Shown above are several of the college and community leaders of the Tusculum College 2002 Pioneer Club effort gathered on the campus the day after the campaign met its $50,000 goal. It has since surpassed that goal by more than $6,000. From left are Willie Anderson, Scott Niswonger, Steve Mears, Mark Easterly, Campaign Chairman Dick Cooter (holding sign), Tusculum College President Dr. Dolph Henry, Karen Strange, Director of Development Parke McInturff, Mike Burns, and Athletic Director Ed Hoffmeyer. (Tusculum College photo)
Q: What do you do with a fund-raising campaign that meets its goal on time, then keeps on attracting donations?
A: You keep right on rolling with it, whether the campaign is officially still in progress or not.
That was the pleasing situation this year for Tusculum College's annual Pioneer Club campaign, which reached its $50,000 goal back on Aug. 27, the day before the closing report breakfast for the campaign volunteers.
But after the campaign officially ended, new support kept coming, taking the campaign several thousand dollars over its goal. At present, donations have brought the total to $56,065. That is good news for Tusculum College athletes, who benefit from scholarships and other support provided through the Pioneer Club funds.
Parke McInturff, director of development at Tusculum College, said the credit for the campaign's initial and on-going success goes to the small but hard-working volunteer team that led the effort this year, and to Tusculum College's athletes, whose successes on the field and court draw continuing positive attention to the college.
"The signs all across Greeneville that say 'Pioneer Spirit' pretty well sum up the feeling of this year's campaign," McInturff said. "Our volunteers worked hard, and worked quickly, the result was even more support for our athletics programs than we had set out to achieve. I'm extremely proud of our group and of those who stepped forward to become Pioneer Club members."
Dick Cooter chaired the 2002 campaign, the 13th in Tusculum College's history. Team members this year are Willie Anderson, Mike Burns, David Cowles, Ken Earl, Mark Easterly, Don McIntyre, Steve Mears, JoElla Moore, Brett Purgason, John and Karen Strange, and Artie Wehenkel.
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. Anyone interested in joining or learning more about the Pioneer Club may contact Parke McInturff at 636-7303.