Tusculum College

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Coordinates: 36°10′27.53″N, 82°45′34.97″W

Tusculum College
Motto:	Sit Lux (Latin) ("Let there be light")
Established:	1794
Type:	Private
Endowment:	US $12.9 million
President:	Russell "Rusty" Nichols (Interim President)
Faculty:	79
Staff:	206
Undergraduates:	2,053
Postgraduates:	252
Location:	Tusculum, Tennessee, USA
Campus:	Rural, 140 acres (0.57 km²)
Colors:	Orange and Black
Mascot:	Pioneers
Athletics:	NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference 14 sports teams
Affiliations:	Presbyterian Church (USA)
Website:	www.tusculum.edu

Tusculum College is a coeducational private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) with its main campus in Tusculum, Tennessee, a suburb of Greeneville. It is Tennessee’s oldest college, and the 23rd oldest operating college in the United States. ^[1]

In addition to its main campus, the institution maintains a regional center for Graduate and Professional Studies in Knoxville, and additional satellite campuses across East Tennessee.

[edit] History

In 1794, two years before Tennessee became a state, Presbyterian ministers Hezekiah Balch and Samuel Doak, both educated at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), were ministering to the pioneers of East Tennessee, which was then the southwestern frontier of the United States.^[2] They also strove to meet the educational needs of these Scots-Irish settlers. Doak and Balch were both visionaries who ultimately sought the same goals through their rival colleges. They wanted to educate settlers of the American frontier so that they would become better Presbyterians, and therefore, in their vision, better citizens.^[3]

[edit] Origin of name

Doak christened the institution Tusculum after the homestead of Princeton University’s then-president Dr. John Witherspoon, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. The original Tusculum was a city near Rome, Italy and home to Roman scholar and philosopher Cicero, who, along with others, identified the civic virtues that form the basis of civic republican tradition, which emphasizes citizens working together to form good societies that in turn foster individuals of good character.^[4]

[edit] Key institutional events

• 1784 Samuel Doak establishes Martin's Academy (renamed Washington College Academy in 1795)^[5]
• 1794 Greeneville College, was chartered in by the General Assembly of the Territory South of the River Ohio, and established by Hezekiah Balch.^[6]
• 1808 Hugh Brown receives first academic degree from Tusculum's predecessor Greeneville College
• 1816 Samuel Witherspoon Doak (son of Samuel Doak) founds Tusculum Academy, which operated in a log cabin adjacent to the present site of Tusculum College.^[7]
• 1844 Tusculum Academy renamed Tusculum College.^[8] Andrew Johnson, who later became the 17th President of the United States, was one of its trustees. Johnson often walked the five miles to and from Greeneville to participate in the debating activities at Tusculum.^[9]
• 1860s During the Civil War, college buildings served as barracks for soldiers.
• 1868 Greeneville College and Tusculum College merge to become Greeneville & Tusculum College
• 1878 First female students admitted to Greeneville & Tusculum College. By the turn of the 20th century, more than half of its students were women.
• 1878 Student editor/printer Landon C. Haynes publishes first student newspaper, The Record, which later became The Pioneer; now known as The Pioneer Frontier
• 1908 Merger of Washington College Academy and Tusculum College
• 1912 Washington College Academy breaks away from the current Tusculum College
• 1913 McCormick Day (a.k.a. “Nettie Day”) established, a day of service on campus and the local community. Through the philanthropy of Nettie Fowler McCormick — widow of Cyrus Hall McCormick, the inventor of a notable mechanized reaper — five major buildings were added on campus.^[10]
• 1917 First yearbook published, known as both Tusculana and Opus
• 1927 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) formally accredits Tusculum for the first time
• 1950s Lantern festival begins, honoring graduating seniors and soon-to-be seniors
• 1984 Graduate and Professional Studies Program begins, extending learning opportunities to adult students. Originally titled Tusculum Adult Leaders Learning (TALL), the program opened satellite campuses locations throughout East Tennessee.
• 1991 Civic Arts core program begins
• 1991 Focused (block) calendar adopted

[edit] Presidents

The Arch
This landmark marks the entrance to campus buildings, and leads pedestrians toward McCormick Hall.

