GREENEVILLE – As Tusculum University prepares to launch the spring semester, new students will bring their intelligence, creativity and personalities to campus.
Steve Schultz, left, helps a student with his schedule.
Zack Kassebaum addresses parents.
The university held its Pioneer Quest for the spring semester to welcome these traditional students to the Tusculum family. They heard an inspiring message from Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president; listened to fellow students; spoke with professors in their major; and met with the Office of Financial Aid.
Then, the new students had a chance to move into their residence halls and converse with the Office of Student Affairs. Beforehand, their parents learned more about the university in a discussion with many Tusculum leaders.
“It was exciting and fulfilling to help these new Pioneers with the final leg of their journey to Tusculum University,” said Zack Kassebaum, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid. “We have enjoyed meeting these students and learning about their aspirations during the enrollment process. Now, as they begin their studies and immerse themselves in campus life, we look forward to seeing them embrace their calling and become career-ready professionals. These students will be well prepared for the next step in their lives after studying at Tusculum.”
A family of Pioneers
For some new students, the connection to Tusculum is not new. Austin Slover is the son of two Tusculum alumni and spent a fair amount of time at Pioneer Field when he was younger. He will pursue a bachelor’s in sport science and play football at Tusculum. His long-term goal is to become a physician assistant and work in the sport field.
Slover said he chose Tusculum primarily because he lived for many years in Greeneville and still considers it home.
The Slover family poses for a photo. They are, left to right, Jennifer, Austin and Caleb.
“It’s always a place I can go back to, and it’s a place where the people are great,” he said. “It’s a wonderful community, and everybody comes out and supports Tusculum as a school and as a community, and it’s just one big family here. I traveled around all through high school, and I’ve always wanted to be back at home. This place always feels awesome.”
His feelings have been further bolstered by his interactions with the Tusculum coaching staff as he has spent a lot of time at Tusculum in recent months. Slover is also pleased to continue the family tradition with Tusculum
His father, Caleb, earned his bachelor’s degree in business in 2003 and returned to the classroom again to earn another bachelor’s in education so he could teach. He also worked in the Office of Admission for a year and was an assistant football coach for six years. He now teaches physical education at Karnes High School in Knoxville.
Speaking of the Tusculum connection within the family, Caleb said his son made the call to study at his alma mater.
“I’m a proud dad, but I’m even prouder that he made his own decision,” Caleb said. “We gave him the opportunity to go wherever he wanted, and this is what he chose.”
Austin’s mother, Jennifer, graduated from Tusculum in 2009 with a bachelor’s in physical education and then earned her Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in curriculum and instruction. She graduated from Chuckey-Doak High School, and her mother and other family still live in Greene County. Jennifer teaches physical education at Central High School in Knoxville.
She likes that it is safe at Tusculum, and she has the comfort level with the university.
“I know who’s here, I know how the people are here because we walked it for so long,” Jennifer said. “You walk on campus, and they know you by name. That’s important. It was a big deal to his dad, so for him to experience what we experienced is a big deal. It makes me happy that he’s going to get to join in on the pride that we have.”
Another family member at Tusculum
Teddy Gleaton participates in the photo-taking session.
Adriana Jimenez stands for her photo at Pioneer Quest.
Adriana Jimenez, who is from Bartlett, Illinois, comes to Tusculum knowing at least one other person really well. Her sister, Sammy, is a senior at Tusculum, and the two will play together on the softball team. Adriana said her sister has found success playing softball and enjoys that program, so she knew she would be happy here as well. She also likes head coach Julie Huebner and assistant coach Eric Krenz.
Additionally, Adriana loves Tusculum’s campus. She will pursue a degree in history education with designs on becoming a history teacher.
“I’ve always liked history, my mom’s a teacher and my sister’s also becoming a teacher,” Adriana said. “I think it was just kind of meant to happen. I like that Tusculum is a small school. I think it’s important to have smaller class sizes for me.”
Transferring to Tusculum
Adriana and Teddy Gleaton share something in common. Both of them are transfer students. His hometown is Waldorf, Maryland. He came to Tusculum to play football will be part of the business administration program with an accounting major. He shared Adriana’s viewpoint about the university’s size.
“They have a tight-knit community, and I like the people here,” he said. “They’re good people. It’s easy to build connections, it’s easier to know people. It’s better to walk around and know somebody and talk to somebody rather than being at a big school, where you don’t really know anybody.”
Perspective from Tusculum’s president
At the start of Pioneer Quest, Dr. Hummel spoke to new students and their families and told them in his remarks how much he enjoys meeting new Pioneers. He highlighted how he maintains and further builds his connections with students by inviting them to the President’s House for dinner with him and his wife Starr.
One of the things Dr. Hummel discussed with the students is the road ahead.
Dr. Scott Hummel speaks to new students and their families.
“You’re going to be asked to do things academically and intellectually that will stretch you and push you,” Dr. Hummel said. “Even if it is challenging, it will be unbelievably rewarding not just because of what you will learn in your field of study but also because of the excitement knowing you are being prepared for whatever your purpose or calling is.”
He also told them that the Tusculum experience is enriching because of the different relationships they will establish with others at the university. One of the primary ways that will happen is meeting 140 students from 38 countries outside the United States.
During their studies, these new students will grow and develop as individuals, becoming even better citizens, listeners and thinkers as well as stronger family members, Dr. Hummel said. He also noted they would be prepared for the working world by learning not only hard skills required for their jobs but also the soft skills that are critically important.
“I talk to a lot of people who hire a lot of our graduates, and our graduates are viewed as valuable and prepared, not just in the hard skills and the soft skills but also in the character skills,” Dr. Hummel said. “These companies need people who can do the job, who can learn it, who can work with others and who can go about their duties in the right way. Tusculum University is going to prepare you for that.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu. To apply, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/.