The entrepreneurial spirit lives in 2008 Tusculum Professional Studies graduate Eric Price.

Eric and his wife Lynette opened coffee and ice cream spot, Creamy Cup, in 2010 directly across from the campus of Tusculum University. The building has been a part of the community since the 1960’s when it was opened as a full-service gas station operated by the Dobson family. Eric had owned businesses prior to opening Creamy Cup designing and installing commercial landscapes around the area. When Creamy Cup was opened, it was only Eric and Lynette working the window and constantly trying to grow the business. In 2013 a program developed by students at Tusculum aimed at helping small businesses

caught the attention of Eric. He enrolled in the program and with the help of those very

talented students, Creamy Cup developed a new logo and business plan that focused on

the future. The Help Me Help You program was very instrumental in making Creamy Cup what it is today. Eric and Lynette just celebrated 15 years in business. They are firmly planted in the Tusculum University community and look forward to a continued

relationship that has become so strong.

Eric also began working with Greeneville Fire in 2005. He went through the professional studies program with fellow firefighters. He is now a Battalion Chief at the fire department where he has held the position for the past six years.

Eric Price pictured here with his wife Lynette.

A side note from your friendly neighborhood alumni director ;) ...

Creamy Cup is the best small business. Don't forget to shop local. They support ALL of the things. I mean it, every single one of the causes! They are helping the community in every single way possible. I feel blessed to have them in our town. I also love that they are close to my office!!

Celebrating Dr. Hummel’s fifth anniversary

All Tusculum family members, the Board of Trustees and the community are invited to a celebration of Dr. Hummel’s fifth anniversary as Tusculum’s president Thursday, Feb. 6, at 4:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Arena lobby inside the Scott M. Niswonger Commons.

The event will feature remarks from Dr. Greg Nelson, the board’s chair, and Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs, at 5 p.m. We will have cake and punch provided through donations, and people will have an opportunity to personally congratulate Dr. Hummel and enjoy fellowship with others.



This is a drop-in ceremony, and people can stop by at their leisure. The celebration will end at 5:30 p.m. 

Tusculum University will provide another opportunity for community members to grow in their faith and learn about Christianity in the Middle East when the popular Theologian-In-Residence series returns in February.

The dates and times for his presentations are Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, all Fridays, at 10 a.m. Each session lasts about two hours, with Dr. Marcos’ presentation followed by questions from the audience.

Dr. Ramy N. Marcos, pastor of Erwin Presbyterian Church, will serve as the speaker for the four-session series in Chalmers Conference Center, which is inside the Scott M. Niswonger Commons.

“Theologian-In-Residence is one of our great traditions at Tusculum, and it enables community members to advance their knowledge of Christianity in a meaningful way,” said Dr. Chris Shumate, assistant vice president of student affairs and campus minister at Tusculum. “The university is proud of its rich Presbyterian heritage, and we are pleased to offer Dr. Marcos’ insights and extensive knowledge on an important subject. The community will benefit greatly from these talks.”

The breakdown of Dr. Marcos’ presentations, under the theme of “Christianity in the Middle East,” is:

·        Feb. 7 – “A Living Faith,” a historical introduction to the emergence of Christianity in the region and its diverse traditions as well as tracing eras like Byzantium and Islamic rule

·        Feb. 14 – “New Opportunities and Challenges” a look at Christianity during modern times, with a focus on the missionary work in the region and the indigenous responses to the missionaries

·        Feb. 21 – “Christian-Muslim Relations,” an examination of Christian-Muslim relations through shared histories and cooperation in the public sphere and the question “How could we understand interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims in the region?”

·        Feb. 28 – “The Future of Middle Eastern Christianity,” an analysis of the impact of instability, conflict and sectarian violence on Christian communities

Dr. Marcos is a scholar and minister. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Cairo University. He then studied at the renowned Evangelical Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Cairo, which is the official Egyptian Presbyterian seminary of the Synod of the Nile, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology and a Master of Arts in theological studies.

Next, he obtained a scholarship to attend Yale Divinity School, where he obtained a Master of Sacred Theology. He concluded his academic pursuits by earning his doctorate in inter-religious studies from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace in Connecticut.

