GREENEVILLE – Alumni can revisit the memories of some of the best years in their life by returning to campus for Homecoming festivities at Tusculum University.
Homecoming provides an opportunity for alumni, such as Dionté Grey, right, to return to campus.
Alumni of all ages can enjoy themselves when they return to campus for Homecoming.
The celebration, held Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 19, will also provide plenty of reasons for the community to spend time on the grounds, too, as Tennessee’s first higher education institution reinforces its imprint on the region and the nation. Tusculum will mix the spiritual with the fun and honor two legends in its athletic and academic programs – Dr. David Bow and Ralph Horne – in four days of events that will enable everyone to exhibit their pride for the historic and gorgeous campus.
Overall, Homecoming will have a patriotic flavor and theme as the university continues its America 250/Tusculum 232 commemoration during the fall semester. Several events will highlight important parts of Tusculum’s history.
“Homecoming is a treasured time on the calendar for all of us to step back and reflect on what Tusculum has achieved since 1794 while enjoying the present-day vibrancy on campus 232 years later,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “We are ecstatic when we see our alumni back at their alma mater and encourage all of them, regardless of how many years it might be since they were last on campus, to visit and kindle those memories. It is also a great time for the community to experience the vibe on campus and recognize how deeply it is connected with the university.”
The biggest day for Homecoming will be Saturday, Oct. 17, when Tusculum’s football team plays UVA Wise at 2 p.m. Beforehand, everyone can enjoy the team’s walk to Pioneer Field at 11:30 a.m. and the parade at noon, which will also celebrate Tusculum’s first two national championships – in women’s track and field. Additionally, the Office of Admission will hold an open house from 10 a.m.-noon for prospective traditional undergraduate students to experience the campus during Homecoming, tour the grounds and meet with the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Financial Aid.
The Homecoming parade at noon is always a lot of fun to watch.
A major part of Homecoming will be the announcement of the Homecoming Court. In 2025, Jerry Ricker, second from the left, was named king, and Emily Head, third from the left, was picked as queen.
Saturday will be a particularly busy day for alumni, who will have an opportunity in the morning to participate in a breakfast and Alumni Association meeting as well as a memorial service to honor former students who have passed away in the last year. Then, in the evening, they can gather at Nickle Ridge Winery in downtown Greeneville for additional fellowship and reminiscing about their years as Tusculum students.
“Having our alumni back at Tusculum gives them a chance to remember a special time in their lives that will always have meaning,” said Tyler Ricker, director of alumni and external relations. “Perhaps it was sliding down the hill on cafeteria trays when it snowed on campus, participating in the Lantern Festival or just hanging out with their classmates. Whatever it was that brought joy, we urge alumni to revisit that period by coming to Homecoming.”
Plenty of other enjoyable activities will be available at Homecoming.
As has been the custom for several years, Homecoming will begin with the Pastors’ Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. This is an opportunity for local ministers and other church leaders to gather in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center, where Tusculum’s chapel services are held, to pray for the students, faculty and staff as well as the university, which has provided a Christian education throughout its history.
Then, on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. it will be Tusculum Day at First Presbyterian Church, the university’s mother church. This annual service is one of the closing activities for Homecoming.
The past will meet the present when Tusculum holds a ceremony Friday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m. to dedicate the David Bow Gym and Ralph Horne Court.
The university has completely refurbished the original basketball court and named it after Horne, the all-time leading scorer for the men’s team, who remained connected with the university until his passing in January. The entire gym has been named after Dr. Bow, who has served at Tusculum for 49 years as a head coach, athletic director and faculty member. The gym will serve as an additional practice venue for athletic teams and a valuable space for the sport science academic program and the university’s intramurals.
Regardless of their graduation year, all alumni are invited to return to Tusculum for Homecoming.
The Pastors’ Prayer Breakfast will lead off Homecoming again this year.
Fun will be in abundance during Homecoming with today’s students holding a Painting of the Sheets event outside the Thomas J. Garland Library Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. Clubs and other groups will be able to paint a sheet and then carry it in the parade three days later.
On Friday at 7 p.m., the students and alumni will enjoy a bonfire outside the library as they prepare for the next day’s full day of activities. Alumni from the 1970s and early 1980s can also gather at the Old Oak Taproom from 6-10 p.m. for enjoyable conversation.
Homecoming will conclude with the women’s and men’s soccer teams playing Lenoir-Rhyne University Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively. Homecoming will also feature alumni sports activities, such as a men’s lacrosse alumni game.
“Tusculum’s success flows from all of the alumni who have used their degree to make a difference in their communities and the commitment of today’s students to use Tusculum’s outstanding active and experiential education to become career-ready professionals,” said Tiffany Greer, vice president of institutional advancement. “We are proud to celebrate that at Homecoming and highlight the value of a Tusculum education and our strong relationships with the community.”
Greer said individuals can position Tusculum to remain strong as a university well into the future.
“The university has a lot of positive momentum, which is really about connections – students, alumni, faculty, staff – and the relationships we build throughout the Tusculum community,” she said. “George Washington’s $100 gift to Tusculum is part of that history of people investing in this institution. As we celebrate Homecoming, we’re inviting our community to continue that tradition by coming in person to celebrate or by making a gift that strengthens the bonds and support that help our students complete their degrees and move forward.”
To register for Homecoming events, please visit https://go.tusculum.edu/homecoming/. The form also provides an opportunity for people to donate in support of Homecoming activities. Anyone with questions can email alumni@tusculum.edu.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.