Dear Patriots, Our first issue is here! The Patriot is finally back for the Fall 2022 semester. I am beyond excited to share our hard work with you, and I hope you appreciate it as much as I do. This year is my first time working with the newspaper, but I knew from the moment I learned about it that I wanted to contribute in some way. Never did I imagine that I would be named editor-in-chief! I am incredibly honored to be a part of the UC paper, and I cannot wait to see what the next couple of months will bring for us. We have a wonderful team who truly cares about this newspaper and wants it to thrive. In our first issue, you can find information about the entertaining activities to do in our little town of Williamsburg, the history of the Old Fashioned Trading Days festival, and a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming musical put on by UC students. Our writers surveyed students’ opinions on the recent campus renovations—including the color-changing globe, the new viaduct, and the cafeteria—and one of our staff writers agreed to let you have an exclusive look into her music taste with her “Top Picks” playlist. We will also be introducing the editors of the newspaper—keep a lookout for our upcoming issues, where we will continue to introduce the staff. Most of us are working with the newspaper for the first time this year; this is a fresh beginning for The Patriot!
Letter from Editor-in-Chiefthe
TheWilliamsburg,7000orthepatriot@ucumberlands.educallusat606-539-4172CollegeStationDriveKentucky40769Patriotisthestudentpublication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.
September 12, 2022
Managing Editor Summer Mills Faculty Advisor Jeremiah Massengale Staff Amber CassidyNathanElizabethSimpkinsSpiresEvansHoward
Award-winning member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.
Editor-in-Chief Lacie DeGough
Email comments, concerns or tips to:
Back cover by Lacie DeGough
Front cover by Elizabeth Spires
Let this semester be a fresh beginning for you, as well. Leave behind the stress and uncertainty of last year and begin a new chapter; take time to relax and simply breathe. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but if you take your work one day at a time, you will make it through. Throughout this school year, be sure to take the time to have fun. Order a drink at Cumberland River Coffee that you might have never tried before; join that club that you have always been interested in; maybe even go on a study abroad trip, if that is what’s right for you. Make this your best semester yet! God bless you all, - Lacie DeGough
changing world. Sophomore Sharon Holczer’s opinion on the purpose of the sculpture is that it represents the fact that “there are people from all around the globe in this school.” She goes on to say that “we all come together to study and represent” at the University of the Cumberlands. UC senior Chiara Michieletto frequently notices “people stopping to take photos there” and acknowledges that “it has definitely brought some excitement.”
The next revamp on campus involves the cafeteria. Dining services did not advertise that they would be changing anything in the T.J. Roberts Dining Hall. That is why coming back to campus after the summer break and seeing the update was a surprising—but welcome—change for students. They only refurbished a small section in the front, but Dr. Cockrum announced at the UC Engage event on August 30, 2022, that work will continue in the summer of 2023 to finish the interior. The space is no longer dull and lifeless because of the thought that the designers put into their work. Anthony Grubb, a junior at the Cumberlands, particularly likes the design of the updated cafeteria and is “glad that they spent the money to improve it.” The place has a brand new vibrance and atmosphere, and students even seem happier while enjoying the dining hall’s food.
How Many Renovations Do UC?
Page 3 News
BY SUMMER MILLS AND ELIZABETH SPIRES Managing Editor and Staff Writer
The University of the Cumberlands is a sight to behold. The university community is abuzz because of the architectural feats added to the campus repertoire this past summer. The additions gathering the most feedback from student life seem to be the updated viaduct, renovated cafeteria, and the new “Ever-Changing World” sculpture. Perhaps the most recognizable change is related to the new viaduct. Construction on the viaduct—which now includes modern black railings and concrete pillars—began during the spring semester of 2022. The recently removed concrete viaduct was a well-known symbol of the UC campus, so how do students feel now that it is gone? Logan Mills, a junior at the Cumberlands, informed us of her feelings about the brand-new viaduct. She says that she likes it because, in her words, “I’m okay with change.” One of her only critiques is that she wishes they had leveled out the side closest to the BCC, where the concrete does not seem to be level with the platform leading to the bridge. Two freshmen, Carson White and Tyler Walker, also had opinions about the recent change. White and Walker both said they believe it would benefit the university to update its logos and pictures on social media to represent the renovated viaduct.
The next change to the campus is a beautiful art piece—the EverChanging World. The installation is near the viaduct along Main Street. Students and town residents get a fresh look at the globe every time they pass by because of the unique paint that enables the continents to change color as the sun’s lighting moves throughout the day. The University of the Cumberlands’ official statement on the school website (published June 13, 2022) claims that the sculpture represents the institution’s desire to prepare students for an ever-
Students Are Buzzing About the Recent Campus Renovations
Photos by Summer Mills and Elizabeth Spires
The campus sights have made an undeniable comeback this year. The campus leaders in charge of renovating have the student’s best interests in mind. Every change took place to give students easy accessibility, aesthetically pleasing interiors, and art for visual pleasure. It does not seem like the university will stop its improvements soon. Do not forget to eat breakfast in the dining hall at the new bar, take your walk at sunrise by the Ever-Changing World, and go across the viaduct to get to class. You may see something you like.
