NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

There was much to celebrate on Saturday, May 7, for 262 individuals who received degrees during Tusculum College’s spring commencement ceremony.

Ninety-six students earned Bachelor of Science degrees in organizational management and 129 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 37 earned Master of Arts degrees.

Walking with this spring’s graduates were representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1961 who are celebrating their 50^th anniversary year. Representatives walked in the procession, clothed in golden caps and gowns and were recognized during the ceremony by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.

The new graduates were addressed by Moody, who recognized the commencement ceremony as “an occasion of celebration and completion.” Adding, “Each of you have made sacrifices, adjustments and also made tough decisions. This is a testament to your own efforts and also to your persistence. Today is your reward. Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments.”

Simon Holzapfel, a sports management major from Nuremburg, Germany, addressed the crowd as a representative of the Residential College program. Holzapfel has been accepted to the graduate program at Eastern Kentucky University.

He told the group, “I am deeply indebted to some of the faculty members. Each one of them has taught me valuable lessons, may it be through classroom lectures or outside of the classroom. Many have pushed me beyond my comfort zone and by doing so extended it.”

In particularly he singled out Dr. Kirpal Mahal, professor of physical education.

“He has taught me so much about the physical education and sports science professions, about people and about life in general that I don’t know anymore what I have learned from him. I have absorbed countless hours of conversation, mentoring, and counseling with him to the point where I cannot tell the difference anymore between what I already knew and what he has taught me,” said Holzapfel.

Robin Moore of Gatlinburg spoke on behalf of the college’s Graduate and Professional Studies education program. Moore talked about finishing her degree and the confidence it has instilled in her that was not there before.

“I know that, without this experience, I would still doubt myself. I would still see that academic misfit that just never quite could make it in school. Instead, I can look back upon my life’s experiences and know that they have made me the person I am today,” she said.

Amanda Bunch of Knoxville spoke on behalf of the Graduate and Professional Studies program in Organizational Management.

She told her fellow graduates, “I want you to look back on all of your hard work and dedication and use all these skills to tackle any challenges you may face in the future. You now know you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”

Clyde Shumate of Johnson City spoke on behalf of the master’s of education program. He spoke to his peers in the teaching profession, encouraging them to always do what’s best for their students.

“Doing what’s best requires teachers to plan, evaluate, teach and engage the students in the learning process. This takes hard work from both sides and many children will resist hard work, which is why we must motivate them. Every day teachers are in a battle to engage every child, to educate and graduate them as productive, responsible citizens. That’s the goal-that all will graduate and become successful.”

Representing the master’s program in Organizational Management for the Graduate and Professional Studies program was Belinda Kenny of Friendsville. Kenny talked about the difficulty of returning for her master’s degree 23 years after completing her bachelor’s degree.

“My family has endured a dirty house, uncooked dinners, limited time for family events, and even a little testiness as I attended class every Wednesday night in Morristown for one and a half years,” she said.

“Being an adult learner in a graduate program has taught me about commitment, faith and determination. It has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to do as long as I commit to doing my best and working hard…as long as I keep my eyes on my goal and not the pressures of the day…as long as I believed that the God who got me in this mess would get me out of it.”

Also speaking was Mark Stokes, director of religious life, church and community relations. Stokes presented a sermon titled, “Simple Words.” He encouraged the graduates to use thank you notes to express their thanks to everyone in their life that has made an impact.

“Especially on this day,” he said, “You know there have been many who have assisted you. Use simple words to express your thanks.”

In addition to the presentation of the undergraduate and graduate degrees, two faculty awards were presented.

Receiving the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership award for the Residential College was Jane Sandusky, assistant professor of athletic training. Receiving the award for the Graduate and Professional Studies program was Dr. Stella Schramm, professor of management.

Also on the program was a presentation by the graduating class from the Residential College. Marci Moore, a business education major from Parrotsville, presented a check for $500 to Dr. Moody on behalf of the Senior Class Gift Committee. The money was raised to pay for the new entrance signs at the Gilland and Shiloh road entrances to campus.

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A “Take Back the Night” event was held on the Tusculum College campus on Friday, April 29. Take Back the Night focuses on ending sexual violence of all forms and lending support to survivors. Speaking to the students about characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships was Kim Bushore-Maki, above, owner of Shakti in the Mountains, Women’s Center in Johnson City. A counselor, Bushore-Maki also addressed society’s sexual relations norms for each gender and the historic reasons for the differences. She encouraged the students to end unhealthy relationships and to communicate their feelings more fully to the person with whom they are having a romantic relationship. Erica Barenbaum, a Tusculum alumna who is now in veterinary school, shared her experience as a victim of sexual violence and encouraged the students to tell a counselor or other trusted person if they are the victim of sexual violence. The students also shared their own experiences of unhealthy relationships, being a victim or dealing with ignorance of others of these issues. Take Back the Night was sponsored by the Voices Against Violence student organization, Student Support Services and Counseling Services.

