Tusculum University supporting team of Tennessee students as they compete at a national all-star tournament in Virginia
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University has demonstrated considerable support for scholar’s bowl competitions for middle school and high school students by hosting them annually on campus.
Now, the university is expanding its connection by providing funding and coaching to support a team of students from communities throughout Tennessee. Team Tennessee, which will consist of 10 players, will seek to win the National All-Star Academic Tournament that will be held Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
“This is a great opportunity to assist talented students, who are demonstrating tremendous aptitude with academic and pop culture knowledge,” said Dr. Chuck Pearson, assistant dean of math and science at Tusculum, who is serving as one of Team Tennessee’s coaches. “We want to develop academic competition in Tennessee at all levels, and backing Team Tennessee is an excellent way to demonstrate that commitment. We look forward to fostering additional academic growth in these students.”
Tusculum University to help people in business better run their operations by teaching them at a workshop how to use AI tools
GREENEVILLE – Entrepreneurs and other business professionals who seek practical ways to apply artificial intelligence to their work will benefit from an upcoming boot camp Tusculum University’s Business Division is holding.
The AI Boot Camp will be held Tuesday, July 28, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Room 111 of the Meen Center on campus. For just $49, participants will come away with multiple AI skills they can use to make their business or project run more efficiently and effectively. The event will be fun and personal, with attendees engaging in hands-on learning instead of listening to lectures.
“AI presents multiple ways to economize a person’s time and achieve excellent results in the business world,” said David Hite, associate professor of business at the university, who is leading the boot camp. “Tusculum has consulted with many experts in the field and been on the cutting edge of educating people on the benefits of AI. This boot camp is another way we will assist the business community as part of the university’s commitment to civic engagement.”
Middle school and high school students grow closer to God during five-day camp at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Energy and love for the Lord were abundant at Tusculum University as middle school and high school students grew stronger in their faith, served others and engaged in a lot of fun activities during a recent camp.
MFuge, which is part of FUGE Camps, presented a vibrant, Christian and faith-enriching experience on campus from Monday, June 8-Friday, June 12. The event featured daily worship, filled with contemporary Christian music and inspiring messages about God; Bible studies; church group time; and daily trips into communities throughout the region to perform mission work.
Tusculum University’s Level 1 arboretum recertified, remains a valuable resource for students and the community
GREENEVILLE – Anyone who has visited Tusculum University has commented on the campus’ beauty.
One of the attractive elements of the historic campus is the abundance and variety of trees that give students, faculty, staff and guests plenty of enjoyment while they are on the grounds. Tusculum is home to a Level I arboretum, which encompasses the whole campus and includes 36 species, most of which are native to East Tennessee.
Recently, Tusculum celebrated the news that the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council has recertified the university’s arboretum at Level 1 through 2030. In addition to Tusculum leaders and faculty showcasing the updated sign, participants in the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science Summer Academy at Tusculum measured trees within the arboretum to collect beneficial data.
Tusculum University promotes impressive young professional to serve as assistant dean of the Sport Studies Division
GREENEVILLE – An accomplished young professional with teaching experience on the collegiate and high school levels and extensive community service in her field has been promoted to assistant dean of Tusculum University’s Sport Studies Division.
Dr. Emily Davis, who is also an athletic trainer, will oversee the sport science and sport management programs and serve on Tusculum’s Academic Council. She will maintain her connection to the classroom by continuing to teach courses in the growing sport science program.
Talent Search event at Tusculum University prepares students for high school success with academic and life skills
GREENEVILLE – As eighth graders in the region prepare to take the next academic step by enrolling in high school, the Educational Talent Search program at Tusculum University is helping them make the change as seamless as possible.
Talent Search held its 8th Grade Future Ready Day in the Dr. Nancy B. Moody Lecture Hall in the Meen Center Friday, May 22. The day consisted of fun activities as well as several informative sessions that not only touched on academic items but also life skills that will serve these students well in their teenage years and throughout the rest of their life. Talent Search staff were available to answer students’ questions.
“This is an important time in these students’ lives as they become ready to transition to a higher level of education,” said Heather Tunnell, Talent Search’s director. “At the same time, they are continuing to develop as individuals and discover more about themselves. This time period will help influence their futures, so we want to provide them with valuable guidance that can help them maximize their high school years.”
