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ALUMNI MAGAZINE
a glimpse
BEHIND THE SCENES Pull back the curtain and meet a few of the people helping shape life at Cumberlands.
2016-2017
ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESIDENT
Dr. Ann Lyttle-Burns, BS '91, MA '95
PRESIDENT-ELECT Kelly Raglin, '87
PAST PRESIDENT
Michael Bryant, II, '85-'90
SECRETARY
Lesley Swann, '97
Dear Alumni Family & Friends: With another Homecoming Weekend come and gone, I want to thank everyone who joined us on campus for the festivities! I love hearing the memories and seeing the devotion that alumni have for their alma mater, along with the long-term impact of a Cumberlands' education. I am honored to serve as the alumni director at UC and to connect with our accomplished graduates. On January 7, 1889, the Williamsburg Institute opened its doors to students from the Appalachian region. The first four graduates from the class of 1893 went on to become a medical doctor, an attorney, an educator and a minister. Today, the university has grown substantially, with over 37,000 alumni globally and an enrollment of over 7,600 students. I want to thank you all for your love and loyalty to this great institution. Whether you graduated as an Indian or a Patriot, we are all part of the Cumberlands family. Sincerely,
Paul Stepp, '12 Alumni Director
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS Mary Doyle Johnson, '48 Dick Koeniger, '67 Dr. Ray Lipps, '70 Bill Lyttle, '75
TERM EXPIRING 2017
Dr. Ann Lyttle-Burns, BS '91, MA '95 Dr. Mike Clark, '85 Tim Henderlight, '71 Dr. John P. Hollingsworth, '63 Dr. David "Mike" Lee, '77
TERM EXPIRING 2018 Raymond Cox, '70 Chester "Mac" Gibson, '64 Kelly Raglin, '87 Lesley Swann, '97 Meghan Swope, '12
TERM EXPIRING 2019
Megan Adams, '13 Retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dowd, '79 Harold "Lee" Kendall, '82 Danny Lunsford, Jr., '09 Steve Newell, '03
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Larry L. Cockrum, President Jamirae Hammons, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Paul P. Steely, '49, Trustee Liaison
OFFICE OF ALUMNI SERVICES
Paul Stepp, '12, Alumni Director Stephanie (Taylor) Freeman, BS '10, MBA '14, Administrative Assistant Kamryn Olivier, '16, Graduate Assistant Taylor Duke, Work Study Student Design, articles and contributions by student and staff members of 2016-2017 Office of University Communications & Marketing.
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Campus Renovations
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Athletic News
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Finding Magic in Orlando
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Class Notes
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UC Musicians Take the Stage
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"Loving Every Moment" at Dollywood
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Teaching Becomes Family Legacy
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Fond Farewells
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UC Tribute Program
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4 Homecoming University of the Cumberlands "painted the town red" for Homecoming 2016.
Cover Story
Go behind the scenes with a few of the people who make life at Cumberlands possible.
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Randy Vernon
Take a look back at Coach Randy Vernon's legacy at UC.
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Tale of Three Sisters
Three sisters grew up, went to school and started lives at Cumberlands. This is their story.
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Paint the Town Red HOMECOMING 2016
During a warm weekend in October, University of the Cumberlands "PAINTED THE TOWN RED" for Homecoming 2016. Beginning Oct. 7 and continuing throughout the weekend, students and alumni were invited to participate in a host of activities, such as the Spotlight Reunion, Alumni Luncheon, CreechBoswell Luncheon, Patriot Pride Picnic, Red Boot Run 5K and football game against Lindsey Wilson College. After Saturday evening’s football game, which was held under stadium lights for only the second time in the university’s history, fireworks filled the sky above campus. And, with that, Homecoming 2016 ended with a bang.
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Above: Five alumni were honored at the Alumni Luncheon with induction into the Alumni Hall of Honor. Listed, from left to right, Reverend Steve Hogg, '80, Colonel Mike Farley, '88, Dr. Candace (Mack) Flora, '10, Dr. Duane Floro, '79, and Dr. Brent Morris, '04.
Above: Maya Nelson, last year's Spotlight winner and current UC student, finishes her performance of Beyonce's "Freedom" during the Spotlight Reunion.
Above and Below: Students enjoy the Patriot Picnic and the tailgate before the evening's football game.
Above: The women's wrestling team prepares to conquer the Patriot Chase. Below, left: The football team takes on Lindsey Wilson College. Below, right: Face painting at the Patriot Picnic is a hit.
Bottom row, left: Logan Smith of Danville, Kentucky, and Maggie Ballou of Corbin, Kentucky, are crowned 2016 Homecoming King and Queen. Bottom row, middle: Professor Jason Creekmore, BS '00, MAE '03, EdD '11, MACS '14, participates in the Red Boot Run 5K. Bottom row, right: The Marching Band takes the field at half-time during the football game. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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Above: The annual Alumni Luncheon and Creech-Boswell Luncheon, where alumni came together and reunited with their former classmates. The Creech-Boswell Luncheon celebrated the class of 1966 and earlier: 1: 1940s // 2: 1950s // 3: 1960s // 4: The Class of 1966, which celebrated its 50th Reunion this year. 6
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CAMPUS RENOVATIONS A number of facilities at Cumberlands received makeovers this year! On campus, the Bursar's Office, Bock Building, Undergraduate Admissions and Campus Bookstore were upgraded with new coats of paint and modern essentials. Some of the undergraduate residence halls also received new furniture and the graduate townhouses completed construction. In addition to academic and housing upgrades, several athletic fields also underwent improvements, such as the baseball stadium and soccer complex receiving new lights, allowing players to practice and play in the evenings. The tennis courts will also experience a full renovation in the coming year. With all the new updates around campus, and the outstanding performances of our students, it is an exciting time to be a Patriot.
UC's Northern Kentucky Campus If you've driven along I-75 in Northern Kentucky, you've likely seen the University of the Cumberlands' name prominently displayed on a building in Florence. This 36,000 square-foot facility serves as a satellite campus for UC and is home to our clinical psychology, justice administration and executive programs. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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oaching WITH HIS HAIR ON FIRE Randy Vernon always felt at home on the basketball court. In college, Vernon attended Tennessee Wesleyan College on a basketball scholarship, putting his passion for the game into practice. He would ultimately become a coach and an athletic director.
