NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Theatre-at-Tusculum will hold auditions for its fall production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” during the last week of August.

Auditions will be held for both children and adults the week of Aug. 24 for the musical based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.

All auditions will be held in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus.
The script includes rolls for adults of all ages.  Male roles include; the Beast/Prince, Gaston, a swaggering macho male, LeFou, his sidekick, and Belle’s gentle father, Maurice.  Besides the main character Bell, female roles include: Mrs. Potts, Madame La Grande Bouche, and “Three silly Girls” who are enamored of Gaston.  Mrs. Pott’s son, Chip, is of course a junior role.

Although the script calls for an adult cast, Director Marilyn duBrisk plans to cast approximately forty children for the main castle scenes as enchanted castle cutlery, napery, china and other characters.  Costume Director Barbara Holt has already received inventive costume prototypes from some of her creative and talented volunteers.  Village children will also be needed.

Adults (ages 14 and up) will audition on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25. Registration on both days will be held at 5:30 p.m. with auditions starting at 6 p.m.  Those auditioning need to plan to attend both days, but if they are not able to do so, they should contact Tusculum College Arts Outreach in advance.

Auditions for children will be Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27. Registration for grades 6-8 will be at 2:45 p.m. with auditions beginning at 3:15 p.m. on both days. Registration for grades 1-5 will be at 3:30 p.m. with auditions for this group starting at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Those auditioning need to plan to attend both days, but if they are not able to do so, they should contact Tusculum College Arts Outreach in advance.

Possible call-backs for all groups will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.

All audition materials will be provided. Those auditioning are asked to please not wear flip-flops.

For more information about the auditions, please contact Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or e-mail jhollowell@tusculum.edu.

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On Thursday, July 30, Tusculum College will be sponsoring a free educational program for displaced workers as part of the Office of Institutional Advancement’s Corporate Initiative Program. The overall program will include five sessions that address topics such as resume development, interviewing skills, basic skills and higher education programs and financial aid.

The program, “Exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Take Charge of Your Change,” is designed by the College to specifically assist those who are in the job market because of the economic downturn and local employer layoffs.

Sponsored by Tusculum College’s Office of Institutional Advancement, the program is designed for those who are in the job market and need assistance in making themselves more marketable, either through continued education, by improving their interview skills or by learning about what assistance programs are available to improve their skill sets.

The program will be held 8 - 11 a.m. at the Thomas J. Garland Library on the Tusculum College campus and will include a variety of informational sessions that range from interview skills to information on financial aid for continuing education. Other offerings will include writing effective resumes, tips on searching for a job and an overview of opportunities through adult education and advanced degree programs.

Anyone interested in participating or requiring more information should contact Kim Kidwell ‘99 at 423-636-7303 to make a reservation. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions.

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More than 50 administrators, staff, faculty and Board of Trustees members from Tusculum College recently spent two days in strategic planning sessions, reviewing the past year’s successes and challenges and optimistically planning for the future.

The group met at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville on Thursday and Friday, July 9-10, and spent the time developing the College’s next five-year plan for 2009-2014. Several new programs slated for implementation in the coming year are still on track, including a new theater minor and the piloting of the schools’ Quality Enhancement Plan focused on integrating activities to boost reflective judgment skills into the curriculum and campus life.

In the School of Education, several new teacher-licensure options will also be offered in the coming year to both residential and Graduate and Professional Studies program students. These programs will include licensure in combined special education and early childhood, which is a one-of-a-kind custom program approved by the State of Tennessee, and a master’s degree program that leads to post-baccalaureate certification for those who have a baccalaureate degree but need additional coursework in order to be able to sit for the state teacher licensure exams.

“We are continuing to add programs that address the needs of our region,” said Dr. Kim Estep, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “As a small, private institution, we are uniquely able to make adjustments based on current research and market statistics.”

The group also reviewed the previous year and addressed issues related to the current economy.

“Many of our peer institutions have publicly announced serious cuts as a result of the economic climate we currently face,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “We have been benchmarking the College against our peer institutions, and although we anticipate ending the 2008-09 year with a deficit, I am pleased to announce that due to early planning actions taken by the administration and Board of Trustees, there are currently no plans to cut programs, have layoffs, pay-cuts, alter employee benefits or other harsh measures similar to what several other institutions and businesses have been forced to implement.”