Grief, loss and other subjects explored by Tusculum students and alumni in journal dedicated to Pioneer who passed away
GREENEVILLE – High-caliber writing that expounds on a variety of subjects, particularly grief and loss, along with multiple pieces of art fill the pages of the newest edition of a student-run journal at Tusculum University.
“Sit Lux,” an annual production of the Tusculum’s English program, was recently published, featuring mostly the work of Tusculum students but also encompassing items from alumni, a professor and the university’s president. A student team led the process of creating the publication with assistance from faculty in Tusculum’s English and art and design programs.
The students dedicated this issue to the late Payton Cook, a freshman in the business administration program and a member of the Tusculum Pioneers men’s lacrosse team, who passed away in December in a car accident near campus.
Pioneer Quest enables incoming students to learn more about Tusculum, make final preparations to begin classes
GREENEVILLE – Incoming students at Tusculum University learned more about what they can expect and what opportunities await them when they begin their studies during the first orientation event of the summer season.
Tusculum held Pioneer Quest in the Scott M. Niswonger Commons and the Meen Center Friday, May 22. The new group received greetings from the Tusculum administration and heard firsthand from current students and recent graduates about life as a Pioneer.
“We were thrilled to assist these students as they prepare for this exciting step in their personal and academic development,” said Zack Kassebaum, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid. “We will continue to walk with them through the remaining stages to ensure a smooth transition to the start of their coursework at Tusculum.”
Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science to hold Summer Academy with classes and activities at Tusculum
GREENEVILLE – High school students from multiple communities in East Tennessee will enjoy the collegiate experience and engage in hands-on learning during the Summer Academy at Tusculum University.
The Summer Academy, which starts Tuesday, May 26, is a six-week program conducted by Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science at the university. Participants attend classes in the morning, work on specialized projects in the afternoon and engage in activities in the evening during the first five weeks. They will conclude the academy with an educational trip to Washington.
“This academy is an outstanding way to prepare high school students for college and expand their knowledge in multiple ways,” said Dr. David Smith, executive director of TRIO programs at Tusculum. “Students emerge from this experience with a much better understanding of the expectations and atmosphere of college. We particularly welcome the opportunity to take our students to the nation’s capital so they have a greater grasp of the workings of our government and the country’s history.”
Tusculum University celebrates graduates, who have made their mark on campus, balanced studies with work and life
GREENEVILLE – Graduation served as a stepping stone Saturday, May 9, for Tusculum University students who will now enter the job market as career-ready professionals or prepared to continue their academic studies at a higher level.
The commencement ceremony for about 175 students from 21 states and 13 countries produced the standard jubilant response from their family, friends, teammates and classmates and smiles from graduates. The event marked the end of this chapter of their lives, one filled with active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment that has positioned them to make their mark on their communities.
“These graduates have received an outstanding education that has enabled them to grow as individuals and discover their calling and purpose,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “We are proud of these new alumni for seizing the opportunity to transform their lives by coming to Tusculum and then diligently working to complete the requirements and obtain their degree. Inevitably, these students experienced challenges along the way, but they persevered and developed the hard skills and soft skills that will serve them well.”
Tusculum University students present research and other projects at annual Academic Symposium on campus
GREENEVILLE – One of the hallmarks of a Tusculum University undergraduate education is the ability for students to perform research and display and explain their work to others.
Tusculum celebrates the development of that skill and provides the forum for students to share it during the annual Academic Symposium on campus. The university recently held that event, enabling students in multiple academic disciplines to showcase their knowledge to other members of the Tusculum family.
“The symposium is an outstanding event and one of the highlights of the year for all of us,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “Studying at Tusculum means engaging in active and experiential learning, where students apply what they learned in the classroom to real-world situations. This type of education prepares them to be career-ready professionals and to be highly successful in advanced degree programs. The symposium is a key part of their development.”
Tusculum raises double the funds for the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, celebrates the program’s success at event
GREENEVILLE – With generous community support, Tusculum University has doubled what it received in 2025 to support scholarships for its Discipleship Living-Learning Center.
Tusculum collected $75,000 in pre-event ticket sales and on-site donations during the Christian Leadership Dinner Thursday, May 7. The funds will provide $2,000 scholarships for students who reside in the center and who serve as dorm chaplains in three traditional residence halls in the 2026-2027 academic year.
The possibility remains for the total raised to climb further with donations from others who wanted more time to consider making a gift. Those who are still interested in contributing can visit www.tusculum.edu/giving and select the Christian Leadership Institute from the drop-down menu.