GREENEVILLE – Citizenship in the United States became reality for 60 individuals as they took the oath during a naturalization service on Constitution Day at Tusculum University.
U.S. District Court Judge Clifton Corker administers the oath to the new citizens.
U.S. District Court Judge Clifton Corker administered the oath during the ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. The event was upbeat while touching on the importance of citizenship and the rights that will now be open to these freshly minted Americans who came from 32 countries.
The event included an appearance by Mike Pence, the 48th vice president of the United States, who was on campus to speak at a separate Constitution Day event. Those who became citizens also had the opportunity to share a few words. The audience was filled with family members as well as Tusculum faculty, staff and students.
“Naturalization is the greatest gift this nation can give you,” Corker told the new citizens. “The Supreme Court described it as an act of clothing you with the privileges of a native citizen. When we look at you, we see a citizen. That’s what the law sees in you. The court has said plainly, too, that naturalization is not second-class citizenship. It carries a full privilege of participation in the life of this society.”
At the same time, Corker reminded the group that citizenship carries with it the power and duty to shape the nation’s future. Registrars were available in the lobby to register to vote, and Corker encouraged the new citizens to register to vote and then cast a ballot in an election as a way of making their voices heard.
The day was joyous as these new citizens take the oath.
These new citizens take the oath.
Discussing Constitution Day, Corker said many countries have such a document, but the United States’ is different.
“It doesn’t merely declare rights about freedom of speech and religion and trial by jury and the like,” he said. “Ours is the law of the land. It’s not platitudes. You are a citizen of the United States, and now it’s your turn to support and defend the Constitution.”
Corker noted today’s society is struggling with civility and said people are living in their own silos. He then discussed a famous abolitionist and writer.
“I would reference you Frederick Douglass, who said true liberty means the freedom to speak and the freedom to listen,” the judge said. “The free exchange of ideas is actually the lifeblood of our democracy. And our Constitution was built not on uniformity as much as it was in plurality and pluralism, a place where more than one idea can live and exist at the same time.”
One of the new citizens shares his story.
Dr. Scott Hummel addresses the audience.
In his remarks, Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, highlighted the international vibe at Tusculum, sharing that the university has students from 35 states in this country and 39 countries. He highlighted that two Tusculum alumni became citizens at the 2025 Constitution Day naturalization ceremony on campus.
Dr. Hummel also noted the lengthy history of Tusculum as the first higher education institution in Tennessee. Since the university’s founding in 1794, just 18 years after the Declaration of Independence, Tusculum has been focused on its mission of inspiring civic engagement, enriching personal lives and equipping career-ready professionals, he said.
Turning personal, Dr. Hummel said he is a descendant of immigrants from Italy, Cyprus, England, Ireland, Germany and France.
“Just in myself, I represent so many different countries, so many different regions that chose to come to this country and found the American dream,” Dr. Hummel said. “It is hard for me to imagine anything more American than this naturalization service.”
After taking the oath, the new citizens had an opportunity to shake hands with Corker and Dr. Hummel. Representatives of the offices of U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger presented them with certificates, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution gave each person a flag.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.