Alumni Magazine Spring 2020

SPRING 2020

UM G ZA IZNI N A LA UL M N IN IM M A GA A E E

A CLEAR

VISION

SEEING A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

ON THE COVER This bust of Dr. James Boswell was placed on campus to commemorate Dr. Boswell’s years of service to Cumberlands as a professor, President, and continued supporter of the school in his retirement.

Though current students never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Boswell, his influence lives on in the University’s character as we continue to put student first, with the goal to ensure affordability, pursue excellence, foster growth, and innovate programs to prepare them for the future.

Features 10

HELPING OTHERS LIVE

11

ROCKING PERSEVERANCE

12

A CINDERELLA STORY

Janay Jones, ’97

Dr. Michael Carr, II, ’14, PhD ’14

Mandy (Webb) Pursely, ’05

14

COURAGE & BRAVERY

16

DETERMINATION & DRIVE

18

A CLEAR VISION

Allen Robbins, ’90

Brittainy Branham, ’17

Seeing a plan for the future

In Every Issue 6 26 29

2

|

Campus News Class Notes Cumberlands Couples

SPRING 2020

30 32 33

In Memoriam Patriot Salute Then & Now

Campus Memories

from Sharon Greene-Oberschlake, ’84

"I came to CC in the fall of 1979 (the year $6,000 was raised to START repairs of the viaduct), all 4 years I was there repairs were being made. (I never thought it would get done). The gaping holes, rotting temporary boards and crumbling concrete didn’t stop us from getting where we were going or doing what needed to be done. Like the viaduct, we were determined, strong students. Spring Fling in the lower BCC parking lot, the viaduct full of students leaning over to watch. People back then ALWAYS spoke to everyone you passed when walking across. It was the a popular meeting place.... one end or another. Lots of fond memories. U of C, over the years the beautification of campus and the viaduct (that actually appears to FINALLY be completed) looks AMAZING!" VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS Dr. Jerry Jackson, EdD ’11 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ALUMNI RELATIONS Erica Harris, ‘84 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Paul Stepp, ’12, MSIS ’17 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Andrew Powell SENIOR EDITOR Gabrielle Mellendorf

SENIOR WRITER Sarah Rainous, ’17

GRADUATE ASSISTANT RESEARCHER Clara Arnold, ’19

DESIGNER Gabrielle Price

STUDENT WRITER Diana Davis, ’22

PHOTOGRAPHER William Turner

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER Daniel Hunt, ’20

DIGITAL CONTENT Jordan Jung

The opinions expressed within articles do not always represent the views of the administration, but are intended to foster open dialogue and lifelong learning.among the Cumberlands community. We welcome your feedback, email alumni@ucumberlands.edu CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

3

2019-20 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dear Alumni, Usually, when I say, “What a semester it’s been,” I am referring to the whirlwind of events we’ve had on campus, like the Excellence in Leadership Series sponsored by Forcht Group of Kentucky, the many athletic events in which our students have competed, and especially our commencement ceremonies in May which celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of our newest Cumberlands graduates (therefore, newest alumni).

Well, folks, it has been a whirlwind of a semester. Just not in typical ways.

President Tasha Singleton, '06 President-Elect Dr. Joe Ellison, III, '01 Past President Brant Poore, '94 Secretary Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, '87, MAED '13

Board Member Emeritus As I’ve watched the leadership at Cumberlands come together and guide the University through tough decisions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, I can confidently say that the heart of this school is still its students – protecting them, leading them, and giving them opportunities to learn how to do the same for each other. Cumberlands, like every other institution this spring, has been tested. We are still loyal. We are still true.

If social distancing has taught us anything, it is the value of gathering together with friends and family. As part of the Cumberlands family, you know you’re welcome to come visit campus anytime. And for the perfect chance to reconnect with close friends, might I add that Homecoming 2020 is right around the corner? I think it’ll be our best yet. I hope to see you there!

Mary Doyle Johnson, '48 Dick Koeniger, '67 Bill Lyttle, '75

Term Expiring 2020 Tracey Kidd Wessell, '82 Alan Coppock, '87 Brian Shoemaker, '79 Tasha Singleton, '06 Lesley Swann, '97

Term Expiring 2021 William "Bill" Jones, '81 Dr. Joe Ellison, III, '01 Amanda Walton, '02 Jacob Moak, '11 Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, '87, MAED '13

Best,

ERICA BROOME HARRIS, ’84

Executive Director of Alumni Services

Term Expiring 2022 Melanie Mackey Bloomer, '90, MAE '19 Michael Addison, '14, MBA '16 Cathy Sue Smith, '89 Shannon Warmoth, '88 Richard Prewitt, '80

Ex-officio Members Dr. Larry L. Cockrum University President Paul P. Steely, '49 Trustee Liaison

Office of Alumni Services Erica Broome Harris, '84 Executive Director Paul Stepp, '12, MSIS '17 Director 4

|

SPRING 2020

Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame Inducts 2020 Class The Cumberlands Alumni Association was pleased to induct five new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame in February.

John Bland, who coached the Patriots football team to a 70-21 record and five Mid-South Conference championships during his eight seasons at the helm. Bland helped Cumberlands qualify for the NAIA Football Championship Series six times, including a 2013 national championship appearance, and was a five-time winner of MSC Coach of the Year.

Darcy (Mascotti) Whyte, '14, who was a four-time NAIA AllAmerican and set five program records at Cumberlands. Whyte gained four All-American honors (individual racing and relay) and was the MSC Freshman of the Year for cross country in 2009.

Chris Kraftick, current athletic director at Cumberlands, who tallied a .773 win percentage as head golf coach and helped build the Cumberlands golf programs into national prominence

during his nine-year coaching career. Under Kraftick’s leadership, the men’s and women’s golf teams recorded 14 MSC championships and 11 MSC tournament titles and competed at 11 NAIA national championships.

Terrance Cobb, '16, who is Cumberlands football program's leader in rushing yards for a season with 1,991 yards and rushing yards for a career with 4,414, and who leads Cumberlands in career rushing touchdowns with 53. In his junior year, Cobb was named an AFCA First Team All-American, a BSN First Team AllAmerican, and the MSC Player of the Year.

Eric Flinchum, '07, who compiled an 89-5 record for wrestling while earning four NAIA All-American honors and finishing as the NAIA national runner-up twice in his college career.

Flinchum posted a perfect 28-0 record in his senior year and helped Cumberlands to a top-ten finish at the NAIA National Championship each of his four years in the program.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

5

CAMPUSNEWS

NEWSPAPERRECOGNIZED

NEWSPAPERRECOGNIZED

University of the Cumberlands’ student newspaper The Patriot had tremendous success for the third consecutive year. Since 2017, The Patriot has won 65 awards from the Kentucky Press Association’s (KPA) annual awards banquet, earning them all with fewer than 10 people on staff in any one year.

The Patriot won five first place awards, three second place awards, and two third place awards for 2019. Best Use of Social Media/Multi-media and Best Holiday Greeting Ads and General/Miscellaneous were two of the first-place awards they received.

The paper took home four awards in the KPA Advertising Excellence in Kentucky contest, as well as a second-place overall award in that contest. They received awards for Best Sports Picture Essay and Best Feature Picture for the third consecutive year.