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“What are you going to be when you grow up?”

Local high school students were given information to help them answer that question and how to get there during the Junior Conference at Tusculum College on Thursday.

Eleventh graders from all five high schools in Greeneville and Greene County attended the second annual event at Tusculum, hosted by the College’s Office of Admission and the Alumni Executive Board.

Welcoming the high school students to campus, Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody encouraged the juniors to pursue education following graduation whether it is at a technical school, a community college, a state university or a private college.

Keynote speaker for the opening session of the conference was Nathan Honeycutt, an owner of Honeycutt Architecture who has been the lead designer on many architectural and master planning projects in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and China.

Honeycutt told the students that he was fortunate in that he knew he wanted to be an architect at an early age, and encouraged them to begin to think about their future. “Today would be a good day to begin,” he said. “What will your story be?”

Those who may be exploring that question of a career should look at what they enjoy doing and even consider the television shows, movies and other activities they enjoy. Honeycutt also told the students to not be afraid of failure, but to persist in pursuing their goals.

Following the opening session, the students attended two sessions from the more than 20 college track, vocational track and career track sessions offered.

The career/professional and vocational tracks included such areas as sport management, nursing, education, athletic training, business, law, pharmacy, speech therapy, medical technology respiratory therapy and real estate.

Representatives from Mountain States Health Alliance, Laughlin Memorial Hospital, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Coffman Oil Company, Parrish Property Management, the Tennessee Technology Center, the Greeneville School System and the Greeneville Astros volunteered their time to lead the sessions.

In the sessions, students learned first-hand about the educational requirements for various careers and positions, income levels and the daily tasks of individuals in those careers and positions.

The College Track sessions, led by Tusculum College staff members, involved sharing information about college admission test preparation, college interviews, financial aid and admission processes and college life.

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Phillip Lewis, a 2010 graduate of Tusculum College, has been named “WIVK and Shoney’s Teacher of the Month” by the Knoxville radio station.

Lewis, who was a student in Tusculum’s Graduate and Professional Studies program in Morristown, is a second grade teacher at Belle Morris Elementary School in Knoxville.

The first-year teacher was chosen by a submission made on the WIVK-FM web page. The recipient receives school supplies, an award plaque and a complimentary dinner at Shoney’s.

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A wreath representing Tusculum College was among the Christmas decorations featured in the recent “Festival of Trees” at Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

The beautifully designed wreath was decorated by Deborah Davis, associate athletic director, compliance officer and senior women’s administrator. The theme for the wreath was “A Tapestry of Pioneer Pride,” reflecting the theme of the recent inauguration of Tusculum’s president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody.

Wellington Place Assisted Living and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center hosted the Festival of Trees, which featured trees, wreaths, swags, topiaries center pieces and gingerbread houses all decorated for the holidays.

The Festival of Trees was open to the public from November 15 through 22. Admission was a can of food to be donated to the Greene County Food Bank. A silent auction was held of the various items with proceeds benefitting the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and A Safe Harbor Home, Inc., a transitional shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Both the Food Bank and Safe Harbor Home have received the assistance of Tusculum students in the past. For example, students have volunteered at the Food Bank and painted murals for Safe Harbor Home’s new consignment store during the last Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day.

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William Kelly, a 2009 graduate of Tusculum College, returned to his alma mater on Thursday to tell current students about his career in the field of environmental science.

Kelly, who earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and creative writing from Tusculum, is a chemist for Triumvirate Environmental, one of the leading environmental firms in the New England region.

One of the best characteristics of his job is that it varies from day to day, Kelly told a group of students, faculty and staff attending the presentation.

While the title “chemist” may bring images to mind of a person working in a lab, he said, his position is very different as a majority of his time is spent in the field at customer sites.

His responsibilities vary depending on the assignment, Kelly said. He has inspected the waste handling and disposal procedures at university research labs, driven a truck of waste to a disposal site, cleaned up hazardous material spills and directed the implementation of better waste disposal procedures by a hospital following an inspection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Kelly, who is from Sevierville, said his classes at Tusculum provided a good base of knowledge for him in his position although he has received much on-the-job training. In his job interview, Kelly said it was beneficial to him to be able to note that he had taken a course in industrial hygiene.

Another key, he said, to his hiring by the firm was the people skills he was able to learn through his leadership roles in the Upward Bound program and as an editor for the student newspaper at Tusculum, as well as his experience working in a retail store.

Triumvirate Environmental focuses on customer service, Kelly said, so the ability to relate to people and be able to handle a variety of situations including those in which people may not be receptive to what you have to say or challenge what they are directed to do is crucial.

