Dr. Nancy Moody

Dr. Moody passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, and the news has resulted in an outpouring of support from those who knew her. She served as president from 2009-2017 when the institution was still named Tusculum College.

“The Tusculum family expresses its condolences to the family of Dr. Moody while celebrating her work to equip our students to be career-ready professionals,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, who has served as the university’s president since 2020. “I have heard many stories about the positive impact Dr. Moody made on Tusculum and join those who knew her well in mourning her passing. We are grateful Dr. Moody graced us with her service to the university and thank her for her leadership and dedication to Tusculum’s success.”

Part of Dr. Moody’s legacy that remains such a force in Tusculum’s delivery of a high-quality education is the construction of the state-of-the-art Meen Center. This is the university’s newest building, and Dr. Moody guided the 100,000-square foot project through every step – from the initial approval to funding to oversight of construction. She led the efforts that secured a $3.9 million gift for the naming of the Meen Center and two $1.5 million endowments to support faculty and students.

The Meen Center is a key component of a student’s academic development, but the facility is also playing a key role in the university’s commitment to civic engagement. Since 2018, Tusculum biology and chemistry students have been engaged in researching potential new medications to fight cancer. The building supports additional active and experiential learning opportunities for students across multiple disciplines.

A major supporter in the building’s construction was the late Verna June Meen, and Dr. Moody talked about her when she announced her retirement as president.

“Verna June came to love Tusculum and her interactions at events with members of the board and others,” Dr. Moody said. “She expressed on more than one occasion how proud she was to have provided support to Tusculum College for the Meen Center for Science and Math and for two endowments, one to fund scholarships and one to fund an endowed professorship in chemistry.” Dr. Chuck Pearson, assistant dean of math and science, was named the Dr. Ronald H. Meen Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in 2022.

In addition to the Meen Center, Dr. Moody’s presidency resulted in the installation of several academic programs at the university, including criminal justice and the Master of Business Administration. The university also launched the men's and women's lacrosse and track and field programs with Dr. Moody at the helm.

Dr. Moody’s presidency produced further success. Tusculum reached articulation and affiliation agreements with regional community colleges and professional schools to increase enrollment in the bachelor’s degree programs and to provide expedited graduate school opportunities for the university's alumni.

The university’s Board of Trustees recognized Dr. Moody’s contributions to Tusculum by presenting her with the inaugural Founders Award in 2013. The award, named in memory of the Rev. Samuel Doak, the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak and the Rev. Hezekiah Balch, recognizes those who have moved Tusculum forward in serving its students, its community and the world with integrity, tenacity, commitment, ingenuity and drive.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as the 27th president and first female president of this historic institution,” Dr. Moody said in announcing her retirement. “In the last 7 1/2 years, the most memorable events for me have been the relationships that I have had the good fortune of developing with students, the Board of Trustees, alumni, members of the local community, faculty and staff and particularly with donors.”

In the immediate aftermath of Dr. Moody’s death, several people expressed their sadness and gratitude on social media. Dr. Michael Bodary, a former English professor, highlighted the personal attention she gave him when he rolled his ankle one day. A nurse by training, Dr. Moody checked his ankle and, after concluding he had not broken it, advised him how to treat it.

“I missed her when she left TU in 2017, and today I am missing her again,” Dr. Bodary said.

Roxanna Jaynes, who works in the cafeteria, remembered when she was undergoing chemotherapy how Dr. Moody visited her. She said Dr. Moody read to her, prayed for her healing and stayed in touch throughout her treatments. Dr. Moody also sent flowers and attended the visitation when Jaynes’ father passed.

Dr. Moody began her academic career as a nursing instructor for Lincoln Memorial University in 1974 and advanced to hold several academic leadership positions there. She was associate professor and department chair in the College of Nursing at East Tennessee State University, executive director of the Tennessee Center for Nursing and assistant professor of nursing in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee. She served as president of Lincoln Memorial for seven years.

Click the orange button below to donate in memory of Dr. Moody. Our new fundraising goal is to raise $50,000.00 to name the large Lecture Hall in the Meen building after her.

Tusculum is exploring the potential for a Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, otherwise called the Freedom Center. A Freedom Scholars program is planned in conjunction with the center. It would enable students to study the philosophy of freedom, which undergirds free enterprise and equips students to become entrepreneurs.

Another element of the Freedom Center is a podcast. Matt Sweeny, the director of the potential center, has started this podcast and recently featured Dr. Scott Niswonger, a member of our Board of Trustees, who earned a bachelor’s degree and an honorary doctorate from Tusculum. He is a highly successful entrepreneur and philanthropist in East Tennessee, is one of our benefactors and is a member of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association Hall of Fame.

In the podcast, Dr. Niswonger talks about his journey – growing up on a farm, becoming an entrepreneur, building three businesses, God, the Niswonger Foundation, the future of education and the Freedom Scholars program.