Dr. Marcos has published extensively. The thesis for his Master of Arts in theological studies was “The Gospel of Mary and the Question of Dependency on the Gospel of John.” At Yale, he wrote an extended paper “Arabic Maymar of John Chrysostom on the Baptism of Our Lord.” His dissertation was “The Emergence of the Evangelical Egyptians: A Historical Study of the Evangelical-Coptic Encounter and Conversion in Late Ottoman Egypt.” He turned this dissertation into a book, which was released earlier this year. He has written numerous articles, book reviews, papers and books in Arabic and English. 

As a minister, Dr. Marcos has served as the pastor of Erwin Presbyterian since July 2023. Previously, he was the pastor of Nazlat al-Nakhl Presbyterian Church, al-Minyā, Upper Egypt, for seven years. He has abundant teaching experience and will be an adjunct faculty member, teaching World Religions, at Tusculum during the spring semester.

In addition to speaking English and Arabic, he is able to read French and is proficient in Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew and Syriac.

“I am grateful for the invitation to share important historical information and delve into modern times as we to contribute to people’s understanding of Christianity in the Middle East,” Dr. Marcos said. “This is a fascinating topic, and the presentations and the conversations and questions that flow from them will provide a fuller understanding of that region of the world for the audience. I look forward to the discussions and hearing the perspectives of everyone who attends the lectures.”

Tusculum has held Theologian-In-Residence for more than 30 years and hosted a variety of speakers discussing spiritual and historical subjects. Registration is required. To register, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/theologian-in-residence-registration/. Anyone with questions can email Dr. Shumate at cshumate@tusculum.edu.

The lectures are free and breakfast items will be provided. The university welcomes donations to help defray the costs of Theologian-In-Residence as well as support Tusculum’s other ministries. Contributions may be made at any of the lectures or by visiting https://ssl.charityweb.net/tusculum/ and choosing Theologian-In-Residence in the drop-down menu. Checks can be mailed to the Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 5040, Greeneville, TN, 37745. 



Mentor a Tusculum Student

Are you a Tusculum University alum looking to make a meaningful impact? We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new mentor program designed to connect experienced alumni with current students, creating a powerful network of support and guidance. This program aims to help students navigate their academic journey, explore career paths. and prepare for life after graduation. Join us in building the "Bridge to Success" for future generations of Tusculum Pioneers!

Why Become a Mentor?

Your experience and knowledge are invaluable resources for Tusculum students. By becoming a mentor, you can:

• Share your professional insights and help students explore various career opportunities.
• Provide guidance on academic success and skill development.
• Forge connections with the next generation of Tusculum leaders.
• Give back to the university and support our students in their journeys.
• Connect with the Tusculum community in an engaged and rewarding way.

Who Are We Looking For?

Are You a Good Mentor Candidate?

We’re seeking Tusculum University alumni from all backgrounds and industries who are passionate about supporting students. No formal mentoring experience is required; a genuine desire to share your experience and expertise is what counts! If you’re excited to connect with current students, we encourage you to join our program.



Fill out this form if you want to be a mentor: Mentor Form

FUGE Camps, an organization of Lifeway Christian Resources, will hold a camp for middle school and high school students from June 9-13 at Tusculum.

Students who have completed sixth grade through 12th grade will enhance their understanding of the Bible, enjoy multiple activities and participate in ministry. The organization will attract groups of churches. The students from those churches will participate in one of the two types of camps – Centrifuge and MFuge.

Both types of camps incorporate Bible study and quiet time in the morning and worship and church group time in the evening. The difference is Centrifuge participants engage in recreational activities, called tracks, in the afternoon, while the MFuge groups spend that time at ministry sites.



To register for FUGE Camps’ week at Tusculum, please visit https://bit.ly/4glOBW8. Additional information about FUGE Camps is available at https://fugecamps.lifeway.com/. 

PLANNED GIVING NOTE! We buy life insurance to help provide financial assistance and security for loved ones upon our death. As life unfolds for many of us, however, the original beneficiary no longer requires financial support. What then? There are various ways of managing this situation, and it’s always wise to consult a financial planner before acting on your own. But one excellent way is to re-designate as beneficiary a non-profit whose purposes have been near and dear to you in life. Such as Tusculum University! Yes, you can designate all or part of the life insurance benefit to Tusculum. Again, consult with your financial planner to assure that this change is processed correctly and in the most advantageous way for all concerned. But generally, this is a fairly simple and generous strategy by which your gratitude for Tusculum’s blessings in life may continue to bless others after our earthly life and work are finished.

