NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Tusculum College School of Business Professor Dr. Michelle Freeman was recently notified that she will be published in a national publication. Freeman is an associate professor of business administration at the college.

The article, “Teaching Circles: A Low-Cost, High-Benefit Way to Engage Faculty,” will appear the February edition of “The Teaching Professor.” This is the second time Freeman has been selected for publication in the journal.

The article details Freeman’s work over the past three years directing The Teaching and Learning Initiative at Tusculum College. The program has become more commonly known as Teaching Circles.

Freeman, who directs the program, works with four to six faculty members at the beginning of each academic year to select topics and relevant reading materials for groups that will be available to all faculty to become a part of for the year.

“The goal of these circles is enjoyable scholarly exchange between peers,” wrote Freeman. “Sometimes the focus is on pedagogy; other times it is a topic simply for knowledge expansion.”

The costs of implementing such a program are minimal, according to Freeman, who reports that the main investments are associated with books and materials, as well as a closing banquet and one dinner per group.

According to Freeman, the initiative has generated a number of benefits, including providing in-house faculty development, serving as a community builder across disciplines and serving as a way to ease new faculty into the college community.

In addition, the program has assisted other college programs, including the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan, which is a campus wide effort to implement the skills of critical thinking with reflective judgment into a cross section of campus curriculum, as well was in other key areas of the college. The program also provides peer incentives among professors to continue to improve.

“As faculty members learn together, they are challenged to make changes in their classrooms. Faculty participation in these circles offers evidence of ongoing interest in scholarship,” said Freeman.

“The Teaching Professor” is a targeted professional publication that focuses on educational teaching methods.

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The Doak House Museum on the campus of Tusculum College will host a home school enrichment program on Wednesday, March 2.

Home school students and teachers are invited to participate in the museum’s educational and fun program, Toys and Games of the 19^th century.

Students will participate in engaging activities at four different stations and learn about the life and times of the Doak family children in the 1800s while  playing with the toys they knew and loved such as Jacob’s ladder, hooey sticks, dolls, pick-up sticks, blocks, nine pins, tops, marbles and moon winders.

The program will begin at 10 a.m. Due to inclement weather and program cancellations in December, the museum is offering a discounted rate of $4 per child. One parent or chaperone per group will be admitted free of charge. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Please contact Dollie Boyd at 423.636.8554 or e-mail dboyd@tusculum.edu to make reservations.

The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are operated by the Department of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College. In addition to the museums, the department is responsible for the College Archives and offers one of the few undergraduate Museum Studies degree programs in the country. 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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The Tusculum College basketball teams will host its annual “Pack the Gym” Day, this Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers welcome cross-mountain rival Mars Hill College for a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Pioneer Arena. Admission is free for everyone with the women’s game tipping off at 2 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 4 p.m.

There will be free popcorn for all fans (while supplies last) and the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Council will be raffling off a 31.5” Sanyo HD Television, which will be drawn for at halftime of the men’s game. Raffle tickets are $1 each with all proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In addition, a Pioneer Club  Hosptiality event will be held between the two games. For more information on the Pioneer CLub or to RSVP for the event, contact 423-636-7303 or email bsell@tusculum.edu. Tusculum Athletic apparel will also be raffled off throughout the afternoon along with other activities.

At halftime of the men’s game, the Tusculum College football team will be recognized with the presentation of the South Atlantic Conference Football Awards.

For more information about “Pack the Gym” Day, please contact Randy Loggins at (423) 636-7300 x-5292 or email at rloggins@tusculum.edu.

The Tusculum basketball teams return to Pioneer Arena to begin a four-game home-stand on Wednesday as TC welcomes conference newcomer Anderson University for a doubleheader. The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 8 p.m.

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Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville will bring the beloved story of Cinderella to the stage Jan. 21-23 with some novel and interesting twists to the classic tale.

More than 100 local and professional dancers will bring the exciting, original ballet for all ages to the stage in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. Four performances are scheduled: 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23.

