The college is the first locally to commit to the "Community of Promise" program, which focuses on building the character and competence of people through efforts by all sectors of the community. Greene County has been a "Community of Promise" for a year.

"It is appropriate we are celebrating here," said Mary Fitzpatrick, director of the Volunteer Center of Greeneville and Greene County, during a Aug. 21 of the Community of Promise committees held at the college. "Tusculum College has been a good partner with us in the Community of Promise" held at the college. The Greene County Community of Promise program is part of America's Promise - the Alliance for Youth national organization. Locally, it is a program of the Volunteer Center, located in Greeneville.

"As a College of Promise, Tusculum College is committed to providing its resources to the greatest extent possible to the youths in Greeneville and Greene County," said Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry during the meeting. Henry presented Tusculum's "College of Promise" plan to Greene County General Sessions Judge Thomas Wright, who is the honorary

chairman of the Community of Promise's Advisory Committee.

Tusculum is committed to each of the five components that are the basis of the Community of Promise program, Dr. Henry said. The first component of the Community of Promise program is that youths will have on-going relationships with caring adults.

Tusculum College Scholar students have provided ongoing mentoring to youths at Holston Home for Children by tutoring, working in joint community service projects, and participating in adventure-based learning activities, he said. The opportunity for local elementary-aged children to be cast in parts for the production of "The Wizard of Oz," which will take place in November, is an example of how the college is helping provide a safe environment and structured activities for youths, Dr. Henry said.

The third component is a "healthy start for a healthy future," and Tusculum's annual Health Fair for families provides screening for children in areas of curvature of spine, vision, and hearing.

Providing youths an opportunity to develop marketable skills through effective education is the fourth component. The Doak House Museum provides educational programs for thousands of young people each year, Dr. Henry said, and will host exhibits that highlight qualities of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson as well as Samuel Doak, founding president of Tusculum. Giving youths the opportunity to serve is a focus of Tusculum's Community Festival, in which local community service agencies are invited to display information and share possible volunteer opportunities, he said.

Opportunities to provide community service were also discussed at the meeting, including the "Days of Caring," sponsored by Tusculum College, the Volunteer Center of Greeneville and Greene County, and the United Way of Greene County.

The Days of Caring began on Aug. 29 with Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day at Tusculum College, during which students, faculty, and staff came together to provide a day of service in Greene and Washington counties.