"I respect Coach so much, not only for what he did in coaching, but for the way he treated people." Lewis Morris, '90 "When I played, I thought I loved basketball more than anything – and I did," Vernon said. "Until I coached and realized there is no comparison for how much more I loved it." Vernon would spend 37 years at Cumberlands as the head coach for the men’s basketball team and as the school’s athletic director: shaping the legacy of UC's athletic programs. In 2016, at the end of June, he retired. “There comes a time when you know it’s time to let someone else do the job,” Vernon said. Vernon first arrived at UC in 1979 as the head coach for the men’s basketball team. During his time as coach, he led his 8 8
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team to 526 victories. And, over the subsequent years, the team appeared in the NAIA national tournament 11 times, visiting the elite eight twice and the final four once. With each victory, Vernon continued to push his players to perform to the best of their abilities. “He had incredible intensity and incredible passion for what he was doing,” said Don Butcher, current head coach for men’s basketball at UC. “He was a guy who coached with his hair on fire.” Butcher began his career as an assistant coach for Vernon in 1989. The players looked to Vernon with admiration and respect, Butcher said. "Playing for Coach was the best thing that ever happened to me," said Lewis Morris, '90, who played on Vernon's team as a UC student and now coaches in Bell County. "He had the ability to push you to be your best not only on the court, but also as a student." Vernon held his players to a high standard on the court, but he also expected them to achieve academically. If he ever caught them skipping classes, he would force them to run lap after lap as a punishment. He encouraged his players to be
well-rounded individuals and taught them to expect the same from him. “He is the most honest man I’ve ever met,” Butcher said. “You didn’t need a contract with Coach. If you had his handshake and you had his word, trust me, that was good enough. I’ve admired that about him more than any basketball game we ever coached together.” While Vernon maintained a legacy on the basketball court, his reach soon began to spread throughout UC’s various athletic programs. In 2000, he became the university’s athletic director. He would later become the vice president for athletics. Over the years, the athletic programs at UC continued to grow as Vernon introduced men’s and women’s archery, lacrosse and bowling. He also improved several of the athletic facilities around campus. Vernon ultimately became responsible for guiding 27 athletic teams and several head coaches. As athletic director, he stayed busy: attending games, meeting students and watching the programs develop into nationally recognized teams. "He is a man of great character who has built our athletic
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Randy Vernon Player. Coach. Director. Grandfather.
programs into national contenders while serving with uncompromising integrity," said President Larry Cockrum. However, in 2016, after 37 years at the university he decided it was time to retire. Now, Vernon has only just started his retirement. He hopes to spend time with his grandchildren and watching the Patriot teams in action. “He deserves the opportunity to do whatever he chooses to do in his retirement,” Butcher said. “If he wants to hop on a plane and go to France or sit in his house and read the newspaper, he’s earned that right.”
Top row, left: Coach Vernon keeps a close eye on a game during the 1990-91 season. Top row, right: Coach Vernon in 2016, prior to his retirement from the university. Middle row, left: Coach Vernon and a basketball signed by his players in 1991. Middle row, right: Coach Vernon meets with his 198990 team during a tense timeout. Bottom row: The 1990-91 coaching staff, including, from left to right, Donnie Butcher, Coach Vernon, Lorrie Ardoin and Jim Askins.
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A Tale of Three Sisters In the fall of 1966, three young sisters arrived at Cumberland College. Over the years, they became part of campus life and campus life became part of them. For Kim White, '81, Erica Harris, '84, and Shelleigh Moses, '87, Cumberlands is more than a home. They grew up, earned degrees, found careers and started lives on the campus. “UC is a family,” Harris said. “My life changed here.” The sisters’ father, Dr. John Broome, spent 48 years working at Cumberlands. He primarily taught history, but always 10
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found additional ways to stay involved. He added religion courses to his schedule, participated in a number of intramural games and volunteered to help wherever he was needed – including driving buses and vans to a number of sporting events. "If Cumberland College had not employed my father back in 1966, this Louisiana girl most likely would have never found her way to Kentucky," White said. "My family fell in love with this place and never wanted to leave." While their father stood at the front of a classroom in the Bennett Building,
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Shelleigh Moses, ’87, Kim White, ’81, and Erica Harris, ’84, standing in front of the John T. Luecker Building, formerly the Williamsburg City School where they attended as children.
also known as "Gray Brick," the girls attended elementary school at the Williamsburg City School Building. The building would later become UC’s Luecker Building. Harris, who studied business as an undergraduate at Cumberlands, returned to the Luecker Building as a college student. As Moses put it, laughing, Harris went “K-16 in that building.” As the first of the sisters to graduate from UC, White began working as an accountant and then at a hospital. Harris and Moses, meanwhile, worked in the Admissions Office as undergraduates in the work-study program and later accepted permanent positions after earning their diplomas. Now, Harris is the director of undergraduate
admissions and Moses is the campus visit coordinator. Over the years, all three sisters have watched the campus transform before their eyes. "Not much looks the same as it did back in my day," White said. "The Boswell Campus Center was the newest building on campus during my high school days. When I visit there now, I still remember eating the best fries in town." Alumni who pass through Williamsburg will sometimes pay a visit to the Admissions Office to catch up and see the changes for themselves. If they haven’t visited in a few years, they are often surprised by the university’s evolution, Harris said. In response, she or Moses will take them on tours of the campus, pointing out familiar icons and continuing traditions amidst the changes. “We thought it was pretty then and didn’t think much about it, but as it progresses, it seems to get better every year,” Harris said. “It makes you proud to show them the progress. We’re not standing still, and we’re continuing to move forward to serve this region.” The physical changes on campus are noticeable for anyone passing through, but they are not the only symbols of growth. "I can remember when it was Cumberland College with very few graduate programs," Moses said. "The possibilities are endless now that we are able to deliver online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level." Despite the university's evolution, the school remains a place the sisters can call home. Although White left Cumberlands for a time, she continued to remain just as in tune with its happenings as her sisters. Six years ago, she began working in the Luecker Building as the Education Department's office manager and certification officer.
“I just decided that if you can’t beat them, join them,” White said, smiling at Harris and Moses. "I'm the new kid on the block with only six years under my belt, and I thank Dr. Cockrum for giving me this opportunity."
UC is a family. My life changed here. -- Erica Harris Being back in her former elementary school is still a bit surreal for White sometimes – especially walking past the “scary closet,” which still smells like the former popcorn stand – but she loves it, she said with a laugh. Being close to her sisters is also a nice bonus. In fact, at one point, all five members of their immediate family were plugged into the UC community. The sisters' mother, Mavis (Farmer) Broome, '72, taught at a local elementary school and was one of the first special education instructors at Cumberlands in the ‘70s – or, as Moses dubbed it, “the big hair days.” Today, following their father’s retirement in 2014, it is just the sisters working on campus. “I think the biggest adjustment, truly, has been when our dad did retire, because we had never been on this campus without him,” Harris said. “It may have been just as big of a change or an adjustment for us as it was for him.” Although the sisters frequently see him when they visit their parents’ home, it is not quite the same as stopping into his office without a second thought and a moment’s notice. But through it all, from grade school to employment, Cumberlands remains a place the sisters and their families can call home.
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ATHLETICNEWS
RileyWins winsNational nationalGolf golfTitle title Riley
"We've got this perfect storm coming together." Chris Kraftick,
Athletic Director
Rhymer Honored with MSC Award UC’s head football coach, Matt Rhymer, 'BS '07, MAT '11, is this year’s recipient of the “Coaching for Significance” award from the Mid-South Conference. The award is presented to coaches who serve as exemplary role models. "Coach Rhymer has impacted my life as a football coach by teaching me the values of hard work and consistency," said Adam Craig, a senior on Rhymer's football team. "His work ethic transfers to every player." Rhymer is known among his players and the greater community for putting others first and leading by example. He volunteers with non-profit organizations, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and UC’s Mountain Outreach team. Many of Rhymer’s players follow his example by serving with local churches and charities. "He teaches us by example that after football, we will all face responsibilities that we must be ready for," Craig said. 12
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Kaitlyn Riley, a sophomore from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, earned national recognition on the golf course at the NAIA National Championship Tournament earlier this year. By the tournament’s conclusion, Riley had earned the NAIA’s individual title and tied for the lowest 18hole score in the tournament’s history. “I’m so proud of her and how she has matured over the last two years,” said Chris Kraftick, UC’s athletic director and former golf coach. “She’s an amazing talent.”
