NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Mark Persaud, a senior Pre-Physical Therapy and Sport Science major, from Greenbelt, MD and Brooklyn, NY has been named the Student of the Block for Block by the Student of the Block Selection committee.

“Mark is a true Pioneer and actively involved in many campus organizations,” said Bonnie Taylor, Student Life Coordinator, on behalf of the selection committee.

Mark is currently president of the Student Activities Board, co-captain of the Tusculum College Cheerleading Squad, a member of the President’s Society, and he is involved in many other ventures around campus.

Mark was nominated by Jacqui Elliott, Vice President of Enrollment Management. She described Mark as a “true believer and supporter of Tusculum who spends countless hours volunteering his time and talent.”

Tweet This Post

More than 140 Tusculum students, staff, faculty and friends participated in the first annual Sit Lux Celebration at Tusculum College on December 1, sharing in activities such as tree trimming, ornament making and dessert devouring to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.

The event was held at the Niswonger Commons and later moved with the first Christmas march of the Tusculum College Lantern Bearers to Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building for the official lighting of the Grand Christmas Tree. Along the route guests were treated to holiday music from both Tusculum’s own Coach Mike Joy and participants singing carols, and were enjoyed a performance by the Tusculum View Elementary School Chorus at the AHB building.

This new campus holiday event was planned by the Student Activities Board and Student Affairs as an all-in-one event for students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, friends and the community and will be held annually to commemorate both Tusculum College’s history and the holiday season.

“As we look to our past to build traditions for the future, Sit Lux will incorporate both old and new traditions of Tusculum College,” said Jonita Ashley-Pauley, Associate Dean of Students.

Tusculum faculty and staff served rich, decadent holiday desserts to students and guests, who also participated in the trimming of the Niswonger Tree while enjoying the sounds of the season as played by Greeneville High School’s jazz band. There was even a surprise visit from Santa Claus, himself.

Following the Lantern Bearer procession and a Holiday prayer provided by Campus Minister Dr. Steven Weisz, the Grand Tree was lit, glowing with the more than 43,000 lights added by campus Facilities and Maintenance staff.

“I congratulate you on beginning a new tradition that will continue for many years to come,” said Interim President Russell Nichols.

Tweet This Post

The Doak House Museum invites families to celebrate the Christmas season 19th century style this Saturday, December 6.

The museum, located on the Tusculum College campus, will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the special holiday event. Guest Jim Kevin will be storytelling and entertaining in the historic kitchen. In the Tusculum Academy behind the Doak House, children will have the opportunity to make a tree ornament to take home for their tree.

Discover the story of the Doaks and explore their home during tours scheduled at noon and 2 p.m.

All holiday items in the gift shop inside the museum will be 50 percent off during the special holiday event. Admission is free, but donations are requested.

The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are administered by the Tusculum College Department of Museum Program and Studies under the direction of George Collins, director of Museum Program and Studies, and Cindy Lucas, associate director of the department and director of the Doak House Museum. The department also offers one of the few undergraduate degree programs in museum studies in the country.

The Doak House Museum, which was the home of the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak, co-founder of the college, hosted more than 10,000 school children from East Tennessee last year for a variety of educational programs related to the 19th century and CHARACTER COUNTS!

The Andrew Johnson Museum, located in the oldest academic building on campus, houses a collection of books, papers and memorabilia of the 17th president of the United States. The museum also houses the Charles Coffin Collection from the original college library and the College archives containing documents related to the history of Tusculum. The museums are also two of the 10 structures on the Tusculum campus on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tweet This Post