NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

The Museums of Tusculum are seeking volunteers for a variety of activities, from leading tour groups to helping care and process historical documents in the archives.

The museums, which include the Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on the Tusculum College campus, are looking for individuals with an interest in history, those who enjoy working with people and others who are looking for a way to serve the community in a unique way.

A variety of opportunities for volunteers can be found at the two museums in several areas of operations. In the area of education and interpretation, the museums need people who are willing to speak to small groups to assist in leading tours of the Doak House and teach children about the Doak family, Tusculum history and life in the 19^th century.

Reliable individuals interested in volunteering as a docent are needed to help staff the Doak House Museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May through August. Docents also need to be willing to speak to tour groups.

This summer, the Doak House will need volunteers to help with one or more of the three educational, fun camps the museum hosts. Helpers are needed to assist in preparing lessons and snacks and in supervising children.

At the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library, individuals with an interest in history and a curiosity about the “stuff” of history (documents, photos, books and other artifacts) are needed to help work in the Tusculum College Archives, caring for its rare and precious contents.

People who enjoy working outdoors are welcome to volunteer in the effort to maintain the beauty of the grounds of the two museums and the structural integrity of the Doak House and “Old College” building that houses the President Andrew Johnson Museum, both of which are pre-Civil War structures.

The two museums on campus are operated by the Department of Museum Program and Studies. The Doak House Museum is the 19^th century home of the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak, co-founder of Tusculum College, and hosts thousands of school children from the region for a variety of educational programs related to the 19^th century as well as other community programs, such as the “Pickin’ at the Doaks” monthly traditional music programs.

The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library houses a special collection of items relating to the 17^th president, the college’s archives, special themed exhibits and volumes from the institution’s original library.

The two museums are also part of the National Historic District on the Tusculum College campus. Follow the museums on Facebook and Twitter to learn the latest news and upcoming events or visit its Web site at www.tusculum.edu/museums to learn more about the variety of programs offered at the museums.

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Jeremy Johnston has been chosen as “Student of the Month” for November at Graduate and Professional Studies Tri-Cities Center.

Johnston is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction program for K-12 classroom teachers. He is scheduled to complete his coursework in April of 2011, and has maintained a 4.0 graduate Grade Point Average.

Johnston received his Bachelor’s degree from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Secondary Education, and his Associate’s degree from Northeast State Community College. He is currently a science teacher at Rogersville Middle School, where he also leads the Warriors as a dedicated Head Football Coach.
Johnston has a passion for excellence in education, and has a positive, winning attitude. One of his instructors said he is an exceptional speaker and presenter who is consistently pleasant and professional. He is a team player and a true example of excellence.

As a determined and hard-working student, Johnston is capable of anything he desires. He always gives 110 percent, and Tusculum College is proud to have him in the graduate program.

Johnston and his wife, Staci, reside in Surgoinsville, TN, with their four children: Logan-12, Hayleigh-10, Korbin-3, and Piper-2. In his spare time, Jeremy enjoys golfing, fishing, and camping. He is also an avid University of Tennessee Vols fan!

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More than 70 alumni and friends of Tusculum College gathered on Saturday, September 25, in Princeton, N.J., to celebrate Tusculum’s connection to the area and reconnect those ties to the college.

The reception was held at “Tusculum House,” at the generous hospitality of its current owner, Ms. Avril Moore. This regal home is significant in both the histories of Tusculum College and Princeton University.

Among those attending were Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody, Mr. Tom Moody and Susan D. Vance, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement, who served as host and hostesses along with Moore.

During a brief program in which Dr. Moody updated the group on progress and future plans for the college, she presented Moore with a Tusculum gift basket and Tusculum afghan as a thank you for her invitation to host the event and for her wonderful hospitality.

The event, hosted on the back patio of the Tusculum House featured a variety of foods, beverages, including a whiskey tasting event, and a band. Historic tours of the home were given and the Witherspoon Barn, which dawned handmade quilts, and the Witherspoon Cellar were open for visitation.

“This was one of our most successful alumni events,” said Dr. Moody. “The combination of the opportunity to visit the historic location and the active alumni we have in the Princeton area came together for a one-of-a-kind event that was truly memorable for all.”

“We had about 70 people in attendance including two current Board members and three prior members of the Board,” said Moody. “We had many alumni, two representatives from the Charlotte Newcombe Foundation and an entrepreneur from Princeton who is contemplating starting a business in Greeneville.”

“One of the highlights was the tour, in which so much history was shared, and we learned so much about Rev. John Witherspoon,” said Vance.

Moody added, “We received a true history lesson from both Avril and her father, Thomas H. Barton, whose ancestry go back to Tennessee.”

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Theatre-at-Tusculum has scheduled audition dates for its fall production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s fabulous and glittering musical, “The King and I.”

A large cast of leads, supports, singers and dancers will be needed for the production, which will be performed Nov. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14. All auditions will take place in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building, and no prepared material is required.

Auditions will begin on Monday and Wednesday, Aug. 16 and 18. Auditions for children will be held from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. each day. Sought for the cast are boys and girls from 4 to 11 years of age who are no taller than 4’10’’.

A special “dancers only” audition for “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” a Thai character dance, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 17, from 3:30 – 6:30. This audition is for both male and female dancers ages 10 years through adult.

Auditions for teens and adults will be Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 23 and 24. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with auditions from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Callbacks will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26.

Adapted from “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret London, the “King and I” was first performed in New York in 1951 and has stood the test of time. It has been made into a movie twice and has been performed on stages around the world continuously since its debut.

The show’s director, Marilyn duBrisk, has a special place in her heart for the show as she spent an exotic year in Bangkok, Thailand. duBrisk, director of the Arts Outreach program and artist-in-residence at Tusculum College, taught at Chula Longkoren University, which was established in the late 1800s by Prince Chula, a pupil of Anna Leonowens, governess to the King’s children.

In addition to duBrisk, the production staff includes Angie Clendenon, music director; Barbara Holt, costumes; Frank Mengel, technical and sets; Jennifer Hollowell, box office, and a host of talented musicians, volunteers, and of course, family-of-the-cast.

For more information about the auditions, call Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620.

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