Nancy B. Moody


Moody3821 cropNancy B. Moody, A.S., B.S., M.S., Ph.D., served 2009- 2017

Nancy Burch Moody received her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Eastern Kentucky University, her masters of science degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University (Houston Campus), and a Doctor of Science in Nursing and subsequently her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama School of Nursing in Birmingham. She practiced nursing for several years in Kentucky and Florida prior to beginning a lifelong career in higher education, initially rising from an instructor through the ranks to Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Professional Studies at Lincoln Memorial University.

Dr. Moody joined the faculty in the School of Nursing at East Tennessee State University in 1994 where she earned tenure and was appointed Chair of the Department of Professional Roles/Mental Health Nursing. During her time at ETSU, Dr. Moody co-authored and secured a grant from The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to initiate and operate the Tennessee Center for Nursing that conducted research on various issues impacting the nursing workforce in Tennessee.

In 1994, Dr. Moody accepted a position at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as Associate Professor. Moody returned to LMU as the first female president in January 2001. Moody brought LMU years of financial improvements, successful fundraising, renovations and construction of residence halls and academic buildings, nearly doubled enrollment and added several academic programs including the bachelors and master’s degrees in nursing, a physician’s assistant program, and doctoral degrees in education and osteopathic medicine, among others.

In 2009, Moody became the first female president at Tusculum where she oversaw the initiation of new academic programs including programs in nursing and criminal justice, secured funding for two new residence halls and the 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art Meen Center for Science and Math. Dr. Moody was also the first female elected to chair both the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dr. Moody resigned her position effective fall 2017, was named President Emerita by the Tusculum Board of Trustees and now resides in Knoxville, TN with her husband, Tom .

Russell Nichols


NicholsRussell Nichols, A.B., Ph.D. (Interim President), served 2007- 2009

Russell “Rusty” Nichols earned his A.B. degree from Wabash College and a Ph.D. from Purdue University.  Hillsdale College honored Nichols with an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his 12 years of service in a number of positions.  He also held administrative positions at Eastern Illinois University and Wabash College.  The Hanover Presbyterian Church ordained Nichols as an elder.  He served on the Indiana Education Roundtable, which makes policy decisions for pre-school through college students, and on an advisory committee of Indiana Vocational Technical College.  Nichols remains active with civic organizations and serves on a number of committees and boards.  Wabash College awarded Nichols with the Clarence Jackson Career Service Award for his contributions to higher education.  Just a month after retiring from his twenty year presidency of Hanover College, Russell Nichols became the Interim President of Tusculum College.  The Board asked Nichols to preside over Tusculum College for a year until a permanent president could be found.  On top of his accomplishments, Nichols brought his motivational and team building skills to Tusculum College.  His term extended into a second year and despite repeated offers, he declined offers to become the next president of Tusculum College.

Edward Kormondy


KormondyEdward Kormondy, B.A., Ph.D. (Acting President), served 2007

Edward Kormondy graduated from Tusculum College in 1950 with a B.A. degree.  At the time of his presidency, Kormondy had retired from his position as University President and Chancellor Emeritus for University of Hawaii at Hilo.  Kormondy also served as Interim President of the University of West Los Angeles School of Law.  He married his fellow classmate Peggy Hedrick.  He lives in Los Angeles and served as a Board member of Tusculum College filling the role of Vice Chairman.  In the disruption caused when Henry left Tusculum College, Kormondy reassured faculty and the community by telling the Greeneville Sun “the future sometimes can be rocky … I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have faith in the future of Tusculum College.”  During the spring and summer of 2007, Kormondy alternated and cooperated with Volpe to lead Tusculum College.

