Leading this year's Pioneer Club campaign at Tusculum College are, from left on the front row: Mark Easterly and Jo Ella Moore of First Tennessee Bank; Karen Strange, and Willie Anderson of First Tennessee Bank. Top row from left: Dick Cooter of Takoma Adventist Hospital, David Cowles of AmSouth Bank, John Strange, Steve Mears of First Tennessee Bank, and Ken Earl of the Greeneville Water Commission. Not present for the picture were Artie Wehenkel of the Greeneville Sun and Mike Burns of the Bank of Greeneville. (Tusculum College photo)

Tusculum College Pioneer Club Campaign now under way

Tusculum College's 13th annual Pioneer Club campaign is under way, working toward a goal of $50,000 in gifts to support Pioneer athletic scholarships, teams, and facilities.

Tusculum "Pioneer Spirit" signs are beginning to reappear throughout the area as Pioneer Club volunteers begin carrying out the campaign, which officially kicked off on Aug. 2 with a breakfast in the Hurley Room of the Tusculum College cafeteria. A followup interim report breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday morning (Aug. 14) at Tusculum.

Dick Cooter, chairman of this year's campaign, served as emcee of the brief program portion of the kickoff breakfast, thanking the gathered volunteers and encouraging them to work hard toward the campaign goal.

Team members this year are Willie Anderson, Mike Burns, David Cowles, Ken Earl, Mark Easterly, Gail Landers, Don McIntyre, Steve Mears, Jo Ella Moore, John and Karen Strange, and Artie Wehenkel.

Tusculum College President Dr. Dolphus Henry gave brief remarks, emphasizing his gratitude to the strong support given to the college by its surrounding community. "It is the hard work of people like you that makes possible what Tusculum College does," he said.

Also speaking briefly was Ed Hoffmeyer, athletics director at Tusculum College, who expressed his own thanks for the support given through the Pioneer Club and introduced many members of the college athletics staff who were present at the breakfast.

Head Coach Frankie DeBusk, discussing the 2002 football season, said that the Pioneers anticipate another exciting year, and talked about the remarkable growth and advancement of the football program over the past dozen years.

Parke McInturff, director of development at Tusculum College, spoke at the close of the meeting, giving practical information to the Pioneer Club team leaders about their work during the campaign.

Pioneer Club membership is available at various giving levels. Members are recognized through membership cards, Pioneer Spirit signs for yards or business windows, invitations to special events, and recognition on the Tusculum College honor roll of donors.

The Pioneer Club provides support for athletes in the sports of baseball, football, men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.