GREENEVILLE – Building on its roots as a faith-based institution, Tusculum University hosted local faith leaders Wednesday, Feb. 19, to further develop ties with houses of worship.
Dr. Scott Hummel, right, enjoys a conversation with the Rev. Todd Jenkins, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, during the meet-and-greet.
Representatives of churches from multiple denominations came to Tusculum for a meet-and-greet with Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s new president. They had an opportunity to speak one on one with him and hear his perspective about how churches can interact fully with Tusculum.
“I am very eager – not just this morning in the meet-and-greet – to get to know and to build relationships with each of you,” Dr. Hummel said. “I think it is especially important for a university like Tusculum to be engaged in the community, and part of that is to be engaged with the churches. We need you. We also want to be able to serve the churches.”
He told the faith leaders that there are abundant ways Tusculum can collaborate with churches and each be a resource for the other.
The Rev. Todd Jenkins, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, said his church not only has a long association with Tusculum because they share a denominational heritage but also because some of his congregation works at the university. He said First Presbyterian would welcome more involvement with the university.
“This is the community’s university, and it is important for us to support Tusculum,” Rev. Jenkins said. “Every April, we have a Tusculum Sunday in which someone from the university delivers a sermon for us, and Dr. Hummel might be the one to provide it this year. It is extremely helpful to hear his message about the community and getting the churches involved.”
Dr. David Smith, pastor of Tusculum Baptist Church, attended the meet-and-greet and was pleased to interact further with Dr. Hummel. His church is adjacent to the Tusculum campus, and Dr. Hummel and his wife Starr have worshiped there.
“Today’s event was a great opportunity, and it shows that Dr. Hummel is interested in meeting the religious leaders in the community, building a relationship with them and demonstrating Tusculum’s Presbyterian roots,” Dr. Smith said. “Tusculum University is a central part of life in Greeneville and the City of Tusculum, so when Dr. Hummel connects the historic Christian roots of the university with that of the community, it creates a great partnership.”
Immediately after the meet-and-greet, Dr. Hummel attended the Theologian-In-Residence presentation on campus. Now in its 29th year, Theologian-In-Residence provides another opportunity for Tusculum to present informative lectures and a forum for excellent discussion. Representatives of 54 churches attended Wednesday’s session, led by Dr. Jason Bembry, an Old Testament professor from Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College.
“This is a real opportunity for a university to bring in an academic lecture about Old Testament prophets,” Dr. Hummel said at the meet-and-greet. “That is a service to our students to hear both the academic side and the Old Testament side. It is also a service for churches to be able to come and hear those lectures. When you have a school with a heritage like Tusculum with a strong Presbyterian foundation but also a broadly Christian one, this is a great way we can serve each other.”