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2018
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
The Cumberlands
Commitment 6
"We want all students to know that with Cumberlands there is a clear and affordable path to a college degree."
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Dear Alumni Family & Friends, As the fall semester comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on these first few months of working in Alumni Services. It has been a whirlwind, from tailgating with alumni in Florida at our first football game, to hosting members of the 1988 Football Team at the 30th anniversary recognition of their undefeated season and, of course, Homecoming! Homecoming brought everyone together as a community with the common purpose of celebrating all that is Cumberlands and served as a nostalgic reminder of the pride we all feel in being alumni. What an unforgettable weekend! Every day, I am struck by the loyalty and commitment you have for Cumberlands. I believe the commonality we all share is a love for the University that perhaps gave us some of the best moments of our lives, and I believe we have unlimited potential to help the University and find great fulfillment in the work we do together as alumni. Indeed, we are alumni for life. Cumberlands is your alma mater… these are your stories… this is your magazine. I invite you to return to campus as often as you can, and when you do, please stop by the Alumni Office, now located on Main Street next to the President’s Home. I would enjoy catching up with you, showing you around and sharing stories about what this place means to all of us. Finally, if you have suggestions for alumni events in your area or ideas for improving communication, please be sure to contact me. Best wishes for a blessed Christmas season and for 2019. Sincerely,
Erica Broome Harris, ’84 Executive Director of Alumni Services 2
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The Office of Alumni Services has moved! Drop in and say hello. We are now located in the Sutton House next to the President's house at 810 Main Street.
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On the Cover Hearts of Gold There is gold in the hills of Appalachia; not only in the beautiful golden sunsets, but also in the hearts of all the alumni who've called Cumberlands home.
In Every Issue 4 Campus News 28 Class Notes 30 Weddings & Births 31 Fond Farewells 32 Patriot Salute 34 UC Tribute Program
2018-19 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS E xecutive O fficers PRESIDENT Brant Poore, ‘94 P R E S I D E N T- E L E C T Tasha Singleton, ’06 PA S T P R E S I D E N T Kelly Raglin, ’87 S E C R E TA RY Chelsie Wolfe, MAT ’16
B oard M ember E meritus Mary Doyle Johnson, ’48 Dick Koeniger, ’67 Bill Lyttle, ’75
T erm E xpiring 2019
Megan Adams, ’13 Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kenneth Dowd, ’79 Danny Lunsford, Jr., ’09 Brant Poore, ’94 Tracey Wessel, ’82
T erm E xpiring 2020 Dr. Mike Clark, ’85 Alan Coppock, ’87 Dave Moss, ’81 Tasha Singleton, ’06 Chelsie Wolfe, MAT ’16
T erm E xpiring 2021
Joe Ellison, III, ’01 Amanda Walton, ’02 Jacob Moak, ’11 Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, ’87, ’13 William “Bill” Jones, ’81
E x - officio M embers Dr. Larry L. Cockrum President
Features
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THE LITTLE FARM ON KNOB HILL
STUART GRANT MACK & BROOKE MACK
RUNNING THE ALLEY
AUDREY SPRINGER
HEALTHCARE HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
CASEY PATRICK
THE IRIDIUM PROJECT
DAN SOMMERS & KRISTY DIORIO
Campus Snapshot Backcover: We just can't get enough of that view. Student Daniel Hunt, '20, gives you another breathtaking reason to come visit campus more often.
Paul P. Steely, ’49 Trustee Liaison
O ffice
of
A lumni S ervices
Erica Broome Harris, '84
Executive Director of Alumni Services
Paul Stepp, BS '12, MSIS '17 Director of Alumni Services
Design, articles and contributions by staff and student members of Office of University Communications & Marketing. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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CAMPUSNEWS
HOT DOG COOK OUT UC Awards $19 Million in Scholarships
In August, UC attempted to break the world record for the world's Longest Line of Hot Dogs. The previous record was 2,496 hot dogs aligned consecutively for 352.66 meters. University staff cooked 3,031 hot dogs and lined them up in a row measuring 453.63 meters. For extra school spirit, Cumberlands staff and students arranged the food so it spelled "UC."
UC is awarding $19 million in scholarships to its undergraduate student body this academic year. In addition, the Office of Financial Aid reports 99 percent of our students receive financial aid.
"We realize this record may seem silly, but it's just a fun thing!" said Dr. Emily Coleman, Vice President of Student Services. "If you have the opportunity to break a world record, why not do it?"
The University offers a myriad of scholarships based on merit, academic standing, musical skill and athletic performance. Cumberlands also provides a number of scholarships that are funded by donors to students in a variety of majors.
The event was held as part of UC's Welcome Week, the first week students are on campus for the new academic year. Cumberlands' Office of Student Service and Campus Activities Board planned multiple events to help new students feel at home and build a sense of community.
During the 2018-2019 academic year, 160 UC students received UC’s Bert T. Combs scholarship to ensure all tuition and fees were paid.
The event was sponsored by C&P II Quality Meats, Mitchell's Chili and Pioneer College Caterers.
Each year, almost 50 percent of on-campus students are employed through UC’s work-study program. A typical student employee earns approximately $2,000 per academic year to help them cover college expenses. This year, the University is supplying its work-study program with $1.25 million.
CUMBERLANDS RECORDS LARGEST ENROLLMENT IN HISTORY UC LO UM W BE TH RL AN E LA DS TE .ED ST U/ NE WS
This fall, Cumberlands recorded the largest student body in the school’s history with an enrollment of 13,476 students. Undergraduate enrollment grew to 3,262, while UC’s graduate population reached 10,021 students. This year’s freshman class is the largest UC has had in five years, according to Dr. Jerry Jackson, VicePresident for Enrollment. When all new students are considered, including freshmen and transfers, Cumberlands had a record-high enrollment of 520 new students.
Despite the fact UC remains the largest private university in Kentucky, Cumberlands continues to maintain an average student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. 4
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“At the end of the day, it’s all about the students,” said Jackson. “We’re proud that so many students see Cumberlands as a high-quality, affordable option for them to extend their education, enrich their lives and prepare for their careers.”
THE TENNIS TWINS
DENEE & LUKA LYTTLE
THE RULEMAKERS OF UC At Cumberlands, we don't just follow the rules set before us. We think outside the box and make our own rules. Our students have their own unique stories, talents and passions. Some are
songbirds with a knack for writing. Others are competitive wrestlers who also enjoy beauty pageants. Whatever the story, one thing is certain: there's nothing ordinary
about these students. They are the storytellers. The leaders. The characters. They are the Rulemakers.
SUBSCRIBE NOW! YOUTUBE.COM/UNIVERSITYOFTHECUMBERLANDS1888
JOJO KEMP JOINS FOOTBALL STAFF Former Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp is the new wide receivers coach for Patriots football. “I’m going to be out there recruiting and on the sideline,” Kemp said in an interview with Kentucky Roll Call. “It’s something I’ve always had dreams and aspirations of doing. I’m finally getting started in my career, and you’re going to be seeing me a lot more.” Kemp is ranked number 12 on UK’s all-time career rushing list with 1,709 yards and 19 touchdowns. He helped improve the team’s record from 2-10 in his freshman year to 7-6 and a bowl berth in his final season. Kemp played for Kentucky from 2013-16 and was a crucial asset in the Cats’ 45-38 victory over South Carolina in 2014, in which he had 17 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns. In short, Kemp’s accomplishments are impressive, and his determination is his staple.
“Coach Kemp is a great competitor, passionate and very knowledgeable of the game of football,” said Matt Rhymer, head football coach at UC. “I believe Kemp will be a great teacher and mentor to our student athletes. He brings us a lot of energy and has a contagious personality. This year’s staff has really come together; it’s a special group.” Kemp is a graduate assistant for the Patriots as he pursues his MBA at UC’s Williamsburg campus.
CATCH ALL THE ACTION AT CUMBERLANDSPATRIOTS.COM
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BEFORE WE BEGIN, WE WANT TO SAY SOMETHING:
THANK YOU
Thank you for deciding to enroll at Cumberlands. No matter what year you were a student, you left an impact that somehow helped shape what the University is today. Thank you for investing in Cumberlands, whether monetarily, through your work for the University or through the time you spent here learning, growing and becoming the person that would shape the community and world around you. 6
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Cumberlands wouldn’t exist without its students, and you were one of those. It’s because of people like you that Cumberlands has grown in size and influence. You are one of the reasons we were able to make the huge change that was announced on September 4, 2018.
