The University of the Cumberlands Student Newspaper
Fall Issue 1 September 10, 2026
A2 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Letter From the Editor-in-Chief
Staff Editor- in- Chief Sydney Dingus Managing Editor Taylor Moren Design Editor Ugne Takuseviciute
Hey Patriots!
PHOTO BY MARIDETH MATHENY
I remember the first time I was featured in a newspaper. In elementary school, my friend and I were included for participating in a painting class at our local library. When my Mimi cut the picture out and taped it to her kitchen cabinet, I knew I wanted to feel that sense of “Whoa, I did something” again. I forgot about this feeling of recognition until working for The Patriot during my first year at UC. But, when I saw my words in print, it washed over me again in waves. I want to share this good feeling with my fellow students. I want the good things we do--however radical or mundane---to find an outlet for celebration in these pages. This is why we have chosen to fill our first issue of the year with articles and poems about figuring out college, the upcoming student-directed play, and a memorial to one who greatly influenced us. Some of the values we focus on at The Patriot are creativity, diligence, and professionalism. We strive to grow our existing talents, challenge ourselves to learn new skills, and do our best to create quality content that reflects campus voices. If you want to share stories too, reach out to us. I would love to see your name in print.
Stay epic, Sydney Dingus Editor-in-Chief
The Patriot’s 2026-27 AI Stance The Patriot staff proudly publish a student newspaper and desire to only produce work created by students. We will not publish stories generated by AI. We will occasionally use artificial intelligence for light research, brainstorming, proofreading, and headline suggestions but every article and graphic is the result of the diligent work of The Patriot work-study students and volunteers. AI does not replace reporting, talent, or human judgment.
Staff Writers Alexis Bowling Jillian Cross Brenna Gibbs Kayla Russell Audrey Yandell Staff Photographers Kurstyn Ison Ryleigh McCoy Abigail McKamey Ethan Wells Staff Graphic Designer Suginna Laohapatanawong Faculty Advisor Jeremiah Massengale
The Patriot Website is LIVE! We have some exciting news for the University of the Cumberlands community. Our newspaper has launched a new design for the website, where you can find all our articles, stay on top of the latest news, and meet our staff. Design Editor Ugne Takuseviciute revamped the website to make The Patriot more accessible for everyone. The website gives our readers another way to stay informed about what is happening around campus. From student stories and campus news to photos and other features, you can now find The Patriot all in one place. Visit us at www.ucpatriotnews.com and check out what The Patriot has to offer!
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A3 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
News
Campus Patriot Football Kickoff UC held its first football game of the year on Thursday, August 27th at 7pm. With free admission for all spectators, students and fans filled the stands rapidly, easily putting 500 pairs of eyes on watching our team win 41 to 28 against Union Commonwealth College. But the game itself was only half the fun! Before the game, the Philanthropy Center, in conjunction with a handful of sponsors, threw a large tailgate event. They had a large meal provided by the Campus Caf where students could use their meal swipes, live music by UC alumni Trey Bryant and tents where sponsors set up. But, most interesting to the students of UC was a tent set up by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jovon Howe, FCA director, explained “If students make a game day sign, they are entered to win our raffle give away.” Prizes included a mini-fridge, TV, Door Mat, and a framed FCA poster. Hal also said that the FCA has done things like this raffle before and will continue to in the future.
PHOTO BY ETHAN WELLS
Patriot Pack Brings the Pep
Campus Marks 25 Years Since 9/11
Patriot Pack is UC’s brand-new pep club. The overall goal is to help bring even more student energy to sporting events, while also unifying them through school spirit. Students can become part of the Patriot Pack by joining the GroupMe, attending the monthly meetings, or reaching out to the President, Honesty Thomas, Vice Presidents, Dratavyn Barber and MaryAlice McVey or a student section leader. Senior, Honesty Thomas said, “We wanted our athletes to be able to look into the stands and really feel the support from their fellow students. The Patriot Pack gives us a chance to bring more energy, excitement, and unity to sporting events while creating an atmosphere that makes students want to show up, be loud, and be proud to be a Patriot!”