Photos by Elizabeth Spires
Page 4 Entertainment
For the song ‘Jammit Jeffery’ I was inspired by the Blues Brothers and George Thorogood.”
“It Only Gets Better from Here” is an upcoming musical written by the Spring 2022 Devised Theatre class, set to showcase this fall. The musical is best described as an Appalachian-themed romantic comedy about a newlywed couple named Arthur and Mary who are stranded in a small Kentucky town on the way to their honeymoon. Whilst desperately searching for help, they meet several intriguing characters that help them get back on track to their destination. You can expect to see many Appalachian elements, including folklore and a character inspired by the “granny women” of Appalachia (women who specialized in folk healing). The show is also filled with both comedic and heartfelt moments, and even an unlikely romance. The Spring 2022 Devised Theatre class has written the musical completely from scratch, including twelve original songs. Theatre student Rachel Wade enjoyed the freedom of being able to write songs of her own. Wade says, “It’s honestly really awesome, because I already love to sit down and write music and put my energy toward writing, and to be able to sit down and provide that with a group of people, I think is really cool.” The twelve original songs helped to shape the plot of the show. The Devised Theatre class started the writing process by penning the lyrics first, then developing the plot based around the songs. Student Jazzlyn Threlkeld says, “I love how our story came together through the songs. Each song we wrote seemed to naturally lend itself to a part of the plot. Whether it be a song that pointed them in the direction they should go, or a song that resolved a conflict, they all fit perfectly into a plot line. After we created the songs, it was just a matter of finding the order in which the songs should be in, and then we had our plot.” The songs that will be performed vary in style: from ballads, to upbeat songs, to even a blues-inspired song. Theatre student Skyler Jones had several inspirations for the songs he wrote. “After looking back at the songs that I had written,” he says, “I noticed I was mainly inspired by singer-songwriters from the 1970s like Jim Croce and Arlo Guthrie.
The show will follow the format of a road trip story. According to theatre arts professor Dr. Kim Miller, the show originally took inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, but then developed into a plot of its own. Miller says, “We worked with different exercises and talked about road stories. For a brief period of time, we were inspired by ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ but one-third of the way through we let go of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and developed our own story.” The show came to place through a group effort of experimenting, compromising, and combining different ideas into one. The unity that occurs in an environment of many people working together on a singular project gives students opportunities to form more ideas. Wade adds that “[I]t kind of helped me realize that when you have a group of people throwing out different ideas, you are able to come up with more than you could have yourself.”
BY AMBER SIMPKINS Staff Writer
It Only Gets Better From Here A New UC Student Musical Coming to the Kohn Theatre This Fall
While Williamsburg is a small town, and the campus even smaller, there are many activities and areas available for students to explore. Get up and get out, make some memories, and appreciate your time spent back in the Burg.
Finally, if you take a 30-minute drive away from campus, you will find the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. This park boasts the only waterfall in the United States of America—and only one of two waterfalls on the planet— where you can spot a moonbow. A moonbow, in simplest terms, is a rainbow that appears at night, and Cumberland Falls is famous for this rare sight. The park also offers hiking trails for anyone who loves the outdoors. There is a hidden waterfall in the park along Eagle Falls Trail, which descends forty-four feet into rocks of the Cumberland River. The beautiful view is certainly worth the trek!
Photos by Elizabeth Spires
Getting out and About in Williamsburg
BY ELIZABETH SPIRES Staff Writer
Page 5 Features
The next area in Williamsburg, still not too far from campus, includes another local restaurant called G&E Burgers. Located on highway 25 West, G&E is known in town for their burgers and fries. University of the Cumberlands’ tennis coach and business professor, Dr. Chin Tan, says that he “loves their burgers. They are so great, and you can tell that their owner has a lot of pride in doing this business.” Current owner, Julie McCullah, says that the restaurant opened in 1969 and that its success is simply because they have “the best burgers in town!”
Small Town U.S.A.
Williamsburg, Kentucky - home of the University of the Cumberlands’ main campus. At first glance, it may seem that the university is all that this little town has to offer. Campus workers do so much to help the student body feel welcome and find entertainment, while also maintaining a safe and studentfriendly environment, but there is only so much that organizers can do with the space and time allotted to them. Fortunately, there are lots of places and activities beyond the campus perimeter if you are willing to test out the town! The closest area that residents consider to be a great off-campus location for students to visit is the downtown side of Williamsburg. Take a walk down Main Street, across the antiquated train tracks, and you will find a new and exciting little world! Start by trying one of the locally owned restaurants, like the Copper Top Tap on 3rd Street or Moonbow Mercantile on Main Street. There is a new place to visit, called the Game Cafe—and of course we cannot forget about the coffee shop that we all know and love: Cumberland River Coffee! If you are looking for healthy options, especially for off-campus beverages, stop by Williamsburg Nutrition, also on 3rd Street. Other fun locations include the Williamsburg Public Library, Bill Woods Park, River Fog Park, and the Suds Barn & Boutique! The Suds Barn & Boutique offers in-house made soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, and candles, as well a thrift shop and boutique shop.
