JOHNSON CITY – Dr. Nick Davidson’s quick rise through the ranks at Tusculum University and his commitment to community service have earned him a place in a prestigious group selected by a regional business magazine.
Left to right, Dr. David Cook, Nicole Cook, Dr. Nick Davidson, Katie Reeves-Davidson and Dr. Scott Hummel celebrate Dr. Davidson’s award.
The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia has named Dr. Davidson, assistant dean of the Sport Studies Division, to the 40 Under Forty class for 2024. The magazine held a ceremony Saturday, Nov. 2, to honor him and his classmates and will feature them in the publication’s December edition.
“I am grateful to The Business Journal for honoring me in such a meaningful way,” Dr. Davidson said. “Tusculum is an excellent university, and I enjoy serving there to help students develop the skills they need inside and outside the classroom. I am fortunate to work with fellow professors, staff and administrators, who are experts in their fields and inspire me. I also welcome the opportunity to assist the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department with high-quality programs for the community.
“I am excited about the future and the ability to continue serving students and the community.”
Dr. Davidson joined the Tusculum family in 2021 as assistant professor of sport management. A year later, the university promoted him to chair of the Sport Management Department and its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In August, Tusculum elevated him again to assistant dean, where he added oversight of the university’s sport science programs to his leadership portfolio while retaining supervision of sport management. He has also served since 2023 as the university’s faculty athletic representative to the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference.
In addition, Dr. Davidson teamed with Dr. Harold Branstrator, associate professor of management, to develop the esports and gaming clubs at Tusculum. They also opened two labs to serve the clubs in 2022 and then a year later moved them to a larger space to accommodate growing interest. The two men also created Pioneer CON, a daylong gaming extravaganza held in the spring and fall on campus that feeds the interest of this hobby’s enthusiasts within the student body and the region.
A.J. Kaufmann, right, managing editor of The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia, discusses the qualities of Dr. Nick Davidson, center, as Bill Derby, one of the magazine’s owners, listens.
Dr. Davidson has dedicated his free time to support the Parks and Recreation Department’s athletics division. He has helped organize the football program, including restructuring and completing the inventory of the equipment locker. He has assisted with scorekeeping and announcing at several games.
“We’re extraordinarily proud of Dr. Davidson and his impressive accomplishments already at an early stage in his career,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “His performance in the classroom is preparing his students to succeed after graduation, and his leadership at the university is enhancing our academic programs and the extracurricular experience. Dr. Davidson is an asset to Tusculum, and he will continue his professional growth and provision of a positive experience for our students.”
Several Tusculum family members supported the university’s nomination of Dr. Davidson by penning letters that detailed his contributions.
“He has consistently been a progressive leader, creating new programs for students, improving current curriculum and managing faculty and staff who report to him,” said Dr. Suzanne Byrd, professor of sport science. “His programs have continually increased in numbers of students, and he has placed numerous of those students into internships, clinical experiences and jobs. Nick is a terrific collaborator. He works well with students, faculty and staff to create opportunities for all to learn, grow and contribute back to the good of whatever group he is working with.”
Dr. Brandon Hudson, assistant professor of sport management, has worked closely with Dr. Davidson since his own beginning at Tusculum.
“He has been a fantastic mentor, colleague, supervisor and friend since my arrival at Tusculum,” Dr. Hudson said. “I was apprehensive about transitioning from a career in athletics administration to a career in education. However, Nick has helped me at many points along the way, both with advice at specific intervals and in a general ‘leadership by example’ method. The existing positive relationships he had already forged with our colleagues really made for a familial and welcoming atmosphere as soon as I arrived on campus.”
Dr. Nick Davidson, right, and his wife, Katie Reeves-Davidson, enjoy the moment before the start of the ceremony.
Josh Ealy, vice president of athletics, called Dr. Davidson an outstanding educator, role model and leader on campus.
“Nick is vested in the success of our student-athletes – on the field and especially in the classroom,” Ealy said. “He has, on many occasions, taken the extra time to work with our student-athletes and staff one-on-one in solving any issues they may have and has been an outstanding go-between for them and our faculty. The success and integrity of our student-athletes is his No. 1 priority.”
Dr. Davidson’s commitment to excellence is also evident in his community service. Samuel B. Miller, assistant director of parks and recreation for the City of Johnson City, said Dr. Davidson’s infectious personality and studious work ethic are obvious reasons he was considered for 40 Under Forty.
“We immediately recognized Nick’s professional and organizational strengths when he began volunteering with our department,” Miller said. “His knowledge and passion for all sports, both on the planning and implementation sides, is evident, as he was instrumental in helping us organize our football program this year. Nick is a joy to work with.”
To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.