Dr. Chris Shumate, who has strengthened and expanded Tusculum University‘s spiritual opportunities, has been promoted to assistant vice president of student affairs and will continue to serve as campus minister.
“Dr. Shumate has performed excellently as our campus minister for the last two years, enhancing our caring Christian environment and empowering the Tusculum family to grow spiritually,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “We are pleased to utilize his pastoral gifts and support of others by entrusting him with additional responsibilities. His collaboration with the stellar Student Affairs team will ensure our Pioneers have the backing they need.”
As campus minister, Dr. Shumate has organized weekly chapel sessions and Holy Week services. He has overseen the planning and execution of Theologian-In-Residence, a weekly series during a winter month that explores a spiritual or historical subject in depth.
He has also led the spiritual elements of Pioneer WOW for new and returning students at the start of the academic year, developed the vespers service during the Christmas season and taught religion classes. He has fostered relationships with area churches and their ministers so they can play a more active role in campus life. His greatest contributions have been in establishing positive and supportive relationships with students.
Now he will join a Student Affairs team that works closely with students on a variety of items. Among Dr. Shumate’s specific duties will be oversight of programming, such as Pioneer WOW, and minor disciplinary matters.
“I thank Dr. Hummel for the opportunity to step into such a strategic position,” Dr. Shumate said. “I came to Tusculum University to invest in and minister to students, and I see this move as an extension of that pursuit. I am excited about working with Chuck Sutton and our amazing Student Affairs staff, and I look forward to serving our students in a new way while continuing to lead our campus ministry initiatives and providing opportunities for students to grow in their faith.”
An ordained minister, Dr. Shumate came to Tusculum after serving for six years as pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church in Elizabethton. Since he has been at Tusculum, Dr. Shumate served as interim pastor of New Victory Baptist Church in Jonesborough. He is currently the pastor of adult discipleship at Arrowhead Church in Greeneville.
Chuck Sutton, associate vice president of student affairs and retention, said Dr. Shumate possesses many strengths that will be a plus for the office.
“I really welcome his calm approach to handling matters,” said Sutton, who will supervise Dr. Shumate on student affairs items. “His resources in the community will benefit Tusculum and the Office of Student Affairs. He is from Greene County but has lived and served in other communities in the region and knows many people who can assist the university and our students. I have known Dr. Shumate since he joined the Tusculum family and am confident he will be an outstanding fit for our office.”
Dr. Shumate earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, with a minor in Appalachian studies, from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Divinity in Christian apologetics and a Doctor of Ministry in disciple-making, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Additional information about the Office of Student Affairs is available at <https://site.tusculum.edu/student-affairs/>. Further details about the Office of Campus Ministries can be accessed at <https://site.tusculum.edu/campus-ministries/>. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.
