8/31/99

Forty-Year Employee Recognized at Tusculum Convocation

Joanna I White, here with Tusculum President Thomas J. Garland (right) ,has worked for Tusculum College for forty years.

When Joanna I. White of Greeneville came to work at Tusculum College, Dwight Eisenhower was in the last year of his presidency and the Beatles were still in primary school. The American presence in Vietnam was advisory, and the only people to have traveled in space spoke Russian.

On Thursday at its Opening Convocation, Tusculum College recognized White along with eleven other faculty and staff members for longtime service. But White, with forty years at Tusculum, gained special notice. "This lady has been a real joy to work with," noted Tom Garland, the college's interim president. "Her attitude is just super. That smile is always there."

White herself is modest about her contributions to Tusculum. "I don't really have a lot to say, or a lot I should say," White reflected later. "I have always sat in the same corner of the business office, seen several presidents and three or four interim presidents."

Even though her physical location has not changed much in forty years, her responsibilities have been varied. White began her career at Tusculum working half days in the College's bookstore and half days as secretary for the dean of students. At various times she was secretary for the dean of men, the dean of women, and, for a brief time in the 1960s, President Raymond C. Rankin, when the president's secretary took a leave for health reasons. "I even spent some time as faculty secretary--typed tests and kept student records when I worked for Dean [Estel C.] Hurley," she said.

Today she is an executive accountant, working on a variety of tasks including supervising a student loan program. She plans to retire in August 2000.

The most excitement of the last forty years, according to White, was the student sit-in of 1969. "The students were all over McCormick Hall. We had to step over them to come to work. That [the student unrest] changed Tusculum. And, really, it changed everything forever," White said.

As an administrator for the student loan program, White develops close relationships with students, particularly after they graduate. "I try to take a personal approach with alumni who are paying off student loans. Sometimes institutions can forget the personal, so I am that voice from Tusculum that reminds them to take care of their obligations. Many times, they will pay on their students loans even when they might not pay on other bills."

Also recognized for service to the college were three individuals enjoying their fifteenth anniversary and seven who had served the College ten years. Garland also took notice of John E. Mays, who is retiring after ten years of service as senior vice president for external relations. Mays led two capital campaigns at the College which totaled over $35 million.

The following people were recognized for longtime service to Tusculum College:
Joanna I. White 40 years
Hal C. Cutshaw 15 years
Wessley R. duBrisk 15 years
B. Carolyn Parker 15 years
Tony Castainca 10 years
D. Paul Davis 10 years
Dorothy G. Dennis 10 years
Willis B. Fann 10 years
Ginger R. Kelley 10 years
John E. Mays 10 years
Barbara A. Morgan 10 years
Jeanne F. Stokes 10 years
Mark A. Stokes 10 years
B. Joe Wilhoit 10 years