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UN M IN IM A M GA AG ZA IZNI EN E A LA UL M
THE
LEGACY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED
ON THE COVER Lee Bishop, ’70, never set out to be a trailblazer, yet his life's choices pioneered the way for himself and others to improve their plight in life.
Features 8
CUMBERLANDS COMMENCEMENT Celebrating Our Graduates
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BEAUTY IN EVERYBODY
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HELPING OTHERS FLOURISH
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Theresa Fennell, ’09
Nicole Love, ’14 A NEW CHIEF Jason Wells, ’18
THE LEGACY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED Lee Bishop, ’70 TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS Amanda Kelly, ’01
In Every Issue 6 28 32 2
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Campus News Class Notes Cumberlands Couples
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In Memoriam Patriot Salute Then & Now
Campus Memories from John W. Thomas, ’73 "When I was discharged from the United States Air Force in 1969 on my return from Vietnam and serving my 4 year commitment, I sought admittance to Sue Bennett College (now closed) for the January 1970 term. They told me I had to pay full tuition up front or I could not apply. I traveled a little farther south to Cumberland College and told them I had no money until GI benefits started, and they had me filling out an application before I could get it out of my mouth. I continued telling them I had NO MONEY, and they told me not to worry about it. Three and a half years later, I graduated with my bachelors degree from Cumberland College and have attended about 8 to 10 other colleges/universities since then and taught for the University of Kentucky for six years and retired from Kentucky state government. I thank and appreciate Cumberlands, that they took me in with no money on hand. I did pay them every month when I recieved my GI benefits and from my wages earned working at Wayne Supply about 44 hours a week while attending until graduation the summer of 1973. THANKS AGAIN CUMBERLANDS, YOU HELPED CHANGE MY LIFE!"
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, MS ’21 DESIGNER Gabrielle Price PHOTOGRAPHER AND ATHLETICS EDITOR William Turner, ’21 DIGITAL CONTENT Jordan Jung
STUDENT WRITER Diana Davis, ’22
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.
GRADUATE ASSISTANT RESEARCHER Clara Arnold, ’19 CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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ALUMNIGREETINGS Greetings! I’m Joe Ellison, '01, and I am honored to serve as the president of the Alumni Board of Directors. In this capacity, I serve as a champion for the university and work to provide direction to the board as we seek to accomplish our vision of fostering connections, inspiring generosity, and advancing the missions of the University of the Cumberlands. Cumberlands has played a significant, driving role in my life. As a Black student from the inner city of Cincinnati – without the funds to pay for a college education – the university removed financial barriers to allow me to attend. When I arrived on campus, I was welcomed into a “family” rooted in faith, compassion, and care. It was at Cumberlands where I received my call into preaching ministry and education, and it was here I met some of the most impactful people in my life. I cannot help but love this school! God has richly blessed me in every pursuit and throughout every season of my life. I believe He has a purpose for each chapter of my life, including the new privilege of leading the alumni board. Our goal as a Board is to connect alumni back to Cumberlands. Ideally, alumni will make it a point to visit campus. My jaw drops every time I walk on this campus because there’s always something new. I recently drove by the new tennis courts and walked inside the newly renovated library, and it all just blew my mind! Cumberlands continues to evolve in order to meet the changing needs of our students. So, number one, I encourage you to get back on campus! Come and see the incredible advancement of the university. Number two, know that your contributions help! You might think your contributions are so small that they won’t make a difference, but they do! They support students who do not have the financial means to obtain an education and advance in a lifelong vocation. We, as alumni, have the opportunity to help Cumberlands live out our mission of helping students reach their potential. We love God because He first loved us; we should all support Cumberlands because it first supported us. I am thankful for the chance to serve as president of the board, and I look forward to all of the great ways our alumni “family” will impact students this year. In Christ,
DR. JOE ELLISON III, ’01
President, Alumni Board of Directors
! u o Y k n a Th
500+ Donations
$187,072 Total Raised
100% Supports Students
HOPE ON THE HORIZON CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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CAMPUSNEWS SIXMILLION When University of the Cumberlands received nearly $6 million in emergency coronavirus relief funding, it immediately directed every dollar of the funding to its undergraduate student body. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students received direct payments of $1,500, with Pell-eligible students receiving an additional $475. Part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students received $500, with Pell-eligible students receiving an additional $275. The aid was funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). Because federal guidelines prohibit public funding from being distributed to international undergraduate students, the university used private, institutional dollars to provide direct payments to that population. This move ensured that every degree-seeking undergraduate student received financial support. Cumberlands president Larry L. Cockrum said the university could have withheld a majority of the funding to cover its own expenses, but instead opted to transfer every dollar to students, many of whom have struggled with educational and living expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government allocated a total $5,852,797 to Cumberlands to provide financial aid grants to students, student support activities, and to cover a variety of institutional costs. The university began processing payments to students immediately.
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Our mission at University of the Cumberlands is built around putting our students first. Every decision we make is made with that in mind. During this time of prolonged national emergency, supporting our students is crucial. We care for our students, we want them here, and we want them to be able to focus on their education and extracurricular opportunities.
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-President Cockrum
Follow the latest ucumberlands.edu/news
Directing 100 percent of emergency funding to students is a continuation of The Cumberlands Commitment, an initiative launched in 2018 to make college more affordable for students. Tuition was lowered by 57 percent in 2018, and, in 2019, Cumberlands made textbooks free for in-seat undergraduate students. President Cockrum noted that most college students were not included in stimulus payments issued in relation to the pandemic, yet he feels many students, and their families, have struggled financially and could use the help. He hopes allocating these newest payments directly to students provided relief and allowed students to focus more on their education. In May 2020, Cumberlands used federal emergency funding through the CARES Act to provide in-seat undergraduate students with one-time payments of $500 to $1,000.
MILITARYFRIENDLY Cumberlands was recently designated as a Military Friendly® School, ranking seventh in the nation in that category among private schools offering doctoral degrees. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey that is administered for free and open to all postsecondary schools who wish to participate. More than 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey, with 747 earning this designation. Dr. Larry Cockrum, president of the university, said, “We do our best to promote integrity, respect, compassion, and service in everything we do here at Cumberlands. We are pleased to support members of the armed forces beyond their military service by providing a strong academic foundation and the resources they need to succeed.” The university has been working strategically over the past two years to target data collection efforts and expand service offerings for military and veterans. Within that time, Cumberlands has added the military veteran discount to select programs, added a Military and Veteran Career Pathways resource, re-launched its Army ROTC program, expanded information on their military webpage, and increased staffing dedicated to serving their military/veteran students.
