Tusculum University#Athletics

{{Short description|Private university in Tusculum, Tennessee, U.S.}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{COI|date=September 2017}}

{{Infobox university

|name = Tusculum University

|motto = {{lang|la|Sit Lux}} (Latin)
("Let there be light")

|image = Tusculum univ seal.png

|image_size = 150

|former_names = {{collapsible list|

  • Greeneville College (1794–1868)
  • Tusculum Academy (1818–1844)
  • Tusculum College (1844–1868)
  • Greeneville & Tusculum College (1868–1908)
  • Washington & Tusculum College (1908–1912)
  • Tusculum College (1912–2018){{cite web |title=TU's Timeline |url=https://site.tusculum.edu/timeline/ |website=tusculum.edu |date=23 March 2021 |publisher=Tusculum University |access-date=13 December 2022}}

}}

|established = {{Start date and age|1794}}

|type = Private university

|endowment = $23.9 million (2023)

|president = Scott Hummel

|undergrad = 1,111

|postgrad = 192

|city = Tusculum, Tennessee

|country = U.S.

|coordinates = {{coord|36.1730|-82.7616|display=title,inline}}

|campus = Rural, {{convert|140|acre|km2}}

|athletics_affiliations = NCAA Division II
South Atlantic Conference
18 sports teams

|mascot = Pioneers

|religious_affiliation = Presbyterian Church (USA)

|website = {{URL|https://site.tusculum.edu/|site.tusculum.edu }}

|administrative_staff = 272

|colors = {{color box|#FF671b}} {{color box|black}}
(Orange and black)

| logo = TusculumUniv_Logo.png

| logo_size = 200

}}

Tusculum University is a private Presbyterian university with its main campus in Tusculum, Tennessee. It is Tennessee's first university and the 28th-oldest operating college or university in the United States.Rudolph, Frederick (1990). The American College and University: A history. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press. ({{ISBN|0820312843}})

In addition to its main campus, the institution maintains a regional center for Adult and Online Studies in Knoxville, and Morristown.

History

In 1806, emancipated slave John Gloucester became the first African-American student to study at Greeneville College. He was the first African-American educated by a college in Tennessee and later helped found the First African Presbyterian Church in 1807, in Philadelphia.{{cite web|url=https://blackpast.org/aah/gloucester-john-1776-1822|title=Gloucester, John (1776–1822) – The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed|website=blackpast.org|date=5 March 2015|access-date=10 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBGTG_John_Gloucester_1776_1822_1C_84_Tusculum_TN|title=John Gloucester – 1776–1822 – 1C-84 – Tusculum, TN – Tennessee Historical Markers on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com|access-date=10 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1BI2_john-gloucester_Tusculum-TN.html|title=John Gloucester – Tusculum – TN – US|website=Historical Marker Project|access-date=10 December 2018}}

Samuel Doak and Hezekiah Balch sought the same goals through their separate colleges. They wanted to educate settlers of the American frontier so that they would become better Presbyterians, and therefore, in their thinking, better citizens.Patrick, James (2007). The beginning of collegiate education west of the Appalachians, 1795-1833: The achievement of Dr. Charles Coffin of Greeneville College and East Tennessee College. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press ({{ISBN|0773454470}})

=Origin of name=

Samuel Doak left Washington College and founded Tusculum Academy, on the present campus of Tusculum University, in 1818 with his son, Samuel Witherspoon Doak.{{Cite web|last=Randal Rust|title=Doak, Samuel|url=https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/samuel-doak/|access-date=2021-09-09|website=Tennessee Encyclopedia|language=en-US}} S.W. Doak was named after Princeton University's then-president Dr. John Witherspoon, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and Tusculum Academy was named after Witherspoon's estate at the College of New Jersey (Princeton). The original Tusculum was a city near Rome, Italy, and home to Roman scholar and philosopher Cicero. It was he who, along with others, identified the civic virtues that form the basis of civic republican tradition, which emphasizes citizens working together to form good societies that in turn foster individuals of good character.Sexton, Jr., Donal J., & Smith, Jr., Myron J. (1994). Glimpses of Tusculum: A pictorial history of Tusculum College. Marceline, MO: Walsworth Publishing.