While at the tournament, which took place in Pooler, Georgia, the women’s team finished in the top five to conclude a consistently strong season. Additionally, along with their success on the golf course, the women’s team continued to succeed academically. Over half the women on the team have 4.0 grade point averages. “Our players have worked incredibly hard to reach the level at which they’re performing today,” Kraftick said. “It’s now one of the top programs in the country.”
Increasing Patriot Pride
At the first football game of the 201617 season, 875 students climbed into the bleachers at James H. Taylor, II Stadium to cheer the Patriots to victory against Campbellsville University. Now, more than ever, Patriot Pride is soaring - and it's not limited solely to football games.
As UC student-athletes compete on the field, their classmates compete in the "Dual of the Dorms" to see which residence halls can have the highest turnout at athletic events. In response, attendance has increased a great deal, according to Chris Kraftick, as the students continue to come and cheer each other on.
ATHLETICNEWS
Kraftick Named Athletic Director
Archery Team Continues Success In October 2016, the men's and women's archery team at Cumberlands won their second straight USIAC 3D National Championship. The Patriots were one of 18 teams competing in Carrier Mills, Illinois. "We came in with a good mindset and took care of business in a field of a lot of
successful archers," said Kris Strebeck, the team's head coach. "This was the largest 3D National Tournament for colleges and universities, so for us to come away with another championship is a huge deal for our program."
Chris Kraftick stepped into the role of athletic director in 2016, following Randy Vernon's retirement. He is now responsible for directing Cumberlands' 27 athletic teams and more than 700 student-athletes. Kraftick has been at Cumberlands for nine years. He previously led the men's and women's golf teams to several conference and national championships.
Baseball Team's First Players Return The baseball team at UC hosted a home run derby and cookout for alumni and current students during Homecoming 2016. Among the guests were two members of the university's first ever baseball team. As current and former players stepped up to bat during the derby, the team's first pitcher, David Aker, '64, and the team's first catcher, Glenn Worley, '64, watched from behind home plate. "Our first game was at the fairgrounds in Jellico," Aker said. "Dr. Boswell said we could have a field if we built it. We barely had enough players for a team."
For Worley, the people at Cumberlands helped shape his college experience and his life, he said - particularly Dr. James Boswell, the university's former president, and the team's first coach, John Renfro. "If it hadn't been for [Boswell] and Renfro, I wouldn't have made it through college," Worley said. "This team was like a family. Cumberland was like a family." After graduating from Cumberland College, as it was then called, Worley pursued a career in teaching and construction. He now helps coach high school softball and resides in Corryton, Tennessee. Aker, who majored
in religion and sociology, worked in Baptist ministry for 55 years in Somerset, Kentucky. What started as a nine-player team in the 1960s has since grown into a program with over 40 players on its rosters. "I'm very impressed with this school," Aker said. "Of all the private universities, we are one of the best. It's quite a feat, and I'm proud to see my university grow so much." Below Left: The 1964 baseball team, including Aker (first row, second from the left) and Worley (second row, third from the left). Below Right: Worley (left) and Aker (right) at the home run derby during Homecoming 2016.
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a glimpse
BEHIND THE SCENES Throughout your time at Cumberlands, you had people who were there for you – who believed in you. Whether you are a teacher standing in front of a classroom, a doctor preparing for surgery or a pastor leading a congregation, you have worked for your success. And, throughout your journey, the faculty and staff at Cumberlands have been by your side: teaching you the value of aiming high and reminding you to hold your head up. The same holds true today. Lisa Bartram provides a voice and a community for students to call their own. Bob Dunston opens his office door, teaching students and listening to them. David Root maintains the campus grounds and its many buildings. Jessica Shearer writes complex sequences of code to give students a beautiful, functional website. You may not have always noticed those working behind the scenes, but they were always there. These individuals, along with countless others like them, helped lay the foundation and set you on the path to where you are today.
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LISA BARTRAM Director of Campus Activities
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t is a Tuesday evening in February and Gatliff Chapel is filled to capacity. All 450 seats are taken and a crowd gathers in the back. As the lights fall and a student takes the stage, the crowd cheers. This is Spotlight. “It’s probably the one event that breaks down every barrier,” says Lisa Bartram, UC’s director of student activities. “You try and bring people together – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – but Spotlight is the one event I’ve seen where it doesn’t matter what sport or organization they’re in, our students will try – either to perform or to support who is performing.” For the past 10 years, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) has come together to host Spotlight. Running during spring semesters, Spotlight is a homage to talent competitions like American Idol: students audition and compete against one another in various singing challenges before a panel of judges. The winner receives a $1,000 grand prize. Spotlight is one of the most recognized events on campus, but it is not all that CAB does. Since Bartram arrived at UC 19 years ago, CAB's presence on campus has only grown and evolved due to her efforts. Throughout the year, CAB hosts a variety of activities to encourage students to get out of their dorms and enjoy the college experience. There are food events, Bingo nights, movies on the lawn and visiting performers. All the events – from Bingo to Spotlight to guest performers – are the
result of Bartram’s work. Bartram, who studied sociology at Marshall University in West Virginia, has been with CAB since 1998. After graduating with her master's degree, she knew she wanted to be an activities director at a university and learned there was such a position available at UC. Bartram applied on a Monday and was hired the next week. She has not looked back since. When it comes time to plan for CAB’s events, Bartram begins at least one year in advance at the annual Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Conference. For four days, Bartram and several CAB students attend showcases and marketing seminars, leaving the conference with a plan in place for the next year's events. “If you’re waiting until the end of the year, you are kind of limited on who you can get,” Bartram says, explaining the scheduling process. “You just have to be strategic about what you plan and how you plan it.” Over the years, Bartram has secured several big-name performers. Kevin Hart visited campus twice, as well as individuals who went on to participate on America’s Got Talent or Last Comic Standing. This year, Filharmonics, an a cappella group who appeared in Pitch Perfect 2, performed on campus. “With the budget that we’ve got, we try and bring in who we think students would like, and we try to bring in a variety,” Bartram says. One consistent success has been Fred Winters, a hypnotist who typically fills Gatliff Chapel. Alumni often make it a priority to return for the performance,
Bartram says. For all the performances and events that CAB hosts, Bartram plans them every step of the way with the help of her student workers and volunteers. They try new things and maintain old favorites: cultivating the campus energy and community. “You learn every time you do something,” Bartram says. “If it works, then great, but you’re always trying to make it better.”
