GREENEVILLE – Lots of fun awaits alumni, community members and the Tusculum University family during the annual Homecoming celebration on the scenic and historic campus.
Alumni from the 1970s pose for a photo.
Left to right, alumna Angela White-Wilson; her husband, Karl Wilson; and Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, enjoy conversation at Homecoming.
Homecoming kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 9, and concludes Sunday, Oct. 13, and will present abundant opportunities for alumni to reconnect with their fellow Pioneers and faculty and staff members who helped prepare them to be career-ready professionals. Community members will experience the lively atmosphere on campus during this special week, and Tusculum faculty, staff and students will enjoy an extra measure of activity and a chance to meet those who proceed them as Pioneers.
“Seeing our alumni back on campus is particularly meaningful because we love to hear how their lives have progressed since graduation and the impact Tusculum has made on them,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “It is also wonderful when community members join us and see the caliber of our students and the pioneering spirit that is evident at all times at Tusculum. All of us at Tusculum are excited to host our guests and take part in the events we have planned for the week.”
Among the events that will be held during Homecoming are:
The cheer team and Zeke, the university’s mascot, participated in the Homecoming parade in 2023.
Local ministers pray during a previous Pastors’ Prayer Breakfast at Homecoming.
- The Pastors’ Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, for local ministers and other spiritual leaders in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Brotherton Boardroom
- The Student Government Association Homecoming Kick-Off Bonfire for everyone from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Apartment Quad
- A reception for the contemporary art exhibit “The Great Southern Box Show,” open to everyone, from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Clem Allison Art Gallery within Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center
- The Homecoming Alumni Award Celebration and Dance from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Hackler Hall Event Center in downtown Greeneville
- The Alumni Memorial Service at 8 a.m. and Alumni Association annual meeting at 9 a.m., both in Chalmers Conference Center Saturday, Oct. 12
- The Homecoming parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, starting at Charles Oliver Gray North and finishing at Pioneer Park
- Tusculum Day at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, the university’s mother church, featuring Dr. Hummel as guest preacher, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Of course, Homecoming will include the traditional football game – this year at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Pioneer Field with Emory & Henry University as the opponent. Other sports action during Homecoming will be the women’s indoor volleyball team playing Coker University, at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in Pioneer Arena and the women’s and men’s soccer teams playing Catawba College at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively, Sunday, Oct. 13 at Pioneer Field.
In addition, the men’s basketball program will hold an alumni reunion starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. From 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. that day, Tusculum is scheduled to have an alumni softball game.
The Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime of the football game Saturday, Oct. 12. In 2013, the queen was Jessica Silvers, right, and the king was Konrad Sehler.
The football team and Zeke, the mascot, will be part of Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 12.
Tusculum urges alumni and other guests to take time to walk around the campus and enjoy the early fall weather and the many historic structures. Faculty and staff will also be available to share all of the positive things happening academically, socially and spiritually on campus and answer any questions.
“We have lined up an impressive number of events that are sure to please everyone who attends,” said Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement. “We especially encourage alumni who have not had the opportunity to visit campus for a while to join us and reflect on their college years with pride and a smile. Everyone is invited to campus so they can see firsthand why Tusculum is such an outstanding university with its active and experiential approach to learning in a caring Christian environment.”
To learn more about Homecoming, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/homecoming-2/. People can register for the events at https://go.tusculum.edu/homecoming/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.