GREENEVILLE – Total enrollment at Tusculum University has risen this year compared to 2024 with significant increases among international, residential and new traditional students.
Students stand outside the Meen Center on the first day of classes in August.
“Students are recognizing the opportunity to receive a high-quality education filled with active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment that will prepare them to be career-ready professionals,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “They also understand that Tusculum provides an excellent platform for them to pursue their extracurricular interests. These students will grow academically, socially and spiritually through one-on-one connections and mentoring as a member of the Tusculum family.”
The increase was particularly noticeable among new traditional students. Participating in Pioneer WOW were 358 traditional students, an increase of 104 – or 40.9% — from the year before. During Pioneer WOW, new students spend three full days before the start of classes engaged in enjoyable activities, such as the Pioneer Showdown, as well as learning more about campus life.
As of Thursday, Sept. 4, 625 students were living in the residence halls, houses and apartments spread across campus. That is 59 more students – or 10.4% — than fall 2024. One of the new spaces that opened to students this year is the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, which consists of two university-owned houses – one for females and the other for males – that are designated for students who are particularly interested in growing their faith.
Among those living on campus are the international students. This year, Tusculum has about 140 international students, the largest in at least 30 years and about 40 more than normal. The international cohort represents about 12.5% of the entire student body and 16% of the new students and comes from 38 nations.
Students head to their next class at Tusculum University.
Dr. Hummel commended the Office of Admission and the Athletic Department for their diligence in bringing additional students to Tusculum. He also praised the Office of Student Affairs for its hard work in successfully housing all of the students comfortably without disruption.
The Office of Admission, led by Zack Kassebaum, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid, and the Athletic Department, headed by Josh Ealy, vice president of athletics, put the pedal to the metal and found additional students who meshed well with Tusculum and complemented those who were already enrolled.
Tusculum also kept in touch with the new students through the start of classes and beyond to be sure all questions were answered and needs addressed.
“Our enrollment representatives performed at a high level as they worked closely with new students throughout the process,” Kassebaum said. “They had excellent conversations with these Pioneers and left no stone unturned so the students felt comfortable and ready to go on Day 1 of classes. We are thrilled to have all of these students on campus and know they will have an outstanding collegiate experience at Tusculum.”
Ealy had a similar view of the work by the coaching staff in recruiting the student-athletes.
“We thank our coaches, who were committed to recruiting high-caliber student-athletes who not only have excellent skills on the field and the court but also align well with our mission,” he said. “We want to win as many games as possible, but we are focused on recruiting student-athletes who will represent themselves and the university well and are focused on completing their degree. We welcome these student-athletes to campus and look forward to seeing strong results in practice and games and in the classroom.”
New students have fun during Pioneer WOW.
Students’ lives are enriched when they live in a residence hall and build relationships with others, some of whom might come from completely different backgrounds or different countries. Dr. Hummel, who studied abroad during graduate school, is thrilled Tusculum has grown its numbers of international students. But he is also ecstatic about the higher totals occurring in the other segments of the university.
“We are proud of our students and are excited about what they will achieve,” he said. “We are grateful they have chosen Tusculum and know they will benefit from taking classes with expert professors and learning valuable life skills from faculty and staff members who are invested in their success. With many opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research, develop their own business, work on an international literary journal, participate in internships, practice civic engagement and strengthen their faith, our students will be well-equipped for the next step in their lives after graduation.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.