Alumni & Friends Newsletter ***July 2024 | |
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Go Pioneers!
Scott Hummel, Ph.D.
“Pressing Forward”
– Philippians 3:14
| Wayne and Pam Eichele pose with Dr. Hummel at Ventura Mission. | |
Urban Promise will serve 80 students in camps this summer.
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Last week I attended a conference in Los Angeles that was focused on supporting and preparing first generation college students. Tusculum serves all of our students well with faculty and staff who take a personal approach with each student. I am proud that Tusculum not only provides access to college with its affordability, but provides access to graduation with its robust support systems. Every student admitted can succeed at Tusculum. Fifty-eight percent of our students are first generation, and Tusculum is especially good at serving first generation students. If neither parent completed a bachelor's degree, that student is considered first generation.
As a first-generation student, preparing first generation students is especially important to me. A Tusculum education is still one of the best ways to tackle generational poverty, transform lives and families, and equip career-ready professionals.
While in Los Angeles, I visited two alumni. Dionte’ Gray is a 2012 graduate, and he and his wife now run a successful and growing ministry called Urban Promise. Wayne Eichel is a 1973 graduate and he has retired in Ventura, CA after successful careers in education and business. They were both first generation students and have used their Tusculum education to make a difference.
If you were a first-generation student, you know how well Tusculum prepared you. You also know that while all students face challenges, those challenges can be more daunting for first generation students especially when navigating the process is new and resources are tight. Please join me in supporting the newest generation of students at Tusculum, especially our first generation students. Click here to give.
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Mark your calendars now to join us for a fun evening at the ball park. TU alumni night will be July 25th!! Catering from Top Choice BBQ. I can't wait to see you there. | |
Please email Jolin Hawk at jhawk@tusculum.edu to reserve your tickets today! | |
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Summer Academy enriches the lives of high school students!
Campus is lively with the arrival of about 100 high school students ready for learning and fun! Tusculum’s Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs are holding the Summer Academy! Students spend five weeks on campus, attending classes in the morning and afternoon and then having a great time with other activities in the evening. At the conclusion of the five weeks on campus, these students will have an opportunity to travel with the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science staff to Cincinnati and experience the culture there.
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The Summer Academy at Tusculum University added a younger vibe with a recent visit from elementary school students participating in a program provided by Greeneville City Schools.
Rising students for kindergarten through second grade visited campus one day, followed two days later by those rising to third grade through fifth grade. The students attended the same classes as high school students from the Upward Bound Math and Science program. The older students also taught the younger ones some of the skills needed to play volleyball.
In addition, the younger students enjoyed a scavenger hunt in the Thomas J. Garland Library, the cafeteria and the Tusculum Campus Store. They were also able to tour one of the residence halls and then use chalk outside to draw how they envisioned their room would look when they went to college or show their artistic creativity in other ways.
“Our students and staff are enjoying themselves immensely this year at the Summer Academy,” said Dr. David Smith, director of TRIO programs at Tusculum.
Stacey McGill, associate director of Upward Bound Math and Science, said the visit was a field trip for the younger students. This is the third year the elementary school students have come during the Summer Academy and resulted from a conversation between her and Cathy Duncan, co-director of the Summer Learning Camp with Greeneville City Schools.
This year, the two organizations incorporated the scavenger hunt so the elementary school students could see more of the campus as well as the residence hall visit. During their time on the Tusculum campus, the elementary school students had an opportunity to meet with university staff members. Bringing the younger students to campus enabled the high school students to serve as mentors, McGill said.
The summer camp for Greeneville City Schools, which was held this year at Hal Henard Elementary School, takes place four days a week. Students work on their academic skills for reading, English Language Arts and mathematics. Teachers also work with some of the students to meet requirements to advance to fourth grade, and students are able to visit a book bus that comes to the school once a week.
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Planning for the fall semester is in full swing at Tusculum University, including welcoming new students to campus to learn more about Tennessee’s first higher education institution and prepare for their coursework.
The university held Pioneer Quest Friday, June 14, and the event was filled with activities that set the stage for these students to begin their studies in August. Pioneer Quest enabled them to take care of academic needs and explore additional social, service and spiritual opportunities that will maximize their Tusculum experience.