Angelo Volpe


Angelo Volpe, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. (Acting President), served 2007

Angelo Volpe grew up in New York City and received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Brooklyn College.  He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Organic and Polymer Chemistry from the University of Maryland.  He authored thirty publications and became nationally recognized as a chemist.  Volpe culminated his career as President of Tennessee Tech University, a position he held for thirteen years, and remains President Emeritus.  While at Tennessee Tech University, Volpe drastically increased the endowment, improved the academic and athletic programs, and improved relations on and off campus.  As a Board member at Tusculum College, Volpe knew the conditions at Tusculum and assumed the role of Acting President.  During the spring and summer of 2007, Volpe alternated and cooperated with Dr. Edward Kormondy to lead Tusculum College.

Dolphus E. Henry


Dr. Henry3Dolphus E. Henry, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., served 2000- 2007

Dolphus Henry earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Roanoke College, his master’s degree in Guidance and Psychology from Radford University in Radford, Va., and his Ph.D. in Educational Research and Evaluation from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va.  While working on his Ph.D., Henry worked at Roanoke College in Salem, Va. as Vice President for Admission Services.  He held this position until 1985 when he became the Vice President for Student Affairs at SUNY in Potsdam, N.Y.  In 1990, he became the Vice President for Long-Range Planning and Enrollment Services at Capital University at Columbus, Ohio.  Henry studied at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University and worked as a consultant at several colleges.  Prior to arriving at Tusculum College, Henry worked at Mercer University as Vice President for Enrollment Management.  This provided Henry with twenty-seven years of experience with strategic planning, marketing and outcome-based learning at the college level.
Upon arrival at Tusculum College, Henry immediately recognized Tusculum’s unique programs, dedicated faculty, and committed students, alumni, Board and friends.  He moved to Tusculum with his wife Judith and daughter Jessica. The potential and conditions at Tusculum College excited Henry about his new position.  During his presidency, Henry doubled the enrollment and added six new buildings to Tusculum’s campus.

Thomas J. Garland


GarlandThomas J. Garland (Interim President), served 1999-2000

Thomas Garland grew up in Kingsport and Oak Ridge, Tenn.  He earned his degree from East Tennessee State University and served in the U.S. Air Force.  After his military service, he began his career in banking and served on the Boards for several East Tennessee banks.  Garland represented residents of East Tennessee in the Tennessee Senate for twenty-one years. He also led many legislative and governmental study groups.  From 1985 to 1990, he served as Chancellor and CEO of the Tennessee Board of Regents.  Garland’s community involvement includes serving on several corporate, charitable and civic boards and commissions.  Garland has long been a member of the Tusculum College Board.  Due to his many activities, Garland has earned honors and awards from East Tennessee State University and Tusculum College.  From Tusculum College, Garland received a Honorary Doctor of Law degree, the Distinguished Service Award, and our library is named after him.

Earl R. Mezoff


Mezoff 1Earl R. Mezoff, B.A., M.A., Ed.D., served 1978-1988

Earl Mezoff originated from Pennsylvania and graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, Penn. with a B.A.  He earned a M.A. in Psychology from Michigan State University and completed his D.Ed. in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University.  He joined the navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.  Mezoff married Joan Miller and had two daughters.  After the Navy, he held positions in counseling and industrial relations at the University of Pittsburgh and at GM.  Mezoff worked at Thiel College as Director of Admissions and held other positions before leaving.  He assumed a position as Assistant to the President and Vice President at Lebanon Valley College in 1963 before moving to Nebraska.  In Nebraska, he became president of Dana College.  He helped unite Danish and German factions surrounding Dana College and eased town-gown conflicts between Dana College and the surrounding community.  He received the Cross of the Knight Order of Dannebrog in 1976 from Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.  Mezoff was nominated to the Danish Court, studied the Danish education system and established a relationship with the University of Copenhagen.  Mezoff promoted exchange student programs while at Dana College.