The University of the Cumberlands is holding a memorial ceremony to commemorate this defining moment in U.S. history. The memorial will be held at 9 a.m. on Sep. 11 at Patriot Park near the 9/11 tower memorial. This memorial is found in frnt of Hutton School of Business. The steel beam was recovered from one of the World Trade Centers and was donated to UC by Andy Croley. Croley traveled from Whitley County to provide relief following the 9/11 attacks. For more information, contact Agnes Brown-Oliphant at hsb@ ucumberlands.edu
Happy Hunting UC students have the opportunity to win a Campus Ministries hosted scavenger hunt. This will take place downtown during Old Fashioned Trading Days on Sept. 11 from 6-9 p.m. Students will collect pictures of various Williamsburg landmarks and attractions to win a gift card or movie tickets. Check out the Campus Ministries social media for more information.
Local The City Prepares for Fall
What is OFTD?
Williamsburg is getting ready for Halloween with its Pumpkins in the Park event, bringing a little friendly competition to the spooky season. The pumpkin carving contest is open to college students and community members who want to put their creativity and carving skills to the test. From classic jacko’-lanterns to something a little more out of the ordinary, participants can let their creativity take over and see how their pumpkin stacks up against the rest. Gas card prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place. Carved pumpkins can be dropped off for judging on Oct. 22 from 2–5 p.m. at the Williamsburg Tourism Center. After judging, the pumpkins will be displayed at Briar Creek Park for the first annual Pumpkin Walk on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24. Whether you’re competitive about pumpkin carving or just looking for something fun to do for Halloween, the event offers a chance to enjoy some friendly competition and take part in the Halloween festivities around Williamsburg. For more information, contact the Williamsburg Tourism Center at (606) 549-0530.
Downtown Williamsburg will come alive this weekend as the 43 annual Old Fashioned Trading Days brings three days of food, music, vendors and Appalachian tradition to the city. The festival is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 1012, around Main Street and the Whitley County Courthouse Square. The event will feature craft and artisan vendors, a classic car show, food trucks, live entertainment and activities for children. For University of the Cumberlands students, the festival offers an opportunity to take a break from campus and experience one of Williamsburg’s longtime community traditions. The event is designed to celebrate the area’s Kentucky and Appalachian heritage. According to the city, Old Fashioned Trading Days transforms the Courthouse Square into a temporary marketplace where local artists, vendors and entertainers can showcase their work. Music will be a major part of this year’s festival, with country, rock, bluegrass and gospel performances scheduled throughout the weekend. The entertainment is free to the public.
