Homecoming 2009 “Tradition Never Graduates” promises to be exciting with several new events as well as some of the old favorites. But, what makes it special each year is the alumni themselves - reminiscing about hijinks such as stealing the McCormick Hall bell, renewing old friendships and making some new ones.

Make your plans to attend today! Registration can be made online or by sending in the form found in the inside cover of the July 2009 edition of the Tusculum magazine.

Learn more about the Homecoming activities on Friday, October 30, Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1.

“Preserving Your Tusculum Traditions” and special showing of  films of campus life from the 1940s-1960s

Campus Tours

2009 Homecoming Golf Tournament

Myers Pumpkin Patch

Brights Zoo

Chili Cook-off

“The Story of the Bell”

Tea with the President

Sports Hall of Fame/All Alumni Dinner

Pioneer Memorial Walk

Alumni Association Meeting

Homecoming Parade

Tailgate Party

Football Game

Alumni Dinner and Dance

Worship Service

The reception will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Both events will be held in the Cantebury Room at Deerfield.

Meet Tusculum’s new president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, learn about the latest developments at the College and renew friendships with alumni during an evening of fun and fellowship.

Cost is $25 per person. Please RSVP by Monday, October 26, by e-mailing bsell@tusculum.edu or by calling 1-800-729-0256 ext. 5303. Dinner will include grilled pork tenderloin, green salad, potato and vegetable sides and carrot cake.

Register online at https://www.tusculum.edu/alumni/reception.php ]]> http://www2.tusculum.edu/newsletter/alumni/?feed=rss2&p=1002 http://www2.tusculum.edu/newsletter/alumni/?p=999 http://www2.tusculum.edu/newsletter/alumni/?p=999#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:51:52 +0000 eestes http://www2.tusculum.edu/newsletter/alumni/?p=999 Attention all alumni who will be in Florida in November - you are invited to some special events.

There is no cost for any of the events, but reservations are required. Please RSVP by Friday, November 6. To make reservations, please call 1-800-729-0256, ext. 5303, (423) 636-7303 or e-mail reservations to: bsell@tusculum.edu. For directions to the alumni events or to register online, please visit https://www.tusculum.edu/alumni/reception.php.

Dr. Candace Bellamy ‘91 of Austin, Texas, is more than on overachiever, more than a dedicated doctor, more than a passionate musician, more than a dedicated alumna to her Alma Mater - she is just, well, more.

Bellamy, who recently appeared in a national Nike commercial called “Livestrong,” featuring cyclist Lance Armstrong, fills her days and nights with all the things she loves most about life. A contract physician who works with military installations and a men’s prison among other venues and a dedicated actress/musician, Bellamy moves seamlessly from one role to another.

“I love what I’m doing and when you love it, you’re able to do so many different things,” she said. She also believes the variety has kept her from “burning out” in any of the areas she loves and toils for in her everyday life.

Bellamy’s life has taken numerous fascinating turns. Already established in her successful career as a contract physician, she first pursued singing as a hobby. After taking voice lessons, she auditioned for the chorus in a community theatre production of “Hello, Dolly!” That small role led to bigger parts in other shows and then the creation of a local rock-and-blues band.

Having discovered her passion, she moved to Austin, the live-music capital of the world. As her newfound second career continued to mount, she found herself sharing the stage with Broadway actors and then performing in her own musical showcase at the Waldorf in New York City.

Currently, in addition to playing in a Pink Floyd tribute band, Bellamy is touring as her schedule allows in her own one-woman show called “Follow the Red Lips.” In “Follow the Red Lips,” Bellamy shares her journey through “stories and songs that will lift you up, leaving you with a smile on your face and joy in your heart.”

She debuted her one-woman autobiographical show at a benefit show for Theatre Bristol in October 2008. In January 2009 she performed two musical showcases in New York City to nearly full houses. The show is comprised of three sets of music featuring R&B, jazz and Broadway show tunes.

According to Bellamy, throughout the show, she weaves stories of her life as a physician and musician that will “inspire audiences to lead full and passionate lives, even if it means stepping outside of their comfort zones.”

The Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program 25^th anniversary celebrations culminated in Greeneville on Saturday, October 17, with a tailgate and special seating at the football game. Several alumni braved some unseasonably cold weather for October to enjoy a tailgate and fellowship before heading to the football game, which unfortunately did not turn out as well as Pioneer fans would have liked. The Greeneville celebration was the fourth celebration this year to mark a milestone for the GPS program. A celebration was held at the Knoxville Regional Center in April with celebrations in the Tri-Cities and Morristown in June.

Hixon, who was a native of Parrottsville, served as a staff member in the college’s academic program for working adults, now called the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program, from its inception in 1984 until her death in 2007. She began working for the college as a division accountant and was executive administrator and assistant registrar of the program at the time of her passing.

As a tribute to the impact that Hixon had in their lives both professionally and personally, staff members of the GPS program in Greeneville coordinated an effort to plant the tree. The tree, an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, was placed in the flower garden outside from what was Hixon’s office in Virginia Hall.

That impact was the focus of comments by those who spoke in a brief ceremony to dedicate the tree. Jamie Hamer ‘96 ‘98, assistant director of enrollment and advising, Southeast, and coordinator of marketing for GPS, researched scriptures from the Bible to describe Hixon’s wisdom and her understanding and compassion, including passages from Proverbs.  When asked how he and his fellow GPS staff members think of Hixon, Hamer said their reply would be family.

Jeff Lokey ‘90, assistant professor management who worked with Hixon in the adult program, spoke of her dedication and hard work that was accompanied by a concern and love for people. He recalled that when his son was small, his son would not leave his side when he brought him to work except to go visit Hixon. As the years went by, Lokey said that Hixon would ask often about how his son was doing.

Lokey also recalled the period when the private company that operated the program in its early days for the college was planning to end its relationship with Tusculum. He and Hixon were appointed to represent their respective parts of the staff in negotiations over compensation. As they headed to the negotiations, Lokey said he wondered how well the kind and gentle Hixon would do as a negotiator. In the end, he recalled that she negotiated for better pay and benefits for her group than he did for his.

Dr. Donal Sexton, professor emeritus of history, said that Hixon always went out of her way to greet people, and she was the reason that he found it pleasant to stop by and see how things were going in the GPS program.

Mary Sheffield ‘07of Morristown said, “I am living my dream because of Jean Hixon.”  Sheffield read an acrostic poem she had written about Hixon and the impact she had in her life.

When she began the process of returning to school after beginning her family, Sheffield said she discovered that credit from an American history course she had previously taken was not transferring and called about it. She spoke to Hixon and found a person who was kind, wanted to help and listened to her describe her fears about returning to school. Sheffield kept in regular contact with Hixon and said the GPS staff member was always ready to listen and offer words of encouragement.

As the ceremony concluded, Hixon’s sister and brother-in-law, Ann and James Hall, untied a ribbon from the tree.

The registration total was announced by Jacquelyn D. Elliott, vice president for enrollment management for Tusculum College, who said that the number includes 310 entering freshmen, 53 transfer students and seven new international students.

“Tusculum College’s residential program continues to grow for a number of reasons,” she said. “Our admission focus is on a more structured search, and we are more focused in how we reach out to potential students in the Appalachian area.”

“It is part of our mission to serve those in this area, and our office has been more conscientious about providing access for students in the Appalachian region through financial aid packages and support.”

Tusculum College, which has a tradition of reaching out to first-generation college students, did so again, with 38.5 percent of the fall entering class listed as first-generation college students.

Of the new students in this year’s entering class, 71 percent are from the State of Tennessee, and 29 percent are from outside the state. Thirty-six of the new students are from Greene County, which is about 10 percent of the entering class, she added. Sixteen percent of the Tusculum College new class of students are athletic scholarship recipients.

According to Elliott, the new students in total received $4,054,905 in financial aid, through a combination of in state, federal and College-provided scholarships, loans and grants.

Elliott said the large entering class produced a residence halls occupancy rate which is “more than 100 percent.”

“For the first time, residential housing capacity has been met, which makes for lively student activities, full stands at athletic events and creates a better environment for students as more students are involved in campus activities.”

According to Elliott, this year’s entering student class is not only an unusually large entering class, but also is better prepared academically. The average ACT scores of incoming students increased from 21.66 last year to 21.75 this year and remains above the state average of 20.

Elliott said the College will continue to recruit new students and is still accepting applications and registrations for students who will be able to start classes in January, the beginning of the spring semester.