BOB DUNSTON
Professor and Department Chair for Missions & Ministry Dr. Bob Dunston, professor and chair for the Department of Missions & Ministry at Cumberlands, keeps his office door open at all times. “For all of us in our department here – and I think it’s across campus, too – it’s pretty much open doors all the time,” Dunston says. “If you’ve got a question, we can talk about that or life in general.” The wall behind Dunston’s desk in the Bennett Building is covered in splashes of color and cartoon faces: plaques, cartoon panels and a hand-drawn depiction of Bob the Tomato, a character from Veggie Tales, that a student once gave Dunston. Action figures and bobble heads of the Beatles and iconic superheroes are placed intermittently on bookshelves and desk corners. It is a place full of character and life – a place where students from across campus can come and talk with their professor about their classes or about anything weighing on their minds. Dunston, known as “Dr. Bob” to much of the Cumberlands community, first arrived at the university in 1983 after earning his PhD from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. “Cumberlands seemed to be a friendly place: people knew students, students knew faculty,” Dunston says. “I thought it would be a great place to start my career and now I’m starting my 34th year here.” He primarily teaches theology and language courses, including Old and New Testament, Greek and Hebrew, but some of his favorite classes to teach are interdisciplinary, he says. Over the years, Dunston has collaborated with Dr. Keith Semmel, from the Department of
Communication Arts. Together, they have taught courses on Religion in Film, Contemporary Christian Music and more. “It’s not only fun for us, but I think it’s also fun for the students to see that people from different disciplines can work together and enjoy learning from one another,” Dunston says. “That’s what happens in our adult lives. No matter where we end up working, we’re meeting folks and learning from other individuals. It really broadens our horizons.” Since arriving at the university, Dunston has been recognized three times as an honored professor by the Student Government Association. He has also received the Cumberland College Award for Teaching Excellence. When he is not standing in front of the classroom or working in his office, Dunston is often making his own sourdough bread or fulfilling his duties as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jellico, Tennessee. And, when he’s finished for the day, he will turn on the television and find his favorite channel: SyFy. “If it’s a bad sci-fi movie and it’s on television, I love to watch it,” Dunston says, laughing. With an open office door and an enthusiasm for teaching, Dunston is well-known on campus for teaching both wide-eyed freshmen and seniors preparing to earn their diplomas. “I think it’s when alumni say what they’re doing, what their church is doing, that you realize they’ve not only learned things in the past but are now creatively re-envisioning things and creating new programs,” Dunston says. “That’s really exciting.”
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JESSICA SHEARER Webmaster and Online Education Coordinator
Jessica (Anderson) Shearer, BS '05, MSIS '16, creates first impressions. For 11 years, Shearer has created and maintained the university’s website, allowing students, faculty and staff to access information that makes their lives easier. It is also where prospective students get their first glimpse of the university they could one day call home. “A website is usually the first impression you get,” Shearer says. “It’s really how most people will decide if they want to pursue the college or whether they’re not interested at all.” It is Shearer’s responsibility to make sure the website catches guests’ attention and keeps them clicking. Subsequently, the site’s current design, which launched one year ago, is modern and mobile-friendly. “For a lot of people, the first time they come to your website will be on their phone or on a tablet, so we wanted to make sure this new site really takes that into account,” Shearer says.
Throughout the day, Shearer works to maintain the site’s functionality and relevance. She answers emails, takes phone calls, responds to requests and edits the site’s complex code – diving into strings of numbers and letters to bring webpages to life. Shearer began to develop her interest in websites when her family brought home their first computer while she was in middle school. It wasn't long before Shearer began creating her own websites, learning more and more with each click of the mouse. Now she manages a website for a living and does so surrounded by her children. Shearer, who lives in Jackson County, Kentucky, telecommutes. At least twice per month, she spends her workday on campus. The rest of the time, she works from home. “A lot of days, I don’t work a typical eight to five,” she says as her youngest son, Drew, giggles in her arms. “What I don’t get finished in the day, I’ll work
on after the kids go to bed because it’s easier when the house is quiet, and I have both hands free for an extended amount of time.” She first began telecommuting two days per week when her first son, Chase, was born. Later, when the family moved out of town, she started working from home full-time, which allowed her to spend more time creating complex sequences of code for the website and watching her three children grow up before her eyes. “I get to be with my kids and do a job that I love,” Shearer says. “I got to see the first time that they crawled and heard their first words because I have the privilege of being able to work from home. That’s not lost on me. I don’t take for granted what a blessing it is that I get to do this.” She keeps a busy schedule, one that may sometimes feel unconventional, but through it all, she continues to make UC’s website her own: a place to make an impression.
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DAVID ROOT Director of Plant Services
On any given day during any season, rain or shine, David Root can be found maintaining the university's structure and nurturing its grounds. "We do have just a beautiful campus," Root says. "We're very blessed and very fortunate in that regard." Root is the director of plant services at Cumberlands. For the past 16 years, he has started his days with morning rounds across campus to follow up on maintenance requests and to inspect building operations. He is also responsible for overseeing the university's award-winning landscaping. In 2013 and 2015, UC received national recognition from the Professional Grounds Management Society, as well as an honor award for 2016. It is an honor that Root takes seriously and one that he attributes to his staff. "They understand that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression," Root says. "The first thing people see when they drive through campus is the appearance of the grounds." And people do notice. Root recalls families stopping him at graduation
and revealing the role UC's grounds played in their child's decision to enroll at Cumberlands over other universities. Comments on UC's Facebook and Instagram accounts often reflect a similar trend. "We want it to be beautiful, but we also want it to be meticulously maintained," Root says. "I think it says to families that we're good stewards of the resources that we have." When he is not in his office or brightening the campus, Root is typically turning ink-stained pages as he immerses himself in the smooth spine of a new book. Most days, he spends his lunch breaks at the G&E Diner in Williamsburg or at other local favorites with a novel in hand and a grin on his face. "I'm sure folks think I'm anti-social because I'm usually at a table somewhere by myself with a book," Root says, laughing. He also considers himself a self-proclaimed “goof ball,� who is always willing to try something new. As such, whether he is reading at a table in the shade or planting tulips by the clock tower, Root remains a fixture in the greater campus community.
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Finding Magic in Orlando Dallas Wilkes, '05, may not have a jersey with his name stitched across the back, but he remains an integral part of the Orlando Magic. As the team’s mobile strategy manager, Wilkes works behind the scenes to help fans experience basketball in new, exciting ways. “We’re an organization where one of our core tenants is being innovative, so we pride ourselves on pushing the envelope,” Wilkes said. The path to working for a team in the National Basketball 22 22
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Association (NBA) was one Wilkes never could have anticipated, he said. He grew up in Georgia and encountered Jess Wilder, UC’s former head coach for men’s wrestling, at a high school wrestling competition. “I didn’t know the school existed prior to that, but it checked a lot of boxes for me,” Wilkes said. “It gave me a place where I could compete and be an athlete, it was reasonably close to home and it had an underlying foundation that was faith-based.”