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A4 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Student Life
You Don’t Have To Have It All Figured Out UC Seniors’ Advice for Overwhelmed Freshmen
PHOTO COURTESY OFANNA MEEGAN
BY: JILLIAN CROSS STAFF WRITER
One of the biggest pressures first-year students face is the idea that entering college means they must have everything figured out. Students are expected to choose a major that could determine their careers before they have experienced many of the possibilities available to them. However, changing a major, taking an extra year or realizing a different career might be a better fit is part of many students’ college experiences. Anna Meegan, a fifth-year senior majoring in Communication and English, knows what it is like to enter college without a clear plan. She originally planned to study biology and become a veterinarian. Before classes started, however, she reconsidered after seeing the course load. She entered a general studies program instead, giving herself time to explore her interests. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had too many interests and didn’t know what kind of career I wanted,” Meegan said. Her uncertainty grew when it seemed like the people around her already had their answers. “It was hard being new to college and having lots of people around me who knew exactly what they wanted to do and had their life planned out when I didn’t,” Meegan said. That pressure does not only come from the people sitting beside students in class. It can also follow them whenever they open their phones. Social media provides almost constant access to other people’s accomplishments. College acceptances, internships, graduations, new jobs and career announcements make it seem as if everyone is moving forward without experiencing uncertainty. What appears online, though, rarely tells the whole story. “It is hard to be in college and see on social media other people’s post- post-grad lives,” Meegan
PHOTO COURTESY OF WESLEY TUCKER
PHOTO BY JILLIAN CROSS
said. “It seems like they figured out everything easily, when in reality, you’re not getting to see the journey and failures it took them to get it figured out.” A graduation photo or career announcement does not show the rejection, changes or uncertainty that may have come before it. Students can end up comparing their full experiences to the small parts of other people’s lives they see online. Meegan eventually found her path by allowing herself to explore. She had always loved writing, but initially worried studying English would turn something she enjoyed into work. After talking with a friend, she pursued a career in Communication. She later added Creative Writing as a minor before making English another major. Meegan now hopes to become a professor and teach creative writing. “I would say to first-year students: Don’t freak out about your first year. You have so much time to figure everything out,” Meegan said. “Experiment with classes and take random ones to feel out what you want to do.” Taking longer than four years can bring its own pressure, especially when friends begin graduating. University of the Cumberlands alumnus Zac Hacker also began college with one plan before discovering another direction. As Hacker entered Tennessee Tech University to study chemical engineering. Math and science had always been his strengths, making engineering seem like a natural choice. After speaking with upper-level students and job shadowing, however, he developed a clearer understanding of the profession. He realized that the daily design, engineering, and laboratory work did not interest him as much as he had expected. Hacker withdrew from Tennessee Tech and enrolled at UC, where he switched to accounting and finance. “When transferring from Tennessee Tech to the Cumberlands, I didn’t really tell everyone that I actually withdrew from Tennessee Tech instead of transferring,” Hacker said. “I did feel behind switching to accounting and finance because I didn’t really have much knowledge of the area.”
Hacker found inspiration through his former high school soccer coach. After learning about his coach’s career and job shadowing him, Hacker discovered financial advising. Today, he works as a financial adviser. “I would tell them to look at people they admire or look up to and ask them for advice. I got my inspiration from an old coach,” Hacker said. “I would also tell them that withdrawing, transferring, or taking a break from college is not the end of the world.” For fifth-year senior Wesley Tucker, pressure came from seeing his older siblings follow the plans they had made for themselves. Tucker, an Information Technology major with an emphasis in Business Management, was homeschooled before attending community college and eventually coming to the University of the Cumberlands. Unlike his older siblings, Tucker changed the bachelor’s degree he originally chose. “I am the youngest, and my older brother and sister both had their plan, came to college, and went through with it,” Tucker said. Now in his fifth year, Tucker is still unsure exactly what career he wants to pursue, though he is considering help desk-related work in the health field. His experience has shown him that college is about more than choosing a major. Forming relationships with supportive people has made his uncertainty feel less overwhelming. Meegan, Hacker, and Tucker entered college with different expectations, but their experiences share a common theme. College allowed them to explore their interests, consider new careers and change plans that no longer fit them. As Meegan put it, “Don’t let yourself get so caught up in having everything figured out that you don’t give yourself time to enjoy the process, people, and little things along the way.” For first-year students wondering why everyone else seems to have life figured out, most plans are still developing behind the scenes. A student’s direction can change as they gain experience, meet new people and learn more about the opportunities available to them.