So again we say, thank you.
FALL2018 On September 4, Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, President of University of the Cumberlands, announced the university was reducing tuition by 57 percent for all undergraduate, on-campus students, beginning Fall 2019. This marks the largest tuition cut by any university, anywhere, ever. The new model lowers tuition for on-campus undergraduate students, decreases dependency on student loans and builds upon Cumberlands’ long history of providing generous financial assistance to our students. Why did Dr. Cockrum decide to make the cut? In his words, “Because it’s time.” “We are making this change because we are committed to putting our students and families first by addressing the most significant hurdle to a college education: affordability,” Cockrum said in his announcement. “We want all students to know that with Cumberlands there is a clear and affordable path to a college degree.” We call this tuition reset “The Cumberlands Commitment,” since the initiative represents Cumberlands’ commitment to the motives of its founding fathers, which is to provide high-quality, affordable education to students, especially those hailing from the Appalachian region. The Cumberlands Commitment is ultimately a commitment to attainability, clarity and excellence in everything the University does.
world. By removing financial barriers to make education more attainable, we are revealing our commitment to our students – both their education and their future. That is the Cumberlands Commitment.
We are excited to work together with alumni to advance the legacy, reputation and success of University of the Cumberlands. We cannot wait two see all the lives we get to impact because of the Cumberlands Commitment.
We are making this change because we are committed to putting our students and families first by addressing the most significant hurdle to a college education: affordability. We want all students to know that with Cumberlands there is a clear and affordable path to a college degree. - President Larry Cockrum
COMMITTED TO THEIR LEGACY
Cumberlands is investing in its future, and that future is its students. From this point forward, the University can send college graduates into the world with the financial peace of mind not available to many of their peers. Nearly every student on our campus receives scholarship support. The Cumberlands Commitment means even more students benefit from financial assistance during their tenure. It also means the scholarships we have in place go much further for our institution and truly impact students who are focused on serving their communities and the
TO LEARN MORE ucumberlands.edu/commitment
You invested in Cumberlands, you invest in your children, and now it’s our turn to invest in them too. Your child (or grandchild) is a Cumberlands legacy, and we are committed to ensuring that their time here is just as impactful as yours was. Our new tuition model helps us do just that. Thank you for sharing your legacy with us! We love having them on campus! Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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HOMECOMING 2018
It's a Cumberlands Thing!
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2018 HALL OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
H
omecoming once again brought forth the opportunity to honor Cumberlands alumni who are working above and beyond to serve their communities and the world. This year, Dr. W. David Arnold, ’00, Amanda Gail Walton, ’02, and Jolina Petersheim, ’08 were among the honorees. Dr. Robert C. Dunston was recognized as the 2018 Honorary Alumnus.
Amanda Gail Walton
Dr. Robert C. Dunston
Dr. W. David Arnold
Jolina Petersheim
Walton, the 2018 Distinguished Alumna, graduated from Cumberlands with a degree in biology and psychology, She worked several years for UC in the admissions office and athletics department. In 2010, Walton left her career in education to serve as a missionary in Kenya. She currently works for 127 Worldwide, a faithbased non-profit that uses gospel motivated solutions to connect people to the needs of vulnerable communities around the world.
Dr. Dunston serves University of the Cumberlands as Chair of the Department of Missions and Ministries. He first came to the University with his wife Norma in 1983. The couple and their three children have since called Williamsburg home. Dr. Dunston says, “I hope God has used me to bless others as much as He has blessed me through students, faculty, staff and administrators.”
Dr. Arnold, the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus, majored in biology while at Cumberlands and in 2004 completed a medical degree at University of Louisville. He completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at University of Louisville in 2008. Arnold is a physician scientist at The Ohio State University in the Department of Neurology focusing on genetic, sporadic, and traumatic neuromuscular diseases.
Petersheim was recognized as the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumna. She is the acclaimed author of The Divide, The Alliance, The Midwife and The Outcast, which was named one of the best books of 2013. Her fifth novel, How the Light Gets In, will be released in March 2019. Petersheim’s non-fiction writing has been featured in Reader’s Digest, Writer’s Digest, Today’s Christian Woman and Proverbs 31 Ministries.
THE FOOTBALL SEASON OF 1988 WAS ONE FOR THE BOOKS
Under the late Hall of Fame Coach Tom Dowling, the team went undefeated in the regular season. It had never been done before and didn't happen again until the 2013 season. Members of that team joined Coach Dowling's wife, MaryAnn, and Athletic Director Chris Kraftick, at Taylor Stadium on September 15 to celebrate The Undefeated '88 and to watch the Patriots defeat Campbellsville.
FORCED FUMBLES
FUMBLE
RECOVERIES
PASS
BREAK UPS
s d n a l r Cumbe
Florida
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r e v o s e tak
_ ALUMNI TAILGATE 2018
FOOD. FOOTBALL. FRIENDS. IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT. On Saturday, August 25, Cumberlands alumni came out to the football field at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida to cheer on their alma mater! Cumberlands' Office of Alumni Services hosted a tailgate before the game to share memories, meet new friends and show that no matter how far from campus we gather, the Cumberlands spirit still fills the air.
Pictured left to right: Shelleigh Broome Moses ’86, Emily Banks, David Banks ’86, Matt Walton ‘Carly Walton, David Neuner ’71, Jennifer Gray Kraftick ’97, Chris Kraftick, Lisa Hughes Hardy ’83, Bonnie Austin Balliet ’82, David Sullivan ’81, Billy Riley ’81, Dallas Wilkes ’05, Hal Bennett ’98, Nicole Blacey Bennett ’99, Steve Ware ’83, Christine Maraist Neuner ’71, Erica Broome Harris ’84, Beth Dupier Nichols ’84, David Nichols ’91. Not Pictured: John Blackburn ’13, Charlie Higgins ’88, Kim Hosack Higgins ’91, Connor McJunkin ’18, Amy Robbins ’92, Matt Robbins ’89, John Taylor ‘83.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HOST AN ALUMNI GATHERING OR RECEIVE NEWS OF OUR ALUMNI EVENTS, contact Erica (Broome) Harris in Alumni Services at: ERICA.HARRIS@UCUMBERLANDS.EDU
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A
Day
of
Service
On October 19, more than 700 Cumberlands students stepped off campus to serve their local community. The service day was part of Pats Serve, a new program created by the University to help connect students with people in the area through service work.
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FingerPaintings TO DIPLOMAS When Makayla Bourbon, ’18, and Courteney Tompkins, ’18, stepped into their kindergarten classroom in Santa Maria, California years ago, they had no idea they were about to meet their best friend for life. While standing in line to receive a “smart pill” (aka, an M&M) from their teacher, the two said hello to each other. That M&M must have worked, because the girls were smart enough to recognize a great new friend when they met one. Bourbon and Tompkins were like sisters. They stuck by each other through grade school and, as seniors in high school, applied to the same colleges, hoping they could attend together. When they both received wrestling scholarships from Cumberlands, that wish came true. “Courteney is someone I can always count on,” said Bourbon. “I mean that. It can be the middle of the night, and she will answer my call even if she’s half asleep. I am lucky to have her in my life. She’s motivated me to reach my full potential, she helps me learn things about myself I didn’t even know and she always accepts me for who I am. We were each other’s support at UC. We helped each other grow up from teenagers to adults.” “Makayla is always incredibly understanding,” said Courteney. “No matter what the circumstance, she gets it and she’s always there. Even if she disagrees, she does her best to see my side and help me through everything. I’m thankful that I always had someone who could completely relate to what I was feeling in college. She brought a sense of familiarity with every new experience we went through.” Makayla has moved back to California and is working as a physical therapy aide at a local hospital, and Courteney is living in Dallas, Texas while she prepares for an accelerated BSN program. Yet even while living states apart, one thing is sure: their friendship is here to stay. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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FUN FACT: THAT'S OUR CAMPUS!
