Tusculum University recently celebrated its arts programs with a gala that enabled donors to learn firsthand how their gifts have enhanced offerings on campus and how additional funds would further strengthen them.
Tusculum’s Center for the Arts, an umbrella for all of the university’s arts programming, showcased multiple programs through presentations during the Wednesday, Nov. 29, event in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. Adding to the ambience were a delightful performance from the brass choir of the Tusculum University Community Band, a dance from Central Ballet and a pianist during the delicious meal.
As Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president welcomed guests, he shared his thrill at being part of this special occasion.
“I am excited to show off a lot of what our students are able to accomplish at Tusculum,” Dr. Hummel said. “The breadth and depth of the various arts activities at Tusculum are impressive. One of the things I particularly appreciate about the arts at Tusculum University is the active and experiential role our students play in all of the arts programs.”
He highlighted the financial impact of Tusculum on Greene County and the rest of East Tennessee — $58.3 million annually – from a variety of activities that take place at the university.
“But what we cannot forget is the incredible cultural artistic impact that the university has in Greene County and in our area,” Dr. Hummel said. “It’s not just in art and theater, but the presentations showed how broad that cultural impact is. The arts are richer here because of Tusculum University. Greene County really punches above its weight in talent because of the art programs at Tusculum University that have been here for decades. We’re proud of the influence we have. The arts are a core part of our mission.”
Programs that made presentations at the gala were theater, art and design, music, communication, Tusculum Arts Outreach, museums, The Tusculum Review and the Center for the Arts. The presenters were faculty, staff and students, who shared the many strengths and accomplishments of the arts programs.
These include design of murals, shooting footage for a documentary for a documentary that aired on a local PBS station and debate team awards. Other achievements are the publication of The Tusculum Review, the university’s international literary journal, and Sit Lux, a publication produced entirely by students.
Arts Outreach highlighted the Tusculum Young Actors Studio, which serves 68 students from elementary school through high school and homeschool groups with theater lessons and games. This program also provides theater education and workshops and the free provision of costumes to nonprofit organizations, churches and schools that need them. In addition, Tusculum presents multiple theater productions each year.
Wayne Thomas, executive director of Arts Outreach and dean of the College of Civic and Liberal Arts, made it clear theater remains dear to Tusculum.
“These productions, which are amazing, aren’t going away,” he said. “We’re going to continue to have professional quality work. We’re going to train young people, whether it be art students or your children, and continue Marilyn duBrisk’s legacy of literacy and communication. We’re going to do right by our community.”
Among the needs that were highlighted were networking and industry mentoring for students, enhanced equipment, marching band uniforms of varying sizes, musician chairs and racks, an equipment truck, additional instruments, financial support of competition entry fees, building maintenance for historic buildings, underwriting of programs and continued presence at campus events.
Dr. Hummel thanked audience members who have supported the university with their financial gifts and their presence at events. He noted the university has so much more it can accomplish.
“We need your continued support,” he said. “It is vital – not just for the support and education of our students, not just so we can put on this kind of programming but also so that we can continue to have this type of impact in all of these various ways on our community. Your support of the arts at Tusculum is not just a donation or philanthropy but also an investment in our students and an investment in the quality of life in Greene County.”
In addition to current donors, Tusculum invited community members who have not yet contributed at this juncture but might see the value in supporting these valuable arts initiatives.
Edward Roberts, Tusculum’s vice president of institutional advancement, described the stories shared by the departments as a colorful and strong tapestry. He told those in the audience that he was grateful for their decision to be part of that story and their attendance at this gala.
“As we go further down the road, we want to invite you to continue with this journey,” Roberts said.
One of the gala attendees was Rhonda Humbert, who previously served as the general manager of the Capitol Theatre in Greeneville. She appreciates the variety of Tusculum’s programs and feels a lot of people do not realize how much outreach Tusculum conducts, not just in the arts. She believes the university impacts the community, particularly with its quality theater programs.
“It’s community, and it brings in tourism dollars and brings people from all over,” Humbert said. “I felt very interested in what was happening at the university. I’ve watched several shows here, and they are some of the best.”
Another guest was Russell Girton. He has two daughters, who are 10 and 12 years old and extremely active with the Tusculum Young Actors Studio. He said that is the primary way he and his wife, Kristin, have become engaged with the university. In addition, Kristin Girton has performed in and taken photographs for Tusculum productions. The couple also come to other university events.
The Girtons relocated to Greeneville for his employment and fell in love with the community. He said Tusculum was a big part of developing that affection. He hopes the university’s arts program continues to grow and develop.
“For a small community like this to have a university adds a lot of diversity to the town,” Russell Girton said. “We come to all of the theater performances even when my wife is not in them. It’s always good to see the students and the community mingling. Having a facility like this is very unique for a small town. We moved here because of the small-town feel, but It’s nice to have Tusculum here to get that arts exposure, especially to be able to bring the girls to a lot of the shows.”
The lead group that put together the gala was the Service Learning in the Arts class taught at Tusculum by Rouja Green, director of the Center for the Arts. Students Patience Salisbury, Gracie Weems and Mattie Vincent played major roles with Green in gala planning.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu. Green is available at [email protected] to answer further questions about the Center for the Arts. The Office of Institutional Advancement is available at 423-636-7303.