The competition is state-wide and often requires The Patriot to compete with larger schools such as Somerset Community College and Murray State University. Despite The Patriot’s small staff, the newspaper is one of the most notable in the state. All issues of The Patiot is available online at issuu.com/ the_patriot 6

|

SPRING 2020

CUMBERLANDSPROVOST

Dr. Emily Coleman, ’01, was recently promoted to Provost at University of the Cumberlands. In this role, Dr. Coleman directs the Offices of Academic Affairs and Student Services, as well as provides leadership support to University athletic functions and programs.

“Emily is a proven leader with an extensive background in higher education accreditation and compliance,” said President Larry Cockrum, who made the announcement.

“She is forward-thinking, strategic, and widely respected by our faculty, staff, and students. Emily’s team-centered approach to leadership will serve the University well as we seek to continually innovate and deliver a quality education that meets the needs of today’s students.”

Before becoming Provost, Dr. Coleman served as Vice President for Student Services for nearly five years at Cumberlands. Prior to coming to Cumberlands, she served fourteen years as a higher education and enrollment management administrator. She has been active in the profession and has led more than 20 professional presentations, has two publications, served on multiple accreditation review teams, maintained a long-standing active role in professional organizations, and was named as a Salzburg Fellow. Dr. Coleman serves on multiple boards in the region and enjoys spending time with her family.

JAZZEDUP

CUMBERLANDSPROVOST

LIBRARYRENOVATION

LIBRARYRENOVATION

Construction is underway to renovate the Hagan Memorial Library into a 21st century learning center. The library staff moved library resources into the Luecker Building and has continued operations as normal from there during the renovation process. The library is anticipated to re-open in 2021.

The old library was constructed in the 1960s and had undergone very few renovations or updates for the past 20 years.

“Revolutionizing our current, out-of-date library into a 21st century learning center will significantly influence our ability to educate future leaders,” Dr. Cockrum, University President, said. “The learning center will meet the technological needs of today’s students.”

The proposed architectural design for the learning center includes a first floor filled with technology booths, a coffee bar and café, computer areas, rooms for quiet study, and a portion of the library’s media collection. The concept plan for the second floor includes the bulk of the library’s collection in addition to a couple of classrooms and plenty of seating and study areas. An elevator will also be added, increasing access to all floors. As before, the library will be open to all Cumberlands students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members.

JAZZEDUP

Two members of the University of the Cumberlands Jazz Ensemble performed with the Kentucky Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble (KIJE) on February 7, 2020 during the Kentucky Music Educators Association conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The KIJE is a very select group consisting of student musicians from colleges and universities from throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Drew Shannon, a sophomore music education major from Somerset, KY, perfomed on trumpet, and Tyler Curtis, a junior music education major from Corbin, KY, performed on bass trombone.

David Threlkeld, director of the UC Jazz Ensemble, said of this event, “It is considered a great honor to be selected.

Tyler and Drew certainly earned this opportunity, and they both performed very well in Louisville.”

The jazz ensemble at Cumberlands performs a variety of styles including swing, funk, Latin, ballads, bebop, and fusion. Jazz performances are usually on campus, though the band travels to other locations throughout the region to perform on occasion.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

7

CUMBERLANDSTOGETHER THE UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 The novel coronavirus was detected around Wuhan, China, in November 2019, though doctors didn’t see patients exhibiting symptoms from it until December. Within a few short months, the virus had swept across the world. News of the virus saturated mainstream media as nations around the globe were sent into tailspins one by one.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 (the illness caused by coronavirus) in the U.S. was reported on January 20, 2020. After that, a lot changed in the States.

Venues like museums, concert halls, and dine-in restaurants were closed to discourage large gatherings. Many people stockpiled toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and frozen or canned foods, fearing a total lockdown. Leadership teams at colleges and universities around America walked into contingency meetings, the same question on everyone’s faces: What do we do about our students?

Cumberlands took a proactive and strategic response to addressing the impacts of the pandemic. Students had already left campus for spring break, scattering across the country and abroad. To protect the health of students, staff, and faculty, the decision was made to move all in-seat classes to an online format from Monday, March 16th (the day students would have returned from break) through the end of the spring semester. Faculty and staff were asked to work remotely. The NAIA called off the remainder of the season for all sports. Cumberlands’ annual commencement ceremonies were cancelled.

These changes and cancellations were part of an organized effort to protect the Cumberlands family and contain the spread of the virus in the Commonwealth.

Kentucky’s COVID-19 stats say the efforts worked. But there is no getting around it: this was a big blow.

Yet the responses from students, while they revealed an understandable ache over their losses, exuded gratitude and hope. They were bittersweet and heartwarming – in a word, mature. Everyone was thrust into a new way of life, but we all figured it out together. Students devised new ways to complete their coursework. Friends connected over various online platforms. Staff and faculty gave each other tips for setting up good work spaces at home. Online support groups began popping up with staff helping staff, staff helping students, even students helping fellow students. And more quarantine memes than could ever be counted circulated social media with gusto.

Everyone at Cumberlands – everyone around the world – faced unique challenges this spring. We pulled together and pulled through. The pandemic put a lot of things to bed temporarily, but it awakened us here at the University to a few key points: First, that the future is more fragile than we may like to think.

Second, that that’s okay. We will take what we can get.

Third, that we love you.

And fourth, that when it comes to the Cumberlands family, we can truly face anything.

TOGETHER.

8

|

SPRING 2020

"I have the most awesome staff. They pitched in and sanitized everything in our dining hall, an area that is not part of their responsibility. I can't brag on them enough!

Y'all ROCK!"

"Sophomore year hasn't gone as expected but I'm so thankful for UC and the sweetest friendships & memories I've made this year!"

– JoBeth Hopper ’22

­– David Root, Director of Grounds

"Senior Year of college has definitely been the craziest year ever! A couple weeks ago I went to Graduation fair at UC and randomly took this pic at a photo-booth with my friend Hannah who is also student teaching and graduating. Flash forward a couple weeks and our student teaching was cut short and Graduation canceled. Who would have known this would be one of my only grad pics. While it has definitely been a strange and hard time in the world, I'm thankful for the four wonderful years at UC and the great friends I've made. #classof2020"

After the announcement to move to online classes, Patriot Pete knew he had to take care of his fellow Patriots and friends. He took to social media to check on everyone.

­– Kennedy Walden, ’20

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

9

LIVE

Helping

Others

Janay Jones, ’97, is the executive director of sales and operations for Gilead Sciences, one of the largest and most profitable biopharmaceutical companies in the world. Gilead is an industry leader in medical research and development for many serious health conditions; for instance, it developed the hepatitis C cure that has healed two million people worldwide.

Gilead has been the flagship company in HIV research and development for 20 years. Jones is head of that division. According to Jones, approximately 98 percent of all patients worldwide living with HIV are on at least one of Gilead’s medications. The division’s biggest breakthrough was developing a pill that, when taken every day, suppresses the viral load of HIV to the point where the virus is no longer detectable, thus no longer transferrable. Those who had it no longer experienced symptoms and could not pass on the virus to their loved ones. What’s more, the pill had no adverse side effects – a hurdle no other HIV treatment had cleared.