THE LITTLE FARM ON A BIG HILL
KNOB HILL FARM | WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY Stuart Grant Mack, ’09, MSPAS ’13, and Brooke (Hall) Mack, ’09, MAT '13, together with their three children, run Knob Hill Farm, a micro farm in Williamsburg, Kentucky that focuses on bringing high-quality, pasture-raised food to the local community. “As a physician’s assistant, I see the effects of big-industry, commercial farming every day, especially with heart disease,” said Stuart Grant. “Cows are meant to live on grass, not grain. By shoving feed down them, we’ve created health problems for people who consume their meat.” The way Stuart Grant puts it, the dynamic of a cow’s fat content is largely determined by its diet. Grainfeeding raises the omega-6 content in the fat. Consuming too much of this causes inflammation in humans, 14
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which can lead to heart disease. On the other hand, grass-feeding raises the omega-3 content, which can decrease inflammation. That’s why the Macks’ cows (and chickens) roam on green pastures, and their pigs wallow in pastured wood lots. The animals are rotated frequently to give them fresh grass and prevent destruction of property. The farm is small – only 12 acres – so the Macks must use each portion of land wisely. Farming has been Stuart Grant’s hobby his whole life. But besides the health benefits that pasture farming brings to consumers, there is also a spiritual conviction behind Knob Hill Farm. “We feel like the commercialized way of raising animals today in agriculture goes against the way the Lord intended
it,” said Stuart Grant. “Taking a lot of animals and cramming them into a little-bitty space and not letting them express their God-given traits – that’s not what we do. God made so many good things for us. We make the most of those gifts.” Most recently, the Macks began hosting “The Farmer and the Wife” fellowship dinners.
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Guests are welcomed into the Mack home where they learn how to make buttermilk biscuits and other foods from scratch, tour the farm and enjoying eating a meal together. The dinners were Brooke’s idea, and she has liked seeing the positive response they’re getting. “The people are my favorite part of all this,” she said. “I love getting to meet with people and welcome them into the house, show them around the farm, learn what’s going on in their lives.” “Some people think we’re crazy,” Stuart Grant said. “There are even times when I ask myself, ‘Why are we doing this?’ But ultimately, it’s who I am. It’s a Godgiven desire; it’s a conviction and a love.” The structure of Knob Hill Farm is simple: give no antibiotics, market locally and treat the animals well. According to the Macks, that’s all you need to see your farm – and the people who enjoy its food – truly thrive.
Kathy Hardock & Jerry Bohman
Cumberlands Couples "We saw each other for the first time in the Cumberland College cafeteria in 1972. Jerry played basketball, and I cheered, so we got to know each other better through that. "As it turns out, we have the same birthday. So, we graduated on May 24, 1975, then celebrated our birthday four days later, then got married three days after, and started our Kentucky State Government jobs two days after that. Those two weeks in 1975 were very eventful! "Cumberland College was a fantastic place to get our education, and the values that were emphasized there still influence our lives."
Share your Cumberlands Couples story! email: ucomm@ucumberlands.edu GROW ALONGSIDE THEM AT: KNOBHILLFARMING.COM
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THECHORALE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME SINGS IN CARNEGIE HALL On April 9, 2018, University of the Cumberlands Chorale joined choirs from around the nation in the premiere of Richard Buchard’s choral work “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” performed in Carnegie Hall. “The trip was a win all the way around,” said Dr. Joey Wolfe, who directed the 2017-18 Chorale. “It gave the students an experience they couldn’t have in Williamsburg and exposed them to a different way of life. I was very proud of them and happy for them. They responded well, conducted themselves well and represented the school and department well through the whole process.” Carnegie Hall is the most revered music hall in the United States, with stellar acoustics, breathtaking interior design, and of course, a performance history
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filled with music’s greats. Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Judy Garland and The Beatles are just a few examples. Singing on the same stage as these music icons was an incredible opportunity for the students. “Walking into Carnegie Hall was overwhelming for me, in a good way,” said Haley Tillett, ’18. “It was amazing to think, ‘I’m here, where all these ridiculously famous people have been, performing just like they did.’” The composition “The Seven Last Words of Christ” consists of a prologue and seven other movements. Each movement focuses on a phrase Jesus Christ said before his death on the cross, as
FALL2018 recorded in the Bible. The composition is stylistically solemn and impactful, with lyrics to each movement sung in Latin. “At first, it was just another piece,” said Lyndsey Bell, ’18, who served as Student Conducting Assistant for Chorale. “But once we started really making music, it was emotional. We ended practice early one time because it just got so moving.” When Chorale wasn’t at rehearsal or performance, they toured New York City. Everyone ate dinner together at Little Italy one evening and attended a performance of School of Rock on Broadway. Otherwise, students had time to explore the city. Groups visited sites such as the 9/11 memorial and Times Square, enjoying quirky shops and eateries as they traveled. What does the future hold for Cumberlands’ choirs now that Chorale has performed in such an esteemed venue? The hope is that this trip’s momentum will propel the choirs forward. “If you look nationwide at the choral programs that are vibrant and successful, that are doing great jobs at recruiting, attracting and retaining students, what you will find is a common element amongst all of those, and that’s touring,” said Wolfe. “It’s experiences like what we just gave our students. I think touring has to be a way of life for any school that wants to be serious about choral music.”
No plans have been set for future choral tours, but one dream is that someday Cumberlands’ choral reach would expand domestically and even internationally, to excite prospective students, give current choir members memorable learning experiences and connect Cumberlands alumni with current choral efforts along the way.
“PERFORMING IN CARNEGIE HALL WAS ABSOLUTELY MIND-BLOWING,” SAID TILLETT. “I WAS SHELL-SHOCKED, COMPLETELY. THE TRIP WAS EXACTLY WHAT I HAD HOPED FOR. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.” Once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Chorale’s tour to Carnegie Hall do not come without the financial support of faithful music-lovers like you. Thank you for your continued love and support of the fine arts at University of the Cumberlands. To help make future tours possible for Cumberlands choirs, please contact Kristin Disney, Administrative Assistant of the Department of Music, at kristin.disney@ucumberlands.edu.
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Running the Alley
AUDREY SPRINGER, '13 “I hated running. I hated runners. And I hated every dang lap around my two-acre yard my dad made me run as a punishment.” This is not the way a reader would expect a Boston Marathoner to begin a blog post, considering the point of the blog is to share her “love and passion for running with the world!” But Audrey Springer, ’13, doesn’t gloss over the tough stuff, and she gives credit where it’s due. “I’ve lost a job,” Springer admitted. “I’ve lost friends. I’ve been broke, and I’ve been brokenhearted. You know what got me through? Running.” That passion, plus some hefty effort behind the scenes, has earned Springer more than 15.1K followers on Instagram alone. She has been sponsored by top athletics companies like Reebok, Under Armour and WMNutrition. Her photos have been featured in Runner’s World magazine and other publications. She’s been an ambassador for Balega, Nuun and many more corporations. A new nutrition, clothing or other runnerrelated product arrives on her doorstep every day for her to try out and advertise. In short, athleticism and positivity have become Springer's life. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
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TRY TO KEEP UP WITH AUDREY HERE: @RUNNINGTHEALLEY
FALL2018 Springer was a "middle-of-the-pack runner" on Cumberlands’ track and cross-country teams. Upon graduation, Springer moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where she completed her first marathon “just to cross off a bucket list item.” Shortly after, Springer left for Pataskala, Ohio, where she grew up. She was jobless, in her 20s and living back at home with her parents.
“I DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LIFE I HAD BUILT – MY FRIENDS, HOUSE, JOB, EVERYTHING – ALL IN A WEEKS’ TIME,” SPRINGER SAID. “I FELT SO LOST. WHEN FACED WITH A TOTAL REEVALUATION OF MY FUTURE, I TURNED TO RUNNING. RUNNING SAVED MY LIFE. IT WAS THE HOUR OF MY DAY THAT WAS MINE. WITH ALL THE TUGS AND PULLS OF THE WORLD, I COULD RUN AWAY FOR AN HOUR. IT WAS FREEING.” Gradually, something inside Springer clicked. She’d always wanted to run the famous Boston Marathon, so she started training. Along the way, Springer met a man who had more than 30 marathons under his belt and hired him as her coach. He wrote up a training plan and ran with Springer twice a week to prepare her. What does training for one of the world’s most prestigious annual marathons look like? Running upwards of 60 miles a week, eating a lot of healthy food, cross training at the gym, doing 5:00 a.m. track workouts and sleeping for 12-13 hours a night. All of that, every day, for months. Yet to Springer, it was all worth it. In the fall of 2016, she completed the Erie Marathon in three hours and twenty-six minutes, qualifying her to compete in the Boston Marathon. Something she had “dreamed about forever” was about to become reality.