=Presidents=

File:Tusculum_Gate.jpg

File:Niswonger Center.jpg

File:Annie Hogan Byrd Hall.jpg

  • Greeneville College (1794–1868)
  • Hezekiah Balch, 1794–1810
  • Charles Coffin, 1810–27
  • Henry Hoss 1828–36
  • Alfred Hoss 1836–38
  • James McLin, 1838–40
  • Samuel Matthews 1843–45
  • Charles Van Vlech 1845–46
  • John Fleming 1846–47
  • William B. Rankin, 1854–58
  • John Lampson 1859–60
  • Tusculum Academy (1818–68)
  • Samuel Doak, 1818–29
  • Samuel Witherspoon Doak, 1829–44
  • Tusculum College (1844–68)
  • Samuel Witherspoon Doak, 1844–64
  • William Stephenson Doak, 1865–68
  • Greeneville and Tusculum College (G&T) (1868–1908)
  • William Stephenson Doak, (1868–82)
  • Alexander M. Doak, (acting) 1882–83
  • Jeremiah Moore, 1883–1901
  • Samuel A. Coile, 1901–07
  • Washington and Tusculum College (W&T) (1908–1912)
  • Charles O. Gray, 1907–12
  • Tusculum College (1912–2018)
  • Charles O. Gray, 1912–31
  • Charles A. Anderson, 1931–42
  • John McSween, 1942–44
  • Jere A. Moore, (acting) 1944–46
  • George K. Davies, 1946–50
  • Leslie K. Patton, (acting) 1950–51
  • Raymond C. Rankin, 1951–65
  • Douglas C. Trout, 1965–68
  • Charles J. Ping, (acting) 1968–69
  • Andrew N. Cothran, 1969–72
  • Thomas G. Voss, 1972–78
  • Earl R. Mezoff, 1978–88
  • Robert E. Knott, 1989–2000
  • Thomas J. Garland, (interim) 2000
  • Dolphus E. Henry III, 2000–07The Tusculum College board of trustees placed President Dolphus Henry on paid administrative leave on May 22, 2007, following a vote of no confidence by the faculty. (See [http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5550160,00.html Tusculum College president on leave], Knoxville News Sentinel, 23 May 2007.) Two trustees with notable experience as university presidents (Drs. Edward J. Kormondy and Angelo Volpe) alternately shared leadership responsibilities until an interim president could take office. (See [http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=80/ Trustees Volpe, Kormondy taking on transitional presidential leadership at Tusculum College] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928155549/http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=80%2F |date=2007-09-28 }}, Tusculum College press release, May 29, 2007.) Dr. Henry announced his resignation in July 2007. (See [http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=94 Dolphus Henry resigns as president of Tusculum College] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803013941/http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=94 |date=2007-08-03 }}, Tusculum College press release, 19 July 2007.)
  • Russell L. Nichols, (interim) August 2007–April 2009Dr. Russell L. Nichols, president emeritus of Hanover College, assumed the duties of interim president on 1 August 2007. (See [http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=95 Dr. Russell L. Nichols coming as interim president of Tusculum College] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803013958/http://www2.tusculum.edu/news/?p=95 |date=2007-08-03 }}, Tusculum College press release, July 19, 2007.)
  • Nancy B. Moody, April 2009 – 2017On February 28, 2009, the Tusculum College board of trustees elected Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Lincoln Memorial University, to be the institution's 27th president. She was scheduled to assume office on April 27, 2009. (See [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124538/http://greenevillesun.com/story/301719 Tusculum College Names Dr. Nancy Moody President], Greeneville Sun, March 2, 2009.)
  • James L. Hurley, 2017–2019
  • Tusculum University (2018–present)
  • James L. Hurley, 2017–2019
  • Greg Nelson, (acting) 2019–2020{{Cite web|date=2020-02-20|title=Dr. Greg Nelson returns to Tusculum board, helps ensure a seamless transition to Dr. Scott Hummel :: Tusculum University|url=https://www3.tusculum.edu/news/news/2020/dr-greg-nelson-returns-to-tusculum-board-helps-ensure-a-seamless-transition-to-dr-scott-hummel/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY NEWS|language=en-US}}
  • Scott Hummel, 2020–present

Academics

{{Infobox US university ranking

| USNWR_REG = 86 (tie) of 90

| Wamo_MASTERSU = 341 of 604

}}

Tusculum is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees.

==Athletics==

file:Pioneers-PNG.png

The Tusculum athletic teams are called the Pioneers. The university is a member of the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the South Atlantic Conference since the 1998–99 academic year.

