Tusculum joins ranks of universities launching an entrepreneurship program
The college has secured $200,000 for the new initiative including donations from four Trustees.
Tusculum University students who want to establish their own businesses and pitch them to potential investors will benefit from a new entity at the higher education institution that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit.
Pioneered by entrepreneur Matt Sweeny, the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, more commonly known as the Freedom Center, will provide the coursework and mentorship Tusculum students need to develop successful business proposals. Community members who might need additional guidance to start or grow a business can tap into some of these classes as well.
Tusculum is accepting applications to enroll at the university and participate in the Freedom Center. The program’s overarching goal is to provide a forum for Tusculum students, local high school students, and community members to start businesses and pitch to investors, who might financially back their idea.
The Freedom Center’s program launches in fall 2025. Tusculum has eyed spring 2026 to hold the first Pitch Day and plans to invite students from other universities who are members of the Appalachian College Association to participate.
“This initiative reinforces our mission to develop career-ready professionals who are civically engaged and eager to make their mark on the community,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s President. “Our extensive work in developing the Freedom Center takes into account an important objective for our region – retaining young and talented entrepreneurs. We are ecstatic about the potential for the Freedom Center to further strengthen the economies of Greene County and other communities in East Tennessee and Central Appalachia.”
Sweeny, the Freedom Center’s Director, teamed with Dr. Hummel and Dr. David Cook, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, on the Freedom Center’s development. Sweeny oversees the Freedom Center.
Earlier in his career, Sweeny graduated from Y Combinator, a leading start-up accelerator in America. He founded a start-up, called SkyDrop, which was previously known as Flirtey, with a drone in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Sweeny served as that company’s Chief Executive Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Sydney, where he studied government and international relations, philosophy, political economy, and global entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Tusculum has secured $200,000 for the Freedom Center, and those funds will cover student scholarships and all of the costs associated with the program. Dr. Scott Niswonger, Dr. Larry Brotherton, Dr. David Baker, and Kelly Vogt, all of whom serve on Tusculum’s Board of Trustees, have donated significant funds toward the Freedom Center. The university has received generous donations from others as well.
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