The company also provides opportunities for advancement to a variety of positions in its various divisions, he said, noting that each person at the firm, even the accountants and the president, has served at some point as a chemist so each person has an understanding of the scope of the work the firm handles.

Kelly advised students to serve in an internship while in college if possible as employers want applicants who have had some experience in the field.

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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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Approximately 300 alumni and friends of Tusculum College returned to campus for Homecoming 2010 activities Oct. 8 and 9.

Homecoming activities included a parade, a tailgate party, an alumni dinner and dance, Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a memorial service and the annual Alumni Association meeting.

In addition, this year’s festivities included the Inauguration of Dr. Nancy B. Moody, Tusculum College’s 27^th and first female president, and related events. Alumni representing almost each class beginning with the class of 1940 marched in the processional for the ceremony, and Dr. Robert Pollock, a member of the class of 1965 and president of the Alumni Association, spoke during the ceremony on behalf of the alumni.

At half-time of the football game, seniors Jerwayne Gunn and Amber Sharp were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. Gunn is a graphic design major from Antioch, Tenn., and a student assistant with the Lady Pioneers women’s basketball team and a peer mentor for the Quest group. Sharp is an athletic training major from Tazewell, Tenn., who is the president of the Bonner Leaders program and a member of the President’s Society, the Student Alumni Association, Athletic Training Student Society and Iota Tau Alpha.

During the annual Alumni Association meeting, members of the Class of 1960 presented a class gift of $2,000 to Dr. Moody in honor of their 50^th anniversary. The gift was used to purchase a defibrillator for use by campus safety.

Also during the meeting, awards were presented to a distinguished alumnus and a long-time professor and staff member. Recipients of the awards are nominated by alumni.

Howard Doscher of East Hanover, N.J., a member of the class of 1960, was the recipient of the Pioneer Award, the highest honor presented by the Alumni Association for exemplifying the Pioneer spirit of excellence and service to others. A veteran of the U.S. Army and the New Jersey National Guard, Doscher had a 33-year distinguished career at Chubb Life Insurance Company, holding various leadership positions. He later founded the Economic Management Group, a specialty insurance consulting firm.

Doscher is deeply involved in his community, serving on the East Hanover Environmental Commission, coaching little league teams and helping teach his church’s confirmation class. He devotes considerable time to the Knights of Columbus and the Deer Lake Club, a family recreation center. Doscher has been a longtime supporter of his alma mater and served on Tusculum’s Board of Trustees in the 1980s.

Honored with the National Living Faculty Award was Dr. David Bow, professor of physical education, who has been a leader and positive influence in the classroom and on campus for more than 20 years.  Dr. Bow teaches a variety of classes in both the Residential College and Graduate and Professional Studies programs. He has served in several leadership positions including coordinator and chairman of the Physical Education program, director of athletics and a coach. His work for the athletics department has been recognized by his induction into the Tusculum College Sports Hall of Fame. Dr. Bow is a member of several professional physical education organizations and has served as president of the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Receiving the National Alumni Recognition Award was Jeanne Stokes, director of the federal TRIO Program at Tusculum College. Stokes has positively touched hundreds of lives in the East Tennessee region through her work with the programs that provide enrichment activities to encourage prospective first-generation college students to continue their education after high school as well as provide services to students once they enter college. 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.

On Saturday evening, three new members were inducted into the Tusculum College Sports Hall of Fame.  This year’s induction class included All-Region women’s cross country runner Amanda Musick Hale, a 2004 graduate; All-Conference quarterback Caleb Slover, a 2003 graduate, and All-Region volleyball standout Deb Varney Zevetchin, a 1998 graduate.

Also presented during the ceremony was the Sports Benefactor Award, which recognizes an individual for their contributions toward the Pioneer athletic programs. The 2010 recipient was Larry Coughlin, a long-time supporter of Tusculum athletics. Coughlin is currently serving as the chairman of the 2010-11 Pioneer Club Campaign, which provides funds for scholarships for student athletes and program support.

The date has been selected for Homecoming 2011, which will be Sept. 23 and 24.

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Inauguration and Homecoming 2010 is reaching its zenith with the Inauguration ceremony to take place Friday afternoon and Homecoming activities all day on Saturday.

Please make all the alumni and special guests coming to campus welcome, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation in accommodating our guests this weekend.

The central focus of the week, the inauguration ceremony, will take place at 2 p.m. Friday in Pioneer Arena, located in the Niswonger Commons. The ceremony will feature alumni representatives from each graduating class, beginning in the 1940s, as part of the processional as well as current students representing various campus organizations, delegates from more than 25 colleges and universities, a former Tusculum president, the college’s Board of Trustees and faculty members.

A special Inaugural Festival Choir has been formed to perform during the ceremony, which includes alumni and members of the college community. Brief remarks are to be made by representatives from various college constituents including current students, alumni, faculty, staff, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the community. Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and a 1970 alumnus, will administer the investiture and oath to Dr. Moody, who will then deliver her inaugural address.

