GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University honored the chairman of its Board of Trustees with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his lifelong academic and professional success and his commitment and service to the higher education institution.
Dr. Greg Nelson, left, holds the board resolution awarding him the honorary doctorate, and Dr. Scott Hummel holds the diploma.
Dr. Greg Nelson has served on the Board of Trustees since 2014 and as chairman from 2017-2019 and since 2020. He briefly relinquished the chairmanship to serve as acting president for about six months while the board searched for a new president.
The board recently authorized the honorary degree, and Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, presented it to Dr. Nelson during graduation Saturday, May 9.
“Dr. Nelson is an outstanding leader of our board and is focused on Tusculum University’s success,” Dr. Hummel said. “His academic and business credentials are exceptional, and his commitment to service is impressive. He is an outstanding example for our students, faculty and staff, and we are fortunate and grateful that Dr. Nelson has chosen to dedicate his time to Tusculum. I appreciate his wise counsel and have found it to be extremely beneficial to me as I serve as president.”
Dr. Hummel asked Dr. Nelson to attend the spring semester commencement to deliver remarks to the graduates. Dr. Nelson was pleased to oblige, but Dr. Hummel’s motivation instead was to honor the chairman. He maneuvered behind the scenes to obtain approval from the Board of Trustees, which unanimously approved the honorary doctorate. Dr. Hummel joked at the ceremony that it is not easy to get something by Dr. Nelson.
The honor clearly moved Dr. Nelson, who was unaware the degree was coming to him. During the ceremony, he expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees and the Tusculum family and said it has been a joy to be part of the university. He said he was honored to now be a Tusculum alumnus.
After having an opportunity to reflect a bit on the honorary doctorate, Dr. Nelson reinforced after the ceremony that the new degree was an honor.
Dr. Greg Nelson speaks after receiving the honorary doctorate.
“When I consider the 232-year history of this university and its impact on the region, the country and world through its graduates, to officially be an alumnus of Tusculum is humbling,” he said. “I value this degree more than the other ones I’ve received because No. 1, it’s in the present and for things I care about now with the Tusculum students and the mission of the university. It’s just nice to know that I will forever be on the rolls as an alumnus here and be part of something so special.”
Tusculum is the oldest higher education institution in the state, and Dr. Nelson followed up on Dr. Hummel’s frequent comment with pride about the university’s standing by remarking that there were Pioneers before Volunteers in Tennessee.
Dr. Nelson obtained a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, computer science and mathematics from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Emory University.
He enjoyed a distinguished 26-year career at Eastman Chemical Company, a Fortune 500 company. He rose through the ranks and completed his service to Eastman as senior vice president and chief technology officer. His previous roles included advanced senior research chemist, business unit manager, and vice president of polymers technology.
In addition to Dr. Hummel, Dr. Nelson has collaborated with two other Tusculum presidents and has led the board with integrity and wisdom.
Dr. Nelson has also provided generous financial support for many initiatives that have strengthened Tusculum and reinforced the university’s mission. Some of those donations have been general, but he has contributed some specific items, such as the university’s Christian ministries. Dr. Nelson has also provided funds for gap scholarships, which provide the remaining money a student needs to attend Tusculum after all other sources have been exhausted.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.