{"id":29761,"date":"2025-02-07T17:52:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T22:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=29761"},"modified":"2025-02-07T17:52:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T22:52:05","slug":"large-crowd-from-tusculum-university-and-the-community-honors-dr-scott-hummel-on-his-fifth-anniversary-as-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/large-crowd-from-tusculum-university-and-the-community-honors-dr-scott-hummel-on-his-fifth-anniversary-as-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Large crowd from Tusculum University and the community honors Dr. Scott Hummel on his fifth anniversary as president"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE <\/strong>\u2013 Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of Tusculum University<\/a>\u2019s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Scott Hummel, the president, have a weekly phone call to discuss what is happening at Tennessee\u2019s first higher education institution.<\/h3>\n
\"Left

Left to right, Dr. Scott Hummel, Dr. Greg Nelson and Starr Hummel enjoy the event.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dr.

Dr. Greg Nelson speaks during the ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the midst of those conversations, Dr. Hummel periodically will request a break \u2013 not something one would normally expect an employee to ask of a board chair. But Dr. Nelson shared Thursday, Feb. 6, during a celebration of Dr. Hummel\u2019s fifth anniversary as a president, that there is an excellent reason for the interruption.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll say, \u2018I see a prospective student on campus, and I need to go talk to them,\u2019\u201d Dr. Nelson said. \u201cI hear the conversation taking place, and he\u2019s greeting them. Dr. Hummel immediately takes the approach, \u2018How can we help you? What sport are you going to be playing\u2019 if they are a student-athlete? \u2018What do you think your major is going to be?\u2019 He\u2019ll ask parents if they have questions. I hear these conversations over and over and over again, which tells you one the reasons Dr. Hummel is here.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe loves to be involved as part of a university that takes care of these young people from wherever they come and brings them along in their career development by sharing what is possible for them at Tusculum.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Nelson told the audience he is thankful for Dr. Hummel more than people realize. He said Dr. Hummel\u2019s leadership, honed by his success earlier in his career, has helped Tusculum address major situations such as COVID-19, Hurricane Helene, the nation\u2019s economy and challenges faced in the education system everywhere, and achieve success.<\/p>\n

He looks forward to working with Dr. Hummel to navigate the future in a positive way, always putting the students first as they embark on their life journey with the additional support of others at the university. He is also excited at the prospect of celebrating other milestones in Dr. Hummel\u2019s presidency.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really appreciate what you do for us,\u201d Dr. Nelson told Dr. Hummel.<\/p>\n

\"Starr

Starr Hummel shows the wreath she received.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Patty

Patty Mills, left, a representative of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger\u2019s office, presented a certificate of special congressional recognition to Dr. Scott Hummel.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Tusculum\u2019s

Tusculum\u2019s women\u2019s basketball team presented T-shirts to Dr. Scott Hummel and Starr Hummel.<\/p><\/div>\n

Tusculum family members; Board of Trustees members; representatives of the local, state and federal governments; and community members packed the Pioneer Arena lobby on campus for the ceremony. U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., sent a letter to Dr. Hummel commending him, and a staff member for Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, a Republican whose district includes Tusculum, presented him with a certificate of special congressional recognition.<\/p>\n

The women\u2019s basketball team gave T-shirts to Dr. Hummel and First Lady Starr Hummel. Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs, presented Dr. Hummel with The Interlinear Bible in Hebrew, Greek and English. Dr. Cook\u2019s wife, Nicole, honored Starr Hummel with a wreath.<\/p>\n

The Cooks have known Dr. Hummel since he taught them science at a private Christian school in Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw from the beginning that he was student-centric and how much he cared for students, his colleagues and the type of heart he had for people and the Lord,\u201d Dr. Cook said. \u201cThat has carried on. We reconnected several years ago, and he has been a mentor to me. I\u2019ve been so impressed with how he has always sought the Lord in terms of where he should serve and how he should serve. His focus is on people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Hummel officially became president Feb. 17, 2020, and he always mentions how his arrival was a month before COVID-19 upended life in East Tennessee. Dr. Cook talked about the challenge of starting a presidency in that scenario and expressed gratitude to Dr. Hummel for his leadership during that time.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.

Dr. Scott Hummel and Dr. Scott Niswonger, a Tusculum Board of Trustees member, greet each other.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dr.

Dr. Scott Hummel speaks during the ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dr.