Richard D. Raum

PCUSA Pastor, retired

Planned Giving Specialist, Tusculum University

rdraum2@gmail.com

701-226-2084

Tusculum working to create two new endowments to support students

Ron Conley

Marion Edens

Seeking to provide additional financial support for our students, individuals at Tusculum are working to create two endowed scholarships.

The Office of Institutional Advancement is collaborating with the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics and family members of Ron Conley to establish one scholarship in his name. Conley was a faculty member for 30 years and former chair of the Mathematics Department.

In addition, Institutional Advancement is coordinating with an anonymous donor to start a scholarship in the name of Marion Edens, a 1932 Tusculum graduate, who was heavily involved in our Athletic Department and student recruitment.

Everyone involved is raising the $25,000 necessary to create these endowed scholarships, and your donation is welcome.

To donate to the Conley scholarship, please visit https://giving.tusculum.edu/the-ronald-conley-memorial-scholarship-fund. To support the Edens scholarship, please visit https://giving.tusculum.edu/the-marion-edens-scholarship-challenge. If you would like more information, please email Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement, at eroberts@tusculum.edu or Cheryl Fehl, senior director of grants and development, at cfehl@tusculum.edu or call 423-636-7303.



You can read more about these endowed scholarships in this news release.

A Message from the Division of Education

Productivity and successes are high this spring 2025 semester in all Education programs. Students and professors are making every effort as they strive for continuous improvement in their professional development.

We are proud of our students in our BAIS, MAT, MAED, BAOT, MAOT, and SPED programs as they develop their professional and experiential knowledge to impact the lives in their callings and careers.

Dr. Miriam Stroder, Dr. Peggy Rochelle, Michelle DeFord, Stephanie Efird, Dexter Lim, Dr. Bruce Ewing, Dr. Jessica Bucholz, and Lillian Burchnell will attend the spring 2025 virtual Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (TACTE) conference on February 10, 2025. TACTE, a state-wide coalition of large and small public and private Colleges of Education and Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) from across the state working together to develop a consensus set of policy priorities.

Dexter Lim will present “Comparing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Between Community College Instructors and Novice College Students at the 27th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education from February 27 to March 1.

Dr. Jessica Bucholz will co-present “Equipping K-12 Educators to Prevent Human Trafficking: Recognizing and Assisting At-Risk Students” at the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA) on February 20th. 

Four undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS), Elementary K-5 candidates have achieved a rare milestone: Kaylee Gibson, Emma Myer, Shianne Reagan, and Haley Standifur.

They are currently (spring 2025) teaching on a clinical practice permit this semester.

Very few undergraduate K-5 candidates are offered full-time salaried teacher of record positions before having completed student-teaching. They achieved this atypical launch into their profession based upon their outstanding clinical teaching performances. Tusculum Education faculty continue to stand behind these students with pride and to assist them through the completion of their Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) toward their full professional TN Teaching licensure.

Two Education students, Caylen Conrad and Elle Alvarez, will present and facilitate a session regarding the use of virtual manipulatives for teaching math to K-3 students during the Jan. 28, 2025 Upper East TN Teachers of Mathematics Winter Meeting and Workshop.

On the following spring 2025 dates, Education will celebrate students’ accomplishments:

·        April 17, 2025 – The Alpha Iota Zeta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) will host our spring 2025 induction ceremony from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Brotherton Boardroom in the Meen Center. The event will include the formal induction of our new members, a delicious meal, and our Alpha Iota Zeta chapter meeting.

·        April 23, 2025 – The Virtual Spring 2025 Education Honor Awards Convocation will be held on Zoom for 6:00 to 7:00 PM. We invite and encourage you to attend as we honor and celebrate the academic excellence of students in all our programs. We look forward to seeing you in the virtual Zoom celebration: https://tusculum.zoom.us/j/84958879421 

·        May 10, 2025 – Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held on our beautiful campus at 10:00 AM. We invite you to join us in celebrating the graduation of our students.

