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Share your Good NewsHISTORY Welcome To TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY
Tennessee's First Institution of Higher Education

1794
Hezekiah Balch charters Greeneville College which will become Tusculum University!
1808
Hugh Brown receives the first degree from Tusculum’s predecessor, Greeneville College.
1818
Samuel Witherspoon Doak (son of Samuel Doak) founds Tusculum Academy, along with his father.
1830
Samuel Witherspoon Doak builds his 2-story, brick home (currently the Doak House Museum) on land next to Frank Creek, just outside of Greeneville.*

1841
“Old College” is built due to growth of student enrollment. It is the oldest “academic” building on the college campus.
1844
Tusculum Academy becomes Tusculum College.
1887
McCormick Hall is built using funds donated by Nettie Fowler McCormick, widow of Cyrus McCormick.
1900
Baseball becomes the first sport to field a recognizable team for the Pioneers.
1902
First women's sports team is formed for Tennis.
1909
The President's House is built across the road from the main Tusculum campus.
1913
McCormick Day established. Now known as Nettie Day, a day of service on campus and around the community
1917
The Arch is built at the traditional entrance to campus which is directly out from the entrance to McCormick Hall.
1926
The Gymnasium is built containing a basement pool, indoor basketball course and offices.
1950's
Lantern Festival begins honoring graduating seniors and soon-to-be seniors.
1965
Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and Chapel is built.
1970
The Simerly Union Building is built and connected to the gymnasium by the post office. It contained such places as the bookstore, cafeteria, Student Lounge, and other rooms and offices.
1984
The Professional Studies Program is born. Originally known as Tusculum Adult Leaders Learning, or TALL., it is now known as Adult and Online Studies.
1994
Tusculum celebrates its Bicentennial
1999
Niswonger Commons is built, replacing the Simerly Student Union building, and includes the post office, cafeteria, bookstore, student coffee lounge, student radio station, offices, and classrooms.
2002
Four new apartment-style dorms built behind “Old College” with two additional apartment buildings built in 2013.
2018
On July 1, 2018, Tusculum transitioned to University status.
TU PROUD From Past, Present and Future Pioneers & Friends

The Tusculum experience is different from other schools because of the community and relationships formed with professors and fellow students.
Heather Abernathy
2018
The amazing professors in the Science department challenged my classmates and me throughout our time at Tusculum, and we are extremely grateful!
David Cooper
2016
I’ve found a home at Tusculum. Here, I’m surrounded by friends that feel like family. We have so much fun together.
Selena Sutton
2016
Not only did Tusculum change the economic and professional trajectory of our family, it gave me confidence in my emerging abilities and rewarded me with the richest of lifetime friendships...
Ken Bowman
1970
Tusculum gave me the opportunity to pursue my passions while exploring new avenues for learning, service, and involvement. I am a better person for having been there.