Preceding the ceremony will be the Inauguration Luncheon to take place at 11 a.m. on the lawn of the Thomas J. Garland Library.

Friday’s inauguration activities will conclude with the President’s Inaugural Dinner and Ball 6 p.m. at the General Morgan Inn. The special speaker for the dinner will be Deborah Kapp from the McCormick Theological Seminary. Tusculum’s first benefactor, Nettie Fowler McCormick, and her husband, Cyrus McCormick, were also general supporters of the seminary and the couple learned of Tusculum through alumni who were attending the seminary. Special music for the dinner will be provided by the Dr. Bob Orr Trio. The cost of the dinner is $50 per person.

On campus, students will have the annual Pep Rally and Bonfire at the Gravel Pit, beginning at 9 p.m.

Saturday’s Homecoming events begin with a Homecoming Memorial Service that honors the memory of alumni who have passed away since Homecoming 2009 last October. The service will be at 8:30 a.m. in the Chalmers Conference Center inside the Niswonger Commons.

The Alumni Association meeting will follow at 10 a.m., providing alumni an opportunity to learn the latest about their alma mater and meet new alumni officers. Alumni awards will be presented during the meeting, also held inside the Chalmers Conference Center.

The 7^th annual Homecoming Parade will travel through campus starting at 11:30 a.m., featuring members of the Golden Pioneer Class of 1960, who will serve as grand marshals, the Pioneer Pep Band, Homecoming court candidates and student organizations.

A tailgate party for alumni and the Pioneer Club at Pioneer Park (the baseball stadium) will precede the football game. The cost of the tailgate is $15 per person.

Students will have a tailgate from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. at the basketball courts next to Katherine Hall. Stop by and visit with Electric 94.9, a Tri-Cities radio station, that will be doing a live broadcast from campus.

The Homecoming football game begins at 2 p.m. The Pioneers will take on the Newberry College Wolves in a South Atlantic Conference match-up. Tickets for the game are $10 for adults, $5 for children with children 5 and under free. The tickets can be purchased at the game.

Homecoming activities will conclude Saturday evening with the All Alumni Dinner and Dance/Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The dinner, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn, will include the induction of three past Tusculum student-athletes into the Sports Hall of Fame of Tusculum College - 2005 alumna Amanda Musick Hale , 2002 alumnus Caleb Slover and 1998 alumna Deb Varney Zevetchin.

On Thursday, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the College engaged in some friendly competition during the Homecoming 2010 Golf Tournament at Link Hills Country Club. On campus, students enjoyed the performance of “The Human IPod,” John Rush.

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Inaugural and Homecoming week activities continue on Tuesday with the Faculty and Staff Inaugural Breakfast, the Presidential Portrait Unveiling Ceremony and an Inaugural Presentation about the roots of Tusculum College’s civic arts curriculum.

Please join us for these events to celebrate the Inauguration of Tusculum’s 27^th and first female president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, and welcome the guests who will be visiting campus for these special events.

Come visit with Dr. Moody and your fellow faculty and staff members during the Faculty and Staff Inaugural Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Thomas J. Garland Library.

At 8 a.m. in the Reading Room of the Library, there will be a Presidential Portrait Unveiling Ceremony. A portrait of Dr. Moody will be unveiled during the ceremony. Dr. Moody’s portrait will be displayed as part of the special Presidential Portrait Exhibit along the Running Track of the Library. Visit the exhibit and learn about the previous 26 presidents of the College. The exhibit is open during regular hours of the Library.

Tuesday evening is an Inaugural presentation and Acts, Arts, Academia/Cicero lecture, which will explore the roots of Tusculum’s civic arts curriculum emphasis. Dr. Bill Garris, assistant professor of psychology, will explore the ties between Tusculum College and the Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero in a presentation at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre in the lower level of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The cost of the lecture is $6 per person. Staff, faculty and students are admitted free with ID.

Thanks to all those who participated in the Homecoming Chili Cook-off this morning in the Chalmers Conference Center. Six different departments offered some very tasty chili for the judges and students, faculty and staff who sampled and voted for their favorites. Congratulations to the two winners - chili representing the Thomas J. Garland Library won for best tasting. The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment won best showmanship with their “Wizard of Oz” themed presentation.

The Inaugural Student Art Exhibit opened in the Allison Gallery in the Rankin House on Monday with an opening reception. If you did not get a chance to visit the exhibit on Monday, you can still visit the gallery and see representative samples of the quality work done by Tusculum’s art students. The gallery is open weekdays from noon to 4 p.m.

Below are photos of Fagundes serving chili during the chili cook-off and the “Wizard of Oz” dressed staff members from the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment as well as a photo from the reception at the Inaugural Student Art Exhibit.

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