Adapted and choreographed by Central Ballet’s Artistic Director Lori Ann Sparks, this specially created ballet is based on the familiar children’s story of a virtuous young girl who suffers hardships and injustice but endures and is miraculously rewarded for her courage and goodness.

While writing the storyline of “Cinderella,” Sparks read every version of the fairy tale she could find. Finding interesting additions helped her turn a simple character into a young woman with great depth and generosity. Some interesting twists added to the story include a tree branch collected from Cinderella’s travels that the young girl asks to plant on her mother’s grave, an injured bluebird rescued by Cinderella that turns into a fairy god-mother and a funny dragon that lead the Prince into a glade to find a kind and beautiful girl.

The ballet begins with scenes between a young Cinderella and her mother, illustrating a relationship that creates a loving environment for training a child to travel the path of goodness and kindness. Upon her mother’s death, a wise nurse servant gives Cinderella her mother’s special slippers. As the ballet progresses, Cinderella grows in character as she faces the death of her mother, the marriage of her father to a proud and arrogant new wife and life with the taskmaster and her two ugly stepsisters.

The stage is then set for the Prince to recognize her beauty inside and out as he comes upon her in a glade and watches as she cares for an injured bird and poor beggar lady. And then comes the ball, when the two get to dance together and Cinderella’s dreams come true.

The ballet will feature two new guest professional dancers, Ryan Carroll and Ashley Cunningham. Carroll, a freelance dancer from New York City, will portray the Prince. After dancing with Cuballet and with the Alabama Ballet, he went on to dance soloist and principal roles with American Repertory Ballet.  Carroll was principal soloist with Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico in San Juan.  As a free-lance dancer, he is a guest artist with Northwest Florida Ballet, Alabama Dance Theater, Western Ballet of Puerto Rico, New England Dance Theater and now Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville.

Cunningham will dance the role of Cinderella’s father. Cunningham previously danced with Ruth Mitchell Dance Company, Jacksonville Ballet Theater, The Florida Ballet and Bay Ballet Theater. He is the founder of his own school, Lakeway School of Ballet and Dance, in Morristown and is also artistic director of Downtown Dance Theater.

Sparks, the company’s resident professional dancer, will be returning to the stage in the role of Cinderella’s mother. In addition to serving as artistic director, storywriter and choreographer, Sparks is the founder of Central Ballet School and Central Ballet Theatre and is the ballet mistress.

Central Ballet company dancer, Parke Brumit, will be playing the role of Mrs. Tempest, Cinderella’s wicked step-mother.  Brumit majored in business administration, training in ballet technique under Sydney Warren at Virginia Intermont College.  As well as dancing with the ballet, she serves as Central Ballet’s board president and has accomplished much to garner financial support from the generous donors from the community. The ballet company appreciates all who have given of their time and financial resources to make such performances as “Cinderella” possible.

Katie Sanders of Johnson comes to the production as a guest dancer. She has danced for the past two years with Mountain Movers, a modern-based dance company at East Tennessee State University. Sanders is formerly from Greeneville and trained with Central Ballet.

Talented local artists have again added their artistic touch to the production. “We are so blessed to work with Sam Lane who has painted our backdrops and Barbara Badenhope who has overseen set design and also painted the Cinderella figure on our posters,” said Blair Berry, production manager of Central Ballet.  “Brian Sparks, Lori Ann’s husband, along with their son, Ben, have done a fantastic job of building several complicated sets, and we are always thankful for Frank Mengel’s (technical director and stage manager for Tusculum College Arts Outreach) technical oversight and brilliant lighting design.”

This is the eighth production for the company, and continues a tradition of performing story ballets. Sparks enjoys these types of performances “because the pieces are highly educational and fulfilling in the sense that they encompass every part of a dancer’s being - physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.  Dancers not only learn how to produce movement in a specific way, they learn the art of discipline, how to relate in space, and how to cooperate with others. The most important lesson is for the dancer to realize that God gives us the beautiful art of dance to glorify Him and to share His story with the community.  We strive for excellence in all we do to honor Him.  My goal is to see the audience and dancers alike leaving the theater uplifted and joyful from watching and participating in the ballet.”

