Tusculum College Board of Trustees has given a six-year contract extension to President Dr. Nancy B. Moody, in appreciation of her leadership efforts in getting the college fundings and adding new programs and facilities for the students

Moody recently completed her four-year term after being sworn in as the college's first female president in April 2009.

"The Board is very, very pleased with the recent history of the college and excited about the leadership she has brought to the institution. We want to see that continue," Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees, said. "Having a longer, multi-year contract is a strong signal to the internal and external communities that the Board both appreciates and supports her. It also goes a long way in providing long-term stability for the college."

Moody got the college a successful reaffirmation of accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, secured a $39 million Community Facilities direct loan and $3.875 million in gift to build a new math and science facility on campus.

The three-story Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math facility will be featuring state-of-the-art technology.

Several undergraduate and graduate programs have been introduced including nursing, chemistry, criminal justice, bachelor of psychology degree and a Master of Business Administration degree.

The new nursing degree has particularly garnered interest among the community as more than 520 queries have already been made about next year's nursing class. Currently, the program has 24 students and it is projected to increase up to 40 students in the fall semester.

Moody obtained a $263,996 grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation to acquire a simulation laboratory for use in the nursing and other health-related programs by students, staff and community partners.

On the students' facilities front, the construction of two new apartment-style residence halls is almost complete. The construction was made possible following a $6 million Community Facilities direct loan from the USDA's Rural Development Office. This was one among the critical issues that had to be sorted out as the college experienced 100 percent occupancy rates in residential housing for the past few years.

The Board of Trustees, recognizing all her efforts and commitment towards the college, presented its first Founders Award to Moody in February.

Prior to Tusculum, Moody served as the president of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).