“Before, you could take a pill, but there were neurological side effects, or you always had to have a meal when you took the medicine, and so on,” Jones explained. “Now, there are no trade-offs. In this day and age, no one should be dying of HIV or AIDS. We have these wonderful medications out there; that should not be an issue.”

Jones recognizes that some people feel uncomfortable with the nature of his work because it’s aimed at treating a sexually-transmitted infection. As a Christian, Jones sees the value in helping others live long and healthy lives, regardless of decisions they made in the past. His motivation is caring for the patients around the world whose lives may be impacted through the medicine he helps to research and develop.

“My role in this industry has given me the opportunity to focus on others,” he said, “developing new, transformative medicines that will help them, while also being able to interact with practitioners and caregivers along the way.”

Cumberlands had a “huge impact” on Jones, encouraging him to focus on academics while playing football and baseball. Coaches like Tom Dowling and Terry Stigall and professors like Dr. Bob Hancock, Dr. Jim Ross, and Dr. Walker Russell held him accountable to his studies while helping him realize his untapped potential. Without their influence, Jones’ life would be different. He is grateful to them and everyone at Cumberlands who invested in his life. *Photography by Orange Photography 10

|

SPRING 2020

ROCKING PERSEVERANCE

Dr. Michael R. Carr, II, ’14, Ph.D ’19 is a full-time employee at University of Cincinnati, owner of a marketing consulting company, and a part-time rock star.

His music fans call him OMEB (pronounced ohmehb, short for One Man Electrical Band). His friends call him Mike.

Those who know his story call him perseverant.

“I haven't been blessed with a pretty face, a rich family, or much opportunity in life other than what I have made for myself,” Mike said. “But I always try to find a way to be positive, even when it seems there's no reason to be.”

Mike was a music major at Northern Kentucky University until the back pressure from all his trumpet practice ruptured his ear drum.

He withdrew from his schooling to heal and reevaluate his career plan. Being a seasoned musician, he opened a music school where he taught up to 55 private lessons per week. Adversity struck again when technologies like YouTube and music piracy exploded, killing the business for many musicians and music teachers. Again, Mike rose to the challenge. He began taking classes at Cumberlands, balancing a full-time job, part-time job, family, and full course load.

“I saw the writing on the wall and decided it was time to reinvent myself,” he said. “Non-traditional learning allowed me the opportunity to return to school and validate the skills I had already obtained as an entrepreneur.”

On top of those commitments, shortly after Mike returned to school, both his parents were diagnosed with cancer. He is the oldest of four children and was the only child without a degree. It became his mission to finish his degree so his mother could see her last child graduate.

He did. While it was “an exhausting workload,” he completed his degree a few months before his mother passed away. His father beat cancer and is OMEB’s biggest fan. Mike now has two additional degrees under his belt and is engaged to be married.

If there is one thing Mike has learned in his life, it’s to “NEVER GIVE UP.” “It seems my life has been full of challenges and roadblocks, but I’ve always found ways around them,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to take risks and reinvent yourself. Sometimes it can open doors you would never imagine.” *Photography by Vincent DePorter

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

11

A Cinderella Story n

12

|

SPRING 2020

N

z

FAIRYTALE PRINCESS

Mandy Pursley uses her passion for acting and cosplay

Believe zz INSPIRING OTHERS TO

IN THEIR DREAMS

Born as a below-elbow, right arm amputee, Mandy (Webb) Pursley, ’05, uses her difference to encourage others. She recently became a social media star after her Cinderella rendition went viral, where she took a personal twist on the classic story – replacing the glass slipper for a glass arm!

It all started when her daughter, Cayleigh, began studying various Cinderella adaptations from across the globe. Pursley realized that there was still no princess with a physical difference whom she could identify with, so she began visualizing her own version of Cinderella.

“That is the sort of character who would have been really meaningful to me as a child.

I was often having to forge my own path without having many role models who could identify with my disability,” Pursley said. “I feel like it is so much easier to believe in your dreams if you can see someone who is similar to you already achieving those things. With this version of Cinderella, I really wanted to show kids that you can have a difference and still be the hero of the story.”

Her idea soon became a reality. Being an experienced seamstress (yes, a one-handed seamstress), Pursley was able to create the iconic dress, pairing it with Prince Charming’s uniform. Through mutual friends, she connected with Gilbert Lozano, an artist, who donated a prosthetic arm he custom-made using glass resin. With the outfits and props finished, Pursley and her husband, Ryan, recreated Cinderella scenes for a photoshoot. The photoshoot was done with hopes for a reveal at San Diego Comic Con. Unfortunately, Pursley became ill minutes before the unveiling and was forced to withdraw.

She chose to keep the Cinderella photos private, but then a friend reached out, hoping she would share the photos so that a young girl, also born with a limb difference, could see them. Pursley ultimately posted the photos on Facebook, where they went viral overnight. Within 24 hours, the post had been shared more than 20,000 times!

“Many parents of children with limb differences and other disabilities reached out to me to express how meaningful it was to be able to show their children a princess who was just like them,” said Pursley. “The love and acceptance that people gave to Cinderella was a big step toward positive inclusion, especially for people who still struggle with society’s misperceptions about disability.”

The original Cinderella post has been shared almost 30,000 times on Facebook and received almost 40,000 likes and 4,000 comments. Pursley has been overwhelmed with happiness regarding Cinderella’s acceptance and success. Yet when all is said and done, Pursley believes the biggest accomplishment has been the chance to encourage others to pursue their own Cinderella story.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

13

A TRUE STORY OF

COURAGE & BRAVERY

Allen Robbins, ’90, recounts Sevier County Electric System's response to the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires.

14

|

SPRING 2020

O n N ove m b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 , a f i r e s t a r t e d a t t h e n o r t h s p i r e o f t h e C h i m n ey To p s m o u n t a i n i n G a t l i n b u r g , Te n n e s s e e . A n i n c i d e n t c o m m a n d e r d e t e r m i n e d a f i r e l i n e w a s n o t n e e d e d . F o u r d a y s l a t e r, w i n d s p i c ke d u p , and spot fires spread outside the containment area.

The infamous 2016 Gatlinburg wildfire had begun.

The fire raged for three weeks straight, fueled by 90 MPH wind gusts and the dry grass and foliage left by the severe drought that summer. Ultimately, thousands of families lost their homes, 14 people lost their lives, and the cost between fighting the fire and damages caused by the fire soared to more than five million dollars. Of course, during the wildfire, no one could estimate the aftermath. Nobody could afford to think that far ahead. All that mattered were the decisions being made by those in leadership right then, right there.

Robbins had been hired as the new general manager/CEO of Sevier County Electric System just three and a half months before the wildfire. Without a doubt, facing the adversity of the Gatlinburg wildfire was the most stressful professional event of his life.

Homes were being rapidly incinerated. Power lines were crashing to the ground. Trees and land were being absolutely consumed.

Without electricity, firemen would be unable to pump water from water pump stations to the fire’s most critical areas, which meant the electric system’s linemen had to be the first to willingly step into hell.

