The following message was sent to Tusculum faculty and staff members, as well as students, Wednesday, June 3.
Dear Tusculum family,
Recent tragic events of racism and violence in our nation require an answer. They demonstrate the value and need of Tusculum University’s mission and values for a broken world.
Our nation is hurting, and many of you are likely experiencing strong feelings about what has transpired in Minneapolis and other communities throughout the United States. I encourage you to process them and find healthy and peaceful ways to bring about needed change.
Building on our rich Christian heritage of 225 years, the Tusculum culture is rooted in Christ’s greatest commandments to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The world needs us to reflect the love of Christ.
The Tusculum family views each individual with equal worth and respect. We are proud of our diverse student body, which encompasses different races, ethnicities, nationalities and religions. Everyone has gifts and is a child of God, and I want all of you to know we value you and your safety as a member of the Tusculum family.
To our students, as well as faculty and staff members, who are African American, please know that we support you and thank you for choosing Tusculum as your university to study and work. Tusculum does not tolerate racism, profiling or other forms of unfair treatment because of the color of a person’s skin, choosing instead to embrace him or her as a fellow Pioneer and human being.
Tusculum also has a long tradition of civic engagement, so as Pioneers we are committed to being a part of building a better world. Our students have demonstrated that cherished principle with their work every year on Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day. We also recently witnessed a group of five nursing program alumnae serve those afflicted with the coronavirus in New York.
As all of us seek to make sense of what has happened in the United States, may we sow seeds of love that will bind us as one. Our prayers for justice and peace go out to the entire nation.
With Pioneer Pride,
Dr. Scott Hummel
President