 

When Mezoff arrived at Tusculum College, he found problems with morale, neglected buildings, eliminated academic programs, lack of financial support and a “party school” reputation.  He developed programs to attract non-traditional students and adults, started the Tusculum Tomorrow Campaign, paid off much of Tusculum’s debt, renovated the science labs, installed computer systems that benefitted all of campus, and received a challenge grant that put Tusculum College on better financial standing.  At the end of his presidency, Mezoff had lost the confidence of the faculty, staff and students by not delegating authority and responsibilities. Faculty frustrations encouraged the Board to replace Mezoff.  Despite the lack of confidence, SACS was enthused about Tusculum and several graduate programs accepted many of Tusculum’s graduates.

Robert E. Knott


knott2 copyRobert E. Knott, B.S., B.D., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., served 1989-2000

Robert “Bob” Knott began his educational career in 1965 by teaching Advanced Placement classes and math for R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC.  He received his B.S. degree from Wake Forest College and B.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Knott later earned his M.S. in Math from North Carolina State University.  He then taught math and served as Assistant Chaplain at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.  While at Wake Forest University, he earned a M.A. in Philosophy and Religion.  He became the Professor of Philosophy and planned major expansions at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C.  Knott then moved to Salisbury, N.C. and worked for Catawba College in 1982.  There he filled the role of Coordinator and Director of Internal Programs.  Catawba College offered Knott the opportunity to fill numerous positions ranging from admissions, student affairs, fundraising and computer systems.  He reached the rank of Provost and Dean and acting president in 1988.

 

As President of Tusculum College, Knott quickly took steps to secure the financial stability and support of Tusculum College.  He also worked to improve leadership, enrollment, academic programs, student life and church relations.  Through his efforts, Tusculum College saw an increase in the line of credit, private gifts and grants, and more support from Trustees, faculty and staff.  During his first years at Tusculum College, Tusculum experienced the first increase in enrollment in seven years.  He revived the physical plant, and added the Museum Studies Program with two museums.  He left Tusculum to fill the position of Executive Vice President for Internal Relations and Dean at Mars Hill College.

Thomas G. Voss


Voss 1Thomas G. Voss, Ph.D., served 1972-1978

Thomas Voss grew up in Racine, Wis.  He earned his B.A. from St. Francis College, his M.A. from Marquette University and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.  He married Jane C. Cempura and fathered five children.  Prior to arriving at Tusculum, Voss worked as the Assistant Professor of American and English Literature, had been a Fulbright Professor of American Studies at the University of Trondheim in Norway, and co-edited a six volume edition of The Letters of William Cullen Bryant that was supported and published by a NEH grant.  He learned of Tusculum College while working at the Catholic University of America.  President Cothran had met Voss in Norway and knew his credentials.  In 1970, Voss became the first Roman Catholic to be Dean of Faculty at Tusculum College.  When Cothran left, Voss assumed the role of CEO in addition to his responsibilities as Dean.  He never applied to be President, but the Board offered him the position in 1972.  Once he assumed the presidency, Voss undertook restoration of relations with 150 students that had sworn off Tusculum College.  Due to his efforts fifty of the 150 students returned to Tusculum.  Voss also raised nearly $5 million dollars during his term as president.  He left to become President of Morris Harvey College.  Upon leaving Tusculum College, Voss and his wife received honorary degrees.

Andrew N. Cothran


Cothran 1 on LAndrew N. Cothran, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., served 1969-1972

Andrew Cothran, a native of Kreole, Miss., grew up Baptist and later became an Episcopal layman.  Cothran earned his B.A. from Baylor University, his M.A. from Columbia, and his Ph.D. in American Literature and Intellectual History from the University of Maryland in 1965.  He worked as a faculty member at the University of Kentucky at Louisville and at Prince George Community College at Largo, Md.  Prince George Community College promoted Cothran to Chairman of the Division of Humanities and full professor.  Cothran served on the cultural attaché of the American Embassy in Norway prior to coming to Tusculum College.  He became the first non-minister and non-Presbyterian to be President at Tusculum College.  During Cothran’s presidency, he recruited twenty-three new faculty and staff members and improved the natural science department.  Cothran left Tusculum to become President of Kendall College in Evanston, Ill.