The production of “Cinderella” is based on the verse, Isaiah 61:3: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”  The overall philosophy of Central Ballet School and Theatre is based on Psalm 149:3 “Let them praise His Name with dancing.”

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors 60 and over.  Tickets are now available for purchase at On the Verge Gallery, James-Ben Art Gallery, the Oak Tree Gallery, General Morgan Inn, Three Blind Mice and Tusculum Arts Outreach.  You may also reserve your tickets by calling 423-330-2258 or 423-798-1620.

This project is funded by Arts Build Communities, a program funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Johnson City Area Arts Council, the Greene County Commission, and Tusculum College’s Acts, Arts, Academia.

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Colleen Cox has been named coordinator of alumni relations for Tusculum College, announced college officials today.

 Cox was formerly manager of marketing and corporate development for Free Will Baptist Family Ministries prior to taking a few years to spend time with her young daughter, Kennedy.

 ”We are thrilled to have Colleen join the advancement team at Tusculum College. Colleen’s skills and background are a great match for the mission of the college,” said Susan D. Vance, interim vice president of Institutional Advancement and a 1991 graduate of the college.

 In her new role, Cox will be the primary liaison for alumni of the college, planning alumni events, coordinating Homecoming and serving as a liaison for the Alumni Executive Board. She brings experience in fundraising, marketing and event planning.  She also has a high level of energy and enthusiasm for the mission of Tusculum College.

 She will be working in a part-time position and will have office hours at the college from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

 ”I am very excited to be starting with Tusculum College and working with the alumni of the institution,” said Cox. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with people I have known for years and to meet new people who have long-standing relationships with the college.”

 While at Family Ministries, Cox’s responsibilities included coordinating and overseeing a retention program for Ministry supporters and developing relationships with new and existing donors.  She worked closely with community leaders throughout Greeneville and the region. Cox also oversaw major fund-raisers for the Family Ministries organization.

 Prior to working at Family Ministries, Cox worked with People’s Community Bank in Johnson City as a customer service representative and prior to that served as Marketing and Compliance Manager for WealthWise, Inc. in Greeneville.

 Cox, her husband, Eddie and their daughter live in Jonesborough.

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A variety of topics relating to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) will be explored during a program Thursday, Jan. 20, at Tusculum College.

“UFOs, Then and Now” will be presented at 6 p.m. in the Thomas J. Garland Library. Charles Tunstall, reference and instructional services librarian, will present the program. The often controversial topic of UFOs has received much attention and been the focus of countless books and articles, and Tunstall describes his program as a his “tongue-in-cheek” presentation that will cover some of the more well-known incidents and concepts.

The history of UFO incidents will be examined. Tunstall noted that there are some who interpret the prophet Ezekial’s encounter with the flying wheel described in the Bible as a UFO event and that there is a painting of “The Last Supper” that some believe shows a UFO in the sky in the background.

Another topic will be the well-known Roswell incident, which involves the alleged crash of an alien aircraft in New Mexico and subsequent alleged cover-up by the U.S. military.

Also to be discussed is the concept of missing time and alien abduction. Missing time incidents are those in which individuals cannot remember what has happened during a specific time period. For example, Tunstall said, there is a written account of a couple who was returning home from vacation and suddenly found themselves at home, not remembering how they got there. Under hypnosis, according to the account, the couple remembered being abducted by aliens and examined and tested during the “missing time” of their memory.

Numerous books have been written about alleged alien abductions, Tunstall said, noting that most of the individuals who study UFOs are amateur, not professional scientists. Interestingly, he added, there have been devout Christians who have shared stories of alien abductions and almost all have said that their faith has been increased due to the incidents.

Refreshments will be served at the event.

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Due to inclement weather, Tusculum College, all sites and campuses will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Morning classes on the Greeneville and Knoxville campuses will begin at 9 a.m., with afternoon classes being held at their regular time.