“We thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with our new students and sharing further with them the many ways we can help them achieve their dreams and enjoy their college years,” said Paul Carney, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid. “We are excited to see students pursuing the wide variety of majors Tusculum offers and examining extracurricular activities that will enrich their lives. These new students are going to make their mark at Tusculum and emerge as career-ready, civically engaged professionals.”
Pioneer Quest activities included an opportunity to meet with faculty members and deans to review course schedules, visit the Thomas J. Garland Library and the Doak House Museum and discover more about the Tusculum arts programs. They also met with representatives of the Office of Financial Aid and the Business Office. In addition, they were able to play cornhole with and receive autographs from the Bristol State Liners Appalachian League team.
In Pioneer Arena, students were able to meet with representatives of the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Campus Safety, the Center for Civic Advancement, the Center for Academic Success and Tutoring as well as the Information Systems Department. All new Pioneers also had access to representatives of the music program, the Breaking Bread ministry and the esports and gaming extracurricular activities.
First-generation students, those whose parents do not hold a bachelor’s degree, connected with Student Support Services, a program that provides that population with a robust set of services. The event attracted local students and Pioneers from other parts of the state and the country.
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Tusculum dean completes year in leadership cohort with national organization.
Dr. Heather Henson-Ramsey, dean of the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, has added to her leadership résumé through her participation in a cohort with the Council of Independent Colleges.
She spent the 2023-24 academic year in that national organization’s Senior Leadership Academy. Her interests were to learn more about the role of a provost in case that position would interest her sometime in the future. She also wanted to enhance her knowledge of higher education leadership that could be applied to her current roles at Tusculum, which also included serving as interim dean of the College of Civic and Liberal Arts and coordinator of career services.
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Dr. Heather Henson-Ramsey, second from the left in the bottom row | |
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Ryan Munson, class of 2004, pictured with his family.
Owner of 301 Coffee.
Email: ryan@301coffee.com
Phone: 801-441-2259
Website: 301coffee.com
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I want to welcome 301 Coffee to our "Pioneer-Owned" alumni webpage.
Description: 301Coffee was born from the love of a fresh cup of coffee each morning. Did you know that before World War II, everyone would roast and grind their coffee? With the invention of instant coffee for the troops, the entire coffee industry shifted. I wanted to bring back the small batch of precise roasting that once was the only way to enjoy a cup of joe. Over the last few years, I’ve roasted beans from all over the world, but the beans from Costa Rica have had the flavor and consistency I was looking for. If you are looking for single-batch roasting, 301 Coffee has you covered. I hope you enjoy our weekly small-batch roasting. Here’s to the next cup.
To view his and other TU Pioneer-Owned businesses, please visit ...
Pioneer-Owned Businesses ⋆ TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY
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Tusculum alumna selected as an assistant principal in Johnson City
We congratulate Christy Nelson, who earned her Master of Arts in Education from Tusculum in 2004, for her selection as an assistant principal at Indian Trail Middle School in Johnson City!
“We are excited to have Christy join the team at Indian Trail,” Johnson City Schools Superintendent Steve Barnett said in a news release. “Christy brings a variety of skills to our district that will be great additions to the Indian Trail leadership team and our school district.”
She comes to Indian Trail after serving as an assistant principal at Sullivan Heights Middle School since 2021. She was previously a districtwide elementary English language arts instructional leader in Sullivan County for five years and a teacher for 14 years before that.
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The Anderson County School District has named long-time educator Robbie Herrell as the new principal of Clinton High School.
He is a 1993 graduate of CHS. He attended Tusculum College for his undergraduate degree, Lincoln Memorial University for his graduate degree and East Tennessee State University for his Ed.S.
He has had many different roles in the Anderson County Schools. He served as in-school suspension facilitator and assistant football coach from 2006 through 2008 at Clinton Middle School. From 2008 through 2009 at Anderson County Career and Technical Center, he served as construction and OSHA instructor, and then became Clinton Middle School head football coach. Then from 2009 through 2012, he continued in the same role at ACTC while also working as CHS freshman assistant football coach.
He served as assistant principal for the ACTC from 2012 through 2016 before becoming its principal in 2016, a position he held until this year.
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Serina Marshall, a prominent figure in the Tennessee literary scene and owner of Dapper Vision Media, recently returned from New York after lending her expertise to the audition process for Gemelli Films' highly anticipated new baseball series, "Heavy Hitters."