Dr. Scott Hummel, left, shows The Interlinear Bible in Hebrew, Greek and English, which was presented to him by Dr. David Cook, right.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dr. Cook also highlighted Dr. Hummel\u2019s efforts to enhance Tusculum\u2019s community connections. He said that was evident in the many people outside the university who attended the reception. In addition, he emphasized Dr. Hummel\u2019s faith and touted how Dr. Hummel has helped the university rediscover its Christian roots.<\/p>\n

Since Dr. Hummel became president, Tusculum has adopted an annual theme based on a biblical verse. This year, the theme is \u201cPressing Forward,\u201d and Dr. Cook read the broader passage contained in Philippians 3:13-14: \u201cBrothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it on my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.\u201d He said the verses aptly describe how the Hummels have helped Tusculum since their arrival.<\/p>\n

Starr Hummel also received praise from Dr. Cook for caring deeply about faith, the students and the community. She has joined her husband in hosting athletic<\/a> teams and student organizations for meals at the President\u2019s House. Dr. Cook thanked her for the meals and sweet treats she provides as well as the personal support for people experiencing difficult moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re thankful for both of you,\u201d Dr. Cook said. \u201cWe love you. You obviously see how many people love you and appreciate the five years of dedicated service you\u2019ve given.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Left

Left to right, Dr. Scott Hummel, State Rep. David Hawk and Dr. Greg Nelson share a moment together.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dr.

Dr. Scott Hummel, right, stands with BriAnna Higgins, president of Tusculum\u2019s Student Government Association.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dr. Hummel was grateful for the event and described serving at Tusculum and living in Greene County as an honor for him and his wife. He said he was touched to look out at the attendees and see students, those who work at Tusculum as well as fellow Rotarians, others from the community and members of Tusculum Baptist Church, where he and Starr worship and he is the interim pastor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you all very much,\u201d Dr. Hummel said. \u201cI very much appreciate it. It\u2019s a privilege to be a part of the Tusculum family and the community. Starr and I have enjoyed our time at Tusculum and know how special the opportunity to serve our students is. We also relish spending time in the community and cherish the friendships we have built.\u201d<\/p>\n

In wrapping up the event with a prayer, Dr. Chris Shumate, assistant vice president of student affairs and campus minister, thanked God for Dr. Hummel and Starr\u2019s leadership, service and impact on the university and the community for the last five years. He prayed for God\u2019s continuing blessings on them as individuals and as a couple and for their family and ministry.<\/p>\n

More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE <\/strong>\u2013 Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of Tusculum University<\/a>\u2019s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Scott Hummel, the president, have a weekly phone call to discuss what is happening at Tennessee\u2019s first higher education institution.<\/h3>\n

In the midst of those conversations, Dr. Hummel periodically will request a break \u2013 not something one would normally expect an employee to ask of a board chair. But Dr. Nelson shared Thursday, Feb. 6, during a celebration of Dr. Hummel\u2019s fifth anniversary as a president, that there is an excellent reason for the interruption.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll say, \u2018I see a prospective student on campus, and I need to go talk to them,\u2019\u201d Dr. Nelson said. \u201cI hear the conversation taking place, and he\u2019s greeting them. Dr. Hummel immediately takes the approach, \u2018How can we help you? What sport are you going to be playing\u2019 if they are a student-athlete? \u2018What do you think your major is going to be?\u2019 He\u2019ll ask parents if they have questions. I hear these conversations over and over and over again, which tells you one the reasons Dr. Hummel is here.<\/p>\n

Read the full article…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,19,142,169,146,1,6,148,147,149,172],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLarge crowd from Tusculum University and the community honors Dr. Scott Hummel on his fifth anniversary as president :: Tusculum University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/large-crowd-from-tusculum-university-and-the-community-honors-dr-scott-hummel-on-his-fifth-anniversary-as-president\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Large crowd from Tusculum University and the community honors Dr. Scott Hummel on his fifth anniversary as president :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of Tusculum University\u2019s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Scott Hummel, the president, have a weekly phone call to discuss what is happening at Tennessee\u2019s first higher education institution. In the midst of those conversations, Dr. Hummel periodically will request a break \u2013 not something one would normally expect an employee to ask of a board chair. But Dr. Nelson shared Thursday, Feb. 6, during a celebration of Dr. Hummel\u2019s fifth anniversary as a president, that there is an excellent reason for the interruption. \u201cHe\u2019ll say, \u2018I see a prospective student on campus, and I need to go talk to them,\u2019\u201d Dr. Nelson said. \u201cI hear the conversation taking place, and he\u2019s greeting them. Dr. Hummel immediately takes the approach, \u2018How can we help you? What sport are you going to be playing\u2019 if they are a student-athlete? \u2018What do you think your major is going to be?\u2019 He\u2019ll ask parents if they have questions. I hear these conversations over and over and over again, which tells you one the reasons Dr. Hummel is here. 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