For assistant professor Tammy Bovee, joining Bushnell’s faculty wasn’t a coincidence — it was one of those “God things” that turned unexpected circumstances into a calling. After writing her faith statement in a McDonald’s parking lot and spending an extra night in a motel room near Disneyland, she completed a phone interview and was later offered a position teaching exercise science. Bovee’s unexpected journey of faith led her to a career of teaching, mentoring, and supporting students at Bushnell University.
At Bushnell, exercise science is more than anatomy and physiology: it is a way to explore the intricacy of God’s design and apply that knowledge in service to others. Bovee is passionate about equipping students to take complex ideas about the human body and make them practical, meaningful, and hope-filled.
Bovee holds a master’s degree in exercise science from Pennsylvania Western University. She is also a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-CES) and a Certified Strength Specialist through the National Association of Sports Officials (NASE-CSS). Before coming to Bushnell in 2016, she spent 17 years running Creative Fitness, a personal training company specializing in supporting clients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. She also collaborated with local physicians and physical therapists to provide rehabilitative care in the Eugene/Springfield community.
Her path to Bushnell was guided by faith, professional experience, and circumstance. While teaching and coaching at a small Christian school in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, one of her students earned a basketball scholarship to Bushnell, which first sparked her interest in the university. Around the same time, her husband had lost his long-time job, and her family needed medical benefits. With her professional background and graduate degrees in exercise science and kinesiology, she felt prepared for the next step in her career. When she saw an opening for an exercise science instructor, she applied, trusting God through every step. “It was one of those God things,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier being here.”
We sat down with Bovee to learn more about her unexpected journey to Bushnell, her passion for making the complex simple, and how she integrates faith, science, and service in the classroom. You can watch the full interview on Bushnell’s YouTube channel or via the embedded video below.
Teaching with Purpose
Bovee’s teaching philosophy centers on accessibility, clarity, and application. “My number one goal is taking the complex and making it simple so that it’s understandable and then applicable,” she explained. “By doing that, I can reach as many kinds of learners as possible.”
Her students not only learn how the body functions on a cellular level but also how to explain and apply that knowledge in ways that help others. “It’s not just, ‘do this exercise,’” she said. “It’s, ‘this is what you’re going to do and here’s why.’” For Bovee, the human body itself points to God’s handiwork. “Almost every lecture I say, ‘This is pure evidence of a Creator God who made our human bodies. How can you deny the presence of God when you look at how the body works?’”
Faith and Calling
For Bovee, Bushnell is more than a workplace — it is a spiritual community. “My faith here makes my faith out in the world better,” she shared. “I want students to know I’m not just here to spew information. I’m here to guide, support, and serve them while also holding them accountable to learn the material.”
She believes her experiences outside the classroom allow her to mentor students with authenticity and purpose. “God gave me enough experiences out there to carry here and pass on. I couldn’t do that if I weren’t filled with the Holy Spirit, and that’s what Bushnell gives me.”
Advice for Students
When asked what advice she would give Bushnell students, her response was clear: “Go all in. Experience everything you can, from clubs to activities to relationships with professors. Don’t hide yourself away. Be passionate about what you’re studying and study what you’re passionate about. It goes both ways.”
Bovee offers students not only academic preparation, but also an invitation to see exercise science as a reflection of God’s design and a calling to serve others with wisdom, faith, and compassion.
Visit our website to find out more about the kinesiology degree, which includes concentrations in exercise science and coaching and athletic administration.