Looking Back

UC From Professors’ Points of View: Then and Now

BY ALYSSA KING Staff Writer

The University of the Cumberlands, previously known as the Williamsburg Institute, was established in 1889. Many changes have occurred since that time—both inevitable and innovative. The professors on campus today are essential sources of information regarding the university’s history.

In 1958, the University of the Cumberlands had the Dean of Women. The Dean of Women was responsible for all issues pertaining to women students. During the 50s and 60s, women in America were constantly fighting for their rights. During the time of limitations, girls at UC had curfews and rules. In 1958, Dorothy Sanders was the Assistant Dean of Women. At the time, UC was only a 2-year college. Mrs. Sanders—who worked for UC for six years but has now moved on—states, “Dr. Boswell was president then, and he was instrumental in the University of the Cumberlands becoming a 4-year college.” In 1982, the Board of Trust expanded the academic programs and turned the University of the Cumberlands into a 4-year college, which is how it remains today. Mrs. Sanders explains that much has changed when it comes to the rules regarding female students.

Dr. Sharp attended the University of the Cumberlands for her English education and then returned to work full-time in the English department in 1991. Dr. Sharp explains that “little has remained the same from 1991 to 2023, except for Cumberlands’ mission.” The university’s mission is to provide a quality, affordable education to students from all backgrounds through broad-based academics grounded in Christian principles. “All English professors who were teaching in 1991 have retired or left with the exception of one,” Dr. Sharp states. Online classes were not available until recent years. Looking towards the future of UC, Dr. Sharp says that she hopes that the English department will be able to offer more upper-level in-seat classes and that more students will compose and present their literary papers at conferences. Dr. Sharp’s favorite part of her department is the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, which has strong and active group members. Dr. Sharp further explains that “seeing students achieve success as they accomplish their English education is always an encouragement for me as a professor.”

Dr. Jeff Smoak, a professor in the music department, joined UC in 1994 at the age of 29. This year, technology was advancing, making it easier and more fun to lecture and teach students. When Dr. Smoak first arrived, he brought his cassette tape! There was no Google at this time—just emails and messaging. UC began to develop online classes for students. Dr. Smoak says that this helped his music appreciation class tremendously. Unlike some other schools, the University of the Cumberlands now has administrative support for the arts. Another change that Dr. Smoak mentioned was how students could get involved with so much more than before, in a sense that not just majors and minors in the department could participate. Some improvements that Dr. Smoak would like to see in the music department are more scholarship opportunities, travel opportunities for the singing groups, an increased budget to bring in more equipment, and building upgrades. Two of Dr. Smoak’s favorite things about his department are the comradery between the faculty and the faculty’s ability to interact with a variety of students.

The University of the Cumberlands has tremendously developed over the past 100 years. The university has helped to diminish inequality, expand its programs, advance its technology, and become one of the safest campuses in America. All of these great advancements are a part of the rich history and great future in store for the Cumberlands.