WORKREADY University of the Cumberlands is now offering select degree programs to Kentuckians for free through the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) campaign. The scholarship, which began in 2017, covers the remaining cost of tuition and fees after federal, state, and campus grants and scholarships are applied. Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship awards are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can apply for admission for free online anytime at www.ucumberlands.edu/apply. Christopher Chandler is a self-taught software developer working in IT who is pursuing his AAS in information technology at Cumberlands. “The cost of attending school was a major consideration,” he said. “This scholarship has allowed me to take a full course load that I couldn't have afforded otherwise.”
SERVANTLEADERSHIP APPALACHIAN MINISTRIES Shoes 4 the Soul is one of the best-known events hosted by Appalachian Ministries (AM). Due to COVID precautions, an in-person event couldn’t take place, so AM purchased, packaged, and delivered the new pairs of shoes right to the doors of the local schools involved. Schools included Whitley North, Pleasant View, Pine Knot, Oak Grove, Boston, and Whitley East Elementary Schools. A total of 497 pairs of shoes was donated in addition to new sweatshirts and hygiene items.
CUMBERLANDS FOOD DRIVE The administration at Cumberlands was unsure how the food drive this year would go, since it was such a financially and emotionally difficult year for many. The campus’ generosity exceeded their expectations. Instead of receiving fewer donations, the university broke their food drive record, bringing in 30,557 pounds of food in five weeks! The food was donated to four local pantries, to be distributed to community members in need throughout the year. CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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SeniorSPOTLIGHT
Samuel Martin, ’21, likes to keep things in focus – figuratively and literally. He’s a dedicated student with big dreams for the future, not to mention a talented photographer. Sam is passionate about health, fitness, and science of any sort. He just graduated with a degree in exercise sport science, minoring in biology, with hopes of a career in physical therapy. But even more than the academics, Sam has valued the people he’s met here. “Cumberlands has an unbelievable community,” Sam said. “Schools have been pushed into this arms race of having the best amenities in order for students to feel fulfilled. While it’s a privilege to have those luxuries, the heart of college is to earn a degree and to build relationships. I’ve learned to invest in people rather than things. That’s what I’ve loved about Cumberlands.” Sam was part of the track team, the pre-health club, the alpha lambda delta club, the residence life staff, the student orientation team, and campus ministries. With those extracurriculars, plus schoolwork, plus shooting photo and video for friends and family, the last four years have flown by for Sam. “I remember sitting in the mid-BCC as a freshman and thinking about how the next three years were going to pan out,” he said. “College was more rigorous than I expected, but I’m grateful for how I’ve grown.” Sam originally pursued photography and videography in 2018 to document the fun times he and his girlfriend at the time were having. Over the years, he’s honed his craft and become a co-owner of F2.0 Visuals, a photography and videography company whose photos have been featured in Vogue and other publications. Being a tech enthusiast, Sam is fascinated by the interconnection of photography products and software. More than anything, he wants to remember the great times in his life and the amazing people he’s met. He does earn money for some of his photography and videography, but he tries to keep finances in the periphery and let his enjoyment and passion for photography drive his hobby. “The relational connections I’ve made here are invaluable,” he said. “From starting as a naïve teenager to becoming an adult, I’ve learned more about myself and others. I’ve broadened my knowledge in academics, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be part of one big team.”
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2020 & 2021
Cumberlands conferred slightly
more than 4,500 degrees this academic year, including 3,200 graduate students and 1,300 undergraduates. Students in the Class of 2021 hailed from 40 states and territories as well as multiple countries, including Canada, Gambia, India, Jamaica, Madagascar, Serbia, Spain, Taiwan, and Ukraine, among others.
Due to COVID social distancing precautions and limited building capacity, the university was unable to host commencement ceremonies for graduate students this year. In an email to the graduate students, Emily Coleman, provost at Cumberlands, acknowledged that it had been a “difficult decision” that university leadership had initially “hoped and planned” to be different. She added, “We value what you have contributed to our academic community during your studies at Cumberlands. We are proud of what you have accomplished and welcome you into our alumni family.” Students are the heartbeat of our university. Whether a graduate student or an undergrad, regardless of background or beliefs, whether living in Williamsburg or in a country across the world, each student who takes courses at Cumberlands makes their mark on the school in some way. This year was tough. Everyone faced different struggles. But there are two things that tie all our graduates together. Number one, all are part of one big Cumberlands family. And number two, they graduated! From everyone at the university, congratulations, Classes of 2020 and 2021! CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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n spring 2020, commencement ceremonies were cancelled suddenly due to the pandemic. (The university sent “grad boxes” to all undergraduate and graduate students to deliver their diplomas and supply a discount voucher for the Cumberlands bookstore.) This spring, all graduates who completed their associate or bachelor’s degrees in spring 2020 were given the option to attend an in-person commencement ceremony. Forty students attended, finally enjoying the ceremony they didn’t get to have the year prior.
To watch ceremonies or download photos, visit ucumberlands.edu/graduation
P
resident Dr. Larry Cockrum gave his heartfelt congratulations to the students and offered them a few reminders as they take their next step in life.
You will have a unique story to tell throughout your life
about the circumstances of your senior year. How you respond to circumstances is more important, more defining, and more lasting than the circumstance itself. Always remember that with hopefulness, with preparation, and with the proper tools, we are all capable of a new and positive beginning.
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Beauty in every At first, it wasn’t a big deal. Theresa Fennell, ’09, would walk into a clothing store, ask where their plus-size section was, and hear one of three things: (1) It’s that corner in the back, (2) It’s online only, or (3) We don’t have one. As a joke, Theresa started recording video of these interactions and sharing the struggle on social media. But after a while, it got aggravating. And what does a stylish woman raised "Texas tough" do when faced with a challenge like that? Builds her own plus-size online fashion boutique from the ground up. Theresa said, “I figured, ‘I have a market for this. I’m online all day anyway, may as well make money while I do what I love,’ which is keeping my curvy girls fly.” She launched It’s Bootyful Me Clothing in 2016. (She wanted the name “It’s Beautiful Me,” but that name was already taken on Instagram. “Bootyful” was somewhat of a joke originally, but then it caught on.) Theresa designs, makes, and models her clothes, runs her website and social media accounts, and handles all shipping and finances. For the first three months, she also worked a separate full-time job. “The first day I launched my business, I made $300. I was like, ‘Alright!’ The next day, I got nothing. The next day, maybe $20 or $30,” she said. “What I tell people is, stand behind your brand and just keep putting the work in, and the money will work out. It’s true; I’ve lived it.” Theresa now sells 500 products and continues pushing the business further. In the next five years, she hopes to successfully integrate a line for non-plus-sized women, a men’s line, and a line of children’s clothing. In her words, “The sky is the limit!” The motto “Go big or don’t go” rings true in Theresa’s heart. Born and raised in Texas by a mother who always encouraged her to be herself and be bold, Theresa never quits. She never let others dictate her style, she earned an MBA while people said she was crazy, and she left a well-paying job to run her business full-time.