As a local from Kingsport, TN, Marshall's journey from small-town roots to the bustling streets of New York exemplifies the power of pursuing one's dreams. Her involvement in the audition process underscores her commitment to supporting emerging talent and contributing to the entertainment industry's vibrant landscape.
Dapper Vision Media, founded by Marshall, serves as a beacon for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs, providing public relations services aimed at amplifying their voices and reaching wider audiences. Marshall's dedication to uplifting others is reflected not only in her professional endeavors but also in her passion for storytelling and community engagement.
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Marshall's recent collaboration with Gemelli Films further solidifies her reputation as a multifaceted professional with a keen eye for talent and a knack for making meaningful connections within the industry. Her contributions to the audition process are sure to leave a lasting impression on the production of "Heavy Hitters" and the talented individuals vying for a spot on the series.
Marshall said, “Getting to stand on the baseball diamond watching these incredible actors and players love the game was such an incredible experience. It was the perfect marriage of baseball and acting. Those who came to audition gave their all and it showed in their passion during tryouts. Also, to have the opportunity to meet and talk with Yankees legend and executive Ray Negron only added to the excitement of the experience. I am so excited to get to be a part of such a groundbreaking series and look forward to spending more time with the amazing actors, players, and Gemelli Films crew.”
In addition to her work with Gemelli Films, Marshall recently made waves in the media world with an article featured on Ray Negron's esteemed blog. Her insightful commentary and unique perspective garnered widespread attention, further establishing her as a respected voice in both local and national circles.
As Marshall returns to her hometown of Kingsport, TN, she carries with her the lessons learned and connections forged during her time in New York; this fall she will head back to help with the beginning of production. Her continued dedication to supporting emerging talent and fostering creativity serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists everywhere.
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Tusculum working to create two new endowments to support students | |
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Seeking to provide additional financial support for our students, individuals at Tusculum are working to create two endowed scholarships.
The Office of Institutional Advancement is collaborating with the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics and family members of Ron Conley to establish one scholarship in his name. Conley was a faculty member for 30 years and former chair of the Mathematics Department.
In addition, Institutional Advancement is coordinating with an anonymous donor to start a scholarship in the name of Marion Edens, a 1932 Tusculum graduate, who was heavily involved in our Athletic Department and student recruitment.
Everyone involved is raising the $25,000 necessary to create these endowed scholarships, and your donation is welcome.
To donate to the Conley scholarship, please visit https://giving.tusculum.edu/the-ronald-conley-memorial-scholarship-fund. To support the Edens scholarship, please visit https://giving.tusculum.edu/the-marion-edens-scholarship-challenge. If you would like more information, please email Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement, at eroberts@tusculum.edu or Cheryl Fehl, senior director of grants and development, at cfehl@tusculum.edu or call 423-636-7303.
You can read more about these endowed scholarships in this news release.
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You can *STILL* help children attend our summer camps!
You can still help support the remaining summer camps for the month of July!
Our camps program enables people to make donations. This is a great way for people to help their grandchild, other family member or perhaps someone you know in the community enjoy the week at Tusculum. Greg Fay, our director of continuing education and camps, views the donations as scholarships that will pave the way for a child and potential multiple children to participate.
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The Charles Oliver Gray – North (COG-N) building is quieter this time of year because most of our College of Education (COE) residential students have gone home for the summer. I get so excited when I see one of our undergraduates here on campus working for TU. It does my heart good to see their smiling faces and to watch them contribute to our TU community in any of the many summer events we have going on throughout the summer semester months.
Even though the majority of our residential students have gone home to celebrate summer with their families and friends, our undergraduate and graduate students continue their coursework throughout the summer taking synchronous or asynchronous courses through our Adult and Online Studies (AOS) programs.
Our programs with summer courses include the following:
· Bachelor of Arts in Sport Science (SPSC)
· Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (SPSC-PT/OT)
· Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, K-5 Elementary (BAIS),
· Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT),
· Master of Arts in Education (MAED),
· Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Training and Professional Development (BAOT),
· Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Professional Development (MAOT),
· Master of Arts in eLearning Leadership (MAEL),
· Special Education (SPED) (We now offer this endorsement through the MAED, MAT,
and the BAIS programs!!)