“We are reassured that students and their parents are realizing that even in difficult economic times, an education is a valuable investment, and we are pleased that so many of those families have chosen Tusculum College as a place where they feel confident their student can be successful,” said Elliott.

Thomas’ recognition is an honor bestowed by her peers. With the nomination, Thomas’ former students, peers and friends can make a donation to the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fund in her name. The Foundation Fund supports programs that nurture the creation, performance, study and teaching of music, according to Deane K. Gray of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association Executive Board.

“We are excited to honor Ruth for a lifetime of dedication to her students, to her community and for her exemplary service to the Tennessee Music Teachers Association and to the Music Teachers National Association,” said Gray.

Thomas joined the College’s music department in the mid-1960s with her husband, Arnold, who passed away in recent years. The two decades that the couple served the College was marked by the success of the well-respected choral program that significantly touched the lives of students.

As a team, the husband and wife directed the Tusculum College Singers, creating three choirs from a small group of singers: the mixed chorus, men’s chorus and women’s chorus. She accompanied the men’s and mixed choruses on piano and directed the women’s chorus. According to former students, Thomas was always calm and cheerful - a trait which was needed during last-minute rehearsals before choir tours.

Teaching such classes as music theory and history, she also found time to teach piano in a studio at Tusculum, which she continues to this day. Her students found she had high expectations and helped them achieve results that they had not thought possible. Her attention to detail in playing music was not just valuable in regards to piano, but also one that benefited her students later in life.

Tusculum College has not been the only benefactor of Thomas’ talent and dedication. She was the founder and former conductor of the Greater Greeneville Chorale. She is also the long-time pianist and organist at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Contributions can be made at the MTNA Web site at www.mtnafoundaton.org and designated for “Ruth Thomas Fellow” fund. Contributions can be made in any amount, but must be made by January 31, 2010.  A minimum of $1,000 must be sent in her name in order for her to be named Fellow.

Each year new MTNA Fellows are recognized at the national conference.  The March 2010 conference will be held in Albuquerque, N.M. New Fellows are honored at the closing Gala, and are recognized in “American Music Teacher” magazine.

Nicolas fell in love with America 25 years ago when she visited Greeneville as a high school exchange student. As part of the exchange program, she spent the summer with a local family and came to love not only America, but East Tennessee in particular.

After returning to her home in Brittany, France, Nicolas finished high school, as well as her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in France before finally returning to America as a Fulbright Visiting Lecturer at Central Missouri State University. She eventually found her way back to Greeneville in 1992, first teaching French, and then English, at Tusculum College.

She also earned a second master’s degree from Tusculum College in 1995.

“Tusculum College had a great influence on this decision to seek U.S. citizenship,” said Nicolas. “We teach our students about citizenship in the Commons program, the rights and responsibilities, and about engagement and doing service, and part of me knew I couldn’t really do that to the full extent. I love being here and really want to be part of the American society - to be truly engaged.”

Nicolas said that while she has family still living in France, she considers the United States her home and has no plans to ever move back to France.

“Tusculum College has been my community and working here has shown me what it means to be part of a community, a society that makes you want to make it better,” said Nicolas, who plans to immediately register to vote as a her first act as a new citizen.

France does allow dual citizenship, so she did not have to give up her French citizenship in order to become an American citizen, which was one of the issues that concerned her, not for herself, but for her family.

“I didn’t want my parents to see it as a betrayal, but my heart is definitely in America.”

Currently Nicolas is teaching English courses in the Graduate and Professional Studies Gateway program and is pursuing her doctorate in English through Indiana University in Pennsylvania.

Faculty colleagues, staff members, current students and former students all gathered Thursday, October 8, to say a fond farewell to English Professor Taimi Olsen. Olsen has taken a position at the University of Tennessee, and while she has received well wishes for her future endeavors from her friends at Tusculum, many expressed how much they will miss a professor who has been an integral part of the campus for more than a decade. During the reception, Olsen’s love of teaching, her concern for students, the inspiration she gave her fellow professors and her friendship. Her colleagues in the English Department, which she has chaired, presented Olsen with a gift of a print by art professor Deborah Bryan. In addition to chairing the English Department, Olsen has served as director of the School of Arts and Sciences and director of the Commons program.