“A lot of people say they’re scared to start their own business, and I tell them, ‘Just start!’ You have to take the leap and be fearless. After you do, keep evolving and changing, figure out better ways to do things, but don’t stop!” Customers often tell Theresa that her confidence is what inspires them to be bolder. She tells them, “Don’t ever, ever feel ashamed about your body. You’ve just got to be you! Don’t let anybody bring your self-esteem down.” Theresa has faced big ups and downs in 2020. Though online shopping boomed during quarantine, which is good for business, Theresa endured excruciating pain from a watermelonsized tumor in her abdomen, and the surgery to remove it was delayed due to lockdowns. Prior to the surgery, Theresa took photos of herself modeling as many outfits as possible – sucking in her stomach to hide the tumor’s bulge – so family members had content to post to social media while she recovered post-op. Then, in 2021, Theresa’s father passed away. Through it all, Theresa kept her head up, found the positive, and worked hard. “It is an unexplainable feeling, seeing women wearing outfits I’ve designed and made. It makes me so happy. It never gets old,” she said. “I have always wanted inclusivity. I want plus-sized women to feel amazing in their clothes. I want them to feel confident when they get dressed.” Thanks to Theresa’s ingenuity and effort, many more women do.
Check out the Bootyful fashion line on Instagram @itsbootyfulmeclothing
flourish
HELPING OTHERS Nicole Love, MAE ’14, views serving others as planting seeds. She may never see the fruit of her service, but she’s okay with that. She trusts that God will use even the little things she does for His kingdom. Nicole is the director of the Salvation Army Early Learning Center in Lexington, Kentucky. As Nicole grew up, her heart for serving others grew with her. Her parents were Salvation Army officers (i.e., pastors, since Salvation Army is really a church) who were living examples of what God’s love for “the least, the last, and the lost” of society looked like. Nicole always knew she wanted to do something like that when she grew up. “At the core of everything Salvation Army does, they are serving people in the name of Jesus,” said Nicole. “They see that people, often those dismissed by society, are struggling or hurting, and they work to support them and meet their needs, all with the intent of showing them God’s love.” It turns out that Salvation Army is far more than a red donation bucket at Christmastime. Affordable childcare and day camps, food pantries, a clothing bank, support services for human trafficking victims, substance abuse rehabilitation, shelter, emergency disaster services, and Christmas gift assistance are just some of their ministries. As the Early Learning Center director, Nicole’s duties are primarily to supervise and support. She oversees the overall functioning of the childcare facility, ensuring children’s physical, emotional, academic, and social needs are met. Nicole is daily “planting seeds” with her staff, the children they service, and the children’s parents. For parents hoping to work, go to college, or get job training, the question “Who will take care of my child during the day?”
is life-altering. Its answer can change the trajectory for the whole family. Nicole knows some people equate “affordable childcare” with “less-than childcare,” and she and the staff at the Center have worked to reverse that mentality by providing solid, engaging academics taught by capable and caring staff. In 2020, that took more creativity and patience than usual. In addition to implementing COVID safety precautions, many of the systems the Center relies on ran slower (background check centers, doctor’s appointments, obtaining supplies, etc.). Things have gradually smoothed out. The indisputable Worst Year Ever was an extremely stressful time for many parents, often due to employment changes, and Nicole is hopeful that the assistance the Center provided blessed the families it served when they needed it most. “More than anything, I want the Center to be set apart in that all people – parents and children – who step foot inside feel valued, respected, and loved. I want the parents to feel at peace when they drop off their children with us,” she said. “We want these parents’ dreams of working or getting an education to become reality without putting a significant financial burden on the family.” It was a tough year for many kids, but, as Nicole has seen, children are resilient. The ones she’s worked with are continuing to thrive. Some toddlers have gotten so used to having their temperature checked that they lean into the forehead thermometer. In a heavy year, the kids’ positive attitudes (and, of course, cuteness) lifted the staff’s spirits. Positivity goes a long way. Nicole’s schedule is full as she and her husband, a firefighter, care for their own two children and balance their work schedules. Her heart is full as she pours into the children, parents, and staff she works with. And, Lord willing, the people served by the Center are filled with peace and hope through the love of Jesus that people like Nicole have shown them.
For more information on the Salvation Army, visit salvationarmyuse.org 14
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The silver lining of 2020 was supporting families. My hope is always that we can provide a safe, nurturing, comfortable environment where there is some sort of normalcy for kids.
" CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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Q&A J a s o n We l l s , M B A ’1 8 , was appointed as Lexington, Kentucky's
new fire chief. Fittingly, his father, Jim Wells, who is a retired battalion chief from the fire department, pinned the new badge on his son. Jason is the 19th chief in Lexington Fire Department's 150-year history.
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Why did you choose fire fighting as a career? I essentially grew up knowing about fire service. While I was in school at the University of Kentucky, I felt compelled to follow a path that would give me greater meaning and satisfaction. Every time someone calls 911, it is because they are having potentially the worst day of their life. To be able to intervene in that moment and hopefully make things better is an honor and a blessing.
The uniform and it's insignia gives a glimpse into the career of each person who wears it. COLLAR BRASS These bugles represent rank. Lieutenant: 1 bugle, Captain: 2 bugles, Major: 2 crossed bugles, Battalion Chief: 3 crossed bugles, Assistant Chief: 4 crossed bugles, and Chief: 5 crossed bugles. These are also found on the sleeves as patches. PATCHES Each fire company has their own unique patch. This identifies those that wear it to those they serve. This is worn on the left sleeve. On the right is an American flag patch.
What have been some challenges you've faced? The job of a firefighter is challenging and complex. There are so many facets to the job, from fire science and emergency medical training, to the stress of responding to critical incidents. Each promotion brings the additional challenge of supervising more and more individuals. In the stressful times I have encountered, I have found that leaning on your fellow firefighters is critical. That support network is one of the things that makes our profession unique.
Has there been a pivotal moment in your career? I think many times we have a pivotal moment in our careers where we suddenly see things from a whole new perspective. I remember a fire on the west end of Lexington where the crews operated quickly and efficiently and saved a woman’s life from a house fire. I was on duty, but I did not get to the fire. The firefighter and lieutenant who made that rescue had both been assigned to my company for a long time. It was in that moment that I realized what my legacy on the job would be. My legacy as a firefighter has nothing to do with the fires I put out or even the people I helped. My legacy is about those who I have taught and led along the way who are now out there helping others.