She added, “Tusculum College, like many other higher education institutions and private business organizations, has had to take a look at what the current economic situation of our country has meant to the way we do business. Fortunately, with planning and discussions with everyone involved, like the sessions we’ve had this week, we are able to plan for a balanced budget in 2009-2010 without affecting the quality of the educational experience for our students.”

Tusculum College has taken steps to ensure a balanced budget in the coming year, as well as growth in the number of educational programs offered in both the residential and the Graduate and Professional Studies programs.

The College continues to grow overall with the residential campus exceeding its goals for 2009-10 in student deposits and on-campus housing occupancies expected to exceed 98 percent. In new programs, a new theater minor and piloting of the Reflective Judgment Quality Enhancement Plan begins this fall, followed by the addition of a music minor and a pep band on campus in the near future.

Dr. Bill Garris, assistant professor of psychology and leader of the campus’ Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee, told the group that several professors have begun work on integrating reflective judgment activities into their course work for residential and Graduate and Professional Studies programs, and the initial benchmark testing will begin with the Tusculum Experience course for freshmen when residential students return to campus in late August.

“Helping our students in developing reflective judgment skills will lead them to be judicious decision-makers, not only professionally, but also in their personal lives and as leaders and servants in their communities,” said Garris.

Other items addressed in the five-year plan include more long-term goals such as addressing capital needs and a capital campaign feasibility study for a new science building on campus. The facilities master plan is also set to be reviewed and updated. Other capital needs discussed included additional student housing on the Greeneville campus and a review of facility needs at the College’s non-Greeneville sites.

“There was great energy in the room as this group looked at the next five years for Tusculum College,” said Moody.  “There will continue to be challenges, but the future for the unique education, career and life preparation offered on the Tusculum College campus is vibrant.”

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Veterans of all branches of the U.S. Military can get their bachelor’s or master’s degree at Tusculum College tuition-free with the announcement of the College’s participation in the federal Yellow Ribbon program.

The voluntary “Yellow Ribbon” program, commonly referred to as the New GI Bill, makes it possible for eligible veterans who meet the College’s admissions requirements to attend tuition-free, up to the legal amount allowed by the federal program if they have 100 percent entitlement to the Post 9/11 GI Bill and qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program.

“Tusculum College has a long history of providing programs that allow the adult student to be able to achieve their dream of higher education while balancing the responsibilities of career and family,” said Jacquelyn D. Elliott, vice president for enrollment management at Tusculum College. “With the Yellow Ribbon program we can provide the opportunity to the men and women who have served our country and do it in a way that meets the needs of their current life situation.”

Formally known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the Yellow Ribbon program is an effort to pay for veterans’ college expenses to a similar extent that the original GI Bill did after World War II by providing for payment of tuition and fees, a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

The program is available for eligible veterans who have served at least three years on active military duty, or at least 30 days for someone released for a service-connected disability, since September 11, 2001.

“Tusculum College is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program. This program allows the College to further fulfill her mission by acknowledging the service and commitment of those who have served our country by providing them with financial support to complete their education.” said Tusculum College President Dr. Nancy B. Moody. “With the variety of locations, programs, majors, degrees and scheduling options offered at Tusculum College, we are uniquely suited to serve those whose educational path was interrupted or who are considering higher education for the first time.”

The Yellow Ribbon Program is applicable towards all Tusculum College degree programs, which include traditional undergraduate programs, as well as the Graduate and Professional Studies programs. Tuition benefits under the program are also available to both full and part-time students.

Tusculum College has long offered assistance to veterans returning to higher education and Veterans Affairs Coordinator Pat Simons is available to specifically support veterans with their admissions and financial aid questions. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program or others assistance provided by the College, contact Simons at 423-636-7300.

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The current economic situation in Hamblen County, strategic challenges in the economic downturn and understanding new credit card legislation were key topics of an Economic Summit held in Morristown on Thursday.