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A5 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Student Life
Finding Home Away from Home
How International Student-Athletes Adjust to College Sports in the USA
BY: UGNE TAKUSEVICIUTE DESIGN EDITOR
Every year, student-athletes from around the world leave their home countries to pursue an education and compete at the collegiate level in the United States. For many, the experience means more than adjusting to a new team, coach, and place. They also have to learn a new culture, education system, and way of life while being thousands of miles away from the place they know best – home. “The best college experience I could ever ask for,” said Sergio Daniel Saldamando Martinez from Lima, Peru, when he was asked to describe his experience of moving to the United States of America in one sentence. Sergio is a junior majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology and a member of the UC Swim Team. He arrived two years ago to swim at a higher level and study, and according to Saldamando, combining high-level swimming with university studies was difficult in Peru; he knew that in the U.S., he could do both. In addition, he said, “The degree from the United States is more meaningful than from Peru.” Sergio spoke very highly about UC, referring to the campus as his home. He mentioned that he came from an underdeveloped country and a megacity where he needed to spend about fifteen hours a week in a car or on public transport to get to practice. In contrast, being able to study and swim in the same place helped him a lot. When he first came to the U.S., he was so excited to live with his friends in the same complex; everything was within walking distance. Saldamando admitted that he struggled with English at first and could not have a conversation with someone; the right words would not come to mind right away. However, after only a few months, he was able to speak with and understand others. The swimmer spoke very positively about his teammates. Saldamando mentioned that everyone was nice, accepted him as he was, invited him to the activities, and was willing to help make
the adjustment as easy as possible. “I am really glad that I got to meet these people two years ago, who have now become my best friends and family here,” said Saldamando. Even though he feels happy and loved here, he did not hold back from saying he misses his family and friends from back home. With this in mind, he smiled and said, “I wish I could have a ceviche (traditional Peruvian dish) and fresh seafood here.” Coming from Peru, where soccer dominates the sports culture, Sergio initially found it difficult to understand how passionate Americans could be about college teams. He was surprised by the large fan bases of universities. He added, “I wish I knew how big college football games are. I would love to see one someday.” Altogether, Sergio Saldamando wanted to advise the international athletes coming to the University of the Cumberlands for the first time: “Just be humble, simple, and responsible. You are coming to a new country, and many things are going to be new; some of them you will love, and some of them you will hate. But you must adapt and find your own happiness.” For Saldamando, the transition took months. For freshman, Ingrid Brevik, it is only the beginning. “Becoming part of this program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a dream come true,” she said. Ingrid Brevik is from Kolbotn, Norway, located just outside of Oslo. She arrived only a few weeks ago, hoping to grow as an athlete, a student, and, most importantly, as a person. She is majoring in Psychology and is also a member of the swimming team. Brevik described her first impression of people here as welcoming and helpful, while noting that both the culture and atmosphere felt different from what she was used to in Norway, “but in a good and charming way.” She was surprised by how many international students attend UC. According to the University of the Cumberlands website, the University welcomes international students
PHOTOS BY AUDREY YANDELL
from over 40 countries. Brevik said that “One last thing that took [her] by surprise was the ice cream machine in the cafeteria.” Speaking English was not as challenging for Brevik. While she is still not as fluent, she said, “When you are surrounded by the language wherever you go, you just get used to it.” When asked how her first practice and team bonding were, Brevik said, “Everybody on the team is very nice and welcoming. The seniors, especially, have been super helpful and inclusive towards us freshmen.” When talking about home and things she misses, Brevik spoke fondly of “a lot of things from home I would bring with me if I could,” if she had to narrow it down, though, she said, “it would have to be Norwegian candy, chocolate, and my boyfriend, whom I miss so much.” After only a couple of weeks in the United States, Ingrid is still at the beginning of her journey. She is excited for upcoming competitions, new places, team events, and the opportunity to make lifelong memories. While Sergio has already found a second family in the United States, Ingrid is just beginning to find hers.