“It was truly a trial by fire for all of us,” Robbins said. “There is no ‘how to’ book on what we went through. We adapted and overcame with each passing hour.”

Robbins oversaw the office in charge of dispatching the linemen. Nobody in the room knew what the linemen were up against; they simply kept trying to get the linemen to the outages, not realizing they were sending them into harm’s way. The linemen never objected.

“What I struggle to live with today is that I sent eight of our linemen into an area to get power back on to the Gatlinburg Water Plant because the firemen were running out of water,” Robbins said. “This almost got them killed. They never questioned my orders.

They went and got the job done, and this act alone essentially saved Gatlinburg. They don’t hold that against me, but I do. I want people to know what heroes our linemen were and still are. They saved many lives that night and never told anyone.”

That is, until Robbins was asked to write a book about the Electric System’s experiences during the wildfire. Then stories began pouring out, like the moment when the fire department yelled to the linemen, “It’s out of control! It’s a wild fire, and it’s coming this way!” and the men drove back and forth from the fire to safe ground, piling new people onto their bucket trucks with each trip, always wondering, “What if somebody’s kid is still up there?” There was the day that two linemen fought their way through downed trees, telephone wire, and flying embers the size of basketballs for hours to lead vehicles filled with civilians out of the thick black smoke to safety. The book, Trial by Fire, was published in July 2019 and details story after story of how the linemen faced the fire and brought people out.

Robbins continues to live in Sevier County with his wife and children. Walking around the area today, seeing how the community has come together, rebuilt, and overcome, his heart is flooded with gratitude. Somehow, life has sprung up, even after all that transpired. Somehow, hope never died, even through the fire.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

15

My father always told me I was “less than” because I was female. He said girls didn’t need to go to college and always discouraged me from going.

I moved out of my home when I was 15 and lived on my own, worked, and homeschooled myself through high school. During this time, I moved to Michigan with a friend of mine. I married young at 19 and continued to work.

By the time I was 20, I was the manager of an insurance office. At 22, I divorced (that’s another long story) and moved back to Kentucky and helped care for my grandmother.

I found work with EQT, a natural gas company in the area, and worked for them for several years. I was transferred to their corporate office in Pittsburgh. I spent a year there, then had to move back to Kentucky to care for my grandmother. By this time, I was 27 years old.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND CUMBERLANDS? Upon moving back, I decided to enroll in college. With the help of student loans and grants, I was able to attend a local school. I received my Associate in Science from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, then started seeking out further educational opportunities. I found University of the Cumberlands through my search. The first thing I read on the website was the school’s mission and vison.

What stuck with me was this sentence, “The institution is grounded in Christian principles and leadership through service.”

I thought to myself, “Leadership through service… Not a concept that’s taught these days.”

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 2017. To say I was proud of myself is an understatement.

I had gone through so many different struggles, and to finally have that degree and be one step closer to my goals in life was an amazing feeling. Though I didn’t have the support of my mother or father during any of this time, I had my own determination and drive to better myself.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH SOAR INNOVATION. I recently served as a Business and Innovation Champion for SOAR Innovation, during which time I helped many entrepreneurs and business owners start and develop their businesses. I led and taught classes on entrepreneurship and the basics of starting a business. I spent weeks traveling around Eastern Kentucky finding businesses we could assist. There is nothing like sharing in the joys of business owners’ success and being there to help them through the tough times.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW? WHAT IS REWARDING OR INSPIRING ABOUT IT? I am now the Executive Director of the Pikeville location for Village Caregiving.

It’s the perfect opportunity to apply all I learned through my studies at Cumberlands and my experiences with SOAR, and put my passion for business into action.

Until working in this field, working with

elderly individuals, I hadn’t realized what a need there is for this type of work. To know these people, who otherwise would go without care, are getting taken care of on a regular basis is such a blessing to be a part of. I also get to help provide well-paying jobs to many women, several of whom are single moms.

Jobs can be scarce in Eastern Kentucky.

What better way to help Appalachia grow than to be a part of the growth? What better way to lead by serving others?

HOW HAS YOUR AREA CHANGED SINCE YOU MOVED THERE? I serve on the City Council in Prestonsburg, and the growth and changes I’ve seen in my little town over the past five years is amazing.

Small businesses are popping up. We have so many local residents who volunteer their time to help clean up the city and work on special projects. Through a partnership between the city and the state park, we now have more than 20 miles of mountain bike trails that people from all over the country come to ride – all built by local volunteers, including myself. It truly is awesome to be a part of!

&

DETERMINATION Q&A with Brittainy Branham ’17

DRIVE

A CLEAR VISION LOOKING BACK ON THE PAST DECADE

SEEING A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE T h e v is i o n o f Un i ve rsi ty o f the Cum ber lands is to be a u n i v e r s it y o f disti n cti o n that e n co urages professional and i nte ll e ct u a l g rowth i n a stud e n t- fo cused comm unity. To do s o, Cu m be r l a n d s wi l l : E ns u re a cce ss to under ser ved student p op ul at io n s . P ursu e e xce l l e n ce i n teac hing and lear ning.

Foster fa i t h in a cti o n thro ug h a stud ent foc used comm unity.

I n n ovate to im pro ve stud e n t l ea rn i n g outcomes and career p re pa re dn e s s .

2010

2011

Online Master's in Christian Studies program begins

Cumberlands Aquatic Center is renovated

18

|

SPRING 2020

2012 First Shoes 4 The Soul event is held. To date, program has benefited more than 1,000 community children

Renovations to Boswell Campus Center began.

2013 Archery team launched first season.

Team has won nine national championships

University of the Cumberlands celebrates 125 years

Football team competes in NAIA National Championship

2014

2015

E. Taylor House Acquired Now used for campus ministries

Health and Wellness Center addition to the Boswell Campus Center is completed

2016 Dr. Larry L. Cockrum officially named the tenth President

Men's and women's lacrosse teams begin their first season

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

19

"While our approach has evolved over the last decade, we have consistently focused on providing an affordable, quality, student-centered education to learners from all backgrounds.

We are constantly working toward that goal."

W

Dr. Larry Cockrum, current president of University of the Cumberlands, with wife of 48 years, Dixie and their yorkie, Oliver.

hile many other colleges are struggling, Cumberlands is one of the fastest-growing private universities in the nation, standing 17,000 students strong. Dr. Larry Cockrum, President of the University, credits Cumberlands' leadership team, faculty, and staff with getting the school to this point. As a whole, the University has consistently striven to ensure access to underserved student populations, pursue excellence in teaching and learning, foster faith in action through a student-focused community, and innovate to improve student learning outcomes and career preparedness.

As a new decade begins, it is an appropriate time to look back on the last ten years, take stock, and cast a renewed vision for the future.

ENSURE

In 1888, a group of Baptist ministers founded a small college in Kentucky known as the Williamsburg Institute (now University of the Cumberlands) for the purpose of preparing young adults for lives as servant leaders. The vision was to provide higher education for the

young people in the underserved area of Appalachia. That vision remains.

Making education accessible primarily means making it affordable. That’s why Cumberlands cut tuition by 57 percent beginning this academic year, making it the most affordable private university in Kentucky. Even with the tuition reset, the school provides 99 percent of students with some form of financial aid. In 2019, the University was ranked as the top school in the South for “social mobility,� e.g. having the most and best resources available to help support students from low-income families during their college experience.

