NEWS & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

The Tusculum College Community Chorus will present its spring concert on Monday, May 2.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus.  David Hendricksen is the conductor for the group and James Winfree is accompanist.

The first half of the program will feature repertoire for choir and organ.  Beginning with British composer Martin Shaw’s setting of “With a Voice of Singing,” the choir will display both reflective and jubilant moods in “Grant Us Thy Peace” by Felix Mendelssohn; “All You Works of the Lord, Bless the Lord” by American composer Kenneth Jennings; “Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee” by Johannes Brahms; “Festival Te Deum” by Benjamin Britten, and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arranged by Gilbert Martin.

Following intermission, the chorus will sing a variety madrigals, folk songs and spirituals, Broadway tunes, and conclude “America the Beautiful.”

Throughout the evening, a variety of Community Chorus members will sing solo roles as well, including  Candace Babb, Beth Brimer, Patricia Chesnut, Jill Jones, Jo Knabel, John Maddux, Phil Thwing, Angel West and Martha Wiley.

The chorus expresses appreciation to Cates Music Center of Johnson City, which has provided a temporary installation of an Allen digital organ for use for concert.

Founded in 1996 as a way to involve singers from throughout the community in a broad range of sacred and secular repertoire, the Tusculum College Community Chorus has grown to over 50 singers.

For further information about the chorus, please contact conductor David Hendricksen at 638-0409 or at conductordavid@embarqmail.com.

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Three new band groups will be featured in the Tusculum College Band Program’s Spring Concert on Sunday, May 1.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum campus.

Featured will be performances by three new band groups at the college, the Pioneer Jazz Band, the Handbell Choir and the Concert Band. The concert will also feature a performance by the percussion section and a special performance by vocalist Russ Crum. The bands are under the direction of David Price, director of the music program and special events at the college. This is the first year for the band program at the college.

Starting the program will be the Pioneer Jazz Band, which will make its premier at a dinner/dance on April 28 at the General Morgan Inn. The band will be performing some well-known favorites: “In the Mood” arranged by Michael Sweeney, “Caravan” arranged by John Berry, “Save the Last Dance for Me” arranged by W. Scott Ragsdale, “Sing, Sing, Sing” arranged by Victor Lopez and “God Bless the USA” arranged by Mark Taylor.  The jazz band will conclude its performance with “Hey Jude” arranged by John Berry.

Next on the program will be the Tusculum College Handbell Choir.  This group, which will be making its premier at the concert, will play: “Enter With Joy” by Kathleen Wissinger, “Hymn of Promise” arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson, and “I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger” by Tammy Waldrop.  Joining forces with the Concert Band, the choir will conclude its program with “America!  God Shed His Grace on Thee” arranged By Douglas Wagner.

The Tusculum College Concert Band, which first played at the Inauguration Ceremony of Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody last fall, will play: “Tailspin” by Rob Romeyn, “The Witch and the Saint” arranged by Matt Conaway, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” arranged by Michael Brown, “Primeval Stormfront” by Matt Conaway, “With Each Sunset (Comes the Promise of a New Day)” by Richard Saucedo and “Music from Glee” adapted for band by Ted Ricketts.  The Concert Band will conclude the performance with a Karl King march titled “Prestissimo” arranged by James Swearingen.

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Due to a generous donation to the College, landscaping work is being done around the campus to improve the appearance of the grounds prior to the Commencement services on Saturday, May 7.  Landscaping improvements have begun around the Greeneville campus, including at the entrance signs at the Shiloh Road and Gilland Street entrances, at the Arch and at the entrance to the Niswonger Commons. Work should continue into next week and be completed by Commencement weekend.

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The Reformation and the Renaissance became more than concepts in a textbook for a group of Tusculum College students who discovered the art and architecture of the periods in a recent trip to Italy and Germany.

The group of Tusculum students were primarily students in a “Cultural and Literary Heritage of the West” course that includes study of the Reformation and Renaissance. The students shared their experiences on the March trip during a presentation April 18.

