GREENEVILLE – Experienced business and academic leaders with a deep love for Tusculum University as alumni have been elected to the higher education institution’s Board of Trustees.
Doug BeBusk
Recent additions to the board are Doug DeBusk, Dr. Judith Domer and Kelly Vogt. They have hit the ground running as they provide policy direction and guidance for Tennessee’s first higher education institution. As alumni, they also bring a thorough understanding of the value of a Tusculum education and the caliber of the institution.
“We are thrilled Doug, Judith and Kelly are lending their expertise to Tusculum as board members,” said Dr. Greg Nelson, board chair. “These accomplished professionals are committed to Tusculum’s mission and success and will have a positive impact on the university. Their perspectives and knowledge will prove to be valuable as we support the administration, faculty, staff and students to prepare students in a caring Christian environment to become career-ready, civically engaged professionals.”
DeBusk has served in varied leadership roles, increasing in responsibility, at Andrew Johnson Bank since 1995. He joined the bank full time that year after graduating from Tusculum with bachelor’s degrees in business management and sport management. He has served as a loan officer, assistant vice president/assistant branch manager, vice president/branch manager, senior vice president, county executive for Greene County and executive vice president/chief lending officer.
In 2022, the lobby outside the new athletic weight training area at Tusculum was named in his honor at the bank’s request after the financial institution made a significant investment in the university, the latest in a long line of contributions from that organization. The plaque recognized his passion and dedication to Tusculum and the bank.
In addition to his academic work, DeBusk was an all-conference guard for the Tusculum men’s basketball team. He is a member of the university’s Sports Hall of Fame, having scored more than 1,000 points. He remains the program’s all-time leader in assists with 735. His son, Dylan is a 2020 Tusculum graduate, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sport science and played on the football team. His daughter, Delana, plays on the women’s basketball team.
Dr. Judith Domer
Dr. Domer demonstrated excellence and championed active and experiential learning during her lengthy career in academia. She performed a tremendous amount of research, which is a hallmark of the Tusculum student experience, and was published in 68 peer-reviewed journals. Aligning with the Tusculum teaching approach, Dr. Domer mentored postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who conducted research in her laboratory.
Her impressive résumé includes a doctorate from Tulane University, where she served on the faculty and rose to associate dean of the graduate school at that institution and acting vice chancellor for graduate studies at its medical center. The final step in her career was as dean of graduate studies and research at Appalachian State University. She was extraordinarily accomplished, including appointments to various study sections at the National Institute of Health. She is a member of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association Hall of Fame.
For Dr. Domer, a 1961 Tusculum graduate with bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry, will be her second tenure on the Board of Trustees. She has also supported Tusculum as a president of the Alumni Executive Board and through the establishment with her late husband, Dr. Floyd Domer, of two endowments at Tusculum. In 2023, her $25,000 gift enabled Tusculum to exceed its goal for the Dorm Refresh Campaign.
Vogt retired as an executive for Bourns Inc. of Riverside, California, a leading manufacturer and supplier of position and speed sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic components, microelectronic modules, panel controls and resistive products. He and his wife, Karin, are civically engaged, serving on advisory boards.
Kelly Vogt
He enjoyed a 38-year career, serving as an executive officer and senior vice president of global sales and marketing for KEMET Electronics, as well as in similar roles with Amphenol, FCI and C&D Technologies. He has a comprehensive background in the development of global sales networks, including direct and indirect channels, customer service, incentive plan management, product line management, international acquisitions, integration, brand marketing, industry marketing and strategic planning.
Vogt has extensive connections with Tusculum. He graduated in 1983 from Tusculum with a bachelor’s degree in social service and earned a senior honor key award. His father, Joseph was a 1953 Tusculum graduate and was a life trustee, and his son, Joseph, and daughter-in-law Paige graduated in 2012 and 2014, respectively. He enhanced campus life considerably in 2022 with a significant gift to make The Pioneer Perk student lounge a reality. His donation was in memory of his father.
The board works closely with Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, to set Tusculum’s direction and achieve strategic goals.
“Our three new board members have already showcased their individual strengths as they collaborate with the other members,” Dr. Hummel said. “I appreciate their wisdom and desire to ensure Tusculum continues to exhibit a pioneering spirit and positions students for productive careers. They have helped me with their valuable counsel and will be assets for the university.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.