Erin Frizzell chosen as Tusculum’s University’s dean of students, bringing a range of experience in education and law
GREENEVILLE – A dynamic Tusculum University leader with experience in the law, teaching and academic advising has been promoted to dean of students.
Erin Frizzell, who is also a Tusculum alumna, will be responsible for student wellness and conduct, intramurals and student work-studies and will serve as the university’s Title IX coordinator.
She will work in the Office of Student Affairs and collaborate with fellow staff members and other stakeholders at Tusculum to ensure students receive the holistic support they need in a caring Christian environment so they become career-ready professionals.
The Rev. E.J. Swatsell named director of spiritual life and special projects for Tusculum University’s robust faith programming
GREENEVILLE – An experienced minister who has also accumulated extensive fundraising experience has been named director of spiritual life and special projects at Tusculum University.
The Rev. E.J. Swatsell will oversee the university’s new Christian Leadership Institute, including its Discipleship Living-Learning Center. He will also be on point for all other aspects of campus ministry, including the university’s chapel sessions and church partnerships. In addition, he will play a major role in fundraising for Tusculum’s spiritual initiatives.
“Our students and the rest of the Tusculum family will benefit significantly from E.J.’s enthusiasm and commitment to serve the Lord,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “His varied experiences of delivering the message of God’s love and leading people to a deeper relationship with Christ will produce even greater spiritual development on campus. We also know he will excel at further expanding our connections with churches in the region and securing needed financial resources for our faith enrichment activities.”
Two Tusculum University students selected to serve as peer mentors for new Discipleship Living-Learning Center on campus
GREENEVILLE – Students who participate in a new initiative at Tusculum University that fosters further growth in their faith will receive one-on-one guidance and support from a peer mentor who shares their love for the Lord.
As part of its new Christian Leadership Institute, Tusculum is establishing the Discipleship Living-Learning Center. It will provide the opportunity for first- and second-year students to live in university-owned houses with fellow Pioneers who are focused on deepening their connection with God. They will partake in Bible study, including hearing from local pastors and other Christian leaders, and engage in other ministry activities.
Assisting them will be a third- and fourth-year student or graduate student who will also reside there and serve as a peer mentor. The mentor will have weekly discipleship sessions with the younger students, assist with the running of the Bible sessions and help students with any other spiritual resources they need.
Student Support Services’ grant to assist disadvantaged students at Tusculum University awarded for five years
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds will continue to have access to a vital program that helps them succeed in the classroom and envision a life beyond their expectations.
The federal government has awarded Tusculum a TRIO Student Support Services grant for the next five years. The grant is for $348,515 each year to cover a wide array of services and activities for traditional and online students. Tusculum has had an SSS program, which serves undergraduate students, since 1998. The program is funded to serve 200 students.
“This is thrilling news for our students,” said Rachael Barnett, SSS’ director. “Our program changes the trajectory of their lives and inspires them to elevate their aspirations and pursue their dreams. It is rewarding to watch our students embrace their opportunities and land in fulfilling careers that make a difference in their communities.”
Five Tusculum University faculty members earn promotions from the Board of Trustees; four rise to full professor
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University has promoted five faculty members who have distinguished themselves in their service to their students, the higher education institution and their profession.
The Board of Trustees has approved the change in rank for the following faculty members:
- Dr. Anne Acker – from associate professor of English to professor of English
- Angelo Botta – from assistant professor of physical education and sport science to associate professor of physical education and sport science
- Dr. Susan Monteleone – from associate professor of biology to professor of biology
- Dr. Kate Smith – from associate professor of psychology to professor of psychology
- Kelsey Trom – from associate professor of English to professor of English
“We are proud of the outstanding performance by these faculty members to equip our students to be career-ready professionals,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “They are experts in their fields who work one-on-one with their students in a caring Christian environment and provide valuable mentorship. These promotions are well-earned, and we are excited these faculty members will continue to serve our students and represent the university.”
Tusculum student presents research at regional conference, is joined by fellow Pioneers for professional development
ATLANTA – A Tusculum University student recently shared research she and her classmates completed on anxiety as she interacted with peers and professionals across the Southeast at a conference geared for those who participate in a federal grant program that supports disadvantaged individuals.