• Greeneville College (1794-1860)
  • Hezekiah Balch, D.D. 1794-1810
  • Charles Coffin, D.D. 1810-1827
  • Henry Hoss 1828-1836
  • Alfred Hoss 1836-1838
  • James McLin, B.A. 1838-1840
  • Samuel Matthews 1843-1845
  • Charles Van Vlech 1845-1846
  • John Fleming 1846-1847
  • William B. Rankin, D.D. 1854-1858
  • John Lampson 1859-1860
• Tusculum Academy (1829-1868)
  • Samuel Doak, D.D. 1818-1829
  • Samuel Witherspoon Doak, D.D. 1829-1844
• Tusculum College (1844-1868)
  • Samuel Witherspoon Doak, D.D. 1844-1864
  • William Stephenson Doak, D.D. 1865-1868
• Tusculum and Greeneville College (1868-1912)
  • William Stephenson Doak, D.D. (1868-1882)
  • Alexander M. Doak (acting) 1882-1883
  • Jeremiah Moore, D.D. 1883-1901
  • Samuel A. Coile, D.D. 1901-1907
  • Charles O. Gray, D.D. 1907-1912
• Tusculum College (1912-present)
  • Charles O. Gray, D.D. 1912-1931
  • Charles A. Anderson, D.D. 1931-1942
  • John McSween, D.D. 1942-1944
  • Jere A. Moore (acting) 1944-1946
  • George K. Davies, Ph.D. 1946-1950
  • Leslie K. Patton (acting) 1950-1951
  • Raymond C. Rankin, D.D. 1951-1965
  • Douglas C. Trout, Ph.D. 1965-1968
  • Charles J. Ping (acting) 1968-1969
  • Andrew N. Cothran, Ph.D. 1969-1972
  • Thomas G. Voss, Ph.D. 1972-1978
  • Earl R. Mezoff, Ed.D. 1978-1988
  • Robert E. Knott, Ph.D. 1989-2000
  • Thomas J. Garland (interim) 2000
  • Dolphus E. Henry III, Ph.D. 2000-2007‡
  • Russell L. Nichols, Ph.D. (interim) August 2007-present‡‡

‡ The Tusculum board of trustees placed President Dolphus Henry on paid administrative leave on 22 May 2007, following a vote of no confidence by the faculty. ^[11]. Two trustees with notable experience as university presidents (Drs. Edward J. Kormondy and Angelo Volpe) alternately shared leadership responsibilities until an interim president could take office.^[12] Dr. Henry announced his resignation in July 2007.^[13]
‡‡ Dr. Russell L. Nichols, president emeritus of Hanover College, assumed the duties of interim president on 1 August 2007.^[14]

[edit] Academics

[edit] Accreditation

Tusculum is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees and the Master of Arts in education and the Master of Arts in organizational management.

It also maintains institutional memberships with the American Council on Education, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the Council for Opportunity in Education[1], the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association[2], the Tennessee State Board of Education, the Appalachian College Association[3], the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, the American Association of University Women, the American Medical Association, and the New York State Board of Regents.

[edit] Programs of study

Majors. Tusculum College offers these main fields of specialization to its undergraduate students: Athletic Training, Biology (with concentrations in Medical Pre-Professional, Pre-Physical Therapy, Medical Technology, Organismal Biology, and Pre-Pharmacy), Business Administration (with concentrations in General Management, Management Accounting, and Economics), English (with concentrations in Literature and Writing), Environmental science, Field Guide/Naturalist, History, Mass Media, Mathematics (with Computer Science concentration), Museum Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sports Management, Sports Science, and Visual Arts (with concentrations in Fine Arts and Graphic Design).

Teacher licensure programs. Students seeking baccalaureate degrees in education select one of the following subfields to qualify for a state board granted license: Pre-Secondary Education (Early Childhood Education PreK-3, Elementary Education K-6), Secondary Education (Biology 7-12, English 7-12, History 7-12, Mathematics 7-12, Psychology 9-12), K-12 Education (Physical Education K-12, Visual Arts K-12), and Special Education (Special Education Modified and Comprehensive K-12, Special Education Early Childhood).

Minors. In addition to their academic majors, students at Tusculum College can also study these secondary specialties: Biology, Chemistry, Coaching, Computer Information Systems, English, Environmental Science, History, Journalism, Film & Broadcasting, Mathematics, Management, Museum Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Visual Arts, and the following minors in Education: English, History, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education Modified & Comprehensive.

Other disciplines. Tusculum College also offers additional non-degree conferring courses in Geography, Music, Physics, Sociology, Spanish, and Theater.

