The Christian Leadership Institute at Tusculum University will celebrate another major achievement with its Discipleship Living-Learning Center at an upcoming event by naming one of its houses on campus after a highly respected businessman who incorporated faith in all aspects of life.
Tusculum will formally celebrate the naming of The Bowlin House, which serves males in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, in memory of Chuck Bowlin at a ceremony Friday, Oct. 3, at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place outside the house, located adjacent to the Meen Center and Ballad Health’s Center for Early Learning on the Tusculum campus. The community is invited to attend.
Bowlin was serving as president and CEO of Greeneville Energy Authority when he passed away April 4, 2024. He was a beloved business leader, an elder at First Christian Church and a supporter of community organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County and the Lions Club. Through fundraising and other sources, the university secured the needed finances to name the house after him.
“We are delighted to remember Chuck’s exceptional legacy of service to the Lord by attaching his name to this house,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “His example of leading a life of purpose and love for the Lord will inspire our students to continue growing their relationship with God. We are grateful to his family for sharing him with the rest of us and supporting our efforts to provide students with additional ways to deepen their faith.”
This is the inaugural academic year for the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, and it has attracted 17 students. Tusculum leaders are excited about the initial numbers and seek to grow them in the future.
This Discipleship Living-Learning Center enables first- and second-year students to live in two university houses – one for males and another for females. They grow in their faith as a community through Bible studies, including learning from local pastors, other Christian leaders and Tusculum staff members, and they participate in a variety of ministry activities. To assist with the cost of their studies, participating students receive a $2,000 annual scholarship.
Older students also live in the houses as peer mentors, holding weekly discipleship sessions with the younger students, assisting with operation of the Bible studies and helping students with any other spiritual resources. Rio Little is serving as the mentor for male students, and Kieley Smith is serving in that role for females. The two are juniors.
Little will share his faith story during the Oct. 3 ceremony. The event will also consist of Dr. Hummel providing additional details about Bowlin, whose family will also be present. The Rev. E.J. Swatsell, Tusculum’s director of spiritual life and special projects, will share further insight into the Discipleship Living-Learning Center. Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs, will thank the many donors who contributed to the cause of naming the house after Bowlin.
Tusculum launched the naming initiative in the spring with a goal of raising $50,000. The university raised a significant amount of the money during the Christians in Business Dinner in May, where Tusculum launched the Christian Leadership and recognized Bowlin with the Christian Leadership Award.
“The generosity of multiple donors has made it possible for us to name the house after Chuck, and we are grateful so many embraced this vision,” Dr. Cook said. “By contributing these funds, we are not only able to honor the memory of a man who faithfully embraced the Christian walk but also to invest deeply in the lives of our students. God’s presence continues to grow at Tusculum, and we are thrilled to see so many students accepting the call to be part of our Discipleship Living-Learning Center. It is strengthening their faith lives.”
The Discipleship Living-Learning Center falls under the umbrella of the Christian Leadership Institute. The university has adopted a three-phase plan for full implementation of the institute, with the first one including the Christians in Business Dinner and the Discipleship Living-Learning Center. The dinner will be an annual event.
The second phase will include discipleship assistants for Tusculum’s residence halls, development of The Calling Conference and provision of additional resources for the university’s weekly chapel sessions. The third phase will produce a Christian leadership academic major geared toward undergraduate students who want to work in Christian ministries. Another project for this phase is creation of community-centered programming and conferences for Christians serving in a variety of professions.