The institution was founded to help educate the mountain children who would have either lived without ever reaching their educational potential or would have left the area for schooling elsewhere and likely never returned. Cumberlands still has a special mission to reach those young people of Appalachia. Of the on-campus students pursuing an education here, the majority hail from the Appalachian region, and forty percent are first-generation college students.

2017 Enrollment reached 10,000 sudents with addition of the online executive programs for graduate students

2018 Cumberland Museum and Patriot Steakhouse closed to allow for expansion of academic and administrative spaces

12th Annual Excellence in Leadership Series hosts NBA star and philanthropist Shaquille O'Neal

Cumberlands named National Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by NSA and DHS

Archer Hall is renovated and updated with air conditioning

Public leaders like Shaquille O'Neal speak at Cumberlands' annual Excellence in Leadership Series.

Students perform community service projects at various locations throughout Whitley Country during the Pats Serve events. Since its inception in 2018, the Cumberlands community has served more than 50 community locations and organizations and completed over 1500 hours of service.

"We believe an education must be affordable and excellent. That’s why we reduced tuition by 57 percent and kept our online tuition rates low while continually focusing on quality."

PURSUE

Aristotle said, "Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution." Dr. Cockrum's focus for Cumberlands has been providing an education that is affordable and highquality. This can be hard to accomplish in today's rapidly-changing environment, especially while maintaining the school's original vision. “You figure out how you keep the school mission and integrity intact in a moving world, and that’s what I try to do. If we tried to do anything outside of our mission, it wouldn’t work.”

Patriots dance team becomes a varsity sport

Cumberlands named College of Distinction

Patriots Esports becomes varsity sport

150th home built through Mountain Outreach

Ranked #1 for Best Online College in Kentucky

The Cumberlands Commitment is announced, reducing on-campus tuition by 57%

What also wouldn’t work would be attempting to expand the University’s reach while the school was in financial debt. Sometime after assuming the presidency, Cockrum told the faculty and staff that Cumberlands was in steep debt, and it was one of his goals to erase that as soon as possible.

Army ROTC was reinstated in the fall of 2019.

Health science programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels have greatly expanded in recent years.

“I am proud to say that in the past five years we’ve been able to reduce the University’s debt by 64 percent,” Cockrum said. “My goal is to have the University debt-free in the next four years, and we are on track to do that!”

The true mark of excellence for a higher education institution is in the education it provides. Forty different majors and minors, plus pre-professional programs, are currently offered at Cumberlands.

In the past few years, several academic departments have revised their major programs, with some departments offering new major “tracks,” revising classes to involve more technological components, or blending curricula from multiple departments to offer classes which better fit job market needs (for example, classes which combine IT with criminal justice due to the rise in cybercrime). The most popular majors at Cumberlands have consistently been in the sciences, business, and education. Many graduate students pursue degrees in IT or obtain certification as physician assistants or nurses. Approximately 80 percent of Cumberlands alumni have completed or are pursuing a graduate degree or certification. Not only does Cumberlands offer a quality bachelor’s level education, it instills a desire in students to keep on learning.

The college or university you graduate from is called “alma mater” – or “nourishing mother” – for a reason.

Universities are meant to foster students in more than just their studies. Currently, Cumberlands offers work-study positions in 90 locations on campus and 50 internship opportunities, several of which were initiated by Cumberlands alumni.

Twenty-nine athletic teams compete during the school year, and there are more than 40 clubs and organizations for students to explore new outlets and showcase their talents. The faculty and staff at Cumberlands are invested in the students, with professors sometimes inviting classes into their homes for study sessions or Christmas parties. After a recent Opening Convocation, Dr. Cockrum took time to shake hands with every new student on campus so he could meet them properly.

No man is an island, and no college is either. With the student community thriving, Cumberlands has set its sight on revitalizing downtown Williamsburg. Both Mayor Roddy Harrison and Dr. Cockrum support the vision of town and gown living hand in hand for the betterment of the students on campus and the Williamsburg community as a whole.

“Cumberlands has a long, rich history here in Whitley County,” said Dr. Cockrum.

“We love being part of the Williamsburg community and recognize that the health of the University and town are directly connected."

The greater the partnership between the two, the greater the impact overall.

"When you have a thriving town, it helps create a thriving University, and vice versa," Dr. Cockrum added. "Over the last couple of years, Cumberlands has invested

Alumni, donors, and friends of Cumberlands came together on the first annual Give Day to raise funds for current and future students.

2018 Forcht School of Nursing established with $1 million gift

FOSTER

2019 $5 million in funding secured to modernize the campus library and resource center

Pats Serve started as a day of student service in the local community. Nearly 1,500 students, faculty, and staff participated

First Annual Cumberlands Give Day raises $76,162 to support scholarships & campus initiatives

Army ROTC program is reinstated - Patriot Company

1,537 degrees conferred - largest graduating group in history

heavily to help grow business downtown.

In 2017, the University purchased, and is now revitalizing, several buildings along Main Street. Our goal is not to make money on this project but to help drive positive change in our community.”

In line with that positive change is the University’s push to put faith into action.

Cumberlands was founded on Christian principles which continue to enrich students’ lives. All students complete community service hours prior to graduation. Whether the students prefer doing construction work, leading local children in games and activities, hosting Bible studies for their sports teams, or cooking international cuisine and sharing the Gospel over a meal, there are thriving ministry and outreach programs on campus to match their skill sets.

INNOVATE

In 2005, Cumberlands opened its virtual doors to the world of online education. It was a turning point for the University.

“Institutional change is never easy,”

Cockrum said, “but we had to react to adjustments in the education market where more and more students are looking for ways to earn their degree besides a traditional 4-year brick and mortar experience. I think this is a fundamental shift in the university landscape at large. While it presents challenges, it also opens doors by increasing options for people to earn degrees, enhancing diversity and inclusion in education, and providing opportunities for our students and University.”

Cumberlands’ price points for online courses remain some of the lowest in the nation. Thus, enrollment has quickly skyrocketed, and the University’s IT infrastructure and staff have faced many hard challenges to cope with the unprecedented growth. Dr. Cockrum is thankful to the staff and faculty who “stepped up and made this much less of a challenge” than he originally anticipated.

The rewards he has seen for students – both online and residential – have made the changes worthwhile.

are landing jobs in their chosen field,” he said. “For me, this is a driving force!

The University's growth also allows us to make improvements for our students, like keeping tuition low, providing great quality instruction, and making capital improvements across our campuses, both physical and digital.”

Innovation in the form of career-focused programs, online advancement, and campus life have become a trademark of Cumberlands in recent years. The University stays on top of societal and job market trends so that programs are formatted in ways that make students market-nimble. Yet innovating the programming and structure of a longstanding University is not easy. It’s a juggling act, looking to the future, shaping the present, and always keeping the original mission of the school firmly in mind. So, Dr. Cockrum keeps a simple principle in mind as a guide for his decisions: It’s all about the students. To him, when that is the focus, everything else falls into place.