BADGE RIBBONS These ribbons represent the awards that Chief Wells has received during his time as a firefighter. His awards include Staff Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year, Company Citation, Engine Company of the Year, Officer Academy, Haz Mat Service, and Firefighter Service. BRASS PATCH STRIPES The stripes on the sleeves indicate a person's rank. 0 Stripes - Firefighter 1 Stripe - Lieutenant 2 Stripes - Captain 3 Stripes - Major and Battalion Chief 4 Stripes - Assistant Chief 5 Stripes - Fire Chief
Being in a leadership role since 2001, to you, what makes an effective leader? Leadership centers on people. Our ability to lead is dependent on our ability to communicate well. Our membership needs to hear from us early, even if the response is “I don’t have all the answers right now.” Additionally, leaders have to be able to relate to others. As the chief of this organization, I have to be able to speak the language of all of the stakeholders – membership, government, and citizens. That’s one reason I decided to pursue an Master's in Business Administration at Cumberlands. Concepts like budgeting and human resources functions are as important in the public sector as they are in the private. And it’s not just about the membership, it’s also about the government and citizens. Everyone has a perspective, and no one person’s perspective is any more important or any less important. Ultimately, we have to consider them all and figure out how to best serve the community. I think the other side to that is understanding yourself and being true to your own values. At work and as a father, I hope to set the example of how we should treat others. I hope my daughter values kindness, respect, service, and courage, and I hope that the people I lead learn those values as well and watch me live by that same code. CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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We only have one life, and we are responsible for what happens during our time on Earth.
M r. Lee A. Bishop, ’70, was the first Black American from his high school to win a full four-year collegiate scholarship, one of
the first Black athletes on Cumberlands’ campus, the first Black American to graduate from Cumberlands, and the first Black head basketball coach in the Fifth Region for the Fort Knox Eagles. Lee wasn’t aware of many of his life’s firsts until later on, and he never set out to be a trailblazer. “I was simply trying to improve my plight in life by going to college and being the best that I could be,” he said, “I look at my ‘firsts’ as the results of trusting in God, preparation, and being in the right place at the right time.”
Breaking the Cycle
Neither of Lee’s parents – in fact, none of his close family members – had graduated high school, let alone college. Growing up, Lee watched his parents struggle to make ends meet and knew he had to do something different in his life if he wanted different results. “We were dirt poor, and I often dreamed of the better things in life,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I would not change my childhood for anything in the world. My parents loved and cared for us the best they could. They gave us a good Christian home and a set of morals to live by. Still, we lived within a few hundred yards of the Cumberland River, and periodically the area would flood, and everything would be destroyed. I often dreamed of having a better place to live.”
schoolers. The league had one major rule: every player played one half of every game. Fair enough. But if you played for one second of one quarter, that counted as a whole quarter. Do that twice and you’ve played your allotted half. “That two-second player was me. My freshman year, I tried again, but I didn’t make my school’s team. Sophomore year, I made it, but I wasn’t that great. Junior year, I made varsity. Why? Because all the better players had graduated. My basketball career had an auspicious start,” Lee joked. “But I grew five inches from freshman to junior year – from 5’11” to 6’4” – and I was a good jumper with decent timing and ability to block shots. Junior year, I learned to play.” Later, as a senior, Lee averaged 18 points and 18 rebounds a game with “a boat load” of blocked shots. The team went 21 – 6. Lee said, “I’m thinking that’s why Cumberland was so interested in me.” Sports are not academics, and Lee knew he needed to apply himself in both arenas in order to succeed at Cumberlands and beyond. In high school, Lee had struggled, but his parents had encouraged him and pushed him to keep trying. “They were understanding and believed I was going to be and do greater things, things they never had an opportunity to do,” Lee said.
But dreams only get you so far, he realized; eventually, you have to get up and do something to make them a reality.
His perseverance was rewarded – he was offered three scholarship possibilities from two different schools. When Lee found out he’d received the scholarships, he was “elated – apprehensive, but elated.” He played four years of basketball at Cumberlands while majoring in history with a minor in sociology.
His ticket to a better life came in an unexpected form – playing basketball for Cumberland College. Those who knew Lee as one of the star basketball players in college might not know this, but Lee was mostly a bench warmer until his junior year of high school. As a kid, he played in a church league coached by high
As the oldest child, Lee was responsible for setting a good example for his six younger siblings. Each one of them attended college after watching their older brother do it first. Though it wasn’t his intent, Lee had opened a door for his brothers and sisters. CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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College Days
Cumberland College amended its articles of incorporation on February 3, 1966, allowing integration on campus. That spring, Lee graduated from high school, and in fall he was one of the first – and one of the only – Black students to set foot on campus as an enrolled student. He had no idea at the time he was one of the firsts, and he was used to being one of the only; his hometown of Pineville, Kentucky, had a small Black population as well, so it was normal to him. To Lee’s recollection, he was never “mistreated” or “hampered” in any way at Cumberlands. “Cumberland, the faculty, and the students will always hold a special place in my heart. They are my college family,” he said. “I loved the campus, I loved the people, and that love was mutual. When I enrolled at Cumberland and spent my first night on campus, it was the first time in my life that I fell asleep away from home and family. What could have been a difficult transition was eased by Dr. Boswell, Dr. Broome, and Coach Renfro. They made me feel at home.” “I was struck by the friendliness of the campus,” he continued. “I was never in a situation where I was uncomfortable. The comradery of the basketball team, the fans, and the faculty are all fond memories I have of Cumberland.” In his free time, he and roommate Raymond Cox, ’70, would shoot pool or grab a meal at the restaurant across Route 92. On campus, he and his friends gathered at the library, the Wigwam, or the dorms. Those hours of relaxing and goofing off with friends were hard-earned between Lee’s studies and rigorous basketball schedule. To Lee, there was nothing like the atmosphere in Gatliff Gym during basketball games. Packed with a couple hundred raved fans, a spirited pep band, and the action of the game itself, the gym pulsed with palpable energy. The team played a tough schedule, and they played hard. Three players especially stood out: Lee for his rebounds and ability to protect the middle, Raymond Cox for his versatility on both defense and offense, and Bob Long, ’71, whom Lee described as “an offensive assassin.” All three were inducted into Cumberlands’ Athletic Hall of Fame.