Tusculum fields 24 recognized varsity sports teams: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, cheerleading, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, cross country, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

=Overview=

File:Tusculum Tennis courts.jpg

Although most of those sponsored sports compete in NCAA D-II in the SAC, two teams compete as de facto NCAA Division I members. In women's bowling, a sport added in 2019–20 in which the NCAA holds a single championship open to members of all three NCAA divisions, the Pioneers are single-sport members of the Conference Carolinas.{{cite press release|url=https://www.tusculumpioneers.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210624fzblud |title=Tusculum bowling joins Conference Carolinas as associate member |publisher=Tusculum Pioneers |date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=January 25, 2022}} Also added for 2019–20 was men's volleyball, in which the NCAA holds a combined Division I/II national championship; the Pioneers compete in that sport as an independent.{{cite press release|url=http://www.tusculumpioneers.com/general/2018-19/releases/20180920p65zsf |title=Tusculum announces addition of three new sports beginning in 2019-2020 |publisher=Tusculum Pioneers |date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=January 20, 2019}} Tusculum also added the non-NCAA sport of men's bowling in 2019–20, and also recognizes its cheerleaders (both male and female) as varsity athletes.

In 2004, Ricardo Colclough, a defensive back and kick returner, became the first Tusculum Pioneers football player to be drafted by the National Football League when he was selected in the second draft round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colclough, the first Tusculum player to appear in an NFL game, played for the Carolina Panthers. He was dismissed from the team in August 2008.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124639/http://greenevillesun.com/story/297526 Colclough Cut From Panthers Following Drunk Driving Arrest], The Greeneville Sun, 1 September 2008.

In 2007, former Tusculum College basketball player, Tyler White, became a member of the Washington Generals, the exhibition team that travels with and plays against the Harlem Globetrotters.

In August 2009, Chris Poore, another former Tusculum College basketball player, also became a member of the Washington Generals.http://www.greenevillesun.com/story/303919 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124656/http://greenevillesun.com/story/303919 |date=2011-07-11 }}.

On September 4, 2014, the Tusculum football team hosted the College of Faith, an online institution in Charlotte, North Carolina. In a 71–0 win, the Pioneers set two NCAA all Division records: fewest total yards allowed (minus-100) and fewest rushing yards allowed (minus-124).{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/9/5/6109995/ncaa-football-record-lowest-offense-rushing-eww|title=The worst game in college football history|date=5 September 2014|access-date=23 March 2017}} Tusculum also had three safeties, which tied a Division II record.

Notable people

=Alumni=

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2017}}

=Faculty=

  • Millar Burrows (1889–1980), American biblical scholar, leading authority on Dead Sea Scrolls Pope, Marvin H. (Spring 1981). "Millar Burrows, 1889–1980, In Memoriam". The Biblical Archaeologist. 44 (2): 116–121. doi:10.1086/BIBLARCH3209867. JSTOR 3209867. S2CID 166422683.
  • Michael Taylor (glass artist) (b.1944), Prominent artist known for geometric fused glass sculptures Taylor, Michael, "Michael Taylor: A Geometry of Meaning", ISBN 978-1-55595-262-4, Hudson Hills Press, Manchester,VT 2006

Notes

{{Reflist|group=notes}}

References

{{reflist}}

Further reading

  • Allen, Ortha B. (1970). The philosophy of the library-college and its applications to Tusculum College (thesis). Johnson City, TN: East Tennessee State University. (OCLC 25212791)
  • Bailey, Gilbert L. (1965). A history of Tusculum College, 1944-1964 (thesis). Johnson City, TN: East Tennessee State University.
  • Hearn, Steven B. (1983). Survival strategies for Tusculum College: An ethnographic evaluation of enrollment, student recruitment, and school image (thesis). Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee – Knoxville. (OCLC 9939082)
  • Patrick, James (2007). The beginning of collegiate education west of the Appalachians, 1795-1833: The achievement of Dr. Charles Coffin of Greeneville College and East Tennessee College. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press ({{ISBN|0773454470}})
  • Ragan, Allen E. (1945). A history of Tusculum College, 1794-1944. Greeneville, TN: The Tusculum Sesquicentennial Committee. {{LCCN|46018213}}
  • Treadway, Cleo C. (1974). Reclassification: The Tusculum way. Greeneville, TN: Tusculum College Press. (OCLC 6922139)