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Tusculum welcomes
alumni back to campus
for Homecoming 2003
The Tusculum College campus was bustling with
activity October 17 and 18 as alumni were welcomed back to campus
for Homecoming 2003.
Alumni renewed old friendships and reminisced about old times on
campus while attending the numerous activities, which included the
dedication of one of the new apartment-style residence halls in
honor of Frank Mastrapasqua, Ph.D., a supporter and trustee of the
college.
A number of awards were also presented. Trustee James F. Durham,
a 1979 graduate of the college, was honored with the Pioneer Award
on Saturday by the Tusculum Alumni Association. The Pioneer Award
is the highest honor presented to an alumnus by the organization.
Arnold "Doc" and Ruth Thomas, both professors emeritus of Tusculum,
were recognized with the National Faculty Award, presented by the
Alumni Association. Leaders of the college's music program for about
two decades, the couple were also honored by a special performance
by the combined Alumni and Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church
choirs.
Marilyn duBrisk, artist-in-residence at Tusculum, was honored for
her work to advance the arts not only on campus but also in the
community with the National Alumni Recognition Award.
For their support and loyalty to Tusculum athletices,
Joyce Combs and Mary Helen Paxton '48 received the Sports Benefactor
Award Saturday at the All-Alumni Breakfast. Learn
more about the award.
 Capping
a week of student Homecoming activities was the crowning of Rachel
Barron of Cincinnati and Eddie Spradlin of Powell as Homecoming
Queen and King during the half-time of the football game Saturday,
which ended in a 39-9 victory for the Tusculum Pioneers over the
Newberry College Indians.
Hall Dedication
Dr. Mastrapasqua, an investments authority whose expertise
has earned him a national reputation, was honored for his support
and dedication to the college through the naming of what had been
called apartment building "A" as Mastrapasqua Hall.
 "The
person who is the reason we are here is our daughter, Mary," Mastrapasqua
said at the dedication. Mary Mastrapasqua is a 2001 graduate of
the college. "She has meant so much to us and what this college
helped her accomplish has meant so much to our family. Our contribution
to the library is a small token or our appreciation of the goals
and mission of this college."
"This is truly a family, and that is an unusual phenomenon in the
college setting " Mastrapasqua continued. "We are delighted to be
part of it."
Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry read the wording of the
plaque noting Dr. Mastrapasqua's support of the college and his
career accomplishments as well as his family ties to Tusculum through
his daughter.
Mastrapasqua has served as member of the college's Board of Trustees
since October 2000. In addition to his significant contributions
as an active trustee, Mastrapasqua has also made a $600,000 commitment
to the Campaign for the Library, the on-going capital campaign raising
funds to triple the size of that facility on campus.
Dr. Mastrapasqua is chairman and CEO of the Nashville-based Mastrapasqua
Asset Management Inc., which provides individually managed portfolios,
managed account programs and mutual funds. Prior to founding his
firm in 1993, Dr. Mastrapasqua was an executive at such firms as
J.C. Bradford and Co. and Smith Barney. Dr. Mastrapasqua earned
his doctorate in finance and economics at New York University, and
began his career in the academic world, serving as a faculty member
of Northeastern University and at the University of Houston, where
he was a department chair and professor of finance.
Awards presented
 In
presenting the Pioneer Award, Dr. Henry described Jim Durham, who
lives in Brentwood, as "a leader by example." After graduating from
Tusculum, Durham began a successful career in finance and immediately
started giving back to his alma mater.
Durham joined Tusculum's Board of Trustees in 1988
and is one of "its most faithful, hardworking members," Dr. Henry
said. Durham has also led by example in his giving to the college,
not only in monetary contributions but also in time, serving in
leadership capacities in past capital campaigns and encouraging
fellow alumni of his generation to become involved with their alma
mater.
Recounting some of her personal experiences as part of the Tusculum
choral program, Jane Lovvorn Morse, a 1977 graduate of the college,
presented the National Faculty Award to Arnold "Doc" and Ruth Thomas,
who were part of Tusculum's music department from the mid-1960s
through the late 1980s.
Taking piano from Mrs. Thomas was "a privilege although her students
might not have appreciated it at the time," Morse said. "I always
remember her being calm and cheerful, particularly in those last
minute rehearsals before choir tours when the task of perfecting
songs seemed impossible."
In addition to being a great choir director, Doc Thomas had "the
gift of 'reading' an audience," Morse said, recounting an episode
in which the choir performed in a tough inner city high school and
received a standing ovation after Thomas selected pieces to perform
that included drums, guitars and music with a fast beat.
 The
Thomases talents were also enjoyed by the community as she founded
and conducted the Greater Greeneville Chorale and he directed the
choir at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church while she still
serves as organist. The church's choir joined by the Alumni Choir,
including a number of people taught by the Thomases, performed "Ride
the Chariot" during the meeting in honor of the couple.
In addition to the award certificate, the Thomases' former Tusculum
students presented the couple with a scrapbook and flowers.
The National Alumni Recognition Award was presented to Marilyn duBrisk,
described as "truly a treasure, invaluably enriching lives of people
not only the Tusculum campus, but also in the surrounding community."
 In
presenting the award, Paige Malone Mengel, a 1988 graduate of Tusculum,
described her long list of accomplishments before coming to Tusculum
in 1985. duBrisk assumed leadership of the Arts Outreach program
in 1991, creating programs that provide arts opportunities for elementary
through college students as well as the community, including Theatre-at-Tusculum,
A.C.T. (Actors Coming Together), and GLAWPIGT (Great Literature,
Alive, Well, Playing in Greeneville, Tennessee).
Thomas J. Garland, chairman of the Board of Trustees, recognized
Francis J. Nanarone, a 1952 graduate, who has posthumously become
the ninth benefactor of the college. Individuals who give a million
dollars or more to the college are recognized as benefactors. Nanarone,
who died in November 2002, left his estate to the college.
Nanarone came to Tusculum as a student after serving in the military
during World War II and was an active student, holding such leadership
roles as class president his senior year. After graduation, Nanarone
began a career in the civil service in New Jersey, and although
he had not back to campus since 1953, kept an strong interest in
the college in his latter years.
The Class of 1953 also presented a $5,667 check to the college to
support the Campaign for the Library during the meeting. The Alumni
Executive Board also announced its $20,000 pledge toward the library
campaign.
During the meeting, the alumi learned the activities of the various
alumni chapters and Alumni Executive Board from Susan Vance, new
director of alumni relations and annual giving at the college. They
were welcomed back to campus by Josh French, president of the Student
Government Association, and were given an update on the college
by Dr. Henry.
 Many
of the weekend's activities provided the alumni an opportunity to
renew acquaintances with old friends such as an alumni reunion dinner
and dance at the General Morgan Inn on Friday evening and a reception
and brunch Friday morning for the "Golden Pioneers," those whose
class graduated 50 or more years ago.
Revisit
Homecoming 2003 activities by clicking here ...
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