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PHOTO BY AUDREY YANDELL
A6 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Student Life
Remembering Theo Andersson A Life of Compassion, Leadership and Genuine Friendship
PHOTO COURTESY OF: UC ATHLETICS
BY: RYLEIGH MCCOY STAFF WRITER
Theo Andersson was a beloved friend, athlete, and student at the University of the Cumberlands. He passed away this August from a a congenital heart defect at the age of 22. Andersson was previously unaware of this condition which led to aortic stenosis, causing his heart to work harder than it normally should. As an international student from Katrineholm, Sweden, Andersson completed three years of school in America. As an athlete on the golf program, he earned MSC All-Tournament Team honors in his freshman season, earned MSC Academic All-Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in his sophomore and junior seasons, and was selected as Golfer of the Week in the MSC his junior season. As a Business Administration major, Andersson was diligent, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. But most of all, Theo Andersson was a friend to many. Moa Nyblom and Victoria Niska, two international athletes from Sweden, were close to Andersson. Nyblom states, “Theo was a friend of mine, someone I grew close to. I would describe him as one of the kindest-hearted people I’ve ever met. A real, genuine guy, who cared about others and wanted everyone around him happy at all times.” Nyblom said her favorite memory of him was from her freshman year. “All of us Swedish people on campus would watch the World Junior Championships in hockey during the winter. It made me feel like we were a small family at a gathering, and I can bet the other Swedish students felt the same, including Theo.” Victoria Niska, holding the same favorite memory as Nyblom, describes Andersson as a friendly person who always had a smile on his face. “I do believe Theo had one of the most genuine personalities. He was charismatic, friendly, and
just really easy to be around. It didn’t really matter where you were, what was going on, or even how well you knew him; he was always the same Theo. You’d always get the same smile and a hello anytime you saw him. He was also really caring toward the people around him.” Andersson’s roommate and best friend, Pablo Lopez, also shared fond memories of their deep friendship. The duo decided to become roommates before coming to school. Lopez said, “I remember the first time we actually met like it was yesterday. I got to our room around midnight. It was freezing... and everything felt pretty scary. Then, around 2 a.m., I woke up because Theo was arriving. We just gave each other a little handshake and said, ‘What’s up, bro?’ as if we had already known each other.” The two were rarely apart after spending the first few days adjusting to life together at the Cumberlands. Lopez said, “Theo became like an older brother to me.” Lopez described Andersson’s character, saying, “He was probably the first person here that I knew I could completely rely on. If Theo was around, I didn’t have to worry about the room being a mess, forgetting something, running out of shampoo, or being late to class or practice... After having a lot of deeper conversations with him, I understood why: Theo valued friendship over anything else. His friends here at UC became his family, and he really took care of us like one.” Outside of the friendship, Andersson also showed these traits through his sport, Lopez said, “That was also the kind of leader he was on the golf team. From his first day, he was one of our best players... but he never needed to be loud about it... he never liked to rush anything or take things too seriously, he wanted to enjoy himself... and the people around him.” Lopez expressed his gratitude for Andersson’s friendship and that others got to know how genuine he was. Lopez said that “After Theo passed,” seeing all the messages and hearing from so many different people made him realize “...just
PHOTO COURTESY OF: PABLO LOPEZ
how important Theo was to everyone around him. In a way, it made me happy to know that so many people saw in him the same person that I did.” Through all the emotions of losing a close friend, Lopez still finds appreciation for the small things while also missing him and the idea of creating new memories together. While going through this difficult time, Pablo is thankful that Andersson’s memory lives on among their teammates. He said, “Whether we’re in the van, at practice, or back at the apartment, there’s always someone beside me who is going through the same and who understands what Theo meant to us... We want this season to be for him.” Though Andersson’s time with us was far too short, his deep legacy of unwavering compassion, quiet leadership, and genuine friendship will be felt for many years to come. Whether it’s on the golf course, in the classroom, or in the moments of laughter and connection that he cherished most, Theo Andersson will always be a part of our story. Let us honor him by following Pablo Lopez’s words, “Theo would want us to live as fully as we can, have fun, and appreciate every moment and every person around us, because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”
“Theo would want us to live as fully as we can, have fun, and appreciate every moment and every person around us because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.” - Pablo Lopez
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A7 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Why Raccoons?
