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In my six years at Tusculum, I have heard some names over and over. For example, rarely do I speak with alumni from the 60’s and 70’s without hearing about Marion Edens and how many students he brought to Tusculum and served as athletic director and coach. Not surprisingly, many alumni continue to donate more than $110,000 to the Marion Eden’s scholarship. What great way to say thank you and to memorialize his name, while supporting the next generation of Pioneers.
Ralph Horne and David Bow are two other names that are being memorialized in the renovation of the auxiliary gym. Ralph Horne is remembered not just because he broke so many Tusculum basketball records, and his jersey still hangs in the gym. Yes, Ralph was a charter member of the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame, but he is also remembered for his more than 60 years of continued support. He earned the Tusculum Sports Benefactor Award and seemed to attend nearly every basketball and football game. The gym floor will bear his signature and be named after him. David Bow has served as a faculty member, coach, and athletic director for nearly 50 years. When I ask students to name their favorite professor, Dr. Bow’s name still comes up frequently. He has educated, supported, and rooted for thousands of Pioneers. You can contribute to the auxiliary gym renovation in Dr. Bow’s honor and Ralph Horne’s memory.
To make a gift to either one of these great initiatives or any other area at Tusculum, please click the button below.
| | Photo From: Heritage Community Bank | Burns Promoted to President of Heritage Community Bank | | Photo from: Ben Green/Buffalo Bills | Alford ’20 Signs with Buffalo Bills | | |
A Night of Line Dancing Fun!
The evening was full of energy and laughter as students, staff, alumni, and community members came together for a lively line dancing event! Under the expert guidance of caller Christa DelSorbo, with support from her husband Carl and their son Carter, everyone had the chance to show off their moves.
A heartfelt thank you to the DelSorbo family for making the night so memorable!
| The Tusculum Alumni Greeneville Chapter recently gathered for an enjoyable evening connecting with fellow alumni. It was a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, strengthen the Pioneer spirit, and celebrate our Tusculum community. | |
We also appreciate Larry Horn of Illumine Photographic Services for allowing us to feature his stunning aerial photo of downtown Greeneville in our event materials.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and look forward to reconnecting at future alumni events!
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PIONEER NATION DAY OF GIVING IS HERE!
Support Tusculum students and make a lasting impact. Every gift goes to The Tusculum Fund, helping provide resources beyond tuition to support student success.
Plus, honor a faculty or staff member who made a difference through Praise a Pioneer!
Matching Gift Alert: All donations will be matched - doubling your impact!
Giving Levels:
$25 – Pioneer Shoutout
$50 – Pioneer Appreciation
$100 – Pioneer Champion
$150 – Pioneer Impact
$250+ – Pioneer Legacy
Give today and be part of something meaningful.
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The Tusculum Pioneers invite all community members to join us for Pack the Park on Saturday, April 18, at Pioneer Park for an exciting doubleheader baseball game against Lenoir-Rhyne.
Game Times:
• Game 1: 1:00 PM
• Game 2: 4:00 PM
Tickets: $12
Children 12 and under receive free admission, making it a great opportunity for families to attend together.
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly day at the ballpark with entertainment throughout the event, including games, raffles, and a bounce house for kids.
If you have any questions or would like to reserve your tickets, please reach out to:
Melissa Bryant – mebryant@tusculum.edu
Rasmus Nylander – rnylander@tusculum.edu
We hope you can join us for a great day of baseball and help us
Pack the Park!
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Pioneer Pitch 2026
Tusculum University is excited to host Pioneer Pitch 2026, a dynamic event designed to help student and community entrepreneurs turn ideas into momentum.
Students and community members will pitch innovative business concepts, connect with experienced builders and leaders, and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our region.
Event Details:
📅 Date: April 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Meen Center, Room 007 – Tusculum University
🏆 Prizes: Cash Awards & more
We invite our alumni community to attend, support, and help spread the word. Events like Pioneer Pitch highlight the creativity and ambition of today’s Pioneers, and your presence and encouragement make a meaningful difference.
If you would like to attend the event OR pitch your idea, register below:
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Join us on campus for a powerful and inspiring Holocaust lecture presented by Judy Kolb.
🗓 Monday, April 20
⏰ 1:00 p.m.