Within a week of meeting Wilder, Wilkes signed a letter of intent. That fall, he entered Cumberland College. As an undergraduate, Wilkes changed his major several times before deciding on psychology. One day, during a meeting with Dr. Charles Huffman, chair of the Psychology Department at the time, Wilkes indicated he did not have an answer for life after graduation. In response, Huffman introduced the idea of Wilkes taking his psychology degree to the next level and pulled out a business card. He
crossed out his own name and wrote Wilkes’, telling him, “This could be you one day if that’s what you want to do. You’ve got the potential.” Huffman’s advice stuck. “That was the first time I’d ever really thought about grad school or anything past a fouryear degree,” Wilkes said. He held onto the card as he earned his master’s degree in mental health counseling from Carson-Newman College and his PhD in counselor education at the University of Central Florida.
Then, while he was in Florida, he met a girl. “I finished my degree and realized I didn’t want to leave, but that was what I was going to have to do to get on my career path,” Wilkes said. “I chose her.” Wilkes’ wife, Shelly, works with the Orlando Magic and, when a position opened up with the team’s client services, Wilkes took a chance. His background of understanding people, which he developed through his psychology credentials,
helped him get his foot in the door. In the time since starting with the Orlando Magic, he has worked his way up to the position of mobile strategy manager – working on projects designed to change and improve the fan experience. “To be a trailblazer is kind of fun,” Wilkes said. “You may get beat up along the way, but that’s natural to be the first person coming through the wall.”
CLASSNOTES
Photo Credit: Gary Bassing
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1950s Bill Carlyle, '58-'60, earned his 800th win as head coach for the men’s basketball team at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. Dr. Betty (Lentz) Siegel, '50, had a room in the Cobb Chamber of Commerce named after her: the Dr. Betty L. Siegel Community Room.
1960s Gordon Bocock, '67, was inducted into the USATF National Officials Committee Hall of Fame in December 2015.
1970s Mike Bastin, '72, is moving from the Stanford Banking Center to the Lancaster Banking Center. Bastin is a vice president and loan officer. Gayle Clifton, '72, retired as pastor of Upper Seneca Baptist Church in December 2015. Duane Floro, '79, was selected to serve as group leader for the Missions Support and Mobilization team at the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Floro has served on the convention’s staff for 14 years. He also received an award for Religious Service at Cumberlands’ Alumni Luncheon.
1980s Sherrie (Anderson) Mays, '81, was named vice president and chief nursing officer for Baptist Health Corbin.
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FALL2016 Cindy (Murray) Taylor, '84, pictured left, retired from Laurel County Public Schools after teaching 32 years. She also coached basketball at Keavy Elementary for seven years.
UC Musicians Take the Stage
1990s Charles “Buddy” Gallemore, '93, was named the head coach for men’s and women’s volleyball at Bluefield College in 2015.
2000s Joseph Ellison, III, '01, became the new principal for Martha Layne Collins High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky, in July 2016. He previously served as the assistant principal at Seneca High School in Louisville. Todd Finley, '06, is the new executive director of the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. Ashley Hensley, BS '04, MA '09, a teacher from Whitley County High School, was named Morehead State University’s Teacher of the Year for 2016. She was selected from over 2,300 nominees. Hensley then appeared on WKYT News with award-winning author Silas House. Shonda (Wood) Powers, '09, is the director of Graduate and Online Admissions at Cumberlands. Sherri (Duncan) Smith, BME '04, MAE '12, was named principal of Bate Middle School in Danville, Kentucky. David Sweet, MA '02, a teacher at Whitley County High School, recently won the Favorite Teacher Award from Barnes and Noble.
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The members of Miss Direction, from left to right. Front: Dr. Steven Sudduth on trombone; Jayson Smith, ’16, on drums; and Marissa Hedrick, ’15, on vocals. Back: Ben Walker on piano; Josh Teague, ’16, on bass; Kevin Holmes on guitar; and David Threlkeld, the group’s leader, on saxophone. Not pictured is Jon Cormack, who plays trumpet.
What started as the UC Jazz Combo, an opportunity to challenge advanced students in UC's music program, has become Miss Direction: a local jazz band consisting of UC faculty and alumni, along with several members of the greater community. "Miss Direction refers to the fact that we perform a diverse repertoire so audiences never quite know what to expect next," said David Threlkeld, a professor of music at UC and the group's leader. "It also plays on the fact that the group is all guys except our vocalist who is the 'Miss' in Miss Direction." When performing, Miss Direction plays an assortment of traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, funk, ballads and gospel. "We like to perform older tunes in new styles and newer tunes in older styles," Threlkeld said.
2010s Jackie (Wheeler) Bradley, MAT '16, is the new head coach for Hart County High School’s varsity cheerleading team. She is also the school’s exceptional education teacher. Mathias Brewers, '16, is an undergraduate admissions counselor at Cumberlands. He is currently working on his MBA.
The group was formed in 2014 by two UC music professors: Threlkeld and Steven Sudduth. They performed on UC's campus, in area schools and at You & Me, Coffee & Tea in Corbin, Kentucky. The original members included Sudduth and Threlkeld, along with three UC students: Jayson Smith, '16, of Dry Ridge, Kentucky; Marissa Hedrick, '15, of London, Kentucky; and Josh Teague, '16, of Corbin, Kentucky. The group now includes several new members from the greater community. As they continue to expand their audience, the band typically plays in local venues and for private events or weddings. They also have a regular gig in Corbin at The Wrigley on the last weekend of each month. "We have a great time performing," Threlkeld said.
Nathaniel Clouse, '11, is the student success coordinator in UC’s Student Services Office. Mirissa Cumpston, '12, is the new student success coordinator at University of the Cumberlands.
Dr. Shannon Deaton, MAE '11, EdD '13, is the new dean for the School of Education at Cumberlands. Sara Donahue, '14, is the new administrative assistant for the History and Political Science Departments at University of Cumberlands.
FALL2016 Stephanie (Taylor) Freeman, BS '10, MBA '14, and Dr. Travis Freeman went on a mission trip to Haiti in June.
Jed Waters Keith, MAT '11, MAE '12, is the managing editor of Freaksugar, a pop culture website.
Brittany Gadd, BS '13, MAT '15, was named the head coach for women’s soccer at Brewton Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia.
Josh Matthews, MAT '13, EdS '14, is the new principal of Lewisburg School. He previously served as the assistant principal at Olmstead School.
Chase Goff, MAT '13, EdS '16, is the new principal at Caverna High School.
Carrie Mattingly, '15, became a Buckhorn FPP Specialist for the Cumberland Valley region.
Adam Gray, '11, is the assistant vice president and loan officer for Central Kentucky Federal Savings Bank.
Scott Mayer, '11, was promoted to assistant supervisor for probation and parole in District 20.
Katie Hardy, '15, was named the Bullitt County High School Teacher of the Year. She has worked at North Bullitt High School for three years and graduated from the same school in 2008. Josh Henderson, MAE '13, EdS '14, is the new basketball coach for Hart County High School. Kelsey (Day) Infield, '14, now works as the project manager for University Communications & Marketing at UC. Her husband, Jordan Infield, ‘14, is the worship pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Williamsburg. Dr. Summer Jackson, MAT '09, MBA '12, PhD '15, is the director of International Admissions at University of the Cumberlands. Jordan Jeffers, BS '10, MAT '11, was recently named the head football coach at Sunbright High School in Tennessee. He also coaches the boy’s basketball team.