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Back to the Classroom
When Lee was in high school, he couldn’t wait to graduate. He never wanted to be in an educational setting again. Lo and behold, he became a teacher. “Teaching was in the cards for me. I wanted to make a difference,” he said. “I wanted to make learning fun and ensure that my students knew that I showed up to teach for their benefit and not just to collect a check. I guess I did a precursor to differential learning; I never counted tests more than 25 percent of their grade, things like that.” Following his graduation from Cumberlands, Lee was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After his two-year commitment was up, he attended Western Kentucky University and earned a master’s degree. He then spent a year teaching in his hometown, becoming the first Black American to teach in the Pineville County school system, before he took a teaching position at Fort Knox High School, where he worked for the next 37 years. Lee viewed teaching like any other vocation in that it was a means to affording his dreams. “However,” he said, “in teaching seeing a student succeed it is far better than any financial compensation. It brought me to tears seeing students who struggled in high school doing better than anyone expected in adulthood.” Case in point: 20 years ago, Lee ran into a student who didn’t think Lee remembered him. Lee said his name, "John," and John lowered his head and began to weep. John told Lee about a time when he had told his friends he wanted to become a teacher someday, and those friends doubted his ability. They made fun of him and called him a dummy. But John always held to something Lee had told him – that he could be anything he wanted to be if he was willing to work for it. That sounded like Lee; years prior, Lee had seen a quote on TV that he’d made his life motto and subsequently put on his 22
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classroom’s blackboard for all his students to see: Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true. Lee said similar things all the time. John then asked him, “You know where I went to college?” Lee said no. “Cumberland.” Lee told all his classes about his alma mater as a way to introduce himself to new students. Without realizing it, he’d had made such an impression on John that John decided to follow in those footsteps. After John finished his bachelor’s degree, he received a scholarship to Belmont College (now University) in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed his master’s. Standing there with John and hearing how what Lee had said to him had changed the trajectory of his life, Lee felt like a king.
Mental toughness and personal responsibility are also key, in his opinion. “You cannot allow public opinion to dictate how you live your life,” he said. “We only have one life, and we are responsible for what happens during our time on Earth. If you allow others to improperly influence you, in the end, you are the one held accountable, both on this side and the other.”
Retirement
Lee retired in 2010. Soon after, his wife started having a series of medical situations which kept them close to home. In his free time, Lee began tinkering in the garage, and, thanks to YouTube videos and some trial and error, he became good at woodworking. Sadly, on September 17, 2020, his high school sweetheart and wife of more than 50 years passed away. His soul was ripped apart. He said, “I was somewhat joyless and selfish for a while after her passing. I miss her so, but I’ve come to realize that she is in a better place, and she is in no more pain. I’m so pleased God allowed her to see our son mature and watch our daughter succeed in her career.”
Teaching goes hand in hand with coaching, and Lee coached basketball for many years, with much success. Over the years, he also assisted in coaching football, track, slow pitch softball, and swimming (despite the fact that he couldn’t swim), and he eventually became the athletic director and the transportation coordinator for athletic activities. But coaching was his first love. “Sports mirrors life, and life mirrors sports. Every game is life or death. Whether you win or lose, the next opponent is the game of your life. Once that game is over, the next game is life or death,” Lee said. “Life is the same way. Everything you do is life-altering only to move on to the next challenge. That, to me, is why athletics is so important; it mimics life. Constant struggles and outcome, then the next struggle.”
Nowadays, Lee loves spending time with his children and his grandson, Jordan. He picks Jordan up from school every day. Jordan loves to hear the exploits of his uncles and his father in athletics and he wants to be an athlete himself. “He is such a joy. Grandchildren are much more fun than children,” he said. “Sorry, Stacy and Robert. I still love you!” Lee is now 73 years old and living in Kentucky. It’s been 50 years since he was a Cumberlands student, and he believes his college experience was one of the best things that happened to him. It shaped his career and his future. He’s lived a great life, and he’s happy. Incredibly, he has also encouraged thousands of young people to pursue their dreams – and be prepared to work hard to make them happen. If there’s a life that is a testament to the power of hope and the reward of perseverance, it’s Lee’s, and he is deeply grateful.
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SMALL
In Kentucky alone, small businesses employ almost 700,000 workers – more than 40 percent of the workforce.1 Amanda Kelly, ’01, recognizes small business’ significance, adding history’s testimony to the statistics. “Look what happened because of the collapse of the coal industry. The entire economy of the eastern half of Kentucky completely relied on coal. When that industry went away, it crushed us,” she said. “Small businesses give us the diversification we need to avoid that in the future. It is my hope that the industrial void will gradually be filled by small businesses.”
Amanda oversees technical assistance for small business owners in 45 Kentucky counties. Anyone in those regions can reach out to her for help starting or growing their business, and, since Amanda works for SKED and not the small business owners, the entrepreneurs can receive her help completely free of charge. She is the director of SKED’s Entrepreneurial SMARTS training program and created Be Boss Online, an online program for business owners who want to understand and utilize the internet to reach their customers. In 2020, she collaborated with EKCEP and The Fletcher Group to provide entrepreneurship training to 39 individuals going through recovery and rehabilitation.
Clients of hers say Amanda is straightforward, real, honest, and smart. A straight shooter. Although she stays focused on the bottom line and how to keep a business rolling, Amanda’s downto-earth and personable nature quickly moves her from business advisor to friend for many of the entrepreneurs she works with. Spoiler alert: there is no secret to running a business. According to Amanda, it just takes lots of hard work, a willingness to ask for and accept help, and more hard work. Some of the work is physical labor like climbing atop your building’s roof to fix a leak. Sometimes it means sacrificing time with your family because an employee called in sick and nobody else could cover their shift. In 2020, it meant pivoting business plans and infrastructure in huge ways. “I’ve been so impressed with all the businesses I work with in their ability to figure out alternatives. The ability to think outside the box is probably the most important skill a business owner can have,” Amanda said.
Amanda is the small business training director of Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) and was named Kentucky’s Small Business Advocate of the Year for 2020 by the Kentucky District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is highly appreciative of the award. “Kentucky has many great individuals who work with small businesses, so this is a huge honor,” she said.
She goes from phone calls to Zoom meetings to text messages to visiting businesses around Kentucky in order to help her clients succeed. “90 percent of what I do is talk to people and listen,” Amanda said. “It’s not like I’ve got some kind of magic crystal ball that reveals the right answers. Almost always, it’s the business owner who comes up with the right answer. I’m just there to help them process.”
To find out more about SKED, visit skedcorp.com
Amanda’s life never has a dull moment, but she likes staying busy. After a year like 2020, she is especially grateful for the opportunity to make a difference, help business owners realize their dreams, and help make people’s lives better, one day at a time.