The event was sponsored by Tusculum College and Lowland Credit Union in order to help local citizens get answers to financial questions in the context of the current economic turndown.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to provide answers for our members and the community, said Mark Creech, chief executive officer for Lowland Credit Union. “And, we are very pleased to partner with Tusculum College to provide this event.”

Dr. Antonio Bos, professor of economics at the College, provided statistical information that showed why Hamblen County is specifically more vulnerable to an economic turndown or recession.

The high number of manufacturing jobs - one in three jobs in the county is a manufacturing job - and specifically automotive part and furniture manufacturing results in a higher sensitivity to a recession, said Bos.

“The overwhelming number of jobs are highly affected by a recession,” he told the group. “You can expect that whenever there is a recession, Hamblen County will be affected more.”

Dr. Stella Schramm, professor of economics at Tusculum College, addressed the issue of how businesses and individuals can strategically prepare for the future. The group was told about consolidation during times of high competition which a recession can produce.

“With the same number of companies competing for fewer buyers, some will fall out of the market,” she said. “This will often result in consolidation, and some companies will come out of the recession stronger.”

She added that skill development for individuals and job seekers is extremely important during a down market, adding widely applicable skills that could apply to a variety of job sectors is a good strategy as the job market settles.

Dr. Cheri Jones, Tusculum College associate professor of accounting and business law, reviewed the Credit Card Act of 2009.

“More than 80 percent of Americans have a credit card with a balance. If you do not, you know someone who does,” said Jones.

With the new legislation, which affects only consumer credit cards, credit card companies must be more responsible with rate increase and fees and must be clear and open in communication with card holders about any changes being made.

Several key items included a mandatory 45-day notice of any rate increase, the prohibition of retroactive interest rate increases, the elimination of double cycle billing and reduction in over-the-limit fees.

“Credit card companies will be forced to provide clear disclosure,” said Jones. “They will be required to provide on each statement how long it would take to pay off the current account balance if only the minimum amount due is paid and the interest amount that would be accrued.”

She advised the group that several economic scams have proliferated during the economic turndown and warned them to beware of any job offer, credit service or other activity that asked for personal account information or a payment upfront.  She advised everyone to check out a questionable offers or emails with either the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

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On Thursday, July 30, Tusculum College will be sponsoring a free educational program for displaced workers as part of the Office of Institutional Advancement’s Corporate Initiative Program. The overall program will include five sessions that address topics such as resume development, interviewing skills, basic skills and higher education programs and financial aid.

The program, “Exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Take Charge of Your Change,” is designed by the College to specifically assist those who are in the job market because of the economic downturn and local employer layoffs.

Sponsored by Tusculum College’s Office of Institutional Advancement, the program is designed for those who are in the job market and need assistance in making themselves more marketable, either through continued education, by improving their interview skills or by learning about what assistance programs are available to improve their skill sets.

According to Susan Vance ‘91, interim vice president of institutional advancement, “Through our Corporate Initiative Program we identified an immediate need in the community and put this program together as our effort to address some of the issues of local and regional displaced workers.”

The program will be held 8 - 11 a.m. at the Thomas J. Garland Library on the Tusculum College campus and will include a variety of informational sessions that range from interview skills to information on financial aid for continuing education. Other offerings will include writing effective resumes, tips on searching for a job and an overview of opportunities through adult education and advanced degree programs.

Workshop sessions include:

• “Stretching Your Dollars - Financial Tips in Tough Economic Times,” which will focus on the top 10 ways to shrink a budget, the seven deadly money mistakes and where to turn for financial advice;
• “Basic Skills 9-1-1,” which will focus on a basic skills exam in reading and math, Test for Adult Basic Education score sheet basic skills summaries and learning about workforce investment opportunities;
• “Exactly How to Pay for College,” which will focus on how to apply for financial aid (participants need to bring 2008 federal taxes and W-2 forms), the types of financial aid available and understanding of the financial aid process;
• “Applications and Resumes,” which will cover applications, resumes, selecting references and job search strategies; “Interviewing - A How to,” which will cover knowing your company, what not to wear and the interview process, and
• “Picking the Exact Fit for Your College Career,” which covers factors to consider in choosing a school, admission requirements and college expense and financial aid.