Campus Life
The Theatre Department Prepares for UC’s Upcoming Production BY: KAYLA RUSSELL STAFF WRITER
Rehearsals are officially underway for the next play coming to the stage of UC’s Grace Crum Rollins Theatre. “Why Raccoons?” is a comedic, oneact play written by sophomore Savannah Miracle. She originally wrote the play as an assignment for her Devised Theatre class. Auditions were held on September 1 and the ensemble cast features several students with John Saylor, Ethan Baker and Ben Russell holding larger roles. The cast, crew and the rest of the Theatre Department will present two performances of “Why Raccoons?” will be held on Oct. 1-2 with show times to be announced. Admission is free for Cumberlands students, faculty and staff. The play follows the cast of a high school’s seemingly one-millionth production of “Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.” The students face a dilemma when the group’s joker rewrites the play, turning all the characters into raccoons. His friends must decide whether to support his strange idea and risk becoming the laughingstock of the school or play it safe and possibly put on a boring show. As theatre students know, putting on a production can already be chaotic without the added chaos of including raccoon characters. John Saylor, who has been involved in
other UC Theatre productions said, “I genuinely have no idea how I got mixed up in all this.” Saylor later said, more seriously, “The script is pretty good, there’s a lot of comedic moments and I think it’s going to be a good time for everyone to gather in Kohn Theatre to have a good laugh at the students who are trying to revamp old stories with new twist.” Ellie Van Neste, has previously written and directed productions for the department and has an ensemble part in “Why Raccoons?.” She stated, “I appreciate Savannah’s effortless writing style so much! She is wonderful at writing banter
Poetry Corner
between the characters...it’s been so much fun to see her work come to life!” Ethan Baker who has previously directed a mini play for his class on the subject said, “She has done a great job in writing the play... there’s a lot of heart in the characters, in their relationships.” Baker added that he has enjoyed his part in the play already and hopes the audience will “come away [from the play] loving these characters as much as we do.”
PHOTO BY ETHAN WELLS
BY: BRENNA GIBBS STAFF WRITER
“Fitting In”
When I first came to college, I thought I would know how to fit in. I thought it would happen naturally— a few conversations, a familiar face across the room, a seat at the right table. But for a while, I felt like I was always a step behind. I watched people who seemed to know each other already. They knew where to go, who to call, where they belonged. I started paying attention to little things. How people talked. What they laughed at. What they wore. How they carried themselves like they had already decided who they were. And I wondered if I needed to decide, too. There is something strange about starting over. You can miss the place you came from while still wanting to become someone new. You can be surrounded by people and still feel like
“Stories On a Shelf” you are standing just outside of everything. But slowly, things started to feel less unfamiliar. A few conversations turned into friendships. Strangers became familiar faces. I stopped thinking so much about where I was supposed to stand and started noticing where I actually wanted to be. Maybe that is what fitting in is. Not changing yourself until you disappear into the crowd. Just finding the people and places where you don’t have to.
There’s a kind of magic in secondhand shops— where every shelf is a whisper from another life, every rack a thread in a story you never knew you needed. You sift through faded denim and soft sweaters, each stitch worn like a secret, the scent of fabric softened by time and tales. There are dishes with chipped edges, books with dog-eared pages, and little treasures tucked between things forgotten. It’s a place where the past lingers— in the gleam of an old necklace, in the curve of a vintage hat, in the way a well-loved jacket still holds the shape of its last owner’s shoulders. Shopping here feels like a quiet treasure hunt, a dance between what was and what could be, where you carry a piece of someone else’s history while making it part of your own. Secondhand shops aren’t just stores— they’re time capsules, waiting for the next hand to hold their stories. - Exert from Dandelion Logic, Brenna M. Gibbs
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A8 . Thursday, September 10, 2026 . The Patriot
Entertainment
WORD SEARCH BY: BRENNA GIBBS
COMIC BY: AUDREY YANDELL
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