“I love that we are graduating more students and that more of those students

"My sincere hope is that in 20 years we have a booming University and a vibrant downtown that allows everyone to have a wonderful college experience, economic opportunity locally, and that we are poised to capture on the next 100 years of growth!"

The Cumberland Inn is converted into residential student housing and renamed as Adams Center

Cumberlands named one of the fastest growing universities in the U.S.

Announcement of textbook loan program to start fall 2020 - cost of books now included in tuition

Pete's Eats resturaunt opens in the old Patriot Steakhouse location

Marketplace on Main and 3rd - a combination commercial and residential space managed by Cumberlands - announced for Williamsburg

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Above all, Christopher Oliver Jr., ’19, more commonly known as CJ, wanted a college where he could gain independence. He liked the idea of living in a dorm, and he couldn’t wait to start leading his own life. But first, he had to overcome a deeply-ingrained habit of procrastination.

“I had to get my act together,” he admitted.

“I was lucky to get a C my first semester here and had to academically bankrupt my second semester entirely. I had to work hard and not take the easy way out anymore. So, I actually began doing the work.”

In addition to applying himself in his studies, CJ got a work-study position on campus to help him pay for school. Even that got complicated, though, as he jumped from one work-study position to another, sometimes by choice, sometimes not. His final position in the Cumberlands mail room changed drastically when the room was completely renovated and new staff members were hired. CJ adapted to the changes and grew as both a student and a work-study. His experiences taught him how to handle life when there was a lot on his plate all at once. The work came with perks, though; he got to help with campus events like the Excellence in Leadership Series, which hosted Laila Ali in 2019.

“I’m more willing to take initiative now,” he said. “No one’s going to solve my problems for me, and there’s no point trying to avoid them. I go out and deal with things as I can.”

Soon, CJ will be flying overseas to work as a conversational English instructor. He’s always wanted to travel, so the opportunity excites him. The organization may even offer some financial compensation for CJ to pursue a master’s degree, pushing his educational journey even further. As an ex-professional procrastinator, CJ never saw that coming. Now, he’s open to whatever possibilities lie ahead.

24

|

SPRING 2020

A 01

A 02

A 03

A 04

A

A

A

A

A 09

A

06

07

08

05

10

TWENTY FOR THE

Class of 2020

r i a f n o graduati

#CUMBERLANDSGRAD

A 11

A 12

A 13

A 14

A

A

A

A

A

A

16

17

18

15

19

20

01. Cheesing super hard because I'm officially finished with undergrad! 02. 5 years later! 03. It took me a few days to process this weekend.. & how different yet how amazing it was. 04. We are so proud of you and we'll have one heck of a celebration once this is all over. 05. Look ma, I made it #UCclassof2020 06. It was a fast 4 years. Congratulations Madison Angelito 07. A solid four years on the deans list, almost zero debt, your outlook and determination has been amazing to see #proudmomma #ucumberlands 08. Congratulations to my baby! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments! 09. To my University, it's not the goodbye we wanted but thank you for some of the best years. #onebigteam 10. I would be walking in graduation this Saturday, but COVID-19 had other plans. I am thankful for my time at the University of the Cumberlands.

11. To celebrate my accomplishment I spent the day taking pictures to remember for a lifetime #tookcareofbusiness. 12. It's Graduation Day!!!

Definitely looks a lot different than I expected! Still feeling so happy and blessed! 13. Didn't get to walk across the stage and shake Cockrum's hand. There are so many more exciting things ahead. 14. One Masters down and one to go. 15. Four years and two degrees later, I'm officially a college graduate. Thank you UC for the best four years!! 16. Got my diploma in the mail, I'm official! #gradbox 17. Today I defended my PhD dissertation at @ucumberlands so today I celebrate! 18. After 4 long years I finally wrapped up my undergrad. Thank you UC! #Classof2020 #onebigteam 19. I may not have gotten to walk across the stage today, but I'm very thankful I was still able to celebrate with my family.

Congratulations to the class of 2020 20. Graduation Station CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

25

CLASSNOTES KENTUCKY'S SPECIAL EDUCATION

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Stacey Crowe, Rank I Cert., ‘13, was awarded Kentucky's Special Education Teacher of the Year award by the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children.

Crowe is a special education instructor at Wayland Alexander Elementary School in Hartford. Crowe has been with Wayland for about two years, but has been teaching for around 16.

Crowe worked as a social worker before becoming a teacher but enjoyed being in the classroom and interacting with children. He decided to take the next step in becoming a teacher, receiving his Master's in Special Education from Western Kentucky University.

"Being in the school, I always call it the warm and fuzzy side of social work because I get to do all the fun stuff," Crowe said.

He said being in the classroom allows him to get kids excited about learning and teach them things that will help them in the real world. He wants his students to make connections between what they learn in the classroom and things happening in their everyday lives.

CUMBERLANDS CONNECT The Office of Alumni Services is delighted to invite you to join CUMBERLANDS CONNECT - the new official networking platform for UC. CUMBERLANDS CONNECT brings our community together by providing you with access to a number of resources.

•

A running feed of alumni updates, interesting content, photos and conversations.

A full opt-in directory of alumni and students, allowing you to connect with your UC community around the world.

A mentorship program, giving you the opportunity to be mentored by others or offer mentorship to fellow alumni and students.

A job board with current opportunities, posted by alumni,

• • •

• •

students, and strategic partners.

Group conversations allowing you to engage at a more granular level with those with the same class, interests, careers, industries, locations as you.

Events posted by alumni, students and ​Cumberlands, inviting you to upcoming events, encouraging pop-up engagement, coffee meetings around the world, and other organic engagement opportunities created for and by you.

We ask you to join us! You can sign up in less than two minutes by registering with your Linkedin or Facebook profile.

To register, visit cumberlandsconnect.com 26

|

SPRING 2020

1980s Kelvin “Bernie” Blue, ’80, retired after a 35-year career as a high school education administrator with the St. Johns Co. School District, (FL). He has continued coaching in an adjunct capacity at Nease High School and is now in his 39th year of doing such. He presently serves as an assistant girls basketball coach and AAU track and field coach. In July, he was honored with the Beaches Legends Lifetime Award for his years of dedication to the Ponte Vedra and adjacent communities.

Kelly (Hull) Ferguson, ’89, published her debut devotional book, Love Lifted Me, in October 2019. These devotions tell the story of how God redeemed her life, broken by trauma, abuse, grief, anger, and depression, by gently revealing His love to her in everyday life. Kelly was widowed when her husband and former Cumberland College student, Clayton Ferguson, ’90, passed away from brain cancer in 1999 at the age of 33. She now lives with their grown daughter, Amanda, in Maryville, TN, and serves as a Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Church of Maryville.

Sedlak (’13)

Fisher (’13 & ’20)

Holder (’15)

Dr. J. Jeremy Thomas, ‘98, was named the chair of Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and chief of service for emergency medicine at UofL Hospital.

2000s (1) Amy (Larkin) Beard, ’02, and Jason Beard welcomed triplets, Amelia, Andrew, and Aidan on November 15, 2019.

Larry C. Jones, ’00, and Stephen M. Jaffe were married on September 21, 2019.

