Tusculum University students reinforced the higher education institution’s connections with the community Friday, Sept. 26, with its annual service day in support of local churches, businesses and organizations.
Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day, which honors one of Tusculum’s earliest benefactors, continued its tradition of putting students into community settings. Students performed a variety of tasks at schools, homeless facilities, thrift stores, senior living facilities, churches and governmental entities as well as other locations in morning and afternoon shifts.
“Holding Nettie Day is one of the classic examples of the importance we place on civic engagement,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “When our students participate in Nettie Day, it reinforces to them that they are at Tusculum not just to earn a degree but also to understand the value of supporting the community where they live and work. We are grateful to the many community organizations that support this event and help our students learn positive lessons about service.”
Students are accompanied to their work sites by a faculty or staff member who assists with the work and helps keep everything on track. Tusculum’s Center for Civic Advancement organizes Nettie Day, including reaching out to community organizations to determine which need assistance. The CCA was honored earlier this year for its community service, including Nettie Day.
Adding a special touch to Nettie Day this year was student Abby Cruz, who brought flowers with her group that served at Morning Point Senior Living of Greeneville, an assisted living facility. Students presented the flowers to the residents.
“I brought the flowers because it felt like the right thing to do,” said Cruz, a freshman biology major with a pre-medical, dental and veterinary concentration. “My grandparents always told me to be kind and give back to others when I can. I know how much my grandparents would have appreciated it, so there was really no question in my mind about doing it for somebody else.”
Nettie Day is a well-known event at Tusculum and is one of the prominent memories alumni hold of their Tusculum studies.
Simon Ray, a junior psychology major, has now participated in Nettie Day for three years. He plans to take part in the event again in 2026.
“We get to help the community, and I think that’s special,” Ray said. “it’s good to give back to everyone. I’m having a good time, so let’s continue doing it one more year for me.”
Maya White Eagle is a senior pursuing a degree in sport management. She participated in Nettie Day for the first time this year after transferring to the university. She had heard that Nettie Day was dedicated to giving back to the community by working hard and helping others.
“I’ve enjoyed Nettie Day because I have been able to meet new people and learn more about the community and how the real world is going to be,” White Eagle said. “I would say this gives me gratitude. Giving back and helping others are super important as part of God’s work.”
Chaz Waine, a sophomore seeking a computer science degree, just completed his second Nettie Day. He enjoyed serving with others because it expands his circle. Like White Eagle, he feels gratitude about the opportunity to serve on Nettie Day.
“I’ve always been a person in a friend group to want the others to be happy, and being able to help others and make it easier on them fills me with excitement and happiness,” he said.
With another edition of Nettie Day in the books, Tusculum is already thinking about making the event even more successful in 2026.
“Collaborating with organizations in the community is tremendous fun and strengthens those relationships,” said Justice Upp, the CCA’s coordinator. “The students learn a lot by working with people in the community, and it prepares them well for their life after graduation. It is a privilege to remember and celebrate Nettie Fowler McCormick’s legacy at Tusculum and keep building ties with the community that will benefit all of us well into the future.”
Additional information about Nettie Day is available at https://web.tusculum.edu/academics/nettie-fowler-mccormick-service-day/. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.