· Coaching Minor,
· Coaching Endorsement,
· Wilderness Experience Minor
On June 14th and July 26th, COE faculty and staff had the pleasure of meeting incoming and prospective students and their parents during Pioneer Quests held on our beautiful Greeneville campus on those two days. It is always wonderful to meet and get to know our new Tusculum University Pioneers and their families. The excitement is building for the fall 2024 semester!
The faculty, staff, and students of the COE are very busy and diligent in the pursuit of new knowledge and the building of new skills as we ALL continue learning and as our students continue striving toward completion of their degrees while becoming experts in their fields. We are proud of our Tusculum University College of Education Undergrad and Grad Pioneers! They are the BEST!
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Emily Kalmink has been named the women’s beach volleyball head coach. We welcome her to the Tusculum family!
Kalmink has four years of collegiate coaching experience in the sport including the last three seasons on the coaching staff at NCAA Division II Saint Leo University in Florida. She began her coaching career at the State College of Florida in 2021 where she was an assistant coach with the beach volleyball team.
She played collegiately at NCAA Division III Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she was a two-year starting middle blocker and team captain.
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Our men’s and women’s tennis programs have a new head coach -- Garcian D’Cruz! We also welcome him to the Tusculum family!
D’Cruz most recently served on the men’s tennis staff at NCAA Division I Elon University, where he was also an adjunct faculty member. Before that, he was athletic director at Old State North Club in New London, North Carolina, and also ran USTA and UTR leagues and tournaments. He is a 2017 Elon graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He later earned a sports industry certificate from Columbia University in 2019 and is completing his master’s degree in sports management at Western Carolina University.
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Basketball courts were hopping with action!
The extremely popular J.T. Burton Team Camp returned to Tusculum, and it kept our two gyms busy with nonstop action. Games were also played at local schools.
The camp attracted 81 teams from six states and brought more than 3,000 people to campus as players, coaches, spectators and workers! We congratulate Burton, the head coach of our men’s basketball team, and everyone who assisted him for this outstanding turnout!
You can view this gallery of photos from the three-day camp.
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For all my local peeps, check out the Lyrics on the Lawn each Thursday in July. | |
***Calling all TU alums...let's gather for some free family fun. We will meet up for the July 18th concert to listen to Club Rewind. An 80's Pop/Rock Tribute Band.*** | |
Homecoming is the perfect time to plan a class reunion. If you graduated 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more years ago make plans to return "home" for your reunion. Call your classmates and make those plans now! October will be here before you know it! | |
Question: These 2 pictures depict the most festive event of the school year during the 1920s and 1930s. What was the name of this celebration? Why did it stop? | |  |
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Last Month's question: This picture shows some of the eight prefabricated manufactured houses that sat along the present day curving road behind Kathrine Hall. What was the name given to this complex?
Special thanks to Steve Geaghan for this question!
Answer: The Prefabs or Morgan Village.
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Follow the Alumni Facebook page to stay up to date on alumni
related events, news and happenings, both on and off campus.
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Share news about new jobs, promotions, graduate school success, weddings and births with your fellow alumni by submitting a Class Note through alumni pages on the Tusculum website. | | | |
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Me (in the ball cap) and my family over looking Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI.
Where have you vacationed wearing your TU gear?
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- 7/18 TU alumni gathering at the Lyrics on the Lawn.
- 7/25 TU alumni night at the Flyboys.
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Dear Alumni and Friends!
It is officially summer! As a classroom teacher, I spent 17 years enjoying every second of summer and my time off. Now, I still enjoy summer and I don't need the time off to recoup from the previous school year and recharge for the upcoming school year. You educators know what I'm talking about! LOL.
I have already enjoyed a week away with my little family. We spent time in a cabin on a lake in Michigan. We enjoyed our time with each other fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking, and exploring new places. We visited 3 different beaches and a national state park. My kids already want to go back. It was a wonderful trip making precious memories. That is what it is all about, am I right?! Now, we have some other things on our summer bucket list that we still want to complete. Simple things like catching fireflies, making homemade ice-cream, and watching fireworks. What do you and your family enjoy during the summer? How do you make memories?
As always, please feel free to email me at jhawk@tusculum.edu or call at 423.636.7407.
Kind Regards,
Jolin Hawk '05 '11
Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations
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