IMPACT REPORT 2025 Cumberland University is providing this 2025 Impact Report in gratitude to the 2025 Phoenix Ball Leaders for helping transform lives through the power of education.
Phoenix Ball Chairs Kevin New Christine New
Phoenix Ball Endowed Scholarship established in 2024 is now at $33,000 from the Scholarship Paddle Raise
Raised from Sponsors and Ticket Sales: $261,841
$581,971
Kosloski Family Grant Awarded: $200,000 - Support for the Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Amanda Adams
Total Raised at Phoenix Ball 2025
The Kosloski Family Foundations were introduced to Cumberland University through Dr. Genti Tahiraj. Dr. Tahiraj, originally from Albania, began his journey at Cumberland in the fall of 1998. Having fled a life of hardship that is unimaginable to many of our students, his path to CU was nothing short of extraordinary. His story came to light when longtime CU Trustee and co-owner of Wilson County Chevrolet Buick GMC and Wilson County Hyundai Genesis, W.P. Bone III , read about his family in The Tennessean. Moved by what he read, Bone reached out and connected the Tahiraj family with Pace Pope at Cumberland University and the rest, as they say, is history. Despite arriving on campus without knowing English, Genti quickly flourished. He became a standout member of the cross country team, an exceptional student, and a beloved member of the Cumberland community. Through the support and connections he found at CU, Genti not only adapted but thrived, forming lifelong relationships and building a remarkable future. Genti is now a successful doctor in Tampa, FL. But, his love and memories of CU remain strong. On average, over $50,000 is raised annually toward tuition discounts and scholarships. Phoenix Ball’s Al Ashworth and Dallas Whitfield Endowed Scholarship was established in 2023 raising $41,500 during the scholarship paddle raise. The inaugural recipient was Lily McPeak, Class of 2025, a Criminal Justice Major in the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Arts, and Education.
Phoenix Ball Committee Members Butch & Nancy Baker Jenny Bennett Courtney Wheeler Biggs Beth & George Bouton Joey Clark
Raised from Phoenix Ball Auction: $87,330
Jay & Michelle DePass Mary Margaret Farris Melissa Ferguson Scott & Kirsten Harris Ray & Stephanie Hubner Brad & Tasha Irby Greg & Heather Landers Colette Lanham-Stoffel Mallory Maxwell Krys Midgett Denise Moore Deanna Purcell Rusty Richardson Kaleb & Meagan Scharmahorn Arsheen Shroff Shawn & Lindsay Smith Bill & Caroline Walker