1. https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/advocacy/2018Small-Business-Profiles-KY.pdf
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PATRIOTS SH IN INGMOMENTS
WRESTLING
To register, visit
BRIDGETTEDUTY NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPION 26
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Five All-American women’s wrestlers made the podium at the NAIA Championships: Bridgette Duty, ’21, who won the National Champion title for the 130-weight class; Chamira Cooper, ’23, who placed fifth in the 170-weight class; MaQuoia Bernabe, ’24, who placed fifth in the 191-weight class; Ashley Inker, ’21, who placed seventh in the 143-weight class; and Angenlina Castaneda, ’24, for whom the NAIA Championship was her first tournament of the season, who placed eighth in the 101-weight class. The team received the Sportsmanship Award over the other 30 teams at the Championship, as voted on by the coaches. A trio of All-Americans on the men’s wrestling team made the podium at the NAIA Championship: Aaron Johnson, ’22, placed third in the heavyweight class; Bryce Nickel, ’23, who placed seventh in the 141-weight class; and Gage Hudson, ’24, who placed eighth in the 125-weight class. Bridgette Duty, ’21, was named the Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Year and claimed the title NAIA Women’s Wrestling Champion. She is the first NAIA champion in program history. The victory earned her First Team All-American status. Bridgette wrestled the 136-weight class in season, the 130-weight class in the NAIA Championship. Her opponent in the final match was a familiar foe, Agela Vitiritti from Campbellsville University. Using patience and her signature leg laces, Bridgette won the match 12-2. Her record on the season was 28 – 1, and the NAIA Champion title qualified her for Olympic Trials.
TENNIS
Both tennis teams, coached by Dr. Chin Tan, had a stellar season. The women’s team were Mid-South Conference champions, and the men took home second. The women kept a perfect 10-0 record for conference play while the men posted a 9-1 record. Standout players this year were Tomomi Nagao, ’22, and Laura Marie, ’24, on the women’s team and Martin Barbier, ’22, and Martin Mueller, ’24, on the men’s team.
SOFTBALL
The softball team wrapped up their regular season with a 40-14 record overall, 21-9 in the Mid-South Conference. They finished fourth in the NAIA and were second in the conference to hit 40 wins on the season. Pitcher Talli Burgess, ’24, went 13-2 on the year, a team high for victories this year, and her five saves in the season is a program best, ranking first in the MSC and third in the NAIA.
SOCCER
Both men’s and women’s soccer made history this year. The women won the conference championship for the first time in program history, and the men’s team claimed the championship title for the first time since 1996. Both teams thus advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals. Standout players this season were Shara Randez, ’21, and Laura Navajas, ’22, for the women and Sergio Castell, ’21, and Akililu Zambataro, ’23, for the men.
REGULAR SEASON MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS A ARCHERY A BASEBALL A DANCE A MEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING A WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY A WOMEN'S GOLF A WOMEN'S LACROSSE A WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING A WOMEN'S TENNIS A Stay Tuned In to Patriot Athletics, visit cumberlandspatriots.com
CLASSNOTES Thompson
(’17)
Squires (’18)
1980s
Special Education at Southeast SouthCentral Educational Cooperative (KY).
John Mitchell, ’87, was named the 2020 Rutherford County (TN) Citizen of the Year. He also helped lead the Salvation Army through the challenges of the pandemic even while the charity refocuses its mission.
Dr. Nathan Coleman, ’01, Published Reflection and Choice: The Federalist, Anti-Federalists, and the Debate that Shaped America through Butler Books in September.
1990s Matt Rhodes, ‘93, has taken over as the new director of public health for the Oldham County Health Department (KY). Keith Simmons, ’97, has been named as the new Griffin-Spalding County School System School Superintendent (GA).
2000s Dr. Sarah (Croy) Nichter, ’00, successfully defended her dissertation in August 2020 to earn her PhD in Leadership in Higher Education. Dr. Casey Patrick, ‘00, was named the first medical director of Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11 (TX).
Dr. Joseph Ellison, III, ’01, accepted the position of Executive Administrator of High Schools in the Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY). In this capacity, Dr. Ellison directly supports 12 of the district's 27 high schools, serves as the lead for Racial Equity work among all of the high schools, and serves as part of the central office leadership for the district.
2010s Dr. Marie Dennison, ’10, was appointed to St. Claire Health Care’s Board of Directors (KY). Jennifer Marsee, ’10, released book four of the Molly Sue the Dingo Diva series, Molly Sue the Dingo Diva Masked Molly, that addresses adjusting to life during a pandemic. The book’s purpose is to bring awareness to the COVID-19 pandemic and release children’s anxiety.
Brandi (Phillips) Bray, ’01, accepted a position as Regional Director of
Mitchell (’87) 28
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Rhodes (’93)
Patrick (’00)
Ellison (’01)
Dennison (’10)
Huser (’19)
Harlan (’19)
Savannah Boone, MAEd ’12, an instructor at LaRue County High School, was named as Kentucky’s 2020 Special Education Teacher of the Year. Dr. Jake Brock, ’12, MBA ’14, MACS ’16, PhD ’19, was appointed to the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of Dayspring Health, Inc. (TN) in October. Haley Ratliff, ’12, MAT ’15, has been named as the new Athletic Director for North Laurel Schools (KY). Nick Ritter, MAED ’13, was promoted to assistant principal at James T. Alton Middle School (KY), where he has been teaching science for nearly a decade. Brendan Kelly,’13, is competing in season 13 of American Ninja Warrior. This will be his fifth season taking part in the competition. Jared Criswell, MAEd ’15, Department Chair for English at Wayne County High School (KY), was among the 24 educators selected as 2021 Kentucky Teacher Awards recipients. Zeke Eier, MAT ‘14, accepted the position as the new head football coach at Whitley County High School (KY).
Boone (’12)
Eier (’15)
Amy Harlan, MAT ’19, an English Language Arts teacher and content lead at Garrard Middle School (KY) was selected to receive the 2021 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award.
Duke (’20)
James (’20)
Dr. Valerie Flanagan, PhD ’15, has been promoted to associate professor of education at Campbellsville University (KY). Sara (DeWitt) Taylor, MAEd ’16, EdS ’18, became the assistant principal of Second Street School in Frankfort (KY). Matt Thompson, MAEd ’17, is the new Greenup County (KY) athletic director. Dr. John Squires, PhD ’18, has been hired at Cleveland State Community College (TN) to serve as the executive director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.
Kim Huser, EdS ’19, has been announced as the new school principal at Saint Thomas School of Fort Thomas (KY) for the 2021-22 school year.