1990s

Bosko Cupac, ’08, and Jessica (Cox) Cupac, ’10, we married on October 18, 2019.

Dr. Emily (Lumsden) Coleman, ’97, was promoted to Provost at Cumberlands. This comes after an almost five year stint of her serving as Vice President for Student Services.

2010s

Daniel Blevins, ’98, was named Executive Director of Helping Hands of Greenup County, a faith-based food pantry and social service agency in Kentucky. After serving as the Assistant Director in 2013.

(2) Dr. Shannon Deaton, MAED ’10, EdD ’13, and Dr. Alexandria Deaton, MAED ’14, EdD ’18, welcomed their daughter, Natalie Elise Deaton, on December 20, 2019. Natalie was born at 7lbs 6oz and 20 inches long.

Huston (’16)

Garner (’15)

Lola (Embree) Davidson, ’11, and Luke Davidson, ’12, welcomed their second son, Alan Jasper Davidson, on October 25, 2019.

Peter Martinez, ‘12, MS ‘13 was promoted to the position of K9 Handler within the uniformed division of the United States Secret Service assigned to the Vice President’s home. Perter will be one of the newest assigned members of the White House Presidential protective team.

Michelle (Pratt) Dehnart, ‘12, and Christopher Dehnart welcomed their daughter Jael on January 3, 2020.

(3) Mallory (Mathena) Richter, ’12, and Scott Richter welcomed their daughter, Adalyn Roshell, on March 1, 2019. Adalyn was born at 9lbs 2oz.

Cumberlands Magazine welcomes Class Notes submissions from alumni. Use one of the options below to submit your information.

You can visit ucumberlands.edu/classnotes

Email the Office of Alumni Services at alumni@ucumberlands.edu

Ferguson (’89)

Thomas (’98)

Jones (’00)

Harris (’12 & ’15 )

Cox (’13)

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

27

CLASSNOTES 4

3 6

7

5

2 1

Tiffany (Miller) Harris, ’12, MAED ’13, and Shawn Harris, ’15, were married on June 15, 2019.

Courtney Cox, ’13, completed her master’s degree in social work from Campbellsville University.

Jessica (Cox) Sedlak, ’13, and Caleb Sedlak married on April 6, 2019.

Duncan Kaai-Ebert, ’13, accepted a position as Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Owensboro Catholic High School in addition to his supervisory role at Unifirst in Owensboro, KY.

28

|

SPRING 2020

Mary Beth (Lee) Fisher, ’13, and Jacob Fisher, ’20, were married on June 29, 2019.

Natasha (Buchanan) Underwood, ’13, MSPAS ’15, and Andrew Underwood, ’14, MAT ’16, welcomed their daughter Lilah Jude, on September 9, 2019. Lilah was born at 7lbs 7oz and 20 inches long.

Brian Garner, Ed.’15, celebrated 15 years of working for Quality Schools International. During this time, he has worked in Ukraine, Slovakia and China as Director of Instruction for the K-12 campuses. In addition, he trains teachers on NWEA MAP testing programs and presents at

EARCOS and ACAMIS conferences on andragogy and mastery Learning.

Tedarrius Teasley, ’15, accepted a new assignment within the Georgia State Police assigned to the Governor’s protective detail. He accomplished this within a year of hire and is currently ranked to be hired as a Deputy Marshal.

(5) Emily Scott, ’15, welcomed her daughter, Arabella Dawn Scott, on January 28, 2020. Arabella was born at 5lbs 11oz and 17 inches long.

D.C., and participated in the White House Federal STEM Education Summit, an awards dinner at the Kennedy Center, an awards ceremony at the Department of the Interior, attended the Federal Partners Expo, and received a tour of the White House.

Brewers (’16 & ’19)

Centers (’18)

Rose (’18)

Amber (Jinnett) Holder, MASEd ’15, and John Holder were married on June 15, 2019.

Alexa Hardin, Ed.S., MAE '15, Ed.S. '17, was named principal of Clearfield Elementary School in Clearfield, KY. Katie (Reid) Huston, ’16, and Samuel Huston were married on September 7, 2019.

Mathias Brewers, ’16, MBA ’17, and Christie (Funk) Brewers, ’19, MS in Coaching ’20, were married on March 14, 2020, in Jenson Beach, FL.

Edmund (’19)

Jenkins (’19)

(6) Karlie (Blackburn) Joseph, ‘16, MBA '18, and Dominick Joseph, ’19, welcomed their son, Judah Dominick, on February 6, 2020. Judah was born at 6lbs 10 oz.

(7) Allison (Horn) Kinman, ‘16, MAT ‘19, and Kirtley Kinman, ‘17, MJA ‘18, welcomed their son Titus Beck on February 5, 2020. Titus was born at 7lbs 15oz and 21 1/2 inches long.

Melanie Ramey, EdS ’18, fourth-grade math teacher at Highland Elementary School in Johnson County (KY) was awarded the 2018 Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest award given by the U.S. government to K-12 educators. As a recipient, Melanie was awarded a trip to Washington,

Julia (Higginbotham) Centers, ’18, and T. J. Centers were married on October 5, 2019.

Amber (Hiller) Rose, ’18, and Joseph Rose, ’18, were married on October 26, 2019.

Hannah Edmunds, MAE ‘19, was named Barren County (KY) Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. She began teaching agriculture at the middle school in 2015.

Jordan (Rood) Jeffries, ’19, and Mason Jeffries, ’19, welcomed their son Bennett Malachi on February 11, 2020.

Lauren (Sheperson) Jenkins, ’19, and Chase Jenkins, ’19, were married on August 3, 2019.

Cumberlands Couples TJ Campbell, '16 Emma (LeMaster) Campbell, '17

TJ Camp bell & ll Emma (LeMaster) Camp be

My husband and I met in the fall of 2014 on the lawn outside of Moss (Roburn). Never in a million years did I think I would date anyone from another country! I was a cheerleader on campus, and TJ played baseball, so we would routinely support each other at games and spend time with each other’s team. We have been married and living in our home in Ontario, Canada, for two years now. I’m thankful for University of the Cumberlands for many reasons, but meeting the love of my life there is definitely number one!

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

29

IN MEMORIAM The following Cumberlands family have passed away since the publication of our last magazine. We send our thoughts and prayers to their families and will forever remember their impact on the Cumberlands Community.

Jimmie (Mullins) Wissing, ’42, passed on October 3, 2019.

Delsie Horne, '48, passed on March 7, 2020.

Marcella F. Mountjoy, ‘69, passed on December 31, 2019 at the age of 95.

James L. Cox, Jr., ‘75, passed on December 31, 2019 at the age of 95.

Ashley A. Parker, ’76, passed away on April 15, 2020.

Joseph Paul Adkins, ’98, passed on January 15, 2020.

Jeremy Lee Neilson, ‘04, passed on November 25, 2019.

John Clinton Ellis, M.D. Longtime supporter of Cumberlands, passed on January 20, 2020.

Phyllis Ann Stephens Early, passed away on January 30, 2020. Phyllis was the wife of Dr. Joseph Early, Sr., former Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cumberlands.

Arnold Caddell member of Cumberlands’ board of trustees, passed on November 6, 2019. .