[edit] Focused calendar

A semester at Tusculum College consists of four 18-day "blocks," during which students take one course per block. Students and faculty concentrate on a single course without the distraction of preparing for other classes. Because daily classes last an average of three hours, students and faculty interact a great deal more than a conventional 50-minute semi-weekly class. These extended periods are designed to allow deeper exchanges of ideas and more opportunities for each class member to participate. Faculty emphasize active engagement in their students, much in the tradition of the Socratic method.

Since no conflicts exist with other classes, faculty can arrange field trips, laboratory work, and other out-of-classroom experiences that would be impossible with the conventional format. For example, recent courses have included extended trips to Belize, Costa Rica, Europe, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C.. Dozens of other courses have included overnight or day trips as an integrated part of their curriculum.

The only three other colleges in the nation use this scheduling method are Colorado College, Cornell College, and The University of Montana - Western.

[edit] Buildings and facilities

Niswonger Commons
Many activities on campus revolve around this modern multipurpose center.

an asterisk (*) denotes listing on the National Register of Historic Places

• Byrd Fine Arts Center. Built in 1965 and named for Annie Hogan Byrd. This building also serves as the college chapel. Vicinity 36°10′28.5″N, 82°45′32.2″W.
• Charles Oliver Gray Complex. Built in 1969, the “COG” was named to honor Dr. Gray, Tusculum College president from 1907 to 1931. Renovated in 2000, it consists of three dormitories units and a classroom/office building. Each three-story dorm houses 35 students. Vicinity 36°10′21.4″N, 82°45′42.7″W.
• Doak House Museum.* Built in 1818 as the home of Samuel Witherspoon Doak. Vicinity 36°10′28.0″N, 82°45′53.2″W.
• Haynes Hall.* Built in 1914 and named for Landon C. Haynes, a Tusculum faculty member for 65 years.^[15] Vicinity 36°10′24.2″N, 82°45′37.1″W.
• Katherine Hall. Built in 1962 renovated in 1999. The largest of six dormitories on campus, this three-story dormitory named for Katherine Rankin houses 140 students. Vicinity 36°10′24.6″N, 82°45′31.5″W.
• Mastrapasqua Hall, et al. Built in 2002, these four three-story, apartment-style dormitories each house 48 students. Called “The Apartments” collectively, unit “A” was renamed Mastrapasqua Hall in 2003 in honor of trustee Frank Mastrapasqua. The remaining three units simply remain Apartments “B,” “C,” and “D.” Vicinity 36°10′20.1″N, 82°45′47.2″W.
• McCormick Hall.* Built in 1887 and named for Nettie Fowler McCormick. Today it houses administrative offices. Vicinity 36°10′26.5″N, 82°45′38.9″W.
• Nichols Tennis Complex. Built in 1992 and named to honor Roger M. Nichols. Vicinity 36°10′19.8″N, 82°45′33.4″W.
• Niswonger Commons. Built in 1999 and named for trustee and benefactor Scott M. Niswonger, this structure replaced the Simerly Union Building, which was erected in 1970. The new facility houses a full-service post office, a cafeteria operated by Sodexho, the bookstore, the Pioneer Perk student coffeehouse, the student radio station WTPL 610 AM, the student TV studio WTCV, a 24-hour computer laboratory, the campus safety office, classrooms, and various offices for faculty and staff. Additionally, the Commons features a gymnasium-swimming pool complex that incorporates the 2,000-seat Alpine Arena and a weight room/fitness center. Vicinity 36°10′20.4″N, 82°45′38.0″W.
• President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library.* Built in 1841 to accommodate growth in student enrollment. Called the Old College, it is the oldest academic building on campus. Major renovations in 1993 restored the museum and library to its original appearance. It houses the collection of the seventeenth president’s private and family papers, and family artifacts. The museum and library also holds the Charles C. Coffin Rare Book Collection^[16] - the original College library, the College’s Archives, and features rotating exhibits. Some recent exhibits have included 19th century furniture handcrafted in East Tennessee, portraits of George Washington, and architecture features of the historic buildings on campus. The building also serves as home to the Museum Studies Program. Vicinity 36°10′24.9″N, 82°45′45.3″W.
• President's House. Built in 1909 across the street from campus. Vicinity 36°10′33.6″N, 82°45′34.4″W.
• Rankin Hall.* Built in 1923, it was originally named “Gordon Hall” for a McCormick family member. In 1928, Cyrus McCormick II requested it be renamed to honor senior professor Thomas S. Rankin. Vicinity 36°10′22.2″N, 82°45′40.7″W.
• Shulman Center. Built in 1971 and named to honor Herbert L. Shulman. Constructed in an attractive circular design, the center primarily functions as studios and offices for the Art and Design program. Vicinity 36°10′27.0″N, 82°45′21.1″W.
• Tate Library.* Built in 1910, it was originally named "Carnegie Hall" for benefactor Andrew Carnegie to house the library and gymnasium. After the gymnasium was built in 1930, it was renamed the "Carnegie Library." In 1991, it was renamed in honor of Albert Columbus Tate, the 1894 Centennial class valedictorian. Vicinity 36°10′27.9″N, 82°45′41.5″W).
• The Arch.* Built in 1917 at College's traditional entrance. Vicinity 36°10′30.0″N, 82°45′39.1″W.
• Tredway Hall.* Built in 1930 as the science building, named in 1989 to honor alumnus and benefactor William L. Tredway. It is the only structure on campus functioning today in its original purpose. Vicinity 36°10′28.4″N, 82°45′45.7″W.
• Virginia Hall.* Built in 1901 and named for Mary Virginia McCormick. Architect Louis Sullivan designed the building. Vicinity 36°10′28.0″N, 82°45′36.1″W.
• Welty-Craig Hall.* Built in 1891 and originally named Craig Hall in honor of Reverend Willis G. Craig. In 1998, the institution added the name "Welty" to honor board of trustees chair and benefactor Stanley R. Welty, '51. This dormitory houses 40 students. Vicinity 36°10′24.2″N, 82°45′41.0″W.

