Four summer camps this summer at Tusculum University to enhance children’s knowledge and skills in many subjects
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University will again provide exciting active and experiential learning opportunities for local children during the summer with four camps offered on campus.
The camps and their costs are:
Multiple initiatives to drive voter registration and inform people results in national award for Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Civic engagement by Tusculum University students, faculty and staff to foster an informed and participating electorate and citizens who are well grounded in subjects such as the system of government, public opinion and voting has netted the higher education institution a special designation.
Tusculum was named a Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-2026 in recognition of its multiple projects to assist those at the university and in the community. The Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and the LEAD initiative on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement of NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, bestowed the honor on Tusculum.
“The Tusculum family performs excellent work in supporting efforts to ensure our students are registered to vote,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “We also take great pride working with high school students to prepare them to exercise their responsibility and privilege to vote with the necessary information at their disposal. We relish having our students involved in the political process and connecting with the community and are grateful to receive this recognition from these excellent organizations.”
Cast selected for upcoming “5 X 10 Plays” to be held at Tusculum University; rehearsals and other preparatory work underway
GREENEVILLE – Cast selection is complete for the upcoming “5 X 10 Plays” at Tusculum University, and now everyone involved in the production is moving forward with rehearsals and other preparation for the six-show run.
Theatre-at-Tusculum recently held auditions for the plays, and directors made their cast selections soon afterward. The group consists of many who are highly experienced in theater productions at Tusculum along with a few newer faces who will team to provide enriching shows for audiences.
“We are thrilled to have such strong casts for our plays and are ready to unleash our performers’ talents for audiences to enjoy,” said Steve Schultz, director of Tusculum Arts Outreach, who is overseeing the shows. “These actors are teaming with great directors to bring to life vibrant stories penned by our students and alumni as well as community members. We are excited and look forward to turning the lights onto the stage and bringing fulfillment to those in the seats.”
Nigerian-born artist holding exhibit at Tusculum University featuring depictions of the rich Yoruba culture
GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University’s Center for the Arts is hosting an exhibit featuring depictions of the rich Yoruba culture by renowned artist Akintayo Akintobi in the Clem Allison Art Gallery.
The exhibition, titled “Pattern is Journey,” opened Saturday, March 1, and runs through Sunday, March 30. A reception for Akintobi will take place Thursday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery, which is housed inside Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center.
“His work is excellent and skillful, and I am excited to showcase it at Tusculum,” said Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design and the gallery’s director. “’Pattern is Journey’ showcases a mix of Akintobi’s painting practices. He is skilled in both realistic rendering of pattern and texture, while also possessing a brilliance in abstraction and shape. The displayed works exemplify each of these differing, yet connected qualities.”
Tusculum Young Actors Studio Showcase will give audiences an excellent opportunity to watch young actors on stage
GREENEVILLE – See young talent begin their theater journey or take their skills to the next level during an upcoming production at Tusculum University.
Tusculum Arts Outreach will hold the Young Actors Studio Showcase Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. in Behan Arena Theatre. Community members are invited to watch 51 students, ages 8-19, perform plays and readings featuring the writings of a couple of local students as well as renowned authors, such as Agatha Christie, and playwright William Shakespeare.
“These students have worked extremely hard and have teamed with their directors to prepare nice shows for the audience,” said Steve Schultz, Arts Outreach’s director. “For about a quarter of these students, the showcase will be the first time they have performed in front of an audience, so it will be valuable learning experience for them. We also have many other performers who have served in the casts of Tusculum and community theater productions, so it will be nice mix.”
Tusculum University to honor African American contributions to culture in multiple forms with special event on campus
GREENEVILLE – Celebrate the talent, intelligence and artistry of African Americans during a special event to mark Tusculum University’s observance of Black History Month.
Tusculum’s English program will hold the African American Read-In Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Living Room of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. Community members are invited to join Tusculum faculty, staff and students in this annual event that commemorates the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s culture.
Valentine’s Painting Night at Tusculum University is a sellout, generates enjoyment from participants at all skill levels
GREENEVILLE – Brushstrokes spread across canvases throughout Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center as community members demonstrated their take on a Mediterranean landscape during the sold-out Valentine’s Painting Night at Tusculum University.
