8/31/99

External Relations Staff Strengthened by the Appointment of Bride and Wheeler

Left to right are Frank T. Wheeler, director of planned giving; John G. Gehrm, vice-president for external relations; and Sean M. Bride, director of alumni relations and annual giving.

John A. Gehrm II, vice-president of external relations, has announced the appointment of two new members to the Tusculum College external relations staff. Sean Bride and Frank Wheeler have already begun to bring their own enthusiasm and energy to a staff poised to continue the College’s growth into the next century.

Bride, formerly assistant director of admissions at the College, has been named director of alumni affairs and annual giving. Bride earned the Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in business administration and computer information systems, and the Master of Arts in organizational management from Tusculum College. Bride distinguished himself as both a scholar and an athlete during his undergraduate years and was named as a NAIA Soccer All-American and a Soccer Academic All-American.

He also brings several years of professional knowledge to his new role. “Sean, having been assistant director of admissions, knows the campus and college programs,” said Gehrm. “We are very fortunate to have him as a member of our team.”

“I’m really excited about this new position,” Bride said. “We’ve had generous support from alumni over the years. I plan on continuing to build alumni interest in the College.”

Having been at the College since 1990, Bride distinctly appreciates the changes that have taken place on campus and said he hopes that all alumni will come to see those changes at this year’s homecoming. So far, “it looks like it’s going to be a good crowd,” he said. Bride lives in Greeneville with his wife, Angela, and their twin eight-month-old daughters, Ashton and Kieron.

Susie Jones, office manager for external relations, will work closely with Bride for special events such as Homecoming. She has served in alumni affairs during the interim.

Frank Wheeler, formerly of Savannah, Georgia, has begun his work as director of planned giving. Wheeler, who holds a Master of Library Science from Clark Atlanta University and a bachelor’s in history from the University of Georgia, previously worked as assistant director of the Georgia Historical Society (GHS), chartered in 1832. Wheeler has proven fundraising abilities—during his four-plus years at GHS the institution’s budget grew from $350,000 to $1,000,000 and membership grew from 1,600 to over 5,000.

He also has previous experience in higher education, having worked with the president of the University of New Hampshire to establish that school’s museum and archives, which were designed to aid in fundraising by preserving the university’s history and creating a sense of place.

Wheeler said his goal is to increase support for Tusculum College through a variety of planned giving vehicles. “The rich history of Tusculum College is one of our greatest assets,” he observed. “It allows people to connect to the past while the College prepares for its future.”

Wheeler will have responsibility for the College’s Heritage Club. “Frank was an integral part of the unprecedented growth the Georgia Historical Society has seen in fundraising, membership, and new affiliate programs,” said Gehrm. “We’re very lucky that he will now put those skills to work for Tusculum College.”

Wheeler lives in Greeneville with his wife, Paige, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia, and their two young sons, Nathan, 5, and Duncan, 2.

“The College is very fortunate to have both Sean and Frank,” said Gehrm. “Alumni relations, annual giving and planned giving are all very important for the College’s continued growth. Both Sean and Frank complement the existing staff in that they have high levels of energy and initiative,” he added.