Dr. Robert “Bob” Hoffelder passed on December 8, 2019. Professor of sociology at Cumberlands from 1964 until his retirement in 1995.

Betty Jean Lay Mars passed on December 27, 2019 at the age of 90. Ms. Mars held a management position at Cumberlands.

30

|

SPRING 2020

Farewell Dr. Hoffelder

Cumberlands professor e

Dr. Robert (Bob) Hoffelder, of Laguna Woods, CA, and formerly of Williamsburg, KY, passed away on Sunday, December 8. He is survived by Ann McIntosh Hoffelder, his wife of 60 years and longtime chair of the Department of Chemistry; his son Erich, his wife Susie and their daughter Danielle of Altamonte Springs, FL; and his daughter Marty, her husband Rob, and their children Emma, Mack and Michael of Weston, MA. Dr. Hoffelder began his teaching career at Cumberlands in 1964 and served as a professor of sociology for 30 years. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Bob served as Department Chair and was involved in many professional and community organizations until his retirement in 1995.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

31

Patriot SALUTE

Dr. Bob Dunston O p e n i n g a ne w door on life.

It has been 37 years since Dr. Bob moved to Williamsburg to fill a vacancy in the Department of Religion (now the Department of Missions & Ministry).

Since that day, Cumberlands has changed in many ways.

It’s now called “University of the Cumberlands” instead of “Cumberland College.” The University currently offers online courses to 17,000 students, but online classes did not exist in the 80s. Buildings on campus have been renovated, and new ones have been built from the ground up. A steady rotation of faculty and staff have come and gone, leaving their mark on the lives of students and colleagues alike.

Through all the changes, the heart of Cumberlands has remained the same: the students. That is a main focus in Dr. Bob’s heart as well.

“It’s been great working with students, getting to know them, and having their faith influence my faith,” he said.

“They’re using their gifts. It calls me to look at the gifts that God has given me and find newer and better ways to use them.”

Watching students put their faith into action has been a joy for Dr. Bob. He has taught students from various backgrounds who have been involved in Appalachian Ministries, Mountain Outreach, worship teams, and 32

|

SPRING 2020

other campus ministry programs. Though he has taught those students in class, he’s remained a learner himself, observing how students use their talents for Christ and brainstorming ways he can incorporate those methods into his classroom and his church.

Dr. Bob retired from teaching in-seat classes in May, but he will continue teaching online classes. He will miss having as many opportunities to see students face to face, but he thinks he will enjoy the perks.

“As I understand it, if you’re an online teacher, you don’t have to serve on any committees!” he laughed.

His career isn’t what he expected as a kid, but Dr. Bob is content with how it has turned out.

“I think oftentimes I have found where God wants me to be by simply being available to him,” he said. “I took sign language for a time and interpreted for other people, which led me to teaching, which led me to seminary, which brought me here. The nice thing about teaching is that you keep on learning. I’ve just really loved it here. It’s worked out wonderfully.”

Thirty-seven years ago, Dr. Bob stepped onto Cumberlands’ campus. Today, we salute him and all he has done for Cumberlands students.

|

THEN & NOW A L U M N I

|

Since Cumberlands’ founding in 1888, many things have changed about this institution in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. In this section, we peel back the layers of time for a glimpse at what life was like “back in the day” to see what is different – and what has stayed remarkably similar – from then to now.

One thing that has never changed about Cumberlands is the spirit each of our students brings with them to campus.

That growing spirit defines Cumberlands each and every day, and nobody embodies the spirit of Cumberlands quite the way our mascot does. The Cumberlands mascot – whether it be the Redhound, the Indian, or the Patriot – has always entertained, encouraged, and energized us. From high-fives to hugs to spontaneous dancing, the mascot lifts our spirits and brings us joy.

Cumberlands works to instill important values in every student, staff, and faculty member. Our mascot has also embodied the values Cumberlands holds dear. The Redhound, the Indian, and the Patriot all exemplify leadership among their respective groups (their pack, their tribe, their fellow countrymen), the importance of unity and teamwork, a competitive nature, and of course, humor and fun.

The original mascot of the Williamsburg Institute (now University of the Cumberlands) was the Redhound. It remained the mascot until 1920, seven years after the school's name changed to Cumberland College. School colors were maroon and white, the same colors as the mascot which followed the Redhound – the Indian.

THE INDIAN (1920-2000)

Costume: Native American fringed attire, moccasins, chieftain headdress, war paint Brook Jones, ’90, first “unmasked Indian” mascot

“I was told that I wasn’t allowed to walk across the stage at graduation and give the President a high five in the Indian headdress. That’s all I needed to hear. So, I did it.”

THE PATRIOT (2001-PRESENT)

Costume: Muscle suit; red, white, and blue colonial-style clothing; mascot head/mask Daniel Hunt, ’20, coined the name “Pete” for the Patriot “Even when I’m in the costume and people can’t see my face, I still smile. I absolutely loved being the mascot. I got to walk up to total strangers and try to make their day.”

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

33

HONORING LEGACY AND SERVICE Eighth President Dr. James M. Boswell Forty years ago, President James M. Boswell completed his term of office, leaving a legacy of service that continued until his passing in 1988. In honor of his more than five decades of tireless service and dedication to Cumberland College and the region, we have commissioned a bronze bench sculpture of Dr. Boswell.

The bench will be placed on campus for you to visit and will provide a great setting to take photos for sharing. As the project gets underway, please consider what you can do in support of this lasting tribute.

34

|

SPRING 2020

If you have questions about the memorial bench, or if you would like to share your favorite Dr. Boswell story, please email alumni@ ucumberlands.edu. We would love to hear from you.

Those who donate to the bronze bench sculpture of Dr. Boswell will receive a complimentary forty-page booklet written by Mrs. Mary Dudley Boswell after Dr. Boswell's passing that has been newly reformatted to include many more photos.

Mrs. Frances Begley Morris, ’53

Bobbie “Sue” Begley Stooksbury, ’50

ALUMNA GIVES GIFT TO HONOR SISTER Mrs. Frances Begley Morris, ’53, and her sister, Bobbie “Sue” Begley Stooksbury, ’50, grew up in Ingram, Kentucky, with their parents, two sisters and two brothers. Both Frances and Bobbie enjoyed their time at Cumberlands and went on to lead successful lives after graduation.

Unfortunately, Bobbie passed away in 2010.

To honor her sister and their shared passion

for Cumberlands, Frances decided to make a generous gift to the University in her honor.

Bobbie “loved this school,” Frances says. “I think this is what she would want me to do.”

Frances intends to support Cumberlands and honor her sister as long as resources are available to do so.

A GIFT FROM THE HEART

Like Frances, you can make a difference for future Cumberlands students while honoring a loved one or a special memory. Contact William Stohlmann, Director of Development, at 606.539.3571 or plannedgifts@ucumberlands.edu to get started.

CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE

|

35

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID LOUISVILLE KY PERMIT #879

Office of Alumni Services 6075 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769

ucumberlands.edu

Still Loyal, Still True

C E L E B RAT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F V I A D U C T H I STO RY

HOMECOMING 2020 OCTOBER 9-10

CAMPUSSNAPSHOT