GREENEVILLE – Pride in becoming a U.S. citizen was on full display during a naturalization ceremony for 101 people Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Tusculum University.
Michael Fernando, left, a Tusculum alumnus, takes a photo with Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, after the ceremony.
U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker administers the oath of allegiance to the 101 people who became U.S. citizens.
In line with its commitment to civic engagement, Tusculum hosted the ceremony for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, told the new citizens that the university celebrated with them.
“As a university and from a personal standpoint, we are honored to host this naturalization ceremony,” he said. “It is hard for me to imagine anything more American than a naturalization service. I welcome my new fellow Americans.”
The event had another distinctive Tusculum flavor, with one of the people who took the oath and spoke to the audience afterward being an alumnus of the university. Michael Fernando is originally from Sri Lanka but came to the United States to study at Tusculum. He graduated in 2016 and is now an accountant with PwC, one of the largest accounting firms in the nation.
Another Tusculum alumnus who became a citizen was Kevin Laight, who graduated in 2009.
Presiding over the ceremony was U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker, who noted that the event was being held on the 238th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. He repeated the words in the preamble, later emphasizing the first three words: “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The 101 new citizens take their oath.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, speaks at the ceremony.
Corker shared that by 1858, more than half of the nation had no direct blood connection to the Founding Fathers. He thinks the reason why so many came to the United States can be found in the Declaration of Independence. He said that document has shaped who America is, and he read a well-known section of it.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident – that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
As they become full-fledged citizens, Corker reminded the 101 people in the audience of their responsibilities. Those include voting and serving others by volunteering, being a mentor or perhaps joining a food bank.
“You now have the power and the duty to shape the future of this nation,” he said.
Those who took the oath represent 44 nationalities. Jotham Miller from the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Service reported to Corker that each of the applicants for citizenship has demonstrated good moral character, is attached to the principles of the Constitution and is well disposed to the good order and happiness of the country.
A new citizen shakes is greeted by, left to right, Judge Clifton Corker, Dr. Scott Hummel and Abigail Weaver and Jordan Weaver
Michael Fernando speaks after taking the oath.
One of those was Fernando, who spoke at the ceremony and expressed his gratitude to Tusculum and others who embraced him when he arrived. Among the people he recognized was one of his professors, Dr. Michelle Freeman.
“She took a chance on me and believed in me when all I had was determination,” he said. “She gave me the foundation to succeed.”
He also thanked others who supported him in America and helped him with his application to become a citizen. In addition, he was grateful to his husband, their daughters and the rest of his family as well as friends.
“Becoming an American citizen isn’t just about a path forward for me,” Fernando said. “It’s about belonging, it’s about responsibility, it’s about gratitude. Today, as a husband and a father and now as a citizen, I promise to open doors for others, to give back to this community that means so much to me and to pay forward the kindness that changed my life.”
As part of the ceremony, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented flags to the new citizens. They also served refreshments at the conclusion.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.