Tusculum University will celebrate a milestone in its 224-year history on Friday, Oct. 12, with the inauguration of its 28th president, Dr. James Hurley.
The inauguration is being celebrated on campus with a variety of activities and will be part of Tusculum’s Homecoming 2018 schedule. The theme for the inauguration and for Homecoming will be “University Rising,” celebrating the future of the university, its students, alumni and friends.
The central focus of the week, the Inauguration Ceremony, will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in the Pioneer Arena, located in the Niswonger Commons. The ceremony will feature alumni representatives from each graduating class, beginning in the 1940s, as part of the processional, as well as current students representing campus organizations, delegates from colleges and universities, the university’s Board of Trustees and faculty members.
The ceremony will include several special guest dignitaries participating and Dr. Hurley will deliver the inaugural address.
Dr. James Hurley
Dr. Hurley joined Tusculum University in September of 2017. Under Dr. Hurley’s leadership as Tusculum’s president, many exciting changes have occurred, including the change to university. Additionally, the university has announced plans to develop a College of Optometry and Physician’s Assistant Program (pending accreditation). It was also announced in early 2018 that the Cincinnati Reds would bring a rookie league franchise to Pioneer Park, with the first games held this past summer. Additionally, exciting news for students and community, Chick-fil-A is coming to the Greeneville campus later this month.
Throughout his 20-year career in education, Dr. Hurley has served as instructor, professor, dean, vice president and president. He has had extensive and varied experience at private, liberal arts, faith-based institutions and has shown an understanding of the challenges facing higher education, such as the increasingly competitive environment in which these institutions must simultaneously attract, retain and graduate students, as well as stabilize their fiscal health, grow their academic portfolio, and raise additional external funds.
Dr. Hurley holds a doctoral degree from Morehead State University in education leadership and finance; a Rank 1 Certification from the University of Kentucky in educational supervision; a Master of Science in education degree from Indiana University, and a bachelor’s degree in business education and management from Pikeville College. He has also completed the Institute for Presidential Leadership at Harvard University and received a certificate in higher education management from Vanderbilt University.
He is committed to local and regional economic development through educational advancements. He is deeply committed to the community through service on nonprofit boards and service outreach. Dr. Hurley has extensive experience in higher education finance, fundraising and enrollment management and often utilized in financial consulting for private and public institutions.
Joining sons Drew and Carter, Dr. Hurley and his wife, Kindall welcomed Blayklee Caroline on January 4, 2018, to the Hurley family.
The ceremony is open and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 423.636.7303.