New college students arrive at Tusculum University, collaborating in enjoyable and informative actions as they put together to excel :: Tusculum University

GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University rolled out the welcome mat for its new college students and enriched their lives with partaking actions for 3 days, all designed to acclimate them to varsity and construct bonds with one another.

From Thursday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 16, new college students participated in Pioneer WOW, which enabled to gentle their aggressive fireplace within the Pioneer Showdown of video games, take pleasure in a float, make tie dye shirts and watch a film open air. They additionally started to attach with the college’s mission, in notably the ingredient about civic engagement, with two hours of service work. In addition, they realized about their alternative to excel individually and as a group.

These college students found extra about campus life and the varied assets accessible to them. The non secular element was on show with remarks from Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, and the primary cohorts of female and male college students shifting into homes designated for the brand new Discipleship Living-Learning Center.

“We are thrilled to watch all our new students embrace this special opportunity in their lives and discover their purpose and calling,” Dr. Hummel stated. “They will be blessed to receive an active and experiential education in a caring Christian environment that will prepare them to be career-ready professionals. Our faculty and staff are focused on working one-on-one with our new students and mentoring them as we do with the returning students who also call Tusculum home.”

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 18. That will launch the second section of Pioneer WOW, which can incorporate all Tusculum college students. This section will final via Friday, Aug. 22, and embody Worship Night, that includes Sons of Thunder, a up to date Christian band; a bonfire; and glow volleyball.

Perspectives from new college students

New college students Cedric Stewart and Aaron Templeton met at Pioneer WOW and have developed a friendship. Stewart, who’s from Atlanta, is pursuing a level in criminal justice with plans to grow to be a forensic investigator. He can be a member of the track and field group as effectively. Templeton is from McMinnville, Tennessee, and is looking for his bachelor’s in sport science pre-physical remedy/occupational remedy to organize for a profession in bodily remedy. He will even be a student-athlete, taking part in basketball for the Pioneers.

Stewart was interested in Tusculum due to Robert Williams, head observe and subject coach, and the ambiance on campus.

“Coach Rob is a very nice person and was very welcoming whenever I came in,” Stewart stated. “Other than that, I really like the campus. I enjoy that it is small and is community-based and God-centered.”

Templeton has related ideas in regards to the campus, highlighting that it isn’t overly giant and describing it as straightforward to navigate. He additionally discovered Tusculum interesting as a result of it was extra financially workable.

Pioneer WOW proved to be a helpful expertise for each college students.

“I came here and didn’t really know anybody,” Templeton stated. “Being placed in a group provides you with the opportunity to hang out with people and talk with them. That has made it easier to connect with others around me.”

All of the brand new college students had been damaged into 14 teams led by a Pioneer Peer, who’s a returning scholar, and college and employees members. Stewart loved having Celina Roberts as his Peer, saying she made the Pioneer WOW enjoyable. As an instance, after finishing their service work on Saturday, Roberts inspired everybody to throw water balloons at one another. He additionally favored taking part in Kahoot! on-line video games carried out by members of the Student Support Services employees.

Discipleship Living-Learning Center

Immediately earlier than the beginning of Pioneer WOW was the time for brand new college students who will reside on campus to maneuver into their residence corridor. This served as the start for the brand new Discipleship Living-learning Center, which is a part of Tusculum’s Christian Leadership Institute.

This middle permits first- and second-year college students to reside within the college homes – one for males and one other for females. They develop of their religion via Bible research, together with studying from native pastors and different Christian leaders, and take part in quite a lot of ministry actions. To help with their research, collaborating college students obtain a $2,000 scholarship.

Older college students additionally reside within the homes, maintain weekly discipleship classes with the youthful college students, help with operation of the Bible research and assist college students with some other non secular assets. Rio Little is serving because the mentor for male college students, and Kieley Smith is serving in that function for females. The two are juniors.

Ana Kotynski, a Greeneville resident, is likely one of the college students within the middle. She is pursuing common research however desires her profession to tie into the bodily remedy or anatomy area.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet new people – grow in the Lord and make sure I have a good Christian community,” she stated. “My faith is very important to me. I’m really interested in how the Bible studies will go. I want to grow in my knowledge of the Bible and be able to encourage other people using my faith in a better way and just grow in that.”

Another scholar residing within the middle is Elijah Ramos, who comes from Sneedville, Tennessee, He is majoring in sport science. He wished to reside within the middle to enhance the way in which he leads his life and reside in a group with others who’re centered on the identical targets.

“I think it will be good because it’s like-minded people from my age group that are going through the same things I am but do not want to choose the things that people shouldn’t find comforting,” Ramos stated. “We can grow together.”

Encouragement from Tusculum’s president and the scholar president

During the Pioneer Ceremony on Thursday, senior Janelle Zirger, who’s looking for a bachelor’s diploma in prison justice and a minor in psychology and is Student Government Association president, inspired the brand new college students to share their concepts together with her or others within the SGA. She additionally famous she was as soon as of their sneakers.

“I know this can be a nerve-wracking and even a scary time for some of you,” Zirger stated. “For some, this is your first time out of the state or even out of the country. Or you’re the first person in your family to attend college. Maybe you didn’t think you’d even make it this far. I can speak from experience. I never thought I’d be where I am right now four years ago when I was in your shoes. I never imagined myself standing up on any type of stage or speaking to a crowd of people. However, I stand here now and look at the future class of 2029.”

One of Dr. Hummel’s frequent refrains is to spotlight not solely entry to varsity but in addition to commencement. He stated Tusculum locations nice emphasis on college students’ reaching commencement. He stated Tusculum college students ought to have commencement in thoughts after they start their research and already be considering how they are going to be reworked by their expertise on the college.

Dr. Hummel mentioned Tusculum’s theme for the yr – “Excelling in Faith, in Knowledge and Love” from 2 Corinthians 8:7. He centered appreciable consideration on excelling.

“In many ways, what it takes to excel is an attitude to be determined to excel,” Dr. Hummel advised college students. “There are weaknesses in our lives, but with determination and commitment, we can excel. Colossians 3:23 reminds us that whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord. When it comes to your classes, when it comes to your relationships, when it comes to different things that you’re preparing for, work at it with all your heart. When you work at with all of your heart, you will excel.”

Dr. Hummel additionally stated college students will excel at Tusculum due to the assist community accessible on the college.

“Whether it is with teammates, an advisor, faculty, a tutor, a counselor or other students, we will excel together. I’m reminded in Ecclesiastes 4:9 that two are better than one because they have a good return for their work.”

To grow to be a Tusculum scholar, please go to https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/. More details about the college is offered at www.tusculum.edu.