The weekend of April 17, 2017, it did. The temperature that day rose to the mid-70s – perfect for spectators, dreadful for marathoners. By mile five, Springer felt hot. Around mile 9, she’d slurped the two packets of Gu energy gel that were supposed to last the whole race, and by mile 13 she knew her body was going downhill. At every water stop from miles 15 to 25, she drained two water cups and a cup of Gatorade, spending precious seconds walking to ensure she could get the fluids down. In the end, Springer ran a 3:46 marathon. “Looking back, I never think of anything other than how amazing that race was,” said Springer. “Seeing the finish line brought tears to my eyes. I finished the race hand in hand with my coach and my friend who never left my side the entire race. I think my cheeks hurt from smiling more than my legs hurt from running. And when they put that Boston Marathon medal around my neck, it could possibly be the proudest moment of my life.” Truthfully, Springer has a lot to be proud of. Besides pushing through months of hard physical, mental and emotional training to run a Boston Marathon, then completing that marathon approximately one hour ahead of the median finishing time, Springer is using her social media platform to inspire thousands of people, runners or not. She even coaches runners now, including one blind runner, whom she guides along the road. Springer's life now is not what she expected it to be. It is much, much better. "I don't rate myself as a fantastic, talented athlete," Springer said. "I just have perseverance. I'm a cart horse. I work hard. I never in my wildest dreams thought my social media would be where it is. I wake up every day grateful for every opportunity I'm given." Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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HEALTHCARE HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
CASEY PATRICK MEET GLOBAL CARE PROVIDER
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W
hen Casey Patrick, ’00, heard about a five-week long medical mission trip at a Global Emergency Care Collaborative (GECC) site in Uganda, he knew it was a perfect opportunity.
Patrick is a medical director who is passionate about helping people and teaching others useful methods for patient care. The difference between emergency medical care in America and the system in Uganda is “night and day,” said Patrick in an MCHD podcast. Even though GECC’s impact has grown over the past 10 years, the country as a whole doesn’t yet have a dependable emergency medicine presence. Patrick spent the first two weeks of the trip in the department observing the Emergency Care Providers (ECP), and teaching bedside when he could. “The way the five weeks broke down for me was pretty serendipitous, actually,” Patrick said. “As I spent those two weeks there, I realized there was a significant portion of my lectures that was not applicable because of the environment and resources. It was good for me, having those first two weeks of shock.” Healthcare professionals in Uganda do not have access to a great deal of the medical equipment available in American hospitals. So, they make do. For example, one ECP correctly diagnosed a patient with pneumonia by simply tapping his fingers in specific places along the patient’s back. Another ECP properly removed a broken, full-length catheter in seconds by using a technique Patrick hadn’t seen in years. According to Patrick, every ECP on site was more skilled with ultrasound equipment than Patrick was, and could diagnose malaria more quickly due to the disease’s prominence. Patrick was impressed. “It was amazing seeing what they could do with a really resource-limited environment,” he said. “This one ECP was better than me at probably 90 percent of what he did every day as far as infectious
THERE’S ONE DOCTOR FOR EVERY
10,000
UGANDANS.
disease and ultrasound. I know a lot of things they don’t, but it’s not going to help them in their environment.” During the following three weeks, Patrick gave seven lectures pertaining to medicine and emergency care. Patrick knew that some topics would be interesting to the Ugandans, but he was unsure about how other topics would seem pertinent to them. For instance, one lecture he was scheduled to give was about Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which refers to the treatment and transport of people in crisis health situations. In America, people call 9-1-1, then a well-equipped and sterile ambulance is sent to the address of the emergency and the paramedics begin treatment inside the ambulance as the patient is transported to the hospital. Not so in Uganda. “Uganda is about 40 years behind our EMS structure,” said Patrick. “They have ambulances, but they’re mostly private; no credentialing, you don’t know what or whom is picking you up, and most of the time they’ll only pick you up for a fee.” How was Patrick going to teach the ECPs about a system that doesn’t exist in their country? Luckily enough, the Ministry of Health was actually on site at the hospital while Patrick was there, holding meetings for the development and funding of EMS
systems in Uganda. What Patrick thought would be boring and hard to understand ended up being one of the most wellreceived lectures. Ultimately, Patrick came home to the States with a higher respect for ECPs in developing countries, a new gratitude for the equipment American hospitals have on hand and a stronger passion for the continued growth of the healthcare system in Uganda. “There’s one doctor for every 10,000 Ugandans,” he said. “The advancement of emergency care in Uganda is needed. As far as the effort that GECC has made in the past ten years, I can attest to the fact that they’re making a difference. The ECPs do amazing work. I’m proud to have been associated with them in the small way that I was. I think they’re a group worth supporting and worth checking out.”
WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE? GET INVOLVED AT:
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T
I HE
U I D I R
When disaster strikes, duty calls. But what if duty can’t call because disaster struck down the cell phone towers? Don’t worry. Look up. There is an intricate network of satellites 485 miles above you that can connect anyone who owns satellite phones equipped with Iridium technology. A portion of that technology is thanks to Dan Sommers, ’06, and Kristy (Bishop) DiOrio, ’10, engineers who have worked with Iridium in various capacities. Iridium is a constellation of 66 satellites providing worldwide voice and data service primarily through satellite phones. The constellation is comprised of six planes, with 11 satellites in each plane. Each satellite in the constellation is constantly communicating with each of the other satellites, creating a network of coverage across the globe. 22
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R P M
T C E J O
“Iridium satellite phones can be used in any area with clear access to the sky,” explained DiOrio, an orbit analyst and mission planner for Iridium. “Even when cell towers are down or power is out, you can use Iridium satellite phones for communication purposes. Satellite phones are essential in response to various disasters.” For example, after hurricane Maria’s destruction of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, more than 5,000 Iridium phones were dispersed to personnel in Puerto Rico to provide communications after the hurricane. These satellite phones were one of the only means of communication due to the destruction of cell phone towers and infrastructure. Sommers, who was a software engineer for Iridium in the 1990s, wrote some of the software necessary for the satellite phones to work, including important
calling features such as forwarding calls, conference calling and call-waiting. “That software was the analog version of a telephone switch in the radio network,” Sommers said. “The device sat on the ground and arbitrated between the satellite network and an actual groundbased telephone switch. I started writing software when I was 14, so I had a lot of experience by then.” “Iridium NEXT” is the replacement of the old Iridium constellation (the initial 77 satellites) with a new and improved constellation of 66 satellites. This consists of eight total launches with SpaceX (another aerospace company), of which seven launches have already been completed. The last launch is targeted for the end of 2018. This satellite replacement process is anything but simple. DiOrio and
FALL2018 A rendering of a satellite being used for Project Iridium NEXT. Once complete, 66 satellites will be in formation circling the globe and allowing for telecommunications around the world, even when cell phone towers are out of commission.
her coworkers track the locations of the Iridium satellites, and in turn tell each individual vehicle where it is in space, among other responsibilities. DiOrio’s favorite part is planning maneuvers for each of the satellites so they remain in their desired orbit while avoiding other satellites and debris in space. “It’s like playing the old Asteroids video game!” she said. DiOrio is also a mission planner. As such, she makes sure all 66 mission satellites “know how to talk to each other and to our sites on the ground,” which requires a few million route changes a day. Additionally, DiOrio takes the old satellites and their replacements through a “slot swap.” The process is incredibly detailed, from a planning perspective. The Iridium engineers must maneuver the new satellite to proper altitude, fly it next to the older one they are replacing, link in the new satellite and prepare it for mission operations, transition seamlessly to the new satellite and finally disconnect the old satellite once the new one is fully checked out. “That’s for one satellite replacement,” DiOrio said. “Imagine doing 10 of those, staggered but overlapping, finishing just a few days before the next launch. A coworker once said, ‘It's like changing a car tire while moving 17,000 miles an hour.’” A special bonus of working on Iridium NEXT is that, as a gesture of appreciation for those who help make Iridium’s global coverage possible, the company included DiOrio’s name on a plaque inside one of the satellites sent on the most recent launch. That’s right: the name of a Cumberlands alumna is printed in outer space. Both Sommers and DiOrio are thankful for the professors and programs at Cumberlands that gave them tools for success in their careers. “I owe a lot to my professors at UC,” said DiOrio. “It was at Cumberlands I realized engineering would allow me to apply my math and physics knowledge to a handson job. My professors at Cumberland helped me pave a path to achieve my goal!” “I got a better perspective, some better ideas on how to organize thoughts and how to approach certain kinds of problems,” said Sommers. “I was 40 when I came here, but I absolutely learned a lot. I’m definitely glad I came.”
ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE? SHARE YOUR STORY: UCOMM@UCUMBERLANDS.EDU CumberlandsAlumni AlumniMagazine Magazine Cumberlands
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MOUNTAIN OUTREACH BUILDS 150T H HOME For 36 years, Mountain Outreach has been serving our community. This summer, the program built its 150th home from the ground up for a family in need. The house is simple and sweet. A Minnie Mouse bicycle sits on the front porch, and inside, the walls are painted a calming blue. Comfy brown couches rest on the living room floor, and on the kitchen wall hangs a canvas that reads, “Bless the food before us, the family beside us, and the love between us.” Briana Hurst, her husband Jeremy, and their daughters Paisley (age four) and Madison (age two) couldn’t be happier living in this house, their new home. It is 24
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very different from what they had before. Before, the Hurst family was living in Briana’s great-grandparents’ trailer, which had tiny plants growing through the ceiling and insufficient wall insulation that shot their electric bill skyhigh. The Hursts kept up the trailer the best they could, but it just wasn’t livable. Jeremy works long hours to provide for his family, but they just couldn’t afford anything else.
that had become available.
“It wasn’t where we wanted our kids to be,” Briana said. “We used to be gone as long as possible during the day. We didn’t want to be in our house.”
“I was squealing in the trailer,” Briana laughed. “I had been so devastated; I didn’t know what to do anymore. When Marc told us we got the house, I was overthe-moon happy.”
Jeremy’s cousin suggested the family apply for a previously built MO house
A while after the Hursts applied, Marc Hensley, Director of MO, contacted them. “Well, I have good news and bad news,” Hensley said. “Bad news is, you don’t get the house you applied for. Good news is, you’re getting a brand-new house! We start work on it this summer.” The Hursts were absolutely overjoyed.
That day, their daughter Paisley began
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referring to the home as their “Jesus House,” and the nickname stuck. The family drove up to the “Jesus House” nearly every day during construction to see the progress and help out in any way they could. Paisley and Madison played with the college students whenever possible. The parents are grateful their daughters got to see the MO volunteers giving up their summer to help someone else. It was impactful for the whole Hurst family. “For college kids to take time of their own and build somebody else a house – it’s just remarkable,” Briana said. “You don’t think that’s ever going to happen, and now I think the world of these students. They spent almost every day of their summer out here, building a house for us, just because they felt like God led them to do it.”
THIS HOUSE HAS
Changed Our World. I COULD GET ON MY KNEES AND SPEND DAYS
Thanking
MOUNTAIN OUTREACH FROM THE
Bottom of My Heart. One year ago, the Hurst family was stressed, financially drained and out of
options. Now, Jeremy and Briana can relax in an affordable home they enjoy, watching their girls play with bubbles, giggling gleefully and skipping around. Not only did they build this house, but they hung the blinds, cleaned the sinks and bathtub, mopped the floor – I mean, they got this house ready to live in! I just love them all. I’m so appreciative of every single one of them.” While Jeremy is at work, Briana unpacks their belongings, decorates the house, and takes care of the girls. Both parents have been touched by the whole experience. They’re enjoying taking it all in, and they have dreams for how this step up could impact their daughters’ futures.
“I hope the girls do big things in life,” Briana said. “I want them to see how far God has brought us. I hope they never lose faith and always know that, when they need it, God will move. We’re firsthand witnesses of that. Give it all to God. He can move.” Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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Elevatefitness_Studio Elevate Fitness Studio
Susannah Zawko
ELEVATING LIVES IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
S
granddaughter’s hand and leaves for home. Finally, Zawko can sit and talk for a bit about how all of this began.
Zawko’s daughter approaches her, who kneels and playfully kisses the little redhead’s cheek. They exchange “buh-byes” as Zawko’s mom takes her
“All of this” being Elevate Fitness Studio, the “fitness boutique” in London, Kentucky that Zawko owns, and in which she is currently sitting. Elevate Fitness Studio surpassed its nine-month business goals in half that time, was completely debt-free in two months, and has more than 90 paying members (though Zawko only expected to have 15). It’s a gym
usannah Zawko, ’13, her family and friends casually meander down a hallway adorned with comfy chairs, scented wax melts, a rack of printed T-shirts that say “Actually, I can,” and tiny signs that remind visitors, “You’re beautiful.” Along the hallway are workout rooms stocked with exercise equipment.
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owned and run by women, for women of all ages and body types. “It’s surreal to see how God can take something that you thought of on such a small scale and grow it out,” Zawko says. “It feels really good. I thought of making this years ago, but I never dreamed it would turn into what it has.” The studio offers fitness classes that range from hot yoga to “Kettlebell AMPD” sessions to classes that blend worship
FALL2018 That’s partially because Zawko can relate to anyone who walks in, since she has been all across the weight spectrum. She was “quite a bit overweight” at points, yet other times she struggled with anorexia and bulimia. In Zawko's eyes, neither extreme is at all healthy. Zawko understands what it’s like to struggle for balance and stability, not only regarding food and exercise, but in other areas of life. Two years ago, she escaped an abusive marriage and returned home to London. “There was so much shame wrapped up in that,” Zawko confesses. “Being the single mom whose husband cheated or was abusive – I didn’t want that. I had that stigma, and that was hard. But my mess has become my message in every area. It doesn’t matter if it was my eating disorders or my marriage; whatever it was, that has become my ministry in life.” But why make it a ministry? Why work so hard, day in and day out? Why share such a difficult, personal message with total strangers? Three reasons. One, to be a strong, loving example for her daughter. Two, to see women transformed. And three, for her Lord, to whom she ultimately gives credit for how far she has come. “I’m so honored God chooses to use me,” she says. “It feels so good to let Him take the reins. He’s got this whole thing under control.”
music with exercise. Each class has three levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced – that cater to all fitness levels. But what makes the studio so unique is the heart behind it. “Above all, my goal is to honor Christ in everything I do,” says Zawko. “I truly believe that the body was made to worship God through exercise. The whole goal is for people to leave this place feeling whole in every way.”
That’s why Elevate also offers nutrition consultations and diet programs. Plus, Zawko writes a blog to inspire and motivate readers. “I want people to know, you’ve got this. You’re good. You’re okay,” Zawko says. “Women come into the studio and notice right away that there isn’t judgment of being a specific size, body type or age. Everybody feels comfortable here.”
Zawko is learning to stop dreaming small. Instead, she is handing everything to God, having faith that He will do something amazing. After all, if He found a way to elevate her story, give her an unwavering passion, grant her success in her business, turn her mess into a message that has already impacted hundreds of people in little London, Kentucky... Well, then. The options may just be limitless.
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CLASS NOTES
1970s
Matthew Bastin, MA ’09, was named principal of Temple Hill Elementary.
Tony Carson, ’70, pastor of First Baptist Church of Sonora, celebrated 50 years of work in ministry.
Jamey Robinson, ’09, joined McNeil Music Center to teach private lessons in saxophone and music theory. After college he taught music lessons in the Whitley, Pikeville and Rockcastle County schools, specializing in woodwind instruments. Today he is a freelance musician and has performed with several musical acts over the years.
1980s Jeff Houghton, ’80, has pastored for 22 years. He is associate pastor at Spring Hills Baptist Church in Granville and Pastor at Spring Hills Utica. Tammie (White) Chapman, ’81, was named Teacher of the Year at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College. She is a full professor at SKCTC and the coordinator, instructor and advisor of Teacher Education.
2010s Amy (Arnold) Bellamy, MAE ’10, became Owensboro Public Schools’ literacy coach. She has taught language arts at Owensboro Middle School North for 12 years.
Kim (Broome) White, ’81, was sworn in as a school board member for Williamsburg Independent Board of Education.
Craig Cook, ’10, became head soccer coach at Northside High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
1990s
Deatrik Kinney, MAT ’10, a former assistant principal at Todd County Central High School, was named to lead the school in the wake of the departure of Jennifer Pope, who was named director of district-wide services for Todd County Schools.