This podcast announces the planned opening of the Freedom Scholars program in fall 2025 at Tusculum. This is an opportunity for students interested in the philosophy of freedom and starting their own startup business.

Dr. Scott Niswonger

You can watch the podcast by clicking the orange button below.

We are planning the launch of the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship ("Freedom Center"), a first of its kind program to enable students to study the philosophy of freedom and free enterprise (individual rights and their Biblical origin, the morality of capitalism, and the founding principles of America) while being equipped to become an entrepreneur and start their own business.

The program was created by Tusculum University and Matt Sweeny, an entrepreneur who previously founded a drone delivery startup and graduated from Y Combinator, which has funded 5,000 startups with $600B combined valuation. Matt plans to mentor the students selected into this program.

Matt just published a podcast with Scott Niswonger, a successful entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, and the largest donor to Tusculum University. The podcast explores his journey as an entrepreneur and the Freedom Scholars program:

We have already raised over $170,000 in gifts and pledges for the Freedom Center from business leaders. We plan to grow the startup economy in Appalachia through creating businesses and angel investment opportunities. Donations support the Freedom Center, fund scholarships, and help student entrepreneurs start their businesses.

You can donate now:

(in the drop down box click "Freedom Center"). 

I wanted to share a couple pictures of our friend and Alumni Executive Board member, Shadow Winterbauer, who passed away unexpectedly before Christmas. Known for his caring heart, genuine personality, and, of course, his music. Shadow has been an integral part of our alumni association and we will all truly miss him!

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. 



Erin Frizzell and Megan Stark have been named to a statewide organization.

Two leaders in programs at Tusculum University that support students whose parents or guardians have not earned a bachelor’s degree or who come from lower-income households are heading a group that will advocate for services provided.

Erin Frizzell, director of Upward Bound, and Meagan Stark, associate director of Student Support Services, have been named co-chairs of the Tennessee TRIO Advocacy Committee. Tennessee TRIO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting TRIO professionals throughout the state. This organization helps the programs and those who work in them to expand college access to underserved and underrepresented groups by offering professional development, student events and outreach activities.

TRIO is a collection of federal grant programs that encourage students in middle school through college to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then explore and potentially seek a master’s degree. The participants are classified as first-generation students. Tusculum has seven TRIO programs – two apiece with Upward Bound and Talent Search and one each with Upward Bound Math and Science, SSS and ARCHES.

“Advocacy is such an integral part of what we do in our grants,” Frizzell said. “TRIO programs are a bipartisan effort, so it takes everyone to make it work and secure funding. I felt with my education and background, I could boost program-wide participation and teach others how to advocate for our students, which can be an art.”

Frizzell and Stark not only understand the intricacies of the programs from their status as employees but also recognize their importance because they were first-generation degree students.

“As an alumna of a Tennessee TRIO program, I have personally experienced the transformative power of these programs,” Stark said. “Serving on a committee to help elevate the message about the positive and consistent outcomes of TRIO programs and hopefully ensure their continued existence for disadvantaged students across the state is my small way of paying it forward. “

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.”

Dr. Hummel spends quality time with students at the Midnight Breakfast. The students are, left to right, A’jaylah Yates, Justin Rodgers, Taliah Johnson, Arteya Scott and Riley Bradley. Students filled their tummies with pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon in the cafeteria the Sunday before finals week. Tusculum’s cabinet, faculty and staff cooked and served the food.

Photo by the Office of Communications

Freshmen Garrett Smith, left, and L.J. Adams are shown with their cheer bags. These bags were purchased and given during finals to encourage students and help alleviate the stress of final exams.

Photo by the Office of Communications

Tree seedling reservations now available!

If you want to obtain tree seedlings, you can now order them as part of the Tennessee Tree Day event!

You can visit this site to reserve your trees, and learn more about this great event. Tree seedlings are available for a suggested donation ranging from $3.99 to $4.99. If you cannot afford to make a donation, you can visit the Tree Day home page, where you may request a scholarship for a limited number of complimentary trees. 

The seedlings are bare-root and less than 1-year-old and can range in size from 1 to 4 feet depending on the species. They will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 25, at the Doak House Museum.

Tennessee Tree Day is a project of the Tennessee Environmental Council, a nonprofit organization.

The start of the new year is an ideal time to consider supporting the charitable causes you care about most. Many of us delay long-term financial planning because there’s no urgency and it can easily be put-off to another time. But as the January calendar reminds us of time’s passing, it may also call to mind the importance of making provisions for loved ones and for the nonprofit organizations that are most important for us . . . like Tusculum University! There are various ways to include Tusculum in your estate plans, some of which are tax-smart. An excellent resolution for 2025 is to review those plans with your financial advisor. If you would like to learn more about how Planned Giving opportunities can impact Tusculum, please feel free to contact our Institutional Advancement Office, or Planned Giving Specialist Richard Raum through his e-mail (rdraum2@gmail.com) or phone (701-226-2084). 