Anyone interested in participating or requiring more information should contact Kim Kidwell ‘99 at 423-636-7303 to make a reservation. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions.

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While the national and global economies continue to cause uncertainty and unease, Tusculum College and Lowland Credit Union are pulling together to help citizens in Hamblen County make sense of recent economic and financial changes and conditions by bringing in experts with the latest information regarding the impact of the financial crisis on the local economy.

On July 16, a panel of Tusculum College business and economic professors will participate in an Economic Forum at First Presbyterian Church in Morristown.  The program, which will begin at 4:30 p.m., is open to the public and free of charge. Topics include regional economic statistics, strategies for economic development in an uncertain economy and financial tips for the troubled consumer.

According to local financial officials, the shakeups of Wall Street, the collapse of mortgage markets and the need for government bailout subsidies have created financial turbulence for the banking industry and the U.S. economy. To address these issues and the uncertainty they cause for many people, Lowland Credit Union, along with Tusculum College, are working together to sponsor this Economic Forum for the community.

“With the rapidly changing financial markets, it is vital that everyone understands the many changes taking place,” said Mark Creech, chief executive officer of Lowland Credit Union.

“It is not easy to understand all that is changing, even for those of us who live in this environment every day. Our credit union chose to sponsor the event to provide our members, as well as the community as a whole, the opportunity to gain a better understanding and much more knowledge as to all the changes taking place in these difficult times,” he added.

Tusculum College is providing faculty experts to participate on the panel and co-sponsoring the event.

“During these difficult economic times, Tusculum College is privileged to partner with the financial community to provide clarification of the causes of the problems that we are currently facing and to discuss viable alternatives,” said Tusculum College President Dr. Nancy B. Moody. “Tusculum College is proud to sponsor the Economic Summit and to lend the expertise of our faculty and staff to the discussion.”

The Economic Summit is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, contact Rhonda Smith at 423-636-7300.

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Jessica Jones, a student in the Tusculum College Graduate and Professional Studies program, recently received recognition from her high marks on the Principles of Learning and Teaching Praxis Exam.

Jones received a Recognition of Excellence from the Educational Testing Service for scoring in the top 15 percent of all test takers nationwide on the exam. The Praxis exam series measures knowledge of specific subjects that K-12 educators will teach, as well as general and subject-specific teaching skills and knowledge. Individuals entering the teaching profession take the Praxis tests as part of the teacher licensing and certification process required by Tennessee and many other states.

Jones credits her success on the exam to preparation from her classes at Tusculum College, and in particular to the instruction of Dr. DiAnn Casteel, associate professor of education.

“Dr. Casteel’s class was great because all of the case studies we had to do helped me tremendously on the preparation for this test,” said Jones.

Casteel reports that many of her students have reported high scores on the Praxis exam, a fact that she and others at the College have shared with others considering the teaching profession as a potential career.

“When I am teaching an education course, I tell my undergraduate education students that one reason I like Praxis is that it makes the playing field level for everyone,” said Casteel. “Our students are taking the same exam as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and all other schools across the country. This achievement is significant.”

To be an elementary school teacher in the State of Tennessee, education majors must pass four Praxis exams, which include Assessment, Reading Across Curriculum, Content Knowledge and Principles of Learning and Teaching.

According to Jones, on the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching, each student receives a score on a range from 100 to 200 on each exam, with a 155 being the passing mark. The average performance range is 168-182. Jones’ score of 189 garnered her the national accolades.

“Dr. Casteel’s Classroom Management class was the biggest help to me on that exam. I used a study guide that we made in her class to study for the PLT. I was able to use a lot of the information on the test when I was coming up with responses.”

Jones, who resides in Rogersville, added that the Graduate and Professional Studies program offered by Tusculum College is the reason she is able to attend college and pursue a career in education.

“I have two small children and my husband works full-time, so the Professional Studies Program schedule is perfect for me to allow me to be at home with my children as much as possible. I have always wanted to be a teacher and felt like it was a calling on my life.”

For more information on the educational degree programs or other programs in the Graduate and Professional Studies program at Tusculum College, contact Chance Gillespie, enrollment representative, at 423- 636.7330.

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