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Nearly every undergraduate student has dinner at the President’s home each year. Starr and I host every athletic team and numerous student organizations, such as the Student Government Association. As we fellowship, I learn about their homes, majors, dreams, and even challenges. I often ask them what they think is the best about Tusculum. Not surprisingly, they talk about their faculty, their teams, and a strong sense of community. One student asked me the same question. There is so much I like about Tusculum. I enjoy meeting Tusculum alumni and hearing about their Tusculum experience, their memories, and the many ways Tusculum prepared them for their lives and careers. I enjoy our dedicated faculty and staff, but I enjoy our students the most. I am a teacher at heart, so I know they are why we are here; they are our mission. This Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for our students. This Christmas season, I hope you will give the gift of Tusculum by supporting our students.
| | Frizzell ’00 Named 40 Under Forty Class by The Business Journal | | Blackley ’68 Selected to the Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame | |
National Day of Giving – Tuesday, Dec. 2
Tusculum University invites you to join fellow alumni in celebrating the National Day of Giving by investing in the success of today’s Pioneers.
You can participate by scanning the QR code in the graphic above or by clicking the button below.
Your contribution can support the area that resonates most with you, including:
- The TU Fund – providing immediate support where it’s needed most
- GAP Scholarships – helping students bridge financial shortfalls
- First-Generation Scholarships – empowering students who are the first in their families to pursue a degree
- Or any program you feel most passionate about
Every gift makes a meaningful difference, helping our students become career-ready and equipped for lifelong success.
🧡Thank you for your continued Pioneer Pride and generous support! 🧡
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Join Us for a Holiday Treat Social!
Tusculum University alumni, take a break from the holiday hustle and join us for some sweet festive fun! We’re excited to host a Holiday Treat Social, complete with delicious treats and plenty of holiday cheer.
When: Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Niswonger Commons Living Room
Don’t forget to wear your ugly Christmas sweater. We want to see your holiday spirit! Come mingle, celebrate, and enjoy a festive moment with fellow alumni.
We can’t wait to see you there!
| We gathered to celebrate the 21st edition of The Tusculum Review and the award-winning chapbook Snakebite. An inspiring night of readings, art, and connection. |
Wizard of Oz on Ice at NPAC!
Date: February 7, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Step into a world of wonder with Wizard of Oz on Ice, the second performance in our 2025–2026 Free Community Performance Series! Experience this timeless story like never before as Ice Creative Entertainment presents a breathtaking, all-new reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic, performed on a dazzling synthetic ice stage. Whether you’re young or simply young at heart, this magical performance promises to captivate audiences of all ages!
This family-friendly event is free, and tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tusculum will have a reserved alumni section, so be sure to claim your tickets by January 4th.
Reserve yours, please contact Melissa Bryant at alumni@tusculum.edu.
Feel free to bring your children, grandchildren, partner, friends, neighbors, or fellow alumni; this enchanting evening is perfect for everyone!
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Every Frontier Needs a Pioneer: Frontiers Campaign
Since 1794, Tusculum has prepared students to lead with purpose, community, and faith. Help today’s Pioneers continue that legacy.
Make your year-end gift by Dec. 31.
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Stay Connected with Tusculum University!
Have you moved, changed your phone number, or updated your email? If we haven’t heard from you lately, please make sure your information is current so we can keep you in the loop about events, news, and alumni updates.
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In recognition of Marion Edens and his remarkable dedication to students, we are thrilled to announce that the scholarship established in his honor, celebrating his many years of service at what was then Tusculum College, has officially achieved endowment status. Alumni from the 1950s and ’60s fondly recall countless “Edens stories,” and this scholarship stands as a lasting tribute to the profound impact one individual had on so many lives.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the Edens Scholarship Fund has already surpassed $67,000 in donations. With your continued support, we are well on our way to reaching the $100,000 goal, ensuring Mr. Edens’ legacy will inspire students for generations to come.
🧡 Exciting opportunity: Jim Owen (Class of 1960) has generously pledged to match all gifts dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, for donations received by the end of the year. That means every gift you make will have double the impact!
Now is the perfect time to honor a man who gave so much to Tusculum and its students. Your support can help continue his extraordinary legacy.
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Dates to Remember
National Day of Giving
December 2, 2025
Fall Commencement
December 13, 2025
Old Oak Festival
April 24-26, 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
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Bring Tusculum Closer to Home
Start an Alumni Chapter in Your Area!
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Stay Connected. Lead Locally. Pioneer Together.
Are you passionate about staying connected with fellow Tusculum alumni in your region?
Great news, Alumni Chapters are launching soon in these areas:
Tri-Cities
Knoxville
Nashville
Greenville, SC
Asheville, NC
No special requirements or membership fees — just a love for Tusculum and a desire to build community with fellow Pioneers near you!
Alumni Chapters offer a great way to gather informally with others who live or work nearby. As a Chapter Leader, you’ll team up with the Tusculum Alumni Association to host one signature event per year in your area. You’ll also receive an invitation to our annual Volunteers’ Conference on campus—a chance to connect with other leaders and stay plugged in to all things Tusculum.
Interested in starting a chapter or want to learn more? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to discuss how you can get involved by emailing alumni@tusculum.edu.
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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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Tusculum University Magazine
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 your information in the next digital magazine.
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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.
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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Happy December from Tusculum!
As we close out another wonderful year at Tusculum University, our campus community is filled with gratitude and anticipation. The fall semester has been full of energy, from Homecoming celebrations and athletic victories to student service projects and festive campus events, all reflecting the Pioneer spirit that makes Tusculum so special.
This season, we’re especially thankful for our alumni and friends who continue to support our mission and our students in so many meaningful ways. Your generosity and engagement strengthen our programs, inspire our students, and help us carry forward Tusculum’s proud legacy of faith, learning, and service.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for all that 2026 will bring, new opportunities for connection, growth, and impact through the Frontiers Campaign and beyond.
From all of us at Tusculum, we wish you a joyful Christmas season and a bright New Year! Thank you for being an essential part of the Pioneer family.
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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