📍 Chalmers Conference Center
(Located inside the Scott M. Niswonger Commons)
Judy Kolb will share her remarkable story of survival, her family fled Nazi Germany in 1939 and rebuilt their lives in Shanghai, China, where she was born. They later lived in the Hongkew District, known as the Shanghai Ghetto, which became a refuge for many Jewish families during World War II.
Her presentation, “Surviving the Shanghai Ghetto,” will be followed by a Q&A session.
🎟️ Free and open to the public (donations welcome)
📝 Please register for planning purposes:
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Join the Celebration!
Golden (’76) & Silver (’01) Pioneers Reunite at Tusculum
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Tusculum alumni celebrating 25 or 50 years since graduation are invited back to participate in Commencement and milestone celebrations.
If you graduated in 1976 or 2001, now is the time to register for these special events! On May 8, enjoy a celebratory dinner, and on May 9, participate in the Commencement Ceremony alongside your fellow alumni. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and your guests!
Registration closed April 24th.
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Join us for an evening of exceptional music with the Tusculum University Community Band as they present
A Symphonic Spring.
🗓 Tuesday, May 12
⏰ 7:00 p.m.
📍 Niswonger Performing Arts Center-NPAC
We are also proud to feature our 2025 scholarship recipient, Sabrina Nelson, as the evening’s soloist.
🎟️ Free and open to the public
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly event
We hope you’ll join us for this special performance!
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Dates to Remember
Pioneer Day of Giving-Praise a Pioneer
April 14, 2026
Pack The Park
April 18, 2026
Pitch Day
April 18, 2026
Surviving the Shanghai Ghetto: A Presentation by Survivor Judy Kolb
April 20, 2026
Old Oak Festival
April 25 & 26, 2026
Christian Leadership Dinner
May 7, 2026
Golden Pioneers Reunion (Class of 1976)
May 8 & 9, 2026
Silver Pioneers Reunion (Class of 2001)
May 8 & 9, 2026
May Commencement
May 9, 2026
Tusculum University Community Band:
A Symphonic Spring
May 12, 2026
Try Scuba
June 6, 2026
Homecoming 2026
October 17, 2026
TBD EVENTS:
Alumni Baseball Flyboy Game at Pioneer Park
Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse
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We mourn the loss of members of our alumni community. Although we may not have all the details, we remember and honor those who have passed away. Each person’s contribution to our community, in their own way, has left a lasting impact that will continue to resonate with us.
Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and all who were fortunate to know them. Their memories will forever be cherished, and their legacies will live on in the hearts of those they touched.
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Hey, Pioneers! Please take a moment to click the buttons below to update your contact information and to submit class notes. I would love to include you. | | | |
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.
We are currently collecting TU alumni class notes to be included in the next edition of our magazine.
Please click the orange button above to update your contact information and the orange below to submit a class note.
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Spring Into April at Tusculum!
Spring is finally here, bringing longer days, blooming flowers, and warmer temperatures. This is the season that inspires me to think about new adventures and simple joys, moments to savor with family, friends, and our Tusculum community. It’s the perfect time to plan small experiences that bring happiness and create lasting memories.
Spring is in full swing on campus, and this month offers many opportunities for alumni to reconnect and engage with our community. On April 14, we celebrate faculty who have made a lasting impact during TU Day of Giving-Praise a Pioneer. On April 18, join us for Pitch Day & Pack the Park, where students showcase their business ideas, followed by an afternoon at Pioneer Park. The Old Oak Festival takes place April 25–26, offering arts, crafts, food, and entertainment for the whole family. Looking ahead, we will honor alumni who graduated 25 and 50 years ago at the Golden & Silver Pioneer Celebration on May 8–9.
We are deeply grateful for our alumni and friends, whose ongoing support and engagement make the Tusculum experience richer for our students and community. Your dedication helps cultivate a campus where students are inspired to lead, serve, and thrive. We’re excited to share these special April events with you and look forward to celebrating the enduring Pioneer spirit together!
If you have any questions or would like to connect, feel free to reach out to me at mebryant@tusculum.edu or call 423.636.7407.
Warmest regards,
Melissa Bryant '18, '19
Director of Alumni Engagement
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