“It is amazing for the students to see in person what they would later be seeing in the textbook,” said Dr. Nancy Thomas, associate professor of English, one of the professors that accompanied the students and teaches the Humanities course.

As an instructor, the trip also had benefits, Thomas said. The Reformation and Martin Luther are two of the significant topics covered in the Humanities course, she noted. “Going to Germany, seeing the places he had been and going to his museum fleshed him out. He is real to me now.”

Dr. Joel Van Amberg, assistant professor of history who also accompanied the students, encouraged those at the presentation to travel abroad. “You will learn things you didn’t anticipate and be stretched in ways that you did not expect,” he said. “The unexpected is the most exciting thing of foreign travel, the broad range of experiences you get when you go abroad.”

The trip began in Rome, where the students visited such sites as the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and the Circus Maximus. “The most amazing part of Rome is the architecture,” said Marcus Taylor, an English major from Kodak, Tenn. “You can’t imagine what it is like until you are actually there.”

At the museum at the Vatican, the students were able to see masterpieces of the art in various forms. “One of the things that amazed me was the tapestries, the sheer magnitude of them,” said Ben Sneyd, an English major from Unicoi, Tenn. “You can look at them in a book, but you will never understand about the size or magnitude and never really see the detail and understand the work that must have gone into them until you see them.”

The students’ next destination was Florence, where they continued to explore the art and architecture of the Renaissance. One of the sites they noted was the Florence Baptistry where the saw Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, two solid bronze doors containing panels with intricately designed illustrations of events from the Old Testament.

Traveling on an overnight train, the students headed to Germany and Wittenberg, which was very different than what they had experienced in Italy. “Rome and Florence were big cities and then we get off the train in Germany at a stop with just some gravel and a bench,” said William Hogg, a political science major from Pikeville, Ky. “Wittenberg was a very quaint town.”

The students noted that Germany was cleaner than the Italian cites and the people were more friendly.

In visiting the various sites related to Martin Luther, Isiah Lyman said they were able to see how he grew as a person through the various stages of his life.

While in Germany, the students also visited Coburg where they able to visit a castle. “It was amazing to see a castle up close and see the way it looked,” said Lyman, a history major from Boiling Springs, S.C.

One of the rooms in the castle had a display of weapons with a wide variety of swords and the cannons and ammunition used to defend the castle walls, said Codie Fleming, a political science major from Washington, Ga.

Dr. Thomas, Dr. Van Amberg and the students expressed their appreciation for those who had made the trip possible at the college and the travel professionals who found them clean and comfortable youth hostels to stay in along the journey.

International trips are in the planning stages for the next academic year, said Dr. Geir Bergvin, director of Tusculum’s Center for Global Studies. Planned are trips to Ecuador and Spain, a fall trip to London and service-learning trip to Belize.

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Gareth Rowlands, a senior majoring in middle childhood education, has been recognized as “Student of the Block” at Tusculum College for the Seventh Block.

Rowlands was honored at a ceremony Thursday, April 21, in the Niswonger Commons. The Student of the Block Award is presented each block by the Office of Student Affairs to recognize students for academic achievement, leadership on campus and contributions to the college community. A plaque honoring Rowlands’ accomplishments will be displayed in the Commons and other campus buildings.

The native of Benllech, Wales, was described as the embodiment of the core values and skills that Tusculum wants to instill in its students - personal integrity, civic responsibility, a strong sense of community, appreciation for critical thinking and reflective judgment and commitment to continual growth.

Rowlands has maintained a 3.22 grade point average within the rigorous education major while balancing a heavy extracurricular load. His aspiration is to become an educator in order to positively affect the lives of youth as a teacher and coach as others did for him. He credits Pauletta Johnson, director of field experience and assistant professor of education, as a helping hand along his educational journey. “Dr. Johnson is always straight to the point and always willing to help,” he said. “She has always gone above and beyond any request given to her and is an asset to Tusculum.”