Morgan Shepherd, MSPAS '15, pictured left, is the director of clinic education in the physician’s assistant program at Cumberlands. Amy (Slates) Shinn, MAE '12, is the new principal at Milton Elementary School. Emmanuel Stone, MAE '15, was named the Kentucky History Teacher of the Year in 2016. Stone teaches history at West Middle School in Shelby County, Kentucky. He is currently working to complete UC’s education specialist program. Jane (Powell) Taylor, '12, was named the interim director of the 17th Street Christian Center, which offers preschool, after-school and summer programs. Matt Treadway, EdS '15, is the new principal at Freedom Elementary in Bullitt County, Kentucky. He previously served as the assistant principal for Pleasant Grove Elementary in Mount Washington.
Quentin Young, BS '11, MBA '16, is the new director of Business Services at UC.
Weddings & Births Abby Francis, MAE '12, and Joseph Laber were married on July 2, 2016. Abby works as an English teacher at Russell Middle School. Her husband, Joseph, is a firefighter for the Ironton Fire Department after serving as a captain in the U.S. Army for two deployments in Iraq. Vanessa Frost, '08, and Elijah Gibson were married in June 2016.
Erin (Engel) Hale, BS '10, MAE '12, and Matthew Hale, '12, announce the birth of their daughter, Madilyn Ann Hale. She was born November 15, 2015, and weighed 8 lbs., 7 oz. Leanna Milby, MAT '10, and Chad Buck were married on May 14, 2016.
Sallee Miles, MAE '14, and John Burchette were married on Dec. 31, 2015. They are both teachers in the Knox County School System. Steven Moore, '07-'08, and Amelia Miller married on June 4, 2016.
Cole Peavler, '15, and Kayleigh Jennings, '16, were married on August 6, 2016. Peavler is an undergraduate admissions counselor at UC. McKinzie Price, BS '13, MBA '14, and Florian Loutre, '16, were married on May 13, 2016. They reside in Somerset, Ky. Kyle Taylor, MAT '15, and Olivia Patterson were engaged on April 1, 2016.
Sarah Todd, MSPAS '13, and Ryan Godbey were married on January 1, 2016.
UC on the Move
Colonel Marty Vannatter, '90, recently retired from the United States Army after 30 years of active-duty service. He served in a variety of positions and locations, including Korea, Haiti, Germany, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the Netherlands and the United States. Vanatter currently lives in Belgium with his wife, Julie (Mobley) Vannatter, BSE '89, MA '91, who teaches special education at SHAPE American Elementary School in Casteau, Belgium. Their two children, Ryan and Mary, are attending college.
Brandy Norman, '14, and Jared Martin, '14, were married in September 2016. She is an undergraduate admissions counselor at UC, while he is the University’s assistant baseball coach. Cumberlands Alumni Magazine
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From Student to Superintendent
Photo Credit: Zach Knudsen
"Loving Every Moment" at Dollywood For Jeff Jones, '10, life is good. He spends his days at the Dollywood Company in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, named for country-music icon Dolly Parton. He is the park's human resource operations manager, maintaining the hiring systems, human resource systems and the benefits systems. "[I work on] a lot of those behind-thescenes things that not a lot of people see when they're visiting the park, but they keep the wheel turning," Jones said. "We're a cog in a pretty big organization, and if ours stops turning, then people stop getting paid." Jones first began his path to Dollywood as a psychology major at Cumberlands. He initially came to the university to play football, but fell in love with the Psychology Department after taking a general education psychology course, he said. Two professors in the department, Dr. Dennis Trickett, '79, and Dr. Eric Stephens, continued to drive his interest in the field.
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"Dr. Trickett really did push his students to get the best out of them," Jones said, explaining that the same was true of Dr. Stephens. "I took every course I could with those two." As graduation approached, Jones met with Debbie Harp, '79, director of Career Services at UC, and found an internship at Walmart that developed into a full-time position with increased responsibility. Then, in Oct. 2015, he transitioned to the Dollywood Company. "You have to learn fast here," Jones said. "It's a very fast-paced environment because it's a seasonal atmosphere. We do a lot in a small window of time." Jones now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and commutes to the park. He also recently completed his master's in human resource development from Villanova University. In Oct. 2016, he and his wife, Maleah, welcomed their newborn son, Max. "Life is good," Jones said. "I'm very blessed."
Dr. Amon W. Couch, BA '91, MAE '95, EdD '12, was named the superintendent for Williamsburg Independent Schools in April 2016. Couch began his 24-year career in the classroom at Williamsburg Independent, teaching high school English and social studies, before spending nine years as the principal for all grade levels, P-12. Then, after working for two years as a consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education to help low-performing schools, he became the assistant superintendent and later superintendent of Clay County Public Schools in Manchester, Kentucky. In 2015, Couch returned to Williamsburg Independent to serve as the building principal before being named the superintendent. He is also an adjunct professor at Cumberlands. His wife, Joy (Chambers) Couch, '91, teaches sixth grade at Corbin Intermediate School. They have two daughters: Cassie, a junior at Boyce College, and Hope, a freshman at University of Kentucky.
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Classmates Become Lifelong Friends
Tying Together Traditions Garth Bustle, BS '13, MSIS '15, is pictured donning the larger than life "CC Indians" blue and maroon necktie that was traditionally worn by Dr. John Broome, a retired UC history professor. For many years, Broome wore the floor-length necktie at home and away games, as well as at conference and national championship games. Bustle requested use of the tie from the Cumberland Inn, where the tie is on permanent display in the Patriot Steakhouse. Like his predecessor, Bustle garnered much attention wearing the tie as he cheered on the Patriots as a sideline photographer at the Mid-South Conference Tournament's championship game on March 5, 2016. Bustle is currently the COO, CIO and general manager for Jasper Iron and Metal Company, Inc. in London, Kentucky. In 2015, he was named the IT assistant for the women's basketball team at Cumberlands.
Three alumni, who graduated in 1959 and 1960, embody the diverse careers that Cumberlands prepares its graduates to pursue. They also represent the longevity of friendships formed at Cumberlands. Harry Siler, '60, had a long and distinguished career as an architect in the Washington, D.C. area. When he wasn't drafting building designs, he taught architecture at Howard University and volunteered with the Peace Corps in South Africa. Now, having retired, Siler lives in Williamsburg and attends First Baptist Church. He also takes courses in modern literature at UC and advises the city of Williamsburg on architecture projects. Dr. Bob Cain, '60, was elected as Cumberland College's student body president in 1959. After leaving Cumberlands, he earned his PhD in English and pursued a career in academia as both a faculty
member and as an administrator. His university career included 25 years at Florida Atlantic University and 12 years at Eastern Kentucky University. He currently lives in Corbin, Kentucky, with his wife, Jenny, where he attends First Baptist Church. Dr. James Gover, '59, had careers as an electrical and nuclear engineer: working on nuclear weapons development at Sandia National Laboratories; researching policy for Congress, the Department of Energy and the Department of Corrections; and teaching electrical engineering at Kettering University. Gover and his wife of 52 years, Lois Jean, currently live in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where he attends Calvary Baptist Church, teaches online courses for Kettering University, gives lectures on policy issues and writes op-eds on national policy for the Albuquerque Journal.
