GREENEVILLE – In less than a month, new students will begin their coursework at Tusculum University, and the excitement is palpable when they talk about their upcoming collegiate experience.
Incoming student Tara Kilgore, left, enjoys a photo with a family member.
For one of them, Tara Kilgore from nearby Limestone, the ability to come to Tusculum fulfills a longtime interest.
“I have known I wanted to go to Tusculum since I was a little kid because I used to do dance and we would have our recitals here,” Kilgore said. “I thought it was so cool being in the theater building and pretending I was a college student at the ripe age of 6 or 7. I really enjoyed that.”
She sees many advantages of college.
“The new opportunities, the groups that I can be in and the freedom of picking my class times are exciting,” said Kilgore, who will seek a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies K-5 with plans to become an elementary school teacher. “I really like that Tusculum is very Christian-centered. They have a lot of programs and clubs that do Christ-centered things.”
Dr. Suzanne Byrd, left, advises Eli Davis, middle, during Friday’s Pioneer Quest.
Added Eli Davis from Morristown, who will pursue a degree in sport science pre-physical therapy/pre-occupational therapy and play football, about his enthusiasm for this next step in his life: “College is a brand new experience with different classes, different ways to be a person and way more stuff to do. I’ve really thought about it. It’s probably something I think about every day just to get myself ready to be a good college student.”
Kilgore and Davis were two of the attendees at Pioneer Quest Friday, July 18. The event was a chance for new students to visit their new home away from home and to learn more about all the university has to offer. They met with their professors and academic advisors to discuss their schedules and other academic needs, had an opportunity to discuss financial aid, learned more about student life and heard directly from Tusculum students.
New Pioneers whose parents and guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree or who come from income-eligible households or have a disability learned about Student Support Services. This is a free program for those students who apply and accepted that provides academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, financial aid and scholarship support, financial literacy guidance, cultural and social activities and visits to graduate schools.
More than 50% of Tusculum’s enrollment consists of first-generation students.
Many new students shared their feelings and interests as they discussed their new life approaching at Tusculum.
Incoming student Aisha Patel, left, poses for a photo with a family member during Pioneer Quest.
Walter Wimberly, left, a computer science professor, speaks with Kodi Oliver, who will pursue a degree in that subject.
Kodi Oliver from Sevierville, who is entering the computer science program, also plans to participate in esports while he is a Tusculum student. His career interest is to work in ethical artificial intelligence. As he reflects on his decision to come to Tusculum, Oliver highlighted a couple of major reasons.
“Tusculum seemed like a nice place,” he said. “It seemed like it had a lot of opportunities for me with what I wanted to do and just sounded like a fun time and a great community.”
Aisha Patel from Knoxville will also study sport science pre-physical therapy/pre-occupational therapy and play on the women’s basketball team. She was attracted to Tusculum because it is only 1 ½ hours away. Being able to play basketball was another factor. She will enjoy the opportunity to live on her own as a college student, see what she can accomplish and study a field that really appeals to her.
Patel plans to become a physical therapist and enjoys the prospect of being able to help people, such as those recovering from an ACL injury. She really likes Dr. Suzanne Byrd, professor of sport science, who served as a referee at a couple of her high school basketball games.
Davis said everyone at Tusculum was nice and welcoming, and he felt as if he would have another family if he enrolled at the university. At the same time, Morristown is just a short distance from Tusculum, so he will easily to be able to return home when necessary.
In addition to the Christian focus and the attainment of attending her dream school, Tusculum was the right choice for Kilgore because of the proximity and some of her friends who have attended Tusculum and enjoyed their experience.
Dr. Scott Hummel speaks during Pioneer Quest.
At the start of Pioneer Quest, Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, told the new students and their families that one of the reasons he chose to come to Tusculum five years ago was the dedication and commitment of the university’s faculty and staff to ensure students graduate. He said he looked forward to shaking the hands of all students in attendance Friday when they walk across the stage with their degree.
Dr. Hummel emphasized his own commitment to students, noting how they will be invited to the President’s House as part of a group to have dinner with him.
“I like spending time with you, getting to know you and getting a glimpse of your dreams,” he said. “I’ve been in education long enough to already be able to see potential in you – to serve as future business leaders, doctors, researchers, communicators and many other professionals. It is exciting to watch the transformation in students to become what God has called you to do and to achieve your purpose.”
Dr. Hummel also touted the many elements of a Tusculum education – active and experiential learning, a caring Christian environment, the inspiration to be civically engaged, enriched personal lives and preparation to be a career-ready professional.
Tusculum student Rio Little talks to incoming Pioneers.
“We’re going to give you the hard skills to succeed as well as the soft skills,” Dr. Hummel told the new students. “You’re going to need to learn to communicate, collaborate and show other important attributes. You’re going to need discipline to be a good, career-ready professional but also demonstrate the character skills so you do the right things the right way,”
Zack Kassebaum, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid, said his team is thrilled to have the new students at Tusculum.
“These students will have a wonderful outcome at Tusculum working one-on-one with their professors and staff,” he said. “We have enjoyed helping these students reach this important milestone in their lives and wish them continued success academically, socially and spiritually. Tusculum is an outstanding university, and we are delighted to have helped position these students to accomplish their goals.”
To apply to Tusculum, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.