Mark Sizemore, ’92, was named 2018/19 KMEA District 10 High School Music Teacher of the Year. Steve Allen, ’93, has been elected to join Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED) Corporation’s General Membership Board. Robin (Ryan) Prince, MAE ’93, was named Teacher of the Year at Harlan High School. She is also the First Priority and senior sponsor.
2000s Susan Elza, MAE ’01, was honored by Campbellsville University for her excellence in teaching. Elza is a GEAR-UP academic specialist for grades 1-8 at East Bernstadt Independent Middle School.
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Aaron Sturgill, ’10, was approved as the City of Corbin’s new downtown manager. James “Jamie” Campbell, MAT ’11, became principal of Paul Blazer High School after three years as principal of Crabbe Elementary. He grew up in Williamsburg and has a Master's in Special Education and in Instructional Leadership from UC. Brian Courtney, MAE ’11, was selected as the principal of Bardstown Elementary School. He had been serving as sixth-grade assistant principal of Marion C. Moore Middle School in Louisville since July 2016. He began his teaching career in 2005 as an Exceptional Education Resource Math Teacher at North Bullitt High School, a position he held until he became the school’s assistant principal in 2013.
FALL2018 Michael Gooch, MAE ’11, was named principal of Webster County Middle School. Kevin Payton, MAE ’11, was named assistant principal of Bardstown Middle School in Kentucky. Chris Price, ’11, has been selected as Hodgenville Elementary School’s principal. Enock Francois, MAT ’12, accepted a position as Special Services Coordinator at The Villages Charter Schools in Florida. He will also be an associate head coach for the school’s wrestling them. He competed in the U.S. Olympic trials for wrestling in 2016.
Shelley Gobin, ’15, was appointed CEO of Health First. She has been part of the Health First team for five years beginning in the Nursing and Quality Department before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2015. She has been a registered nurse in Kentucky since 2003. Prior to obtaining her RN license, she worked as a LPN from 2001 to 2003. Chelsea Hinton, ’15, presented a lecture entitled “Pollinator Communities and the Role of Flowering Duration in Conservation and Restoration” at UC in September. Tamatha “Tammy” Mosby, MAE ’15, Ed.S. ’16, was named principal at Union County Middle School.
Barton Mattingly, MAE ’12, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University. He has taught Agriculture at Washington County High School since 2012. Ashley Campos, ’13, became the first-ever head coach over both boys and girls wrestling teams at James E. Taylor High School in Texas. Vince Drahman, attended ’11-’13, joined the coaching staff of IUPUI’s golf program. Justin Dyer, ’13, MACS ’14, was named boys soccer coach at FranklinSimpson High School. He played football at UC and was a four-year letterman as kicker. Gabriella “Gabby” Hodges, ’13, was awarded the Laurel County Health Department’s inaugural Trailblazer Award. Amanda (Eastridge) Hayes, MAE ’13, Ed.S. ’15, began teaching special education at LaRue County Middle School. Dr. Trey Jarboe, ’13, MJA ’13, Ph.D. ’15, was named Associate Vice President of Online Enrollment at University of the Cumberlands. He oversees the admission process for all of Cumberlands’ online programs. Kerri McCarthy, ’13, was named Teacher of the Year at Cumberland Elementary School. She teaches third and fourth grade ELA. Jackie Alexander, ’14, became an assistant coach for Winthrop women’s basketball. She played collegiately for Army West Point and University of the Cumberlands. She joined the Winthrop staff from the Air Force Academy where she served as video coordinator for the women’s basketball program. She was an officer in the US Army for three years where she managed personnel and coordinated training in her company prior to joining the Air Force Staff. Steven Bauer, Ed.S. ’14, was selected as principal for Grapevine Elementary principal. Andy Wyckoff, Rank I cert. ’14, was named principal of Conner High School. Jessica Yaeger, MAE ’14, was awarded the Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching Award. She teaches language arts for Owensboro Middle School South.
MURAL UPDATE:
In our last issue, we featured Kellene (Seifert) Turner, ’08, who was chosen to paint a mural in downtown Corbin, Kentucky. As you can see, Turner has made a lot of progress! You can follow Turner's work at kellene.turner.art on Facebook and Instagram. Joe Brinkman, ’15, joined Notre Dame’s swimming and diving coaching staff. Lyndsey (Noe) Carmical, MAE ’15, was named Teacher of the Year at Wallins Elementary School. She is a third grade teacher and the middle school academic team coach.
A Lifelong Friendship
Carol (Stephens) Keener, ’73, Brenda (Phillips) West, ’73, and Alavene (Brown) Templin, ’74, lived in Roburn (Moss) Hall 45 years ago and have been best friends ever since. West and Templin met in first grade. West remembers holding Templin’s hand as they stepped off the bus, and the two went on to attend grade school and college together, even sharing their college dorm room. That’s when they met Keener, a personality who fit seamlessly into their fold. The three women ended up teaching at the same school after graduation and retired together years later. All three agree, their friendship has been absolutely wonderful. They wouldn’t be who they are without each other, and they are happy to continue enjoying the blessing that each of them is to the others. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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FALL2018 Emma (Medlen) Martin, MAE ’15, Ed.S. ’17, was named principal at Breckenridge County Area Technology Center.
Nacy (Gates) Butts, MBA ’17, was named Chief Fiscal Officer for Caldwell Medical Center.
Lauren Denise Phillips, MAE ’15, Ed.S. ’17, began teaching English and reading at LaRue County Middle School.
Whitley (Lawless) Phelps, ’17, began teaching at Abraham Lincoln elementary in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Joanna Smith, Ed.S. ’15, was awarded Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University. She teaches 4th and 5th grade math at North Washington Elementary School.
Bridgette Lee Smith, Ed.S. ’17, was named the Russell County Education Association’s Teacher of the Month for August 2018.
Tedarrius N. Teasley, ’15, graduated from the Georgia State Patrol Trooper School on September 21, 2018. The training program included 32 weeks of intense training. He now works as a trooper in Hall County Georgia. Shaun Thomas, MAT ’15, was named principal of Reidland Intermediate School in the McCracken County School District. He has been with McCracken County Schools since 2008 when he began as an instructional assistant at Reidland High School. He has served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal in his career. D’Lando Carter, ’16, was named head coach of the Schlarman Academy boys basketball team. Kerri Stanfield, MAE ’16, was one of 24 Kentucky teachers who received the Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award. She teaches English to eighth-graders at Mason County Middle School in Maysville, Kentucky.
Arelys Valles, ’17, was hired as Women’s Wrestling Coach for BrewtonParker College in Mount Vernon, GA. She traveled to New York City to compete at the Bill Farrell International Open and left the tournament as the international champion. For winning the tournament, she qualified for the World Team Trials that took place in May and was sponsored by NYAC (New York Athletic Club). Timothy Wheeler, MAE ’17, was given an Excellence in Teaching award from Campbellsville University. Ernest Dunn, Ed.S. ’18, was named assistant principal of student affairs at Danville High School in Kentucky. Wes Johnson, Ed.S. ’18, was named director of human resources for Graves County Schools. Ben Kendrick, ’18, received sponsorship from Titleist as he builds his professional golfing résumé.
*** This list includes updates reported by family members, newspapers and other sources from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018
WEDDINGS & BIRTHS Heather (Norton) Watkins, ’11, and Kyle Watkins announce the birth of their son, Jackson McKinley, on October 24, 2017. Derrick Watkins, ’12, and Rebecca (Hatmaker) Watkins, ’12, announce the birth of their son, Oaklee Bryce, on July 12, 2017.
Tyler Harris, ’10, and Hannah Harris announce the birth of their twins, daughter, Ramsay and son, Reedy, on November 18, 2017.
Aaron Watkins, ’12, and Ashlyn (Cleveland) Watkins, announce the birth of their daughter Dawsyn Rose on December 1, 2017. Bethany (Wilson) Young, attended ’15-’17, and Barrett Young were married on June 30, 2018. CeJay Jones, ’16, and Kaitlyn (Ball) Jones were married on March 30, 2018. CeJay is a Human Resource Representative.
Mason Neltner, ’18, and Emily (Hall) Neltner were married on August 11, 2018. Mason works for Immanuel Baptist Church, and Emily is finishing her degree in human services and criminal justice at Cumberlands.
