GREENEVILLE – As Americans marked the 239th birthday of the U.S. Constitution, Mike Pence, the nation’s 48th vice president gave a rousing endorsement of the document in luncheon remarks at Tusculum University.
Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States, speaks at Tusculum.
“It is my great honor to be here at Tusculum University on a day that America celebrates the greatest charter of liberty in human history,” Pence said in the keynote address Thursday, Sept. 17. “Happy Constitution Day!
“Each Constitution Day we are challenged to call ourselves back to first principles and remind ourselves that America was built not on a particular race of people, not on a particular geography. It was built on a set of ideals and principles. And it was built on the timeless and earthshaking assertion, first expressed in the Declaration of Independence, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. The Constitution of the United States, since that day in 1789, has preserved those God-given rights and liberties like no other charter in history.”
The Constitution was completed Sept. 17, 1787, and went into effect two years later.
Pence’s speech was part of Tusculum’s Constitution Day luncheon, which brought people from the community and Tusculum faculty, staff and students to recognize this special birthday. The event was patriotic to the core with fourth graders from neighboring Doak Elementary School singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” The Greeneville high School JROTC presented colors with representatives from the Marine Corps League Elbert Kinser Detachment, VFW Post 1990 and American Legion Post 64.
The opening ceremony included Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison, a veteran, leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. In the lobby of Pioneer Arena, Tusculum’s history program and other community organizations had displays and tables highlighting the past.
To thank Pence for volunteering to come, community leaders made a special presentation, including gifts, such as challenge coins, from the USS Greeneville, Greene County Mayor’s Office and the Greene County Heritage Trust. Participating in the presentation were Morrison; retired Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marcia Phillips Parsons; and Dale Long, president of USS Greeneville Inc.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, gives remarks during the luncheon.
The luncheon was one of the university’s America 250/Tusculum 232 Celebration events that highlight the country’s history and the higher education institution’s contributions to the United States’ success. Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, said Constitution Day was an important part of the celebration.
“From its founding in 1794, Tusculum University has inspired civic engagement through its curriculum, community service and commitment to respectful and civil engagement,” he said. “Our students graduate as more informed and engaged citizens. At a time of division and disengagement, our country needs more Tusculum University graduates.”
In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Pence answered questions, posed by students, during a symposium. Tusculum students, as well as those from Walters State Community College local high schools, Kanto International Senior High School and homeschoolers participated in that gathering. Dr. Hummel called the exchange “incredible and unbelievably valuable for our students” and thanked Pence for participating in it.
Pence was introduced by Dr. Scott Niswonger, a Tusculum trustee for 30 years and a highly successful businessman.
During his discussion of the Constitution, Pence said he has had a love for the document since he was the age of today’s Tusculum students. He was exposed to the brilliance and genius of that document at that time, and his affection for the Constitution has remained with him.
He traces his affinity for the document to a class he took on the Constitution at a college in southern Indiana, where a professor imparted the importance of that document.
Mike Pence participates in a question-and-answer session with students from Tusculum, Walters State Community College and local high schools, Kanto International Senior High School as well as homeschoolers.
“He was the first one to really explain to me that the Constitution is not simply a description of a form of government but is an application of principles that rightly understand human nature,” Pence said. “Our founders understood that unchecked power, even in democratic hands, can be dangerous. They created a system, brilliantly designed around that principle, of checks and balances that created three separate branches of government that could hold each other accountable. And then they ensured that the powers not specifically afforded to the federal government would be reserved to the states and the people.”
Pence encouraged students to delve deeply into the Constitution. He said students should read it, understand it, know it and prepare in their hearts and mind to stand for it.
In his speech, Dr. Hummel highlighted Tusculum theme for this academic year – “We Are One” – based on Galatians 3:28.
“This theme is especially appropriate for us today as Americans because it reminds us of our nation’s motto – e pluribus unum, which means out of many, one,” he said. “We are a country of many differences – different races, different ethnicities, different faiths and different traditions – and yet we are one. This theme is especially important for us as Christians because it reminds us that the body is made up of many parts, with many roles and many gifts, but it is one body with one great commission.
“This theme is also especially appropriate for us as Tusculum Pioneers. We come from different places with different career goals and different perspectives, but we are Pioneers. We are one.”
The 48th vice president praised Tusculum and urged the audience to give a vigorous round of applause to the university’s faculty and staff members.
“As I told Dr. Hummel, this is an extraordinary place with an extraordinary heritage,” he said. “If you think about the last two centuries, Tusculum University has stood for something increasingly rare in academia. I’ve long believed that character is destiny – the conviction that education is more than earning a degree or a career is what this place has been about since its founding, forming men and women of character prepared to serve in their communities, their churches and their country.”
Mike Pence poses with student-athletes on the tennis teams, who served meals during the luncheon.
Students who reside in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center pose with Mike Pence.
He noted that the university was founded just seven years after the Constitution was completed and two years before Tennessee became a state.
“And here you still are, leading on a foundation of faith and character and education,” he said. “It’s a tribute to each and every one of you here and to all who have gone on before. George Washington, I think, is my favorite president. I learned on the way here that George Washington actually donated $100 to Tusculum University when he was serving as a first president. Knowing his character, knowing his devotion to this nation explains everything you need to know about how this place began and how it continues to this day.”
Dr. Hummel touted some of the university’s strengths – students coming from 35 states and 39 countries, and 58% of them coming from households where the parents or guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree. Half of the student also comes from low-income families.
“Tusculum University does an outstanding job in both providing access to college with our affordability and scholarships but also, and even more importantly, access to graduation with our very strong student support.”
John Ross, president of the Student Government Association, a psychology major and a men’s track and field team member, expressed gratitude to donors and touted the impact scholarships have on making the Tusculum experience possible for students.
John Ross, the Student Government Association’s president, discusses the value of scholarships during his remarks.
“Like many college students, I understand that paying for college can be a significant challenge,” he said. “Scholarships and financial support can make the difference between simply hoping to attend college and actually making that dream happen. For me, the support I’ve received has helped make it possible to focus on my education, my athletic career and my involvement on campus. It’s allowed me to take a breath and know there’s people out there who support me. It’s allowed me to pursue opportunities that have shaped who I am today.”
Beside his stewardship of the SGA, Ross has participated in the debate team and is now involved in mock trial. He said each experience has challenged him and taught him discipline, leadership, perseverance and the importance of serving others.
“Behind every opportunity a student receives, there are people who have chosen to invest in that student,” he said. “That is what makes donor support so meaningful. When someone gives to Tusculum, they are not simply contributing to that university. They are investing in students who work hard toward their degrees, who are giving their all to their athletic teams, serving their communities and preparing to make a difference in the world and their lives after Tusculum.”
Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.tusculum.edu/giving.
“Constitution Day was truly a celebration made possible by an entire community coming together,” said Tiffany Greer, vice president of institutional advancement. “We are incredibly grateful to the local schools and students who participated and our supporters and generous donors who invested in this experience. We also thank the community members who attended to celebrate our nation’s history and the freedoms we share.
“From our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to help keep everyone safe, to our educators, volunteers, university team, community organizations and sponsors who contributed their time, resources and expertise, Tusculum University is deeply grateful to everyone who helped make Constitution Day a meaningful and memorable community celebration.”
Additional information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.