Tom Tabor hit the Phi Mu Delta ground running. He had heard his share of Philo stories from his older brother, Mike long before he started at Carson-Newman in the Fall of 1971, and he pledged that semester (with a pledge class of 32 prospects!). Through his college years, he was always active (no pun intended) and served as Philo President in the Fall of 1974 and Vice President of his 1975 Carson-Newman senior class.
After graduating from Carson-Newman, Tom received his Masters (of Science) Degree from the University of Tennessee in 1979, where he was President of Smoky Mountain Counseling Association and President of the Tennessee Teachers Association (School Counselor’s Division).
Starting in 1981, he served as Elementary School Counselor for Hamblen County Schools and then in 1984, he became Chairman of the Counseling Department at Morristown-Hamblen High School West where he served until December 2009. The following month, Tom returned to Carson-Newman, where he served as Senior Counselor/Academic Advisor in the Student Success Center. His job there was to assist students to achieve their maximum ability for success within their undergraduate degree and to connect it to their future career goals. In other words, “giving back” to students at his alma mater.
Tom began directing tours (part time) for Knoxville Tours in April of 1980. After retiring from Carson-Newman in December 2019, he began working full time as the Motorcoach Tour Director, where he directed and coordinated tours in all 50 states and all provinces of Canada. His job as Tour Director includes the responsibility of accomplishing all activities, coordinating and achieving all attractions and locations on the itinerary and making sure that they are implemented in a leisure and on time fashion. He also assists with the passengers and provides the history and information about the locations they’re are visiting. Tom says, “Providing daily devotional thoughts and even humorous insights are a regular part of my duties. But, the main goal is to provide a trip of a lifetime with many memories and new friends that will last forever!”
Tom and his wife, Sara have been married since 1984. Click here to contact him through his Facebook page.