GREENEVILLE – A new initiative at Tusculum University will empower students to put into practice the guiding principles that shape the holistic approach to personal development and career preparation at the Christian higher education institution.
This is the Mission Engagements logo.
These principles are embedded in Tusculum’s mission statement, which was crafted with input from multiple sectors of the Tusculum family. Beginning with the fall semester, the university will implement the Mission Engagements program. Each traditional student will participate in at least three activities or events in the fall and spring semesters that connect directly with the university’s mission.
“Tusculum has an excellent mission statement, which speaks to our philosophy of an active and experiential education, our caring Christian environment and the transforming impact on students,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “The Mission Engagements program will help our students live out our mission and reap the full benefits of the Tusculum experience.”
Here is Tusculum’s mission: Building on a rich Presbyterian heritage and a pioneering spirit, Tusculum University provides an active and experiential education within a caring Christian environment to inspire civic engagement, enrich personal lives and equip career-ready professionals. The Mission Engagements program will focus on four main ideas – caring Christian environment, civic engagement, personal enrichment and career-readiness.
Tusculum students can attend a theater production to meet the requirements of the Mission Engagements program. This photo shows “The Glass Menagerie” on campus with Todd Wallin, left, and Josie Norton, playing roles.
Tusculum students clean inside Asbury United Methodist Church during Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day.
Tusculum has identified many activities and events that will automatically meet the criteria for Mission Engagements. These include weekly voluntary chapel sessions, Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day, forums, theater productions, art exhibits, graduate school fairs as well as career and job fairs. Students have the flexibility to pick what activities they want to attend to meet program requirements.
Mission Engagements is classified as a pass/fail course at Tusculum, and the grade is placed on a student’s transcript. However, the grade has no impact on a student’s academic credits.
“This program is an excellent way to teach students that the mission is a core element for Tusculum,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Our hope is that these Mission Engagements activities will lead our students to grow as whole persons, become servant leaders and engage with our community. We focus on providing a caring Christian environment for our students, and these Mission Engagement activities will allow our students to extend that same care and heart of service to the community right around us.”
To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.