 | | Just this past week, I heard from four alumni who described how Tusculum impacted their lives and prepared them for their careers. Michael Fernando, '16 and Kevin Laight '09 both spoke at the Naturalization Ceremony, where they became naturalized American citizens. Their journeys to American citizenship began at Tusculum as international students. Their Tusculum experience prepared them for their respective callings and careers. Kyle Cavanaugh '80 spoke to the men’s basketball team about his Tusculum experience and journey to becoming the President of Administration of the NBA. He also gave advice to the players about making the most out of their Tusculum experience. I then received an email from the daughter of Elizabeth (Goodard) Goodpasture, who was a 1943 graduate who broke codes during WWII while serving in the Navy. The West Virginia National Cemeteries Project wrote a biography of her and highlighted her Tusculum education. Tusculum University continues to prepare students for civic engagement, successful careers, and personal enrichment.
We would love to hear about your Tusculum experience. We would also like to pass on advice you have for this current generation of students. We would also appreciate your financial support for our students. We look forward to hearing from you! Please send your advice to Melissa Bryant at alumni@tusculum.edu.
| | | | Jones '06 Named Founding Forward Teacher Ambassador | | |
Tusculum Alumni Fernando '16 and Laight '09
Achieve Career and Citizenship Milestones
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Goddard Goodpasture ’43
A Life of Service, Music, and Codebreaking Brilliance
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Unearthing History: Dr. Yossi Garfinkel Revisited Tusculum
to Share Discoveries on Israel’s First Kings
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Tusculum University Hosts Record-Breaking
Trivia Night at Pioneer Park
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PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE TU PICKLEBALL CLUB
📅 Saturday, October 4
🕓 Starts at 9:00 AM
📍 Greeneville YMCA
TO PARTICIPATE:
$10 per team (CASH ONLY-pay at the event)
Fun, friendly competition to support the TU Pickleball Club!
Alumni, students, and the community welcome!
Scan the QR code to register or get more info!
Let’s rally for a great cause—see you on the court!
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🏥 Tusculum Health Fair 2025 – Alumni Participation Invitation
Hosted in partnership with the Greene County Partnership
📅 Friday, October 17, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Tusculum University
Tusculum University is excited to host a Health Fair showcasing health-related careers and services to the Greene County Partnership Youth Leadership group, and we’d love to feature YOU!
We’re inviting Tusculum alumni who have built careers in:
- Medical Fields
- Mental Health
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Other Health-Related Professions
This is a unique opportunity to connect with local high school students, highlight your journey beyond Tusculum, and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Interested in Participating?
If you’d like to host a table, represent your field, or simply network with students and fellow alumni, please RSVP by Wednesday, October 1. Space is limited.
RSVP or Request More Info:
Melissa at alumni@tusculum.edu
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🎨 Photography Exhibit: The Dual Breath
by Leanne Trivette S.
Clem Allison Gallery Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center
Exhibit Dates and Times:
Monday, Sept. 15 – Friday, Oct. 24
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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🧡 You're Invited to Tusculum Homecoming 2025! 🧡
October 28 – November 2, 2025
| Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer, and there's no better time to return to campus than Homecoming Week 2025! Whether you're cheering from the stands, honoring loved ones, or dancing the night away, there's something for everyone. Come celebrate our shared traditions, relive the memories, and reconnect with fellow alumni. | |
Homecoming Alumni Award Celebration & Dance
📅 Saturday, November 1st
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Hackler Hall Event Center
201 W Summer St, Greeneville, TN 37743
👗 Dress: Semi-formal / Business Casual
Celebrate Excellence. Dance the Night Away.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we honor outstanding members of the Tusculum family. Enjoy a night filled with:
Inspiring Alumni Recognition
Music & Dancing
Delicious Refreshments
Great Company & Memories
Please RSVP by October 17, 2025
by registering at the button below.
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In honoring Marion Edens and his legacy of service to students, we are pleased to announce that the scholarship honoring Mr. Edens, a longtime member of staff of then Tusculum College, has reached official endowment status. With many “Edens stories” circulating among alumni of the 1950s and 60s, this scholarship honoring the impact of one man on so many lives seems a fitting tribute.
Thanks to generous support, the Edens Scholarship Fund has surpassed $67,000 in donations and with your continued help, we are well on our way to reaching the $100,000 goal to further honor Mr. Edens’ enduring legacy.
🧡 Exciting news: Jim Owen (1960) will match dollar for dollar up to $20,000 all gifts received by the end of the year. That means your contribution will go twice as far in helping us reach the finish line!
Now is the perfect time to give in honor of a man who gave so much to Tusculum and its students.
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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. Though we may not have all the details, we remember and honor those who have passed. 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 October from Tusculum!
As the leaves begin to turn and campus settles into the rhythm of fall, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for one of our most cherished traditions, Homecoming!
But first, a quick look back. Our Alumni-Hosted Trivia Night was a huge success, with nearly 200 students joining in for a night full of fun and friendly competition. A big thank-you to Steve Goad State Farm, for sponsoring the event and helping to create such a memorable evening for our campus community and the alumni who attended the event.
Now, all eyes are on Homecoming 2025, happening October 28 – November 2. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our alumni and friends back to campus for a week full of celebration, connection, and Pioneer pride. From athletic events and campus tours to meaningful moments like the Memorial Service, Parade, and the Alumni Awards Dinner & Dance, there’s truly something for everyone.
Whether you’re reconnecting with classmates, cheering on the Pioneers, or simply soaking in the fall spirit on campus, we hope you’ll be part of the festivities. Click here to view the full schedule of events and register.
We can’t wait to see you here to celebrate Homecoming! As always, thank you for being such a valued part of the Tusculum family. Your support, spirit, and presence truly make a lasting difference.
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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