of its traditional events.
The English and Languages Department will hold the African American Read-In Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the living room of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. Community members are invited to join Tusculum faculty, staff and students for this annual drop-in gathering.
Attendees can read or listen to poetry, plays, novels or essays from African American authors. They can also play speeches or music from notable African American leaders and artists. Participants can bring something to read or play or choose from a selection the department will bring.