What brought Rowlands to Tusculum is football. He came to campus to continue his athletic career as a kicker/punter for the Pioneer football team. Shining in his position, Rowlands garnered numerous awards including the Don Hansen All America first team, the Daktronics NCAA II All-America first team, Associated Press Little All-America second team, 2010 D2Football.com All-America second team and an invitation to play in the 2011 Cactus Bowl, the NCAA Division II Senior All-Star game. He holds the school records for consecutive field goals and consecutive extra points.

With this success, Rowlands remains the same humorous, light-hearted, intelligent and compassionate person he was when he arrived on campus. He said that involvement with the football team “has not only allowed me to improve my athletic abilities, but has allowed me the opportunity for personal growth. Being on the team has made me realize the importance of family and teamwork. I have realized that the vast majority of work that goes on behind the scenes, and you only get good results based upon the amount work that is put in.”

Looking for a challenge and an opportunity to become more involved on campus, Rowlands began serving as a resident assistant. “Gareth is one of those rare RAs who knows a great deal of the student body and can manage a situation with ease because of his positive rapport with students,” said Bonnie Weston, senior student life coordinator. “His ability to manage his commitment to the residence life program, his other commitments with football and the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville/Greene County never ceases to amaze me, and I fully appreciate the work he has put in to make our campus community what it is today.”

Rowlands works with the Boys and Girls Club, mentoring the youth and has become a favorite of the employees of the organization. “Gareth has worked approximately 480 hours at the Boys and Girls Club where he represents Tusculum as a positive role model in the Greeneville community,” said Bette Dowd, former assistant certification officer and COG office coordinator, who nominated him for the award. “He is well admired by the children of Greene County as well as the professionals he works with.”

Campus Safety Captain Josh Jordan, who also nominated Rowlands for the honor, also pointed to his efforts at the Boys and Girls Club as well as what he has done on campus. “He has done a lot for the Tusculum and greater Greeneville community,” Jordan said.

Looking back on his time at Tusculum, Rowlands cherishes most his memories of being a member of the football team and meeting his girlfriend. His advice to his fellow students is to “enjoy it while it lasts and never leave your own fate in someone else’s hands.”

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Representatives of Tusculum College and Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine signed an affiliation agreement on Wednesday, April 20, opening the door for a seamless transfer for students majoring in selected academic programs at Tusculum College.

Tusculum College President Dr. Nancy B. Moody and Dr. Ray Stowers, vice president and dean Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, signed the articulation agreement at the Tusculum College Knoxville Regional Center on Wednesday afternoon.  The agreement becomes effective immediately for students enrolled at Tusculum College.

“We are very pleased to announce this new partnership and affiliation agreement that offers Tusculum College students a seamless transition into the osteopathic medical college at LMU,” said Moody. “This affiliation agreement provides a pathway to launch our best and brightest students into a career as an osteopathic physician.”

The two colleges have been working out the details of the affiliation agreement for several months and have come up with a program that allows for Tusculum College undergraduate students who meet the guidelines to be given provisional acceptance into the LMU-DCOM.

“We look forward to working with Tusculum College students as part of this program,” Stowers said. “Through this program the two institutions are helping to address the critical health care needs of the region,” said Stowers.

“The Early Acceptance Program is designed to facilitate the admission of Tusculum College students into the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program,” said Dr. Kim Estep, provost and academic vice president at Tusculum College.

Once recommended by Tusculum College, representatives of the program will interview the student in their junior year at Tusculum. Those who have a successful interview will be offered provisional acceptance into the program.

“We are very excited about the additional options this agreement will provide for current and future Tusculum College students,” said Moody. “We will continue to strive to provide them opportunities to excel not only while they are on our campus, but also as they continue their education in professional schools such as the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.”

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Students from Tusculum College’s Athletic Training program will hold a benefit car wash on Saturday, April 23, from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Big Lots on the 11E Bypass.

Donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the car wash will go to the Athletic Training student program.

The Athletic Training program is one of the most rigorous academic programs at Tusculum College. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). It is designed for those students who want to meet the course work and clinical requirements established by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Education Council, the Board of Certification and CAATE. In addition to course work, students must complete six semester-length clinical rotations working under the supervision of a BOC-certified and state-licensed athletic trainer, who is an Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI).

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Jeanne Stokes, director of the TRIO programs at Tusculum College, is serving as president of the Tennessee Association of Special Programs (TASP).

Stokes was installed as president of the organization on Feb. 28, during the regional meeting of TRIO professionals. She will serve a two-year term.

As president, Stokes will preside at all meetings of the association and make all appointments to both standing and special committees with the advice and consent of the organization’s Executive Board. The president of the organization also serves as a board member of the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP).

TASP was established in 1973 to bring together those persons who have an active interest in broadening access to postsecondary education to low-income and first generation individuals in Tennessee. The TRIO programs, which Tusculum hosts, are federally funded initiatives that provide educational and enrichments programs and resources to encourage middle and high school students who would be first-general college students and/or whose families meet income requirements to continue their education after high school. The TRIO programs also provide similar support services to college students.

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.

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The Tusculum College Pioneer Jazz Band Swing Dance fundraiser event for Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. at the General Morgan Inn has been postponed.

However the College will be hosting a free Pioneer Jazz Band concert on Thursday, April 28, on campus with a coffee and dessert reception.

The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Chalmers Conference Center, located in  Niswonger Commons and is open to the public.

Featured will be special guest vocalist Mr. Russ Crum accompanying the 17-member Jazz Band.

Director of Music and Special Events David Price said, “We have planned a wonderful night of great music that highlights the talent and hard work of the Jazz Band members.  We are thrilled to have as a special guest performer for the evening, Mr. Russ Crum.”

The Pioneer Band Program at Tusculum College began in 2010, with the creation of the Pioneer Pep Band. The Pep Band became a much-enjoyed feature of the 2010 Pioneer football and basketball seasons, as the band performed at the Pioneer Club tailgate parties before each home football game and during pregame and half-time festivities.

A Concert Band was formed in the 2010-2011 academic year as well, and the newly-formed group was honored to be asked to debut at the Inauguration Ceremony for the College’s new president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, on October 8, 2010.

To date the music program has also formed a Jazz Band, several small instrumental ensembles and a Handbell Choir.

The Jazz Band, Concert Band and Handbell Choir will conduct their first annual spring concert on Sunday, May 1.  The free concert is open to the public and  will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Anne Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building.

For more information, contact David Price, Director of Music and Special Events at 423-636-7303 or daprice@tusculum.edu.

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Trio Ginga will bring the music of Brazil to the stage at Tusculum College on Tuesday, April 26.

The musical group will perform at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre on the lower level (side entrance) of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The performance is part of Tusculum College Arts Outreach’s 2010-11 Acts, Arts, Academia performance and lecture series.

Trio Ginga is the result of three virtuoso musicians who truly love Brazilian music coming together to create something beautiful while making people dance. Bassist Tony Nagy, guitarist David Martin and percussionist Dann Sherrill form the core of the group. “Using folkloric Brazilian rhythms, we aspire to create and play the music that we might hear in North America if transplanted Africans had been allowed to keep their drums,” says Sherrill of the band’s mission and vision.

The group’s music can be described as a combination of the Afro-Folkloric sounds of the Brazilian Northeast and the Bahia with the jazzy urbanity of Rio de Janeiro and a touch of some funky American soul.

Debora Brazil, the group’s featured vocalist, is from Florianopolis in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. She adds the Brazilian vibe and a tropical fashion sense to the group, drawing on her experience as an accomplished fashion designer.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 years of age and older and $5 for children 12 and under.

For more information, please call Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423.798.1620, e-mail jhollowell@tusculum.edu or visit http://arts.tusculum.edu.

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