Community members, as well as Dr. Scott Hummel and Starr Hummel, Tusculum’s president and first lady, displayed their artistic abilities during the third annual event, presented by the university’s Center for the Arts, Thursday, Feb. 13. Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design, and Rouja Green, director of the Center for the Arts and a 14-year art teacher, guided the participants with their painting but encouraged them to express their individual tastes.
Valentine’s Painting Night to provide a delightful experience of creating a Mediterranean landscape and other activities
GREENEVILLE – Have fun creating a Mediterranean landscape and enjoy a delicious meal in a relaxing setting during a special painting event at Tusculum University.
Valentine’s Painting Night returns Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. Tusculum’s Center for the Arts invites community members to the building for a creative evening and opportunity to take home a keepsake from this fun event. Valentine’s Painting Night serves as a fundraiser for Tusculum’s art program and is part of the Center for the Arts’ Painting with the Masters series. That series was created in 2023.
This is the third year Tusculum has held Valentine’s Painting Night, and it has sold out in the past. Organizers encourage those who are interested to purchase their tickets for the event as soon as possible because space is limited. The event is open to people of all ages, and individuals can come by themselves or bring someone with them. No prior experience with painting is required.
Tusculum University’s Center for the Arts celebrates local artists with open call to submit work, display of chosen pieces
GREENEVILLE – Strengthening its connections with the local art community, Tusculum University recently spotlighted the work of Greene County residents with a show in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center.
The Center for the Arts held an open call for local artists to submit their work and then hosted a reception Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the main floor of Annie Hogan Byrd. These community members, who had produced a wide range of media, attended to celebrate and show off their pieces as they mingled with other art enthusiasts and professionals.
“The idea came from our desire to grow our relationships with local artists in Greene County,” said Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design at the university. “We wanted to give them the opportunity to showcase their work in a public place. That connection with the artists has now been made and will be able to expand as we move forward in further developing our art program.”
Tusculum University creative writing program students earn 1st and 3rd place in statewide poetry contest
GREENEVILLE – Two Tusculum University students recently earned honors, including first place, in the inaugural Tennessee Collegiate Poetry Contest.
Tate Haugen finished in first place, and Kiersten Paxton landed in third place in the competition, which the Poetry Society of Tennessee sponsored. The two, who are seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in English, with a concentration in creative writing, will have their poems published in Tennessee Voices Anthology 2024-2025.
“We are ecstatic to see these results from Tate and Kiersten and congratulate them on achieving this special honor,” said Dr. Josh Martin, assistant professor of English. “Both of them are talented writers with the potential for strong careers in this field as they continue to develop their craft. Their success and commitment to high-quality work continue Tusculum’s tradition of producing excellent creative writers who make their mark on the literary world.”
Senior art and design students to present their work during capstone exhibitions at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in art and design from Tusculum University will showcase their work during their capstone exhibitions in November.
The community is invited to view Landry Tea’s and Juliana Ailyn Flores Martinez’s work during the day in the Clem Allison Art Gallery. People are also encouraged to attend receptions for the two students and speak with them about their art.
Tea’s show will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12-Monday, Nov. 18, and is available for viewing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Her reception will take place Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery. Flores’ exhibit will be in the gallery Tuesday, Nov. 19-Tuesday, Nov. 26, and will also be available for viewing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Her reception will be Friday, Nov. 22, from 5-7 p.m.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to play at Tusculum University for 10 shows in November
GREENEVILLE – Cast members and the behind-the-scenes production team are putting the final touches on the upcoming 10-performance run of the beloved musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Tusculum University.
The Theatre-at-Tusculum shows will take place in Behan Arena Theatre Nov. 14, Nov. 15, Nov. 16, Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. Steve Schultz, the musical’s director, said the performances will highly entertain audiences as they absorb the story and the vocals of the ensemble.
“The show contains a little bit of everything,” said Schultz, who also serves as director of Tusculum Arts Outreach. “When audiences come to the theater, they will see a familiar story told in a very comfortable and fun way. Our actors and the production team have left rehearsals in great spirits because it is a very enjoyable and high-energy musical. They will present exceptional shows the community will not want to miss.”