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Due to increasingly dangerous road conditions, Tusculum College will close on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at 11 a.m. The Greeneville, Gray and Morristown sites will close at 11 a.m. The Knoxville campus offices will close at 4 p.m. and no evening classes will be held.

For residential students on the Greeneville classes, classes in Bock 5 will be extended by one day to make up missed time. Block 5 will now end on Friday, February 4.

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With its focus on clinical hours and practical experience, the Tusculum College teacher education programs are in the limelight as national publications have recently called out for more programs at institutions of higher education like the ones offered at Tusculum College.

Recent articles in the “Wall Street Journal” and the “Chronicle of Higher Education” have addressed teacher training and more focused on clinical instruction and hands-on experiences in the classroom.

“Students in the Tusculum College education programs have the opportunity for field experience from the very first course they take,” said Dr. Lisa Johnson, director of the College’s School of Education and assistant professor of education.

In the November 15 edition, the “Chronicle of Higher Education” ran an article by writer Kevin Kiley calling for teacher-training programs to be “revamped to focus more on hands-on, clinical instruction, similar to how doctors are trained.” A related article in the November 16 issue of the “Wall Street Journal” announced a panel of education experts’ assessments that that teacher education programs should “operate more like medical schools, which rely heavily on clinical experience.”

At Tusculum College, the new model is already in place, with a program that provides more than 200 clinical hours of hands on experience in a classroom before a student even reaches the point of doing their student teaching, according to Johnson.

“With the development of the unique block program offered at Tusculum College, the teacher education programs evolved as well,” said Johnson. “Because of the way our classes are taught, we are able to get our students inside a classroom sooner, more often and with excellent success rates.”

Johnson added that there is a clinical aspect to every education course taught in the Tusculum education program and that because of this, advisors and supervisors are much more easily able to determine if a student is actually ready for their student teaching program.

The road to developing the program has not been easy, partnerships with local and regional schools systems have been essential, and those partnerships must be maintained constantly, said Johnson.

“With the large number of students we have in both our Residential and adult education programs, maintaining relationships with the local school systems that provide learning opportunities for our students is vital,” she added. “We have been continually blessed to have worked out relationships that benefit our students as well as the schools in which they serve.”

According to Pauletta Johnson, director of field experience and assistant professor of education, presently Tusculum College’s School of Education has partnerships with more than 20 area school systems, totaling 93 schools. The relationships with the schools are fostered by the school administrator’s willingness to allow Tusculum students to participate in the learning process within the school setting. 

“This is a reciprocal partnership as it allows additional support to the learning environment, while allowing Tusculum students to gain valuable experience and knowledge,” said the field experience director. In addition, she said, field experience supervisors complete regular visits to ensure the school is pleased with the progress of each practicum student and student teacher.

Sandy Williams, principal of Keplar Elementary in Hawkins County, has worked with students through the Tusculum College program for several years and has great appreciation for the effort the program makes to provide clinical, hands-on classroom hours for its students prior to their going into their own classroom as a student teacher.

“Those extra clinical hours are hands-on and students learn how to teach,” said Williams. “It’s so important, not only that students find out where their heart is, but that they get to work with a variety of age groups, in various school districts, various subject areas and it can refine their skills.”

In addition Williams said that when it came to interviewing for teaching positions, she will always pull out resumes of those students who went to Tusculum College and review them first because she knows the amount of actual classroom experience these candidates have already had.

“It’s a real advantage over those candidates whose only classroom time has been a student teaching position.”

One of the criticisms of the teacher education program is that in most programs, students spend only about 10-12 weeks observing teachers or student-teaching themselves, according to the “Wall Street Journal” article.

At Tusculum College, students are required to complete a minimum of 198 hours of practicum in the classroom before the student teaching semester. In addition, student teachers are required to complete full school days for a minimum of 15 weeks. This results in over 800 hours of teacher preparation time before obtaining a license.

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Due to inclement weather, Tusculum College, all sites and campuses will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Morning classes on the Greeneville campus will begin at 9 a.m., with afternoon classes being held at their regular time.

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