Left to right: Siler, Cain and Gover during a visit to UC’s Alumni Office in June 2016.
Teaching Becomes a Family Legacy Wendall Worley, ’84, was one of three teachers inducted into the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame in 2016. He graduated from Sue Bennett College with an associate's degree before attending Cumberlands. After graduating Cumberland College with a bachelor's degree in 1984, he earned his master's degree and Rank 1 from Union College. He then began teaching at Laurel County High School – now known as South Laurel High School. During his 32-year career, he has taught civics, economics, AP American History and AP U.S. Government. For
12 years, he has also served as the department chair for social studies. His wife of 28 years, Charlene (Wells) Worley, '87, is a GEAR UP coach for South Laurel's Class of 2017. Their two sons have continued the family tradition by also pursuing careers in education. Ethan Worley, '15, has a social studies degree in secondary education and has been substitute teaching since graduating from Cumberlands. Andrew Worley is a junior at Eastern Kentucky University, majoring in communication disorders, and hopes to work in a school system as a speech pathologist..
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FOND FAREWELLS 1940s Paul Croley, '40, passed away
on May 13, 2016. He served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant during World War II. He was also president and CEO of Mahoning Supply Company. Nellie (Wentworth) Pitzer, '44, passed away on May 7, 2016. She was a research chemist. Joyce (Jones) Holbrook, '46, passed away on May 13, 2016. She taught in the Whitley County School System and, after retiring, was employed by the Corbin Deposit Bank (now Cumberland Valley). Peggy (Winbun) Miller, '47'48, passed away on May 16, 2016. She taught kindergarten at a private school in York, South Carolina, and was later an administrative assistant at the Methodist church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Rosella (Daniel) Henson, '48, passed away on April 27, 2016. She was the educational secretary for the First Baptist Church of Newport from 1958-74 and a loan officer for Newport National Bank from 1973-81. Virginia (Jones) Logan, '49, passed away on February 3, 2016. Arliss Roaden, '49, passed away on April 10, 2016. He served as the executive director for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and as the president of Tennessee Technological University. He also worked at Ohio State University as the dean of the Graduate School and as vice provost for research. He authored and co-authored five books and numerous research articles.
1950s Charles Kelly, '50, passed away
on June 3, 2016. He covered sporting and political events for the Associated Press. Denzil King, '50, passed away on March 11, 2016. He was retired from the McCreary County Board of Education after serving 28
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nearly 31 years as a teacher and principal. He was also a JobCorps counselor.
Betty Abbott, '51, passed away on May 24, 2016. She worked as a beautician and for the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company. Russell Bridges, '51, passed away on April 4, 2016. He served as the vice president of development at UC from 196769. Betty (Oxendine) Walker, '51, passed away on March 23, 2016. She and her husband, Walter, worked in the mission field for five years and was a city computer programmer for over 10 years. General Barnard Williams, '52, passed away on March 3, 2016. Norma (Jones) Ballou, '53-'54, passed away on April 28, 2016. Robert Skirvin, '54-'55, passed away on April 9, 2016. He was the full-time pastor of North Fairfield Baptist Church in Ohio for 38 years. Peggy (Meadors) Metcalf, '55, passed away on May 13, 2016. She began her career at Loyall Elementary School in 1957 and retired from Benham Elementary School in 1987. Carolyn (Lawson) Tiller, '56, passed away on January 11, 2016. She worked as a school teacher for 30 years.
1960s Patricia (Jones)
Brown, '61, passed away on May 30, 2016. Robert Adkins, '62, passed away on June 8, 2016. He practiced dentistry for 50 years in Lexington and rural Kentucky. Robert Pendleton, '62, passed away on June 25, 2016. He was a former school teacher. Reecie Stagnolia, '62, passed away on January 11, 2016. Ralph Stanton, '62, passed away on March 24, 2016. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and spent the majority of his career as chief of research at the Veterans
Medical Center Mississippi.
in
Jackson,
Michael Howard, '64, passed away on March 17, 2016. He was a teacher at Kettering School for 35 years.
After retiring, she continued to serve the community as treasurer for the Knox County Judge Executive's office. Arlene Barton, '75, passed away on January 30, 2016.
Deanna (Swafford) Pritchett, '64, passed away on May 7, 2016. She was a teacher with the Walker County Board of Education for more than 30 years. She then served as a volunteer with Hutcheson after retiring.
Rose (Berry) Bowen, '79, passed away on June 23, 2016.
Brenda Jeffers, '68, passed away on February 7, 2016. She was an elementary school teacher.
Cornelius, '80, passed away on May 8, 2016. She was a physician and medical doctor at Rockcastle Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon, Kentucky.
Carl Price, '69, passed away on May 21, 2016.
1970s Paul Meadors, '70, passed away
on February 18, 2016. He served many years in the Virginia Beach School System and retired after working as the assistant principal for Kellam High School. Dorothy (Eastin) West, '72, passed away on June 30, 2016. She was a retired teacher. Sarah (Browning) Balenovich, '73, passed away on March 5, 2016. She taught in Harlan County, Kentucky, for 30 years. Gary Harris, '72, passed away on January 27, 2016. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. He retired after working with the Whayne Supply Company for 33 years. Ronnie Hopkins, '73, passed away on April 27, 2016. James "Jim" McBurney, '73, passed away on June 19, 2016. He owned Waitsboro Manufacturing Boat Builders. Wanda (Miller) Moore, '73, passed away on April 4, 2016. She taught business for 20 years at Corbin High School and Knox Central High School. She then transitioned from the classroom to the Knox County Board of Education, becoming the district's financial officer. She stayed in that position until 1996.
Ray Snider, '76, passed away on April 27, 2016. He was a teacher and a coach.
1980s Dr. Kimberly
Sherry (Creekmore) Croley, '83, passed away on June 21, 2016. Jane (Davis) Leach, 'BS '85, MAE '86, passed away on February 27, 2016. She was a retired teacher from Jellico Elementary School. Sherry (Capps) Housley, '86, passed away on May 28, 2016. She had a 30-year career in banking. Robin Sweet, BS '88, MAE '91, passed away on April 3, 2016. Sandy Petrey, '89, passed away on January 11, 2016. She was a teacher's aide at Whitley Intermediate School.
1990s Kevin Mitchell,
'99, passed away on February 23, 2016.
2000s Jennifer Pruett,
MAE '13, passed away on May 2, 2016. She was a teacher at Wilkerson Traditional Elementary School in Louisville. Brandy (Achor) Sharp, '14, passed away on June 26, 2016. She was a 4-H advisor and child advocate. Brittany (Reeves) Fleenor, MAE '15, passed away on April 29, 2016. She was a teacher at Williamsburg Independent.