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

Happy New Year! 2025 has arrived and the students in Education are well on their way to pursuing their degrees.

Education celebrated our students’ accomplishments during the December 2024 Commencement Ceremony. We are so proud and thrilled for each of our recent graduating students. It is an indescribable pleasure and honor to experience this celebration of achievement with our students. During the December 2024 ceremony, several members of our Education Alpha Iota Zeta chapter of the international Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) graduated, as did the recipients of the fall 2024 Education Honor Awards:

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award (BAIS Traditional Student) – Kyla Oppenhuis

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award (AOS Student) – Amy Williams

Outstanding Master of Arts in Teaching Student Award (Secondary Education) – Spencer Weese

Outstanding Master of Arts in Teaching Student Award (Elementary Education, K-5 Education) – Nicole Maurer

Outstanding Master of Arts in Education Student (Dr. Shirley Beck Award) – Westin Laing

Outstanding Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Performance Management Student Award – Sylena Kay Harmon

During the Winter 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Dr. Peggy Rochelle hooded eleven graduates of the Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Performance Management program as well as fifteen graduates in the Master of Arts in Teaching programs. Professor Dexter Lim hooded five graduates of the Master of Arts in Education program. Ten students graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education K-5 degree. One student graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Comprehensive K-12 and Interventionist K-8 degree.

The Education faculty and staff congratulate all students for their outstanding achievement of completing their programs and earning their degrees. We wish them well on life journeys as they continue to press forward: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The Education faculty and staff are looking forward to the Spring 2025 semester and are just as eager to see our continuing students again as we are to welcome new students to our undergraduate and graduate programs. Classes begin on January 21, 2025 (the day after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).

All of us in the Education Division wish all of you a very safe and happy New Year filled with God’s blessings. 

More than 100 students, who hail from 10 states and four countries, completed the requirements for bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees in the fall semester. About a dozen more who were eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony after finishing their coursework in August came back to celebrate their achievement. The smiles, cheers and sense of satisfaction were abundant throughout Pioneer Arena.



“We were thrilled to honor these students for their diligence in earning their degrees,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “They have received an outstanding education, filled with active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment that has empowered them to achieve their academic goals. We have been impressed with their pioneering spirit, their dedication to their studies and their holistic development as individuals and are excited to watch their lives unfold as alumni.”

Community art initiative held at Annie Hogan Byrd

The Center for the Arts recently held a reception at Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center to showcase multiple forms of art created by Greene County residents.

As a precursor to the event, the Center for the Arts held an open call for local artists to submit their work. About 15 artists submitted their work for consideration. Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design, and his students picked 11 to feature in a show in the hallways of Annie Hogan Byrd’s main floor.

The work was shown for about a month, and the reception was held Wednesday, Dec. 4. Conley said the purpose of the endeavor was to grow the Center for the Arts’ relationships with Greene County artists.

When Tusculum University held its Homecoming celebration in November, many alumni returned to remember their time at their alma mater, ride in the parade and inspire today’s students.

Some of the alumni who were back on campus have continued to visit the campus regularly since their graduation or in recent years. But for a few, it has been a considerable time since they set foot on the grounds of Tennessee’s first higher education institution.



Many shared their memories and thoughts upon their return.

Dr. Scott Hummel, left, speaks with Greg Pielich.

Pielich is originally from Garfield, New Jersey, but now lives in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was one of 13 from his high school class who came from New Jersey to attend Tusculum during the heydays of that southern migration.

A first-generation student, PIelich earned his bachelor’s degree in business and retired from Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, Tennessee after 33 years of service. He met his wife on campus, but she was not a Tusculum student.

Pielich comes to Homecoming every year to see what is happening on campus and the progress being made at Tusculum. He has also participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at Tusculum. In that initiative, students and community volunteers prepare eligible community members’ income tax returns for free. He also comes for an occasional football game.

“I come to campus to support the university,” Pielich said. “It opened a lot of doors for me. Financially, I really well – from borderline poverty to megabucks. I’m grateful for Tusculum.”

Janet Friedman stands in front of Rankin Hall.

A 1974 graduate who earned her bachelor’s degree in education. Friedman was back on campus for the first time in 50 years. She taught elementary school and middle school students. In addition to spending time with her fellow alums, she witnessed today’s students by attending the Student Government Association Homecoming Kick-Off Bonfire. Her explanation for traveling from Yardley, Pennsylvania, Tusculum was understandable.

“You get very nostalgic,” she said. “I also had people on Facebook that went here and said they were coming to Homecoming. Then they changed the date (because of Hurricane Helene). I was encouraged to go. I decided to come down because I figure I will never come down again. I’m glad I did. It was good seeing everybody. It was good seeing the place and everybody and how much Tusculum has grown and how much the town has grown. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a great experience.”