2020s Taylor Duke, ’20, joined the Kentucky New Era news staff as a staff writer in Hopkinsville, KY. Dr. Tania Grimes, EdD ’20, has taken over as the superintendent of Southeast Fountain Schools in Indiana.
for the Highlands Bluebirds of Fort Thomas Independent Schools (KY). Jason Penner, MBA ’17, has been named as Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company’s bank secrecy act officer.
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
Eddie James, MAT ’20, has taken over as the new head football coach
FAMI LY L EGACY Judge Jeffrey Burdette, ’86, studied history at Cumberland College and earned his Juris Doctor in 1989. He retired from the bench in March 2021 as Chief Regional Circuit Judge of the 23 counties of Kentucky's Cumberland Region after 30 years in public service. He also teaches at Cumberlands as an adjunct professor, something he considers “an honor” as he feels “a kindred connection to these students, knowing my experiences are so like theirs.” J e f f r e y ’s
son, Thomas, ’21, graduated this May with a bachelor’s in accounting and business. He fell in love with the campus on his first visit and is proud to be a second-generation Cumberlands alumnus. His sister, Zoe, ’23, is studying elementary education at Cumberlands.
i do
Samantha (Begley) Brigner, ’13, and Justin Brigner were married on March 14, 2020. Becka (Plitt) O'Neil, ‘19, and Charlie O'Neil were married on August 1, 2020. They are now living in Kalamazoo, MI. Becka was recently promoted as a case manager working in an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Foster Care program with Bethany Christian Services.
Brooke (Carpenter) Hinkson, ‘20, and Ethan Hinkson were married on December 12, 2020. They are now living in Louisville (KY) while Brooke attends dental school.
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oh baby!
(1) Monica (Garcia) Hoegsteld, ’05, and Derek Hoegsteld, welcomed their daughter, Essex, on February 19, 2021. Lane (Royer) Root, ‘07, and Bill Root welcomed their son, Liam Philip, on June 24, 2020. Liam's big sister, Charlotte Elizabeth, was born on September 29, 2017. (2) Erica (Satterfield) Roggie, ‘09, MAEd ‘14, and Nathaniel Roggie, ‘08 welcomed their son, Judah Elead Roggie, on February 4, 2021 (3) Jordyne (Gunthert) Carmack, ‘11, PhD ‘18, and Daniel Carmack, welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth Lee Carmack, on January 13, 2021. (4) Kristen (Moran) Wells, ‘15, MPAS ‘18, and Stephen Wells, ‘13, welcomed their daughter, Addison Jean Wells, on January 20, 2021 (5) Sierra (Anderson) Dow, ‘16, MPAS ‘19, and Michael Dow, ‘17, welcomed their daughter, Marcie Jane Ellen Dow, on January 1, 2021. (6) Emily (Hall) Neltner, ‘20, and Mason Neltner, ‘18, MACS ‘20, welcomed their son, Levi Lawrence Neltner, on February 19, 2021. (7) Jayla (Smith) McMillin, ‘20, and Devon McMillin, ‘20, welcomed their daughter, Della Marie McMillin, on October 30, 2020.
3.
1.
4.
2.
7. 5. 6.
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Cumberlands ^^Couples
Kimé (Espich), ’82, and Mark Murphy, ’90, “met when Kimé and a bunch of girls wanted to go to the Falls and square dance. No guys were on the bus, so they started asking random guys to join. Mark said yes and got on. “Later on, we both happened to sign up to for a mission trip during spring break,” Kimé said. “The boys would walk the girls to our dorm after training each night. One night, Mark stole a kiss. I didn’t hit him, and we starting dating. Our first ‘real’ date was at the Lane Theater. I jokingly said, ‘You want to sit in the back and kiss?’ His reply was, ‘Not for $3.25 a ticket, I don’t.’ I should have known then. We got married on May 23, 1981; it’ll be 40 years married next May.” Years later, their daughter Katie married a fellow Cumberlands student named Ryan. Kimé said, “I love that my child walked the same places her father and I did, grew and learned from some of those same people. She did a great job picking Ryan Williams, and him her. I am proud of them both!”
“Cumberlands is a family. It gives student unique opportunities to spend time getting to know each other across many experiences. I love that my child walked the same places her father and I did, grew and learned from some of those same people. She did a great job picking Ryan Williams, and him her. I am proud of them both!” Kime' (Espich)
Ryan W & ) y h p r u (M Kat ie
il liams
& Mar k Mur p
hy
Katie (Murphy) ’08, and Ryan Williams, ’07, remember their first time meeting each other pretty differently. Katie said, “Ryan has this memory of meeting me my freshman year (2004) when he delivered what must have been a terrible pick-up line, to which he says I responded, ‘That was really bad,’ and walked away. I, however, have no memory of that. We met again in August 2007 through my roommate Tarrah (Minor) Sexton, ’06, MAT ’08, who was then dating her now husband Chris Sexton, ’07. I was uninterested in going on dates at the time due to a recent breakup. Around November, I asked a mutual friend about him. This friend mentioned to Ryan that I had asked about him. Long story short, we began talking more and went on our first date to Shiloh’s in Corbin (fancy, I know). We were married on June 28, 2008, in Mt. Sterling, KY, at First Baptist Church.” Katie finds it “pretty unique” that her parents also met at Cumberlands. “That is part of our story that I really love,” she said. “My parents met and married while they were still students, which I was forbidden to repeat (haha). Instead, we married two months after I graduated. I love that the four of us met our spouses at the same place decades apart. It's a sweet story that I will enjoy sharing with our two boys and our future grandchildren.”
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IN MEMORIAM e The following members of 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.
Alumni Joseph King, ’40, passed January 19, 2021.
Lenwood Nichols, ’54, passed June 9, 2020.
Gloe (Lovelace) Bertram, ’47, passed December 11, 2020.
Frances (Hook) Catlett, ‘55, passed November 26, 2020.
John T. Sowders, ’47, passed October 22, 2020.
Peggy (Brittain) Park, ’55, passed November 18, 2020.
Inez (Green) Jones, ’48, passed January 7, 2021. Marvella (George) Koenig, ’48, passed October 22, 2020. James Marsee, ’50, passed February 21, 2021. Dr. Walter "Pete" Helton, ’51, passed January 14, 2021 Frances (Thompson) Cann, ’52, passed March 3, 2021.
Jonah Carpenter, ’56, passed November 12, 2020. Wanda (Thompson) Fulkerson, ’58, passed December 27, 2020. Janice (Hoskins) Kelly, ’58, passed February 19, 2021. Dennis Spaulding, ’60, passed December 9, 2020.
Anna (Peace) Wallace, ’52, passed January 9, 2021.