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION AVAILABLE FROM TUSCULUM

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Those who qualify for free tax return preparation services include:

·        People who generally earn $70,000 or less a year

·        Anyone older than 65

·        People with disabilities

·        Limited-English-speaking taxpayers

·        People who have earned income in the United States but are not American citizens

In light of the damage Hurricane Helene caused, Dr. Branstrator wants to be sure those who might have sustained casualty losses know they also qualify for a free tax return preparation.

“The VITA program is exceptional and further strengthens our connections with the community,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “It is also an outstanding active and experiential learning method for our students and helps those who want to attain full-time jobs in this field become career-ready. Dr. Branstrator has performed marvelously in this leadership role and has positively influenced people’s lives. We thank him for his commitment to this initiative.”

Free preparation of income tax returns will be available from Tusculum students and community volunteers beginning in February and continuing through April. Friendly service provided by these well-trained individuals under the supervision of Dr. Harold Branstrator, a former Internal Revenue Service revenue agent, will be available at the Meen Center on the Tusculum campus as well as Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City and the Washington County Public Library in Jonesborough.

This is the ninth year Tusculum has participated in the VITA program. In 2024, Tusculum students and community volunteers prepared a record 1,017 returns, and Dr. Branstrator said he is focused on the program providing a high level of service again this year.

The dates and times when tax preparation services will be available are:

·        Mondays, 5-9 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City – Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 3, March 10, March 24, March 31 and April 7

·        Thursdays, 5-9 p.m., Meen Center – Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 27, April 3 and April 10

·        Saturdays, 9-1, Washington County Public Library, 200 E. Sabine Drive, Jonesborough – Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1, March 8, March 29 and April 5

The schedule includes off days in observance of Presidents’ Day and Tusculum’s spring break.

Appointments are scheduled in one-hour increments, but more time is available for clients who need extra assistance. Tusculum can accommodate as many as 12 clients for each time slot at Westminster and the Meen Center and eight clients for each time period at the library. Walk-ins are welcome, but they might need to wait for an opening.

Clients should bring their W-2 and 1099 forms, dividend and interest statements, tax documents related to their small business or rental property and any other items required for a complete filing.

Those who want to complete the tax return on their own are welcome to come to one of the three sites when tax return preparation is occurring and use a laptop provided by Tusculum. The university began offering that option in 2024.

To schedule an appointment, please visit https://bit.ly/3WCpDKD or call Dr. Branstrator at 423-636-7414.

Any community member who is interested in volunteering to prepare income tax returns can call Dr. Branstrator at 423-636-7414 or email hbranstrator@tusculum.edu. To serve as a preparer, a person must attend training sessions Saturday, Jan. 25; Saturday, Feb. 1; and Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

DEVELOPMENT AT REDUCED COST THROUGH CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

The Town of Greeneville is the newest organization in East Tennessee to enhance its employees’ educational opportunities by signing a corporate partnership agreement with Tusculum University.

The partnership includes a number of benefits for the town government, including a 10% reduction in tuition for employees and their spouses and dependents who enroll in available academic programs. The City Council approved the agreement at its Tuesday, Jan. 7, meeting, after which Mayor Cal Doty and Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, signed the document.

“We value our relationship with the Town of Greeneville and appreciate all of the support it provides to the university,” Dr. Hummel said. “We welcome the opportunity to return the favor by providing further professional development opportunities and other types of learning from our outstanding faculty. This agreement incorporates additional resources from the university that can enhance the operations of the town government for the benefit of its citizens. We are excited about this initiative, which represents another example of our commitment to civic engagement.”

By fostering an environment for individuals to boost their careers at a reduced tuition cost, Tusculum is helping the town government with employee retention and promotion. In addition, the town could receive valuable operational assistance from the university’s Master of Business Administration students, who examine subjects in their Comprehensive Business Project course that need addressing at an organization and offer solutions that often produce significant cost savings.

Another potential benefit for the town is to receive an individualized corporate training program through Tusculum’s Master of Arts in organizational training and performance management capstone project.

Besides further building strong ties with the town government, Tusculum benefits from the agreement through possible additional employment of graduates by the town and potential internships for students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“The Town of Greeneville is excited to partner with Tusculum University,” Doty said. “This agreement gives our employees an excellent advantage to expand their knowledge, possibly leading to career promotions from within. I see it as a win-win for both organizations, and we appreciate Tusculum University's contributions to our community.”

