GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University has rescheduled its Homecoming for a month in response to Hurricane Helene’s impact on East Tennessee, but the annual event will retain a robust amount of activities.
The Tusculum cheer team generates enthusiasm during the Homecoming parade in 2023.
Alumni and others enjoy the Homecoming tailgate in 2023.
Homecoming will now take place Wednesday, Nov. 6-Sunday, Nov. 10. It will be a perfect opportunity for alumni to return to campus, back Tusculum students and support the broader region, which has been hit hard from the effects of the hurricane. Tusculum also invites and encourages community members to participate as valuable partners of the university.
“Rescheduling Homecoming was the logical move because the university and the community are still responding to Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “By Nov. 8, the situation in our region will be much more stable, and alumni and other guests coming for Homecoming will enjoy time together after this recent rough spell for everyone. It will also stimulate the local economy, which will benefit from the boost.”
In the aftermath of the hurricane, water service was lost to the campus and the rest of Greene County. In response, Tusculum converted all of its classes to an online format through Tuesday, Oct. 15 and provided students with the option to return home. Most students have taken that approach, while others have been housed at other universities or other private homes. About 25 students remained at Tusculum. Now that water has been restored on campus, students will start returning to campus.
One special component of Homecoming will be a recognition of Carson-Newman University at the football game Saturday, Nov. 9. Carson-Newman has housed about 100 Tusculum students – all of them football players – since the hurricane.
Here is the updated schedule of activities:
Wednesday, Nov. 6
- 6-10 p.m. – Student Government Association Homecoming Kickoff Bonfire for everyone in the Apartment Quad on campus
Thursday, Nov. 7
- 5-7 p.m. – Closing reception for the exhibit for “The Great Southern Box Show” in the Clem Allison Gallery of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center
Friday, Nov. 8
- 8-9 a.m. – Pastors’ Prayer Breakfast for local ministers and faith leaders in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Meen Center
- 6:30-9:30 p.m. – Homecoming Alumni Award Celebration and Dance at Hackler Hall Event Center in downtown Greeneville
- 7 p.m. – Women’s indoor volleyball game between Tusculum and Newberry College in Pioneer Arena
Saturday, Nov. 9
- 8 a.m. – Alumni Memorial Service in Chalmers Conference Center of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons
- 9 a.m. – Alumni Association meeting followed by alumni decade photos in Chalmers
- 10:45 a.m. – Tailgate for alumni and Pioneer Club members at the outdoor basketball courts
- 11 a.m. – Pioneer Walk and Homecoming parade starting in front of Charles Oliver Gray North
- 1 p.m. – Football game vs. Carson Newman University at Pioneer Field
- Halftime of the football game – Announcement of the Homecoming court at Pioneer Field
- 5:30 p.m. – Women’s basketball game between Tusculum and Lees McRae College
Sunday, Nov. 10
- 11 a.m. – Tusculum Day at First Presbyterian Church, the university’s mother church, with Dr. Hummel preaching
- 4 p.m. – Women’s basketball game between Tusculum and Columbus State University
Jolin Hawk, senior director of development and alumni relations, encourages everyone to sign up for Homecoming events. But she said it is especially important for alumni to register for the dinner and dance on Friday for planning purposes.
Members of the Bonner Leader Program walk in the parade.
The Tusculum cheer team generates enthusiasm during the Homecoming parade.
“That is going to be a special event for our alumni and a chance for them to celebrate their time at Tusculum in a meaningful way,” Hawk said. “We listened closely to our alumni and have found an excellent venue for them to get together for a fantastic meal and excellent conversation. We look forward to this wonderful evening.”
Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement, is thrilled the university has found an alternate date to celebrate Homecoming
“We are grateful to all alumni, community members and the Tusculum family for revising their calendars to be present for Homecoming in November,” he said. “We will have a lot of fun, inspiring and informative activities that will make Homecoming a can’t-miss event. The memories that will be sparked, the relationships that will be rekindled and the new ones that will be developed will bring a smile to alumni’s faces for a long time.”
To see the complete schedule and register for Homecoming, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/homecoming-2/. Anyone interested in Homecoming is encouraged to check that site prior to the event in case of changes to the schedule. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.