GREENEVILLE – During their studies, new Tusculum University students will receive one-on-one support and mentoring from their professors and staff members as they become career-ready professionals.
Dr. Suzanne Byrd, right, chair of the Sport Science Department, speaks with a new student.
New student Collin Keasling, middle, takes a photo with his family.
That collaboration between faculty and students was on display Friday, July 26, as these new Pioneers met with professors to review their course schedules, ask questions and learn more about Tusculum’s academic programs. Students were also able to spend time with leaders of the advising team to ensure they are on the right path toward graduation from the outset of their studies at Tusculum.
This hands-on support was part of Pioneer Quest. This event brings new students to campus so they can be well prepared when classes begin Monday, Aug. 26. In addition to meeting with faculty members and advisors, these students learned more about the various clubs, groups and programs they can join at Tusculum.
“We were thrilled these new students joined us for a fun and informative day on campus as we welcome them to the Tusculum family,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “These students will be able to grow academically, socially and spiritually during their years at Tusculum, and we are focused on providing them with active and experiential learning that will enrich their lives in a caring Christian environment. We are excited for the start of the fall semester and the launch of the Tusculum story for these Pioneers.“
Tusculum will continue to help students successfully navigate this next chapter in their lives with Pioneer WOW in August. All new students will participate in this exciting program, which will contain lots of fun and helpful activities starting Thursday, Aug. 22. The majority of the activities occur through Saturday, Aug. 24, but Pioneer WOW will continue until Friday, Aug. 30.
Student perspectives
Some students at Pioneer Quest discussed their reasons for coming to Tusculum and their aspirations.
New student Jennifer Holbrook, center, speaks with Dr. Chuck Pearson, right, chair of the Natural Sciences Department.
New student Jorryn Griffin, middle, stands with his parents, Zachary and Jahonna Griffin.
Jorryn Griffin, who is coming to Tusculum from Loganville, Georgia, said he felt a great vibe when he visited the university. In addition, he was pleased Tusculum offered a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, which will help him become a forensic detective. He is also going to play football at Tusculum.
“They treated me like I was family up here, so that’s one of the main things that really brought me here,” Griffin said. “The campus is absolutely beautiful. You just feel at home when you get up here. You don’t feel out of place. Everybody here is really friendly.”
Jennifer Holbrook is a local student who graduated from Chuckey-Doak High School in Greene County and will pursue a bachelor’s in English. When she toured colleges, she felt a connection at Tusculum that she did not experience elsewhere.
“I felt as if I had been here before,” Holbrook said. “It felt normal and safe because it was so close.”
Collin Keasling, who graduated from nearby South Greene High School, will pursue a bachelor’s degree in history from Tusculum with current plans to become a teacher. He also liked the proximity to his home, and his decision took into account another important factor – his mother is a Tusculum alumna.
“I thought it was a natural option,” Keasling said. “Tusculum has a nice campus. It was familiar. I knew what it would be like.”
Aniya Fisher, is from Oak Ridge and will pursue a bachelor’s in sport science pre-athletic training, a new academic program at Tusculum. She will also play on the women’s soccer team.
“Soccer was a big thing for me because I have played the sport since I was 4 and I want to continue,” Fisher said. “The student-faculty ratio is also good. I also wanted to go away to school but not go too far. Tusculum is still close to home. I’m just glad to be here.”
Fisher was attracted to the pre-athletic training program because it is a growing field and because she would be one of the first students in the Tusculum program. The Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the number of jobs for athletic trainers was 33,800 in 2022. By 2032, that number is expected to grow by 14%, a figure the handbook said is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay for an athletic trainer in 2023 was $57,930.
Comments from Tusculum’s president
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, speaks with new students and their family members at Pioneer Quest.
Jill Oberfeitinger, left, director of academic advising, and Bobbie Clarkson, assistant athletic director for academics, assist students with their course registration.
Dr. Hummel highlighted the Tusculum mission and the benefit it will bring to the new students. He also emphasized that Tusculum wants to provide access not only to college but also to graduation. When students enroll at Tusculum, everyone at Tusculum is invested in their attaining a degree.
“Our faculty, staff and I can see potential in students that these Pioneers might not always recognize in themselves,” Dr. Hummel said. “It’s exciting to see the potential and maturity in students in the course of their studies at Tusculum. One of my favorite things is to hand them that diploma and know that we helped them cross the finish line. Another great part of my job is to talk to alumni and know that for generations the Tusculum experience has developed them and prepared them to be incredibly successful.”
Dr. Hummel shared that one of Tusculum’s accomplished alumni, Kyle Cavanaugh, serves as president of administration for the NBA. He also touted how an article written by Tusculum students and recent alumni was published in the prestigious journal “Inorganic Chemistry.” The article arose from their research during their studies at the university into potential new medications to fight cancer.
Dr. Hummel also told incoming students and their families that a Tusculum education can also include internships that help them apply what they learned at Tusculum in a real-word setting.
Enrollment at Tusculum still available
Dr. Shelby Ward, left, assistant professor of political science and director of the Center for Civic Advancement, speaks with new student Ellie Bielenda, middle, about the Bonner Leader Program, a service group on campus.
Dr. Kevin Hill, left, associate professor of management, speaks with a new student.
Due to the challenges brought by revisions in the FAFSA program of the federal government and other situations, some students might have encountered delays in the process of selecting a college. Tusculum has launched Operation 11th Hour to help those students still become enrolled at the university by the start of classes.
This initiative helps new students apply to Tusculum, receive an admission decision and have their financial aid package awarded as quickly as possible. Decisions on admission might happen the same day, and financial aid decisions will flow rapidly after the federal government provides answers following the completion of the FAFSA, an acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The most important and immediate steps for these students are to apply for admission to Tusculum at https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/ and complete the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Prospective students can email Tusculum’s Office of Admission at admission@tusculum.edu or call 423-636-7312 for assistance.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.