Tusculum has signed corporate partnership agreements with several organizations in the region and welcomes the opportunity to bring others into the fold. Organizations that are interested can contact Edward Roberts, Tusculum’s vice president of institutional advancement, at eroberts@tusculum.edu or 423-636-7303.

“Tusculum is an exceptional university with a rich history of educating students for 230 years,” Roberts said. “We are focused on meeting today’s workforce needs and can support employees and their families at all stages of the career cycle. We welcome the opportunity to speak with any organization and determine how we can support its goals and aspirations.”

To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu. Further information about the Town of Greeneville is available at https://www.greenevilletn.gov/.

Frontiers, A Campaign for the support of First-Generation Students

Since our founding in 1794, Tusculum University’s core mission has been to provide an outstanding education on the frontier that prepares students for their lives and careers.  Even from our earliest days, providing education to First-Generation Students has always been at the heart of what we do. Two hundred and thirty years later our mission remains the same; only the frontiers have changed.

Today, Tusculum’s student body includes 58% first-generation – meaning neither of the student’s parents or guardians have completed a bachelor’s degree.  In addition, more than 98% of our traditional undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.  Earning a college degree is vital for young men and women to develop into career-ready professionals, but various costs can be an obstacle on the path to graduation. This is where a special scholarship supporting first-generation students can have a significant and lasting impact.

We are proud to announce the launch of a special campaign focused on raising scholarship support for our first-generation students. Frontiers, A Scholarship Campaign for the support of First-Generation Students, will run throughout 2025.  In the months to come, we will be highlighting this unique part of our history and sharing stories from many of our first-gen students and alumni. Our Goal is $125,000.

EVERY FRONTIER NEEDS A PIONEER! Make a gift; share your story; answer the call……YOUR FRONTIER AWAITS!



Exciting news for any TU alums who live in or near the Knoxville, TN area. A TU Knoxville Chapter is coming soon! If you would like to assist in this endeavor, please email Jolin Hawk at jhawk@tusculum.edu. We are looking at March to be our first gathering. Be on the lookout for more details. Please email Jolin Hawk at jhawk@tusculum.edu to be added to the Knoxville email chapter information list.

Jim Wozniak, director of communications, was honored with the President’s GEM Award for January based on the many nominations that highlighted his work ethic and contributions to the university. 



Dr. Hummel announced Wozniak as the recipient during the President’s Coffee Friday, Jan. 31. Featured below are some of the comments from his nominators:  

“He works very hard singing the praises of Tusculum University. He makes sure that all our events are well-publicized, and he always shines a glowing light on our student, faculty and staff accomplishments.”  

“His relentless commitment, including late-night emails and an exceptional work ethic, truly reflects his devotion to the university’s success. He consistently goes above and beyond to keep everyone informed, inspired and connected. His positive attitude, friendliness and genuine concern for others’ well-being make him a joy to work with and an integral part of our Tusculum community.”  

“He is the type of person that approaches any task with the persistent commitment to completing it as best as he can.”  

Track and field team has a banner weekend

Three of our indoor track and field team members captured wins on the second day of the VMI Invitational.

Junior Isaiah Olson was victorious in the men's 60 meters, and senior Joshua Stephens landed in first place in the men's triple jump. Junior Jahzara Hart was the winner in the women's 60 meters. 

In all, Tusculum produced eight top-three finishes, including junior Adrian Gumm, who broke his own school record in the men's shot put. Junior Shanice Cox also set a school record in the 300 meters for the women. Three others joined her in breaking the previous record but finished behind her – freshman Kori Moore, sophomore Alonda Shelton and junior Kiera Taylor.

Sophomore Kevin Blankenship, making the set, gets the men’s indoor volleyball team ready to score a point in its four-set win Tuesday, Jan. 21, against Quincy University in Pioneer Arena. You can read more about the match in this news release from the Office of Athletic Communications. Photo from the Office of Athletic Communications

You have to dig this achievement! Senior libero Taylor West became the first men’s indoor volleyball team player to accumulate 500 career digs. He reached the milestone during the Pioneers’ victory against Quincy University. Photo from the Office of Athletic Communications

Our cheer team competed during the 2025 Universal Cheerleaders Association Nationals at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

We congratulate the team for its hard work preparing for national and the squad for its strong contribution to school spirit!

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