[edit] Athletics

A member of the South Atlantic Conference, Tusculum fields 14 varsity teams in NCAA Division II competition. Across the board, the college places a priority on the academic success of its student-athletes. Tusculum has a tradition of excellence in intercollegiate athletics, with particularly strong programs in baseball, basketball, golf, and men’s and women’s soccer.

[edit] Key events in athletic program

• 1900 Baseball team forms, becoming Tusculum Pioneers' first sports team
• 1902 First women's athletic team (tennis) forms
• 1903 Intercollegiate athletics play begins
• 1903 Football team forms
• 1906 Basketball team forms
• 1912 First professional athletic coaches hired
• 1924 First women's basketball team formed
• 1925 Institution joins Smoky Mountain Athletic Association
• 1930s Intramural sports program begins, including Lady Pioneer softball team
• 1970 Soccer team forms

[edit] Sports facilities

Tusculum’s sports facilities include lighted football, baseball, soccer and softball fields, an intramural field, and six lighted tennis courts that support a variety of outdoor activities as well as physical education instruction.

A new, modern athletics complex was dedicated in October 2003 in honor of business and community leader Scott M. Niswonger, a member of Tusculum College’s Board of Trustees, whose donations made the new facility possible. Its major features include a field house located behind the west end zone of Pioneer Field, with large locker area facilities that can be divided into four locker rooms. An indoor practice and soccer facility with interior space of about 44,400 square feet features FieldTurf, an artificial playing surface used by major college and NFL teams.

With improvements made through the athletics complex development project, Pioneer Field’s seating capacity is now at 3,500. New parking facilities were added through the project. New and improved pedestrian ways, fencing, and lighting in the athletics complex area were developed in a style to match that already on the campus. A modern press box facility, built to blend with the architectural style of the campus’s most historic facilities, is also part of the athletics complex project.

A baseball stadium, Pioneer Park, was added to the complex in 2004. The stadium, used by both the Tusculum Pioneers baseball team and the Greeneville Astros, the Minor League Baseball team of the Houston Astros, has a seating capacity of 2,500 and features a covered seating area.

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Allen, Ortha B. (1970). The philosophy of the library-college and its applications to Tusculum College (thesis). Johnson City, TN: East Tennessee State University. (OCLC 25212791)
• Bailey, Gilbert L. (1965). A history of Tusculum College, 1944-1964 (thesis). Johnson City, TN: East Tennessee State University.
• Hearn, Steven B. (1983). Survival strategies for Tusculum College: An ethnographic evaluation of enrollment, student recruitment, and school image (thesis). Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee – Knoxville. (OCLC 9939082)
• Ragan, Allen E. (1945). A history of Tusculum College, 1794-1944. Greeneville, TN: The Tusculum Sesquicentennial Committee. (LCC 46018213)
• Treadway, Cleo C. (1974). Reclassification: The Tusculum way. Greeneville, TN: Tusculum College Press. (OCLC 6922139)

[edit] External links

• Tusculum College website