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Faculty, Staff & Friends James Michael Bowling passed away on February 28, 2016. He was the husband of Alice Bowling, a 15-year employee of the university until her retirement in 2014. Ward Correll passed away on April 21, 2016. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in South Korea, and a Somerset businessman and philanthropist. To commemorate Ward and his wife, Regina, the Ward and Regina Correll Science Complex opened in 2009 at UC. The Ward Correll Health and Wellness Center, located in the Boswell Campus Center, opened in 2015. Elaine Croley passed away on March 4, 2016. During her 22year career at Cumberlands, she worked in the President’s Office, Student Services, Alumni Services and Development. She also worked in the health, psychology and communication departments at the university.
Show Your Patriot Pride Wherever You Drive Kentucky residents can stop by the County Court Clerk’s Office to request a UC license plate. The cost to purchase a plate is $44 with an annual renewal fee of $31. $10 from every license plate sold goes to fund UC student scholarships.
ucumberlands.edu/alumni/drive
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Jack Stanfill, '71, passed away on November 28, 2016. He was director of financial aid at Cumberland College for 36 years, retiring in 2003. Kenneth Weedman passed away on January 18, 2016. He was the Art Department’s chair and a professor for 35 years at Cumberlands before his retirement in 2003. He was an acclaimed artist and exhibited his work both nationally and internationally.
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TRIBUTE PROGRAM TRIBUTE GIFTS
IN HONOR OF:
MARCH 1, 2016, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
In Honor Of: Dr. & Mrs. Larry L. Cockrum Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Allen Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Micaiah Bailey Given By: Drs. Aaron & Emily Coleman Given By: Mr. Kyle Gilbert Given By: Ms. Jamirae Hammons Given By: Dr. & Mrs. Donald Grimes Given By: Dr. Jerry Jackson Given By: Dr. Barbara Kennedy Given By: Mr. Steven Morris
In Honor Of: Dr. Joseph E. Early Given By: Mrs. Linda Coleman
In Honor Of: Sue Wake Given By: Colonel & Mrs. Donald Jones
In Honor Of: Husband & Father Given By: The Duke Family - Mrs. Henrietta Duke
In Honor Of: Yahweh Given By: Mr. William Lynch
In Honor Of: Naomi Harp Given By: Chaplain & Mrs. Kenneth Harp
In Honor Of: Dolores Morris & Mary A. Dodson Given By: Dr. Imogene Ramsey
In Honor Of: Mel Morton Given By: Chaplain & Mrs. Kenneth Harp
In Honor Of: Mr. Wallace M. Boyd, Jr. & his wife, Jan Given By: Ms. Carolyn Siler
In Memory Of: Stephen & Scarlett Armstrong Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Armstrong
In Memory Of: Jack E. Davis Given By: Mrs. Ethel Eastridge
In Memory Of: Dr. Boswell Given By: Mr. Jerry Smith
In Memory Of: Nancy LeForce Utterback Given By: Ms. Mary Baker
In Memory Of: Wanda Moore Given By: Dr. Summer Jackson
In Memory Of: Mr. Ray W. Snider Given By: Mr. Mark Snider
In Memory Of: Crytal Bell Given By: Dr. & Mrs. John Broome
In Memory Of: Cheng Yoke Lim Given By: Dr. Hui Koon Khor, her daughter
In Memory Of: Russell Bridges Given By: Dr. & Mrs. James Taylor
In Memory Of: Ralph Milton Hickey Given By: Mrs. Verna Lee Bruce
In Memory Of: Brenda King Given By: Mr. Charles King, Jr., her husband
In Memory Of: Earl G. Watson Given By: Mrs. Evelyn Watson
In Memory Of: Brother, Jack E. Davis Given By: Mr. & Mrs. James Cobb
In Memory Of: Reverend Roy Lyttle Given By: Dr. Ann Lyttle-Burns
In Memory Of: Congressman Eugene E. Siler Given By: Dr. Jess White
In Memory Of: Jack E. Davis Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Willie Cobb, Jr.
In Memory Of: Maynard & Louise McGhee Given By: Mr. Raymond McGhee
In Memory Of: Nell Lorraine Carroll Given By: Mr. Marcus Yancey
In Memory Of: Jack E. Davis Given By: Ms. Margaret F. Davis
In Memory Of: James H. Murphy Given By: Mrs. Imogene Murphy, his wife
In Memory Of: Terry Dixon Given By: Mrs. Evelyn Dixon
In Memory Of: Benny Hinkle Given By: Ms. Sherry Roaden
IN MEMORY OF
Anyone interested in making a Gift-in-Kind donation is encouraged to contact the Office of the President. Please make support payable to University of the Cumberlands.
Office of the President
6191 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769
GIVE ONLINE AT UCUMBERLANDS.EDU/GIVE In preparing this list, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness. If a mistake was made in the way you are identified or if your named was omitted, we apologize. You can help us set the record straight. Please notify the President’s Office regarding any changes in the way your gift should be recorded in future reports. Thank you.
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Tribute Gift
A Tribute Gift shows love and respect for the person being honored or memorialized. It says to others that the world is a better place because of this person. Through this generous gift to University of the Cumberlands, a memory of the past or an honor of the present is tied to the future, living on with students who are in need of financial assistance.
Honor Gift
An Honor Gift is a gift that shows admiration and respect for a loved one on a significant day in their life, such as a birthday or an anniversary.
Memorial Gift
A Memorial Gift is a gift in memory of a departed loved one. It is a wonderful way to express sympathy and high regard. The Memorial Gift can also be used to remember birthdays, anniversaries or other special days.
Who Your Gifts Help
Your gift will provide a lasting legacy for our students who are in financial need as they work to earn a degree and further their education. This gift is used to help provide scholarship and workship assistance, books and supplies, food and housing, and many other supportive services that our students need.
How are Tribute Gifts Acknowledged?
For an Honor Gift, the person being honored is sent an appropriate card listing the honor giver, as well as the occasion for the honor. Then, the name of the giver and the name of the honoree will be listed in the next issue of the University’s newsletter and magazine. For a Memorial Gift, the family of the one you wish to memorialize is sent an appropriate card the same day the gift is received by the University. Then, the name of the giver and the deceased will be listed in the next issue of the University’s newsletter and magazine.
Alumni Couple Donates Proceeds from Classic Car Phillip Catron, '62, and Dorcas (Walker) Catron, '63, vist campus on a regular basis to support UC’s mission and to participate in alumni activities, school programs and athletic events. Phillip also serves as the current president of the Creech-Boswell Club, which includes UC alumni who have graduated more than 50 years ago. In June 2016, the Catrons called UC’s Development Office to begin the process of donating their 1965 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 to the university. While Cumberlands accepts gifts-in-kind donations from alumni and friends on a regular basis, the University took a different approach and helped the Catrons find a buyer for the antique car. As time passed, Dave Bergman, '89, UC's Development officer, located a buyer in Williamsburg. The Catrons then donated the proceeds from the sale to Cumberlands to assist with the workship program, specifically for students in Wayne County. A portion of the donation is also being used to support athletic programs. “We decided on this avenue since this is earned by the student through self-help and hard work on UC’s campus,” Phillip said. “This is something other alumni might consider as a way to help the University.”
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Office of Alumni Services 6075 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769
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