GREENEVILLE – After assembling care packages for the homeless, new students at Tusculum University learned their work would benefit 768 individuals.
These new students enjoy a float.
A group of students works on care packages for the homeless.
These students discovered through Freshman Day of Service, held Saturday, Aug. 24, the value of civic engagement, a cherished principle in the university’s mission that will be reinforced throughout their Tusculum studies. It helped them understand from the beginning that their Tusculum education will be more than just acquiring knowledge in the classroom. They will become even better citizens in a caring Christian environment that prepares them to be career-ready professionals.
This activity was part of Pioneer WOW, which began Thursday, Aug. 22. It immerses new students in all facets of life at Tusculum and enables them to understand the joy and benefits of studying at Tennessee’s first higher education institution. Residential students experienced the thrill of moving into their residence hall, and all students met their fellow new Pioneers, who come to Tusculum from all parts of the globe.
“Tusculum students excel academically, with initiatives such as cutting-edge cancer medication research,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “While at Tusculum, they establish lifelong friendships, seize opportunities to grow spiritually and demonstrate their character through community service and civic engagement. These new students will benefit greatly from their Tusculum experience, and, in turn, they will benefit those around them.”
Pioneer WOW is designed to help freshmen navigate the collegiate landscape, become comfortable in their new surroundings and develop friendships as part of the Tusculum family. It also serves transfer students by helping them learn more about what makes Tusculum such a special place to study and develop as individuals. The new students were divided into groups, enabling them to have discussions in smaller numbers, but there were also times for all groups to come together
In addition to Freshman Day of Service, the first three days of Pioneer WOW were jam-packed with activities, including:
The opening day of Pioneer WOW enabled this family to enjoy a great lunch prepared by local churches.
Move-in day was exciting for this family.
- Move-in for new residential students
- A delicious lunch prepared by local churches
- Multiple sessions for all new students to discuss items such as goal-setting, values, perseverance and the university’s annual theme
- Opportunities to learn more about the various resources available at Tusculum
- Lunch with other students and faculty members from their academic program
- Pioneer Showdown, a series of games, such as carrying an egg on a spoon, spinning around a bat and three-legged races
- A question-and answer session with the president and provost
- Lots of ice cream
- A movie night
Conducting service work
Freshmen Day of Service supported two organizations – the Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homeless in Knoxville, which serves 12 counties, and CANUP, which assists homeless individuals in Greene County. The students packaged 250 bags of food items for CANUP. They also put together hygiene bags – 150 for CANUP and 350 for the Tennessee Valley Coalition. Tusculum worked with the coalition for Freshmen Day of Service in 2023.
The students completed the work in 30 minutes, and Amanda Delbridge, assistant director of the Center for Civic Advancement, told the students that the project showed the big impact they can make in just a short time. Dr. Shelby Ward, the CCA’s director, said it also provided another important lesson for students.
“The idea behind Freshmen Day of Service is that it is an early introduction into one of the core values of Tusculum, which is civic engagement,” she said. “It is an introduction to Tusculum’s mission.”
Student perspectives
This is new student Hannah Oliver.
This is new student Grayson Dryden.
Grayson Dryden, a freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, said the element about WOW he enjoyed most was meeting new people from different races, ethnicities and parts of the country he otherwise might not have met had he not gone to college. In particular, he liked the Pioneer-to-Pioneer sessions because it enabled him to become closer to his classmates. He also appreciated hearing about all of the good resources available at the university and watching the movie “21 Jump Street.” He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sport management and is playing on the football team.
“Everybody is in the same boat,” he said. “Most of us have not lived away from home before, and it’s helpful as we adjust to it to know there are people that care for you and help you whenever you need it.”
He was attracted to Tusculum because of its size. Describing himself as a hands-on learner, he said he will benefit from smaller class sizes and the close connections he will develop with faculty members. He also liked Tusculum’s sport management program and thought highly of the football program.
Hannah Oliver is a sophomore transfer students from Guthrie, Kentucky, who is seeking a bachelor’s degree in sport science pre-physical therapy/occupational therapy. Like Dryden, she has met a lot of people since she arrived. She was assigned to a group with other transfer students, so she was able to speak with these other Pioneers, who had experiences similar to hers.
The Pioneer Showdown appealed to her because of the games incorporated in that activity and the way it led all of the students to become more comfortable with each other. Pioneer WOW also helped her learn her way around campus, and the lunch event with others in her academic program helped her know who will likely be in some of her classes and potentially be study buddies. She has accumulated more friends, which has made her feel more at home.
“Tusculum has a tight-knit community, and I liked that,” she said. “I am playing soccer here. The coach and team is very family-oriented, so I felt comfortable here.”
Learning about “Pressing Forward”
New students work on a sign in one of their group sessions.
Students and family members pray during the Pioneer Ceremony.
Pioneer WOW also featured the Pioneer Ceremony, which included messages from Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs; Paul Carney, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid; and Evie Winfrey, Student Government Association president. Dr. Hummel used the occasion to discuss in depth the university’s theme for the year – “Pressing Forward” – which comes from Philippians 3:14.
“I can see potential in you that you may not be able to see in yourself,” Dr. Hummel told the students. “There may be some of you who are wondering whether you are cut out for college or are worried about finances or other matters. But when I look at the audience, I see future coaches, I see future teachers, I see future business leaders and I see future artists. I am able to see what you can become even if you are having a hard time seeing that or discovering that now.”
When these students encounter challenges during their studies, Dr. Hummel encouraged them to take the Tusculum theme and the broader biblical passage to heart.
“Tusculum is here not just to help you with your grades,” he said. “Tusculum is here to help you with your calling and your purpose and to be equipped for that. But for you to follow your calling and your purpose, you will have to press forward. To really accomplish anything in college or anywhere else, you are going to have to press forward.
“A little joy and a little gratitude make it easier for you to press forward. It does not mean the problems you encounter will go away, but it can change the perspective with which you address them. It is also important to look forward as you press forward. Sometimes, pressing forward just takes strength and grit. If there is a time when you feel like giving up, you are not the first. But sometimes, the best accomplishments and the proudest moments in your life will come because you endured and you were strong.”
One of the great parts about being in the Tusculum family is students are not alone, Dr. Hummel said. Students gain strength through the assistance of faculty and staff, who will mentor and work one-on-one with them, and through services such as tutoring, campus ministry and counseling.
Additional perspective
Students participate in a hula hoop game during Pioneer WOW.
Chuck Sutton, associate vice president of student affairs and retention, said he was pleased with the outcome of Pioneer WOW, which will continue through Friday, Aug. 30. The level of activity will decrease due to the start of classes Monday, Aug. 26, but the aim of Pioneer WOW will remain.
“This is a great event to build bonds among the new students, and it is heartwarming to see them acclimating so nicely,” Sutton said. “As they spend more time at Tusculum, their relationships will expand further and their development as individuals will be impressive to see. We are excited for them and are ready to help them succeed.”
To apply to the university, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu. People can also watch the episode about Tusculum on the national show “The College Tour” at https://site.tusculum.edu/the-college-tour/.