One of the biggest memories for her was walking into Katherine Hall, where she lived when she was a student. It seemed to look the same to her. Another was the Charles Oliver Gray complex, where students ate during her time and reflecting on the meals and conversations there. She also remembers heading for her student teaching assignment in the dark.

Harold Svarplaitis, left, and his sister, Ruth Staas, stand in the Quad in front of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons.

Svarplaitis is another 1974 graduate, and he has an interesting story about his connection with a well-known building on campus. Thomas Byrd, husband of Annie Hogan Byrd, after whom the Tusculum fine arts center is named, brought Svarplaitis’ family to America from Germany in 1950. Svarplaitis was born in 1952, followed by one sister in 1953. Another sister, Ruth Staas, was a student here and met her husband from the Class of ’62 at Tusculum. A brother of Svarplaitis graduated in 1971.

An interesting tidbit: He can see Annie Hogan Byrd’s gravestone from his house in Wingdale, New York. He was born there, returned there after graduation and worked for Kimberly Clark Corp. for 38 years.

Svarplaitis came back for commencement the first couple of years after he earned his degree and then came back for his 30th and 40th anniversaries of his graduation. He returned in 2021 for the 50th anniversary of his brother’s graduation and then came back for his own 50th anniversary.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Svarplaitis said his Tusculum education helped him tremendously by giving him an understanding of all aspects of economics.

“I had a great experience at Tusculum,” Svarplaitis said. “I loved it. The classmates were great, the teachers were great. I enjoyed playing sports and the camaraderie and competition between the dormitories. That was a lot of fun.”

Ruth Staas came to Tusculum at the suggestion of Thomas Byrd, who helped her obtain an application. Once she was enrolled. Byrd visited her a couple of times because he had a cabin near Asheville, North Carolina.

“I loved it here,” she said. “The first week, I was homesick. A week later, I got to know my roommate and I was fine. I just loved it. I started dating my husband when I was a sophomore, and he was graduating. We decided to get married.”

Among her memories was helping an elderly lady with her spring cleaning during one spring break. Staas did not have the money that year to return home for spring break. She benefited from the experience because the lady shared a lot of history about this area.



Among the things she most enjoyed about her two years at Tusculum were the people and the religious elements of the university. Staas praised the professors and the help people provided. She also enjoyed the area because it reminded her of her hometown with the mountains.

Staas later became a math teacher.

David Misener spends time in front of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons.

Misener, a member of the Class of ’78, came to Tusculum from outside of Baltimore, Maryland, having attended a regional high school that was four times the size of Tusculum’s population.

The last president of Rankin Hall, when it was a residence hall, Misener subsequently moved to what is now Welty-Craig Hall. He studied special education at Tusculum and was able to obtain practical experience when Greene Valley Development Center brought children to campus. He later served as a special education teacher for 36 years, 30 of it in New Jersey.

He is now retired and lives in Johnson City. When he lived in New Jersey, Misener would return to campus every couple of years, but he now makes regular appearances on campus since he is so close. He said he loves to be at Tusculum as often as he can.

“I loved it here,” Misener said. “It was a great experience for me. You got to know everybody on campus. I loved that. Dean Hurley was one of the most supportive people I’ve ever known in my life. He made this experience awesome. He was your friend as well as a mentor here. That man made sure that he found a path for you to be successful. He wouldn’t give up on you.”

Misener, whose son is also a graduate, said it is vital for him to stay involved at Tusculum.



“Tusculum’s survival is important to me,” he said. “All across the country, small schools like Tusculum are hurting. Tusculum was a college when I was here. I’ve seen the philanthropy of many alumni and especially Scott Niswonger, who has shared his wealth. I think it’s important to do one’s little part. If I can get a kid to take a look at this place and maybe be a person who would come to school here, I’m all about it.”

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.

Click here to view list.

Four-hundred-and-two (402) student-athletes have been named to the 2024 Tusculum University Athletic Director's Fall Honor Roll announced Josh Ealy, Vice President of Athletics.

To be selected to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, a student-athlete must accumulate either a fall semester or cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale

Tusculum University punter Stefaan Forbes has been named to the 2024 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Football All-America Team.

Forbes, who garnered honorable mention laurels, becomes the 35th All-American in program history and the third Pioneer punter joining Cory Newton (2004) and John Gregory (2008).

Tusculum University student-athletes Madison Adkins and Macey Snapp have been named to the NCAA Division II Academic All-District® 3 Women's Volleyball first team as selected by the College Sports Communicators.



The 2024 Academic All-District® Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Adkins returns to the Academic All-District squad for a second straight season, while Snapp makes her inaugural appearance on the All-District team.

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