Emme Foster, a rising junior, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in communication, presented a poster at the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel SSS/McNair Scholars Research Conference. The topic was about the correlation of sleep quality and physical activity to anxiety.
The study, conducted with fellow members in her Psychology 201 class, began with a hypothesis that more sleep and physical activity would result in less anxiety. The research showed through 201 survey responses that sleep quality was a factor but that the connection with physical activity was insignificant.
Incoming Tusculum University students learn more about academics, campus life during Pioneer Quest
GREENEVILLE – Excited incoming students and their families experienced Tusculum University firsthand during a recent orientation that enabled them to more completely understand the next step in their academic and personal lives.
Tusculum held Pioneer Quest Saturday, June 28, on its historic and scenic campus. The event enabled incoming students and their families to speak with Tusculum administrators and learn more about what they can expect in college and some of the finer details of campus life. Parents also had an opportunity to discover how they can support their child’s success in college.
Incoming students also met with the assistant deans and professors in the academic fields in which they are studying to discuss life in the classroom and review their course schedules. In addition, the university provided tours of a residence hall room. These students also heard about Student Support Services, a program at Tusculum that assists Pioneers whose parents or guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree. This free program, funded by a federal grant, also assists students who are income-eligible and have a disability.
Greeneville Woman’s Club, North Greene High School FFA provide money and labor for Tusculum University’s arboretum
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University has received additional support for its Level I arboretum with a donation for signs from the Greeneville Woman’s Club and stakes to hold them from the North Greene High School FFA.
The club recently presented a check for $500 to Tusculum representatives in a get-together on campus that followed outreach from Kim Carter, science laboratory assistant, chemical hygiene officer and Environmental Protection Agency coordinator at the university. She also used her connection as a North Greene FFA Alumni member to receive assistance for the stakes from current students in that school’s agriculture program.
“We are proud of our arboretum and encourage the community to come to campus and enjoy all of the beautiful trees on our campus,” Carter said. “We are grateful for our partnerships with the Greeneville Woman’s Club, which has been a longtime friend, and the North Greene FFA. Their assistance enables us to provide additional detail about the trees and our commitment to a rich environmental setting for the Tusculum family and our guests to enjoy.”
Students participating in Summer Academy demonstrate their knowledge and skills with presentations of their work
GREENEVILLE – Knowledge, best practices and artistic expression skills attained during five weeks of active and experiential learning were on display during recent presentations by local high school students participating in the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science Summer Academy.
As they wrapped up their studies for this year’s academy, held at Tusculum University, students in the math, science and humanities areas showed their research posters and answered questions about their array of topics. Students who were part of the art program showed their creations in a variety of media, and other academy participants who were in the theater track performed improvisational comedy and performed monologues.
The presentations were held Wednesday, June 25, in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Meen Center, the lobby of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre.
Speakers highlight attributes such as freedom and love, note more work remains during Juneteenth event at Tusculum
GREENEVILLE – Speakers highlighted the importance of freedom and love and the value of experiencing someone different as they commemorated Juneteenth during an event at Tusculum University.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, 2 ½ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The final slaves were freed in Texas at the direction of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, but the speakers Wednesday, June 18, noted that was not the end of the story.
“For years people worked and labored for a freedom that was already theirs,” said Tiffany Eskridge Bell, community outreach coordinator for the Roane County NAACP and the Greenwood School Education Foundation. “That’s why Juneteenth is more than just a date. It is a lesson of how silence often shields injustice. It is a reminder of the words of the civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer hold truth: Nobody is free until we’re all free. Juneteenth is a celebration of the day that truth finally caught up to the promise. Freedom isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement.”
Juneteenth thoughts from Richard Miller
“No persons formerly slaves will be permitted to travel on the public thoroughfares without passes or permits from their employers, or congregate in buildings or camps at or adjacent to any military post or town.”
Do you remember the “moonwalk” dance? A dancer appeared to go forward but really moved backwards. That’s sort of what it was like to be a slave in the 1860s. The words above come from General Gordon Granger. He wrote the Juneteenth memo. Two weeks later, he wrote the above prohibitions. Metaphorically, Granger danced the moonwalk.