James Michael “Mike” Webster, MAE ’16, and Megan (Conley) Webster were married on May 19, 2018. Mike is employed at Tates Creek Middle School in Lexington as a Physical Education teacher. CJ Roberts, ’18, and Emily (Hecker) Roberts, ’18, were married on September 8. Emily works in the Department of Education at UC. Dr. Shannon Deaton, ’11, Dean of the School of Education, and Mrs. Alexandria Deaton, ’14, Assistant Professor of Education, announce the birth of their daughter, Kinsley Jane, on August 15, 2018. 30
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Alli (Huff) Moore, ’18, and Jacob Moore were married on July 14, 2018. Britney (Nichols) Mattingly, MAE ’15, and Alex Mattingly were married on October 27, 2018.
Erin (White) Wells, ’11, and Phillip Wells, ’13, announce the birth of their son, Luke Aaron, on July 20, 2018.
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FOND FAREWELLS *** Please note: This list includes updates reported by family members, newspapers and other sources from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018.
1930s
Lorine (Compton) Trosper, ’39, passed away on May 17, 2018.
1970s Dr. Ray Lipps, ’70, passed away July
1940s
15, 2018. He was the owner of Esquire Galleries and published author. He received an honorary doctorate degree, induction into the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame, induction into the Alumni Hall of Honor, and a classroom at the Hutton School of Business dedicated in his name. He was the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame co-founder/ board member and did not miss a single UC homecoming for 50 years.
John A. Rickett, ’48, passed away on July 10, 2018.
1950s
Phyllis Ann (Hall) Jones, ’51, passed away on June 30, 2018. She worked as a high school business and VOE teacher in Austin, Texas from 1972 until her retirement in 1987. Mary E. (Sumler) Waters, ’51, passed away on August 7, 2018. She spent her life teaching Sunday school and enjoyed sharing the joy of Jesus with everyone she encountered. Betty Ann Skidmore Daniel, ’52, passed away on August 31, 2018. David Nickell Huff, ’53, passed away on August 11, 2018. He established Huff Drug in 1960 in Corbin KY until 1993 and owned Huff Pharmacy in Corbin, along with Don Creech, until 2007. Afterword he helped his sons open Southeast Marine in Corbin 1986 and was active in its operation until 2005. David served on University of the Cumberlands Board of Directors, for over 40 years, receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws in 2001 Reverend Marshall E. Phillips, ’54, passed away on May 29, 2018. He served as a minister, interim pastor, director and on the mission field. William G. Ray, ’54, passed away May 1, 2018. Jack L. Isaacs, ’55, passed away on August 16, 2018. Willard D. Siler, ’56, passed away on July 11, 2018. He was a US Army Veteran and later an employee of Siler Implement Company for 40 years.
1960s
Ralph Jerry Ramsey, ’61, passed away on June 25, 2018. He served as an MP in the U.S. Army and later retired from The Home Depot. Phillip Gordon Catron, ’62, passed away on June 27, 2018. After obtaining his degree at Cumberlands, he taught the fifth grade at Turner Intermediate. In 1969 he got his Rank 1 in School Administration. Phillip retired in 1989 as Principle with the Wayne County School System. Phillip served as CreechBoswell Club President for two years at UC. He worked as a real estate agent with Edwards Reality and managed his own investments. Reverend Sam B. Smith, ’66, passed away on May 14, 2018. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in Korea, and an ordained Baptist Minister, he also pastored many churches in the local area.
Ray was known at UC for his spirited auctioneering and generously donated hundreds of framed art prints to start and support the annual Homecoming Alumni Board Auction and the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Auction. The Bella Bender Lipps Art Scholarship Award is given out annually during Honors Day in
honor of his first wife.
Kenneth Wilson Smith, ’72, passed away on March 23, 2018. He was inducted into Cumberlands Alumni Hall of Fame. Gordon L. Beil, ’73, passed away on April 9, 2018. He began teaching math in 1973 at Conner Senior High School where he remained through retirement in 2004. Boyd Dean House, ’73, passed away May 1, 2018. He was the proud owner of the family business, House's Restaurant located in London, KY. Rev. Paul E. Tirey, ’74, passed away May 10, 2018. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Cumberlands and his Masters of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He served as senior pastor of United Missionary Baptist Church at the time of his passing. Kimberly Elaine Carnes, ’78, passed away on April 4, 2018. She retired as Creative Writing Instructor at Fayette County Public Schools, SCAPA Bluegrass. Michael J. Witt, ’79, passed away on July 18, 2018. He was a career state employee and retired from the Division of Mines, Minerals, and Energy where he served as a permitting inspector for over 20 years.
1980s
Connie D. Bush, ’81, passed away on June 8, 2018. She retired from Cumberland River Behavioral Health. Reverend Richard E. Bowden, ’89, passed away on August 24, 2018. He was senior pastor at Ormsby Heights Baptist Church, in Louisville the past 20 years.
1990s
Lana J. (Reynolds) Bay, ’90, passed away on June 8, 2018. She taught special education at all grade levels throughout her career in Knot County, Hart County, and Caverna Independent. Amy Dawn (Morris) Evans, ’93, passed away on July 25, 2018. She was a nurse at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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SALUTE
TERRY STIGALL STUDENT - TEACHER - HALL OF FAME COACH
After working at Cumberlands for 43 years, coaching exactly 1,000 baseball games and impacting countless students’ lives, Terry Stigall is retiring at the end of the 2018-19 academic year. “It’s been a good long run,” said Stigall. “I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been loyal to the school, I love the University, I love what Cumberlands stands for. I’m proud to have worked here all these years.” Stigall came to Cumberlands as a transfer student back in 1971, in large part because he was awarded a baseball scholarship. Once he got here, he never left. After completing his undergraduate degree, Stigall was hired as an assistant baseball coach. He worked in the admissions office as well. After a few years, Dr. J.M. Boswell (Cumberlands’ president at the time) asked Stigall if he wanted to earn his master’s degree. Stigall said yes, but confessed that he couldn’t afford it. “My loyalty to the college really started 32
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then,” said Stigall, “because Dr. Boswell offered to pay for my master’s degree through the school. I got everything paid for. Dr. Boswell even let me borrow one of the college’s cars to get to my classes, and a school credit card to fill the car with gas. He was an unbelievably great person.”
time,” Stigall said. “But it didn’t bother me at all. I enjoyed it! It was a great experience.”
In 1982, Cumberlands President James Taylor approached Stigall and said he needed a favor. The school was starting up an official softball team, and the head baseball coach, Walt Mathes, was planning to retire after the ’82 season. Taylor said that if Stigall would coach the softball team, Taylor would recommend to the Board that Stigall be hired as head baseball coach the following year. Stigall agreed, Taylor fulfilled his promise, and Stigall went from one winning softball season into many winning baseball seasons as head coach. He was also hired as a full-time teacher in the health department.
“The Lord has been really good to me,” Stigall said. “I decided way back that I wanted to be a baseball coach and a teacher. I’m very fortunate that I’ve been both. I’ve loved the students and the players I’ve had. I can walk away feeling really good about it all.”
“Between recruiting, coaching, practice and a full teaching schedule, I was busy all the
Stigall retired from coaching in 2001 but continued teaching classes. He was elected into the Cumberlands Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 for his contributions as a coach.
Once the school year is over, Stigall plans to take life easy and visit his children often. That, and he and his son are traveling to Boston at least once to see the Red Sox play. “Two-thirds of my life has been dedicated to working here at the University,” said Stigall. “But it’s almost like it wasn’t really work. I’ve had fun. It has been a pleasure to be part of everything here at the University.”