University of the Cumberlands junior Chaynee Jarboe loves that “there are so many booths” to enjoy. There were a variety of food options, clothes, and handmade goods. This unique aspect of Williamsburg’s festival is why she goes back every year to enjoy the environment and support local vendors. “It’s a small-town festival with an old-fashioned theme,” Jarboe says.
The first Old Fashioned Trading Days festival first began on the courthouse steps in 1983. Increasing foot traffic in the downtown Williamsburg area for local businesses was the original purpose of the festivities. The festival continues to grow yearly as organizers plan and incorporate “different events to cater to everybody’s liking,” according to Williamsburg’s Director of Tourism, Alvin Sharpe. Sharpe is a retired health professor from the University of the Cumberlands who prioritizes Williamsburg’s growth, especially in the downtown area. Sharpe says that the Old Fashioned Trading Days has been successful for so long because it is a “festival that strives to meet everybody’s needs and interests.”
Richardson also remarked that because Old Fashioned Trading Days is known for its food vendors, she always makes “an effort to support one of the vendors and eat with those in the community.”
Get to know more about what Williamsburg has to offer the other 362 days of the year by checking out the shops and businesses in the downtown area!
University of the Cumberlands graduate student Hailey Richardson says that she keeps coming back to the three-day festival every year because of its influence on her childhood. Richardson says, “As someone who grew up going to Old Fashioned Trading Days, it almost allows me to feel like a kid again.”
Photos by Elizabeth Spires
Old Fashioned Trading Days took place in Williamsburg on September 8th, 9th, and 10th
Williamsburg hosts a unique festival packed with special events, music, locally made foods, products, and games for these three days of the year. This year, entertainment consisted of local groups like Paint Creek performing on Thursday night, school choir and band performances on Friday morning, and a car show and beauty pageant on Saturday. Funnel cakes and fresh lemonade were available, among other festival treats! Deep-fried delights were sold on Main & North 3rd street, and all the baked goods and fudge you could dream of were sprinkled throughout downtown.
Page 6 Features
BY ELIZABETH SPIRES Staff Writer
Did you hear the news?
Old Fashioned Trading Days is a great excuse for students to get off campus for a little while to explore some of the southern charm that Williamsburg and its residents have to offer. If you missed it this time, there’s always next year.
September 8th, 9th, and 10th marked Williamsburg’s 39th annual Old Fashioned Trading Days.
39 Years and Counting
3. What do you do outside of school?
Introducing our Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor Page 7 Features
1.Editor-in-ChiefWhatyearare you in college?
5. What would you do if you could be doing anything right now and money was not an issue?
This is my second year at UC, but I am a junior creditwise! I will be graduating next Fall.
Outside of school, I work at a grocery store as an office cashier. I enjoy hiking, reading, and hanging out with my people when I have free time.
This is the easiest question yet. I would be in New York, watching a Broadway show! It doesn’t even really matter which Broadway show—I love practically all of them.
I am double majoring in English and Communication Arts. I came to UC planning to major in English because of my love of reading and writing, but my plans changed after taking a few Communication Arts classes. I decided to double major last semester!
4. What three words describe you?
I would say that I am responsible, organized, and kind.
2. What is your major/minor, and why did you choose this/ these program(s)? I am a junior this year and an English- Literary Studies and Communication Arts- Journalism double major. I have always loved reading, so I chose to go with something I love doing. I hope to get my Masters of Library Science after completing my undergrad.
Photos by Elizabeth Spires
Meet the Editors
Summer Mills Managing Editor 1. What year are you in college? I am a junior this year with the potential to graduate next fall.
3. What do you do outside of school?
2. What is your major/minor, and why did you choose this/ these program(s)?
I don’t have much free time these days, but whenever I have a school- and work-free moment, you can find me reading. Reading novels is one of my favorite things to do! I also love to listen to musicals—you might even find me doing both things at once.
5. What would you do if you could be doing anything right now and money was not an issue? If I could do anything without worrying about money, I would travel the world and mark things off my bucket list while creating memories. I would definitely write while doing this as well.
4. What three words describe you? The three words that best describe me are smart, reserved, and kind.
Elizabeth Spires, a member of our staff, is giving you an exclusive look into her music tastes with this playlist! She has included songs varying in language and genre, Scan the QR code below to check it out!
TopElizabeth’sPicks
Lacie DeGough
