University of the Cumberlands Office of Development Newsletter - Summer 2022

EXERCISING FAITH

A Development Newsletter | Summer 2022

William Daugherty ‘22

My name is William and I am from a small Appalachian town in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, known as Mount Vernon. In April, I graduated from Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Sports Management. I am continuing my education by pursuing a master’s degree in Christian Studies and will be starting a graduate assistant position with Sports Ministry/FCA. College isn’t typical in my family, as my sister and I were the first to attend. This accomplishment still doesn’t seem real but looking back it is incredible how God was and still is working in my life. Even though Cumberlands is where I received my degree, it’s not where I started my journey. Coming out of high school, I decided to attend a major university in Kentucky. At the time, I wanted to pursue a career in health care, but halfway through the semester, I knew that wasn’t where my passion was, and I had a change of heart. It was at that time I started to struggle with school. I was debating if I even wanted to be in college. I decided I wanted to transfer out and start somewhere new.

I had a meaningful conversation with my sister Cassidy and I decided to commit to Cumberlands. She was a senior when I came in as a second-semester freshman. Coming from a small town, one of the first factors about Cumberlands that I fell in love with was that I was able to get to know the people I walked by every day. When committing to Cumberlands, I knew I wanted to do something in sports. I didn’t know what at the time, but I knew I was passionate and truly enjoyed it.

One of my biggest goals when coming to college was to get involved and create relationships with others. I was able to do this through basketball and my major in fitness and sports management. Basketball is one of my biggest hobbies – I enjoy playing, watching, and teaching it.

I love it all. Through generous donations from donors to the Workship Program, I worked in the Sports Information Office for three and a half years as a student, which was a great experience. I learned more about various sports while creating relationships with different players and coaches. Another program I invested my time into was Appalachian Ministries. I worked summer jobs and events throughout the school year. I knew I wanted to make an impact on the kids in the community and teach them the love God has given me and what He did on the cross because of His love for His children.

It wasn’t until my senior year that I started seeing the direction God was leading me. I realized this direction through working with youth and creating relationships in sports. God took both of my passions and gave me an opportunity to further my education in Christian Studies at Cumberlands, for which I am incredibly thankful. This year, as I already mentioned, I get to work as a Graduate Assistant for Campus Ministries and Sports Ministry. Without the kind support from donors I would never have had these amazing opportunities. I would like to say thank you for making an impact on campus for students like me to pursue dreams, goals, and passions.

Hello again friends, I hope your summer has been an enjoyable one so far. While our students have been gone over the past few months, we are busy getting ready for another school year. Crews are working diligently to complete several important campus projects, including construction of the new viaduct and this year’s Mountain Outreach home build, while faculty and staff are hard at work making sure classes and student services are ready when students return in the fall.

Even during the summer, there is so much to appreciate and celebrate at Cumberlands that you make possible.

Today, I would like to challenge you.

When you go out to dinner, go on vacation, or go grocery shopping, ask the young people in your life about their future dreams and goals.

Listen to what they say and provide encouragement, stories of experience, and words of wisdom. Our years of experience and knowledge shouldn’t be a barrier between older and younger generations, but rather a teaching tool and a helping hand connecting us to kids that dream just like we did. These young people are pursuing their dreams at Cumberlands thanks to your kindness and passion for education.

Thank you for all you do to make their dreams a reality! Please enjoy the enclosed stories and updates about Cumberlands knowing that all we do would not be possible without the generosity of donors like you as well as the dedication and support of committed faculty, staff, and community volunteers. Thank you and have a blessed summer.

Sincerely, Bill Stohlmann Vice President of Development

CUMBERLANDS LIBRARY TRANSFORMED BY GIFTS The long-beloved, but time-worn and underutilized campus library was recently transformed into a modernized multifunctional space now known as the Grover M. Hermann Library and Rollins Family Learning Center. This newly renovated building opened in February of 2021 and provides our campus community with state-of-the-art, student-centered learning spaces, resources, technology, and equipment.

The facility still provides many traditional features of a library such as archives, book collections, and study areas; but now also includes modern workspaces designed for collaborative learning, a “makerspace” with modern technology such as a 3D printer and 3D pen, and the Cumberland River Coffeeshop, perfect for breaks and studying. This comprehensive renovation not only equips Cumberlands’ students with necessary reading materials but a competitive advantage through an array of resources and tools useful in today’s ever-changing world.

The basement level houses the Patriot Student Success Center, which centralizes student support and success in one location. Services available in the Center are our all-encompassing Student Success Program, student advising, a large study space and conference area, peer tutoring and mentoring, as well as a Pearson-certified test center. In the Patriot Student Success Center, students will have comprehensive access to the support and resources needed to thrive on their educational journey.

This incredible transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the funding from our generous donors. If you are in the area, we welcome you to visit this truly breathtaking building in the heart of our campus and see the updated world-class facility for yourself!

Cumberlands recently had the honor of hosting Super Bowl Champion and MVP, Drew Brees on campus as the keynote speaker of the 15th annual Forcht Excellence in Leadership Series event, held in April. Brees is the 2009 Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. He retired from the NFL after playing for 20 seasons. During the event, Brees answered a series of questions from student leaders focused on his experiences in football, faith, family, and philanthropy. He shared his perspective on gratitude, respect, and humility and explained how God has led his life. Brees advised how to best walk through a profession: master a skill, mentor others in that skill, and use your influence to make a difference. His interactions with students and community members were both thought-provoking and inspiring.

COMMITMENT Make your Cumberlands Commitment To arrange a campus visit with us, or arrange a charitable gift, please call: 606.539.3571 or visit ucumberlands.edu/give2uc

THE CLASS OF 2022

University of the Cumberlands recently hosted commencement ceremonies to celebrate our most recent graduates. A total of 2,068 students received their diplomas from 49 states as well as numerous territories and countries across the world. Over 500 of those were undergraduate students, and more than 60% were from Appalachia. Nearly 250 students graduated with outstanding academic honors such as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude.

Cumberlands’ administration commended campus-wide awards based on service to the community, impact on Cumberlands’ campus, academic achievement, and upstanding values. Joshua Hash received the Algernon

Sydney Sullivan Award and Tristan Gibbs was awarded the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. The Gorman Jones and T.J. Roberts Campus Leadership Awards were presented to Katelynn Johnson and Gannon Couch. The university’s president opened the ceremonies by offering heartfelt congratulations to the graduates as well as some advice and encouragement.

“You will be remembered more for your kindness than for your accomplishments. And believe in yourself, no matter what happens,” said Dr. Larry Cockrum.

We all look forward to seeing what this exceptional group of new alumni will do in the years to come. From everyone at University of the Cumberlands, congratulations, Class of 2022!

University of the Cumberlands Office of Development 6195 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769 606.539.3571 ucumberlands.edu/give