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS & MEMORIES OF TERRY STIGALL AT UCOMM@UCUMBERLANDS.EDU
SUPPORTING
CUMBERLANDS
A $5 Million Grant for a 21st Century Learning Center In November, Cumberlands proudly announced receipt of a $5 million grant from the Grover Hermann Foundation to renovate the University’s library into a 21st Century Learning Center for students, faculty, staff and community members. “This is an important milestone for our campus community,” said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, President of University of the Cumberlands. “Revolutionizing our current, out-of-date library into a 21st Century Leaning Center will significantly influence our ability to educate future leaders. The Learning Center will meet the technological needs of today’s students while providing shared learning spaces that inspire the knowle dge and skills the 21st ce ntury demands of us all.” Cumberlands’ current library was constructed in the 1960’s, and since that time, few renovations have been completed. The proposed architectural design, created by the Brandstetter Carroll Architectural Firm, includes a first floor filled with technology booths, a coffee bar and café, computer areas, rooms for quiet study and a portion of the library’s media collection. The concept plan for the second floor includes
the bulk of the library’s colle ction, in addition to a couple classrooms and plenty of seating and study areas. An elevator will also be added, increasing access to all floors. As part of the renovation process, the library will be named the Grover M. Hermann Learning Center. “The Grover Hermann Foundation is extremely pleased to have made a grant to University of the Cumberlands to help establish the Grover M. Hermann Learning Center,” said Paul K. Rhoads, President of the foundation. “We firmly believe that this imaginative transformation of an important building on campus will serve to greatly strengthen an already outstanding university.” Grover M. Hermann was a very successful businessman who lived from 1890 to 1979. At the age of 23 he established a small company, which grew over nearly five decades into a large, diversified corporation. In addition to his entrepreneurial successes, Mr. Hermann also was a great philanthropist, a man who contributed generously both time and fortune to many important charitable causes, both individually and through his foundation.
“We are confident that Mr. Hermann would be very pleased with this grant, which will be the last of a long list of grants to the University extending back more than three decades,” said Rhoads. Cockrum added, “We are incredibly grateful to the Grover Hermann Foundation for their generous support over many years. Their contributions have significantly impacted the lives of the students we educate and the quality of education we are able to offer this region.” Total cost of the library re novation is estimated at $7.8 million. With the $5 million provide d by the He rmann Foundation, the University plans to move forward in finalizing plans and contractors for the project. Work on the 21st Century Learning Center is expected to begin within a year. “We are so very blessed to have this $5 million grant from the Grover Hermann Foundation,” said William L. Stohlman, Director of Development at Cumberlands. “It will serve as a powerful example for others to follow as we seek support to complete the campaign.” Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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FALL2018
TRIBUTE PROGRAM TRIBUTE GIFTS
MARCH 1, 2018 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
IN MEMORY OF: WES BENNETT Given By: Mirror Mirror Salon, LLC
JUANITA FRANKS Given By: Mrs. Florence Young
BARBARA MISHRIKI Given By: Dr. Yehia Mishriki
MRS. LOLA BOWMAN Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Bowman
SUZY REDDEN HOSKINS Given By: Dr. John Broome
NORMA PATRICK Given By: Mrs. Debbie Harp
MAVIS BROOME Given By: Mr. & Mrs. David Bergman Ms. Marsha Griffith Dr. & Mrs. Walter Early III
DAVE HUFF Given By: Dr. & Mrs. Paul Estes
WANDA SMOAK POWELL Given By: Dr. John Broome
RAY LIPPS Given By: Banks & Jones, Attorneys Mr. & Mrs. James Bentley Jr. Dr. John Broome Dr. & Mrs. Michael Colegrove Mrs. Christine Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Corlew Mrs. Lori Donnelly Mrs. Stephanie Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Nick Greiwe Mr. Ralph Lynch Mr. & Mrs. Edward Moore Peterson Place Homeowner's Association Mrs. Earl Zehr
DR. DARRELL RAINS & MR. JIMMY KING Given By: Dr. & Mrs. James Gover
NATHANIAL GRANT CLARK FOR HIS 29TH BIRTHDAY Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Clark CHLOE CURTIS Given By: Schwab Charitable Fund TROY CLARK Given By: Mr. Mike Torbey KREAG DONOVAN Given By: Mr. Stewart Davis Esq. THOMAS DOWLING Given By: Dr. & Mrs. Merrill Winchester JOANNA DYE Given By: Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation
IN HONOR OF: MAVIS BROOME Given By: Mrs. Henrietta Duke Mr. Guy Futral Mrs. Erica Harris CHAD BYRON ('10) Given by: Ms. Evelyn Graves PHILLIP CATRON Given By: Mrs. Stephanie Freeman MELODY L. COPPOCK Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Coppock CORA J. KILLINGER LEADERSHIP IN HER UNITED METHODIST WOMANS GROUP- DAYS FOR GIRLS PROJECT Given By: Mr. George Viele
HERBERT MCBRIDE Given By: Mrs. Elizabeth McBride
Mr. & Mrs. Casey Harp Mr. & Mrs. Gary Harp Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Harp Mrs. Naomi Harp Mr. & Mrs. Norman Harp Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Harp Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Harp Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Shackleford Mr. & Mrs. David Skeen Mr. & Mrs. James Skeen II
MELVIN SKEEN Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Casey Harp Mr. & Mrs. Gary Harp Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Harp Mrs. Naomi Harp Mr. & Mrs. Norman Harp Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Harp Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Shackleford Mr. & Mrs. David Skeen Mr. & Mrs. James Skeen II
ROSS WATSON Given By: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Smith
JUDITH E. SLONE Given By: Mr. Gardner Slone, Jr.
MRS. ARETHA YEATES Given By: Dr. John Broome
Tribute Gift
A Tribute Gift shows love and respect for the person being honored or memorialized. Through this generous gift to University of the Cumberlands, a memory of the past or an honor of the present is tied to the future, living on with students who are in need of scholarship assistance.
Honor Gift
SMITH H. Given By:
An Honor Gift is a gift that shows admiration and respect for a loved one on a significant day in their life, such as a birthday or an anniversary.
MR. AND MRS. HOWARD J. WIEBEN Given By: Mr. Paul Wieben JULIA WILLIAMS Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Fenton Williams CHRIS WILSON Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Harp
Memorial Gift
A Memorial Gift is a gift in memory of a departed loved one. It is a wonderful way to express sympathy and high regard or used to remember other special days.
Your Gifts Help
Your gifts provide a lasting legacy for students in scholarship need as they work to earn a degree and further their education. Your gifts are used to help provide scholarship and workship assistance as well as many other supportive services that our students need.
How are Tribute Gifts Acknowledged?
Those honored or memorialized are recognized through personal correspondence sent to the honoree or to the family of those being recognized in memoriam. Then the name of those recognized is listed in the next issue of the University magazine.
In preparing this list, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness. If a mistake was made in the way you are identified or if your name was omitted, we apologize. You can help us set the record straight. Please notify the President's Office regarding any changes in the way your gift should be recorded in future reports. Thank you.
TO GIFT YOUR TRIBUTE, VISIT: ucumberlands.edu/give 34
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Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
SUPPORTING
CUMBERLANDS
DEBBIE HARP, ’79 For years, Debbie Harp, ’79, has helped shape the lives of Cumberlands students through her work as a professor, the Director of Career Services and the Director of CAB (Campus Activities Board). She has invested in students’ social, personal and professional lives in more ways than one. This Homecoming, a group of those students did something remarkable to pay that investment forward. They raised more than $2,500 to begin a scholarship in Debbie Harp’s honor. “I’m speechless,” said Harp when she heard the news. “You all have impacted my life more than you probably realize. I’m so blessed and grateful that our journeys crossed. No matter where we go, where we are in the world, we’re part of a family.” Shannon Warmoth, ’88, spearheaded the idea. For months, Warmoth and other Cumberlands alumni donated funds to make the scholarship happen. Warmoth, Harp and CAB members past and present got teary-eyed when the scholarship was revealed to Harp. The funds raised for the scholarship will be split into several smaller scholarships for deserving students over the coming years.
PEARL BROWN FORTH, ’38 In 1936, while working a field of corn, Pearl Brown’s mother decided to send her young daughter to Cumberland College Academy. One of her first courses that fall was taught by Dr. James Boswell. “I could not have gone on to accomplish so much had Dr. Boswell and Cumberland College Academy not been there,” she said. For two years, Dr. Boswell challenged Pearl in every way. She went on to the University of Michigan where she gained a teaching certificate in English and history. It was there that she also met her husband, William “Stuart” Forth. Pearl led a long life in the classroom, sharing her knowledge and Cumberland College education with countless students. Her influence even touched her parents, both of whom would later graduate from Cumberland College. Today, Pearl Brown Forth continues to influence the lives of many students through the Dr. Stuart Forth Scholarship Fund, endowed in Loving Memory of Mrs. Pearl Brown Forth. The Scholarship named in her honor is just one of the many programs used to financially assist our students. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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