Brenda (Young) Rains, ‘61, passed November 18, 2020.
Christina (Croley) Whitehead, ’52, passed on January 10, 2021.
Thomas Potter, ‘63, passed February 5, 2021.
Janet (Estes) Craddock, ’53, passed November 21, 2020. Judge Ronald "Blaine" Stewart, ’53, passed on April 3, 2021. Judge Stewart was a proud Cumberlands supporter, judge, decorated (RET) Col. U.S. Army JAG Corps, and husband of Carolyn (Archer) Stewart, ’53.
. Leland Roaden, ‘63, passed January 22, 2021. Doris (Query) Allison Triplett, ‘63, passed May 15, 2020. Nelda (Spradlin) Gilreath, ‘64, passed November 3, 2020. Judith (Ross) Lilly, ‘64, passed February 14, 2021. CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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Gary R. Whitaker, ‘64, passed March 7, 2021.
James Cuellar, ‘92, passed November 11, 2020.
Anna (Southwood) Edwards, ’65, passed January 25, 2021.
Susannah R. Lindsay, MAED ‘04, passed October 25, 2020.
Denver Jackson, ’65, passed July 22, 2020. Wade Slusher, ‘65, passed September 25, 2020.
Dr. Christopher Cole Osborne, EdD ‘16, passed February 20, 2021.
FACULTY
Joanne Robinette, ‘67, passed December 13, 2020. Aaron Spaulding, ‘67, passed May 25, 2020. George Wilson, ‘67, passed January 14, 2021.
Michael Walters, ‘65, passed away February 16, 2021. From 1967 until 1980, Mr. Walters taught English and speech and directed the theatre program at Cumberland College.
Max Hetzel, ‘69, passed December 14, 2020. Kenneth Large, ‘69, passed December 12, 2020. Darla (Ball) Combs, ‘70, passed November 17, 2020. Harvey Duncan, ‘70, passed November 15, 2020. Bernice (Meadors) Renfro, ‘70, passed September 25, 2020. Lynnda (Duncan) Williams, ‘70, passed January 13, 2021. Lloyd Taylor, ‘72, passed November 24, 2020. Dennis Risch, ‘75, passed February 12, 2021. Anthony "Tony" White, ‘75, passed January 24, 2021. Martha (Dean) Thomas, ‘83, passed January 8, 2021. Guy R. Jones, ‘84, passed October 23, 2020.
Dr. Willard Reeves passed away January 4, 2021. Dr. Reeves began teaching at Cumberland College in 1963, serving as a professor of religion until his retirement in 1990. From his colorful suits and fun socks to his ukulele and sharp wit, Dr. Reeves, was a source of guidance and wisdom to students, staff, and faculty over the years.
STAFF Becky (Petrey) Thomas, ‘97, passed away December 6, 2020. Becky served as the Student Employment and compliance coordinator at the university.
Friends J. B. Johnson, Jr., former general counsel and adjunct professor, passed away on November 9, 2020. Richard Knock, former member of the University of the Cumberlands Board of Trustees, passed away on December 8, 2020.
INVESTING IN STUDENTS AND THEIR DREAMS Charles Johnson’s relationship with University of the Cumberlands began in 1988 with his gift to the Mountain Outreach Program. His interest in other programs quickly grew. He understood the needs of Appalachian students and wanted to assist with programs he felt most passionate about. He believed that Cumberlands students had the grit and determination needed to achieve their dreams. Thinking that he could make a difference in their lives, Mr. Johnson provided a way to help them succeed through his generosity. He used available financial resources and did all he could to change lives during his lifetime and beyond. As a further sign of his commitment, Mr. Johnson included the University in his estate plan. Eventually he went on to name Cumberlands a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the benefit of which was later substantially increased—all the while continuing to support areas of greatest need. Countless lives have been enriched by Mr. Johnson’s love and generosity over the years, and other students will also reap the rewards of his extraordinary legacy.
Charles Johnson
HOW MANY LIVES WILLWILL YOUYOU TOUCH? HOW MANY LIVES TOUCH? LikeLike Mr. Johnson, you, too, can have a meaningful impact onon Cumberlands students Mr. Johnson, you, too, can have a meaningful impact Cumberlands students nownow andand in the future. To discuss how we can help you meet your charitable goals in the future. To discuss how we can help you meet your charitable goals withwith a gift in your estate plan, contact William Stohlmann, Director of of Development, a gift in your estate plan, contact William Stohlmann, Director Development, at 606.539.3571 or plannedgifts@ucumberlands.edu. at 606.539.3571 or plannedgifts@ucumberlands.edu. CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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Patriot SALUTE
Harold Hubbard
HALF A CENTURY AT CUMBERLANDS The year was 1960. Harold Hubbard had just finished graduate school, and he and his wife had a baby on the way when John Wilson, a graduate school classmate of Harold’s and chair of the commerce department (now Hutton School of Business) at Cumberlands, offered him at job at the college. Harold took it. He taught in the department for two years, then took a job as chief accountant at National Standard Company for four years. He missed teaching, though, so, when Dr. Boswell contacted him with an offer, Harold accepted and never looked back. He believes it was one of the best decisions of his life. In total, he served Cumberlands for half a century before he retired in May 2014. “My favorite part about working at Cumberlands, first and foremost, was the students,” Harold said, “then the faculty, administration, and staff. Dr. J.M. Boswell was also a major influence in my life.” Harold still lives in Williamsburg and runs into former students quite often. And he hasn’t counted, but he estimates he has about 500 former students as Facebook friends. He is happy to see so many of them enjoying success in their chosen careers and their personal lives. As often happens, Harold worked his way up the ladder in the business department from professor to acting chair before becoming chair of the department. Cumberlands named him honorary alumnu in 2008. Outside the classroom, Harold also worked with the Student Government Association in his early years, then Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) for several years. PBL was always one of the top clubs in the state, and Cumberlands’ SIFE group won regional competitions and competed in international competitions every year except their first. Harold worked closely with the NAIA for his last 45 years, serving as eligibility chair most of the time and acting as a member of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee and the National Eligibility Committee (NEC) for approximately 20 years. He was inducted into Cumberlands’ Athletic Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2011. Athletics at Cumberlands was an integral part of Harold’s life. The inductions were very high honors to him. Looking back on half a century of teaching at Cumberlands, Harold said, “If I had to do it over, I don't know anything I would change.” In his retirement, he has enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. Ever the sports fan, he has also attended plenty of football and basketball games at the University of Kentucky and Cumberlands.
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THEN & NOW A L U M N I
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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.
If you were a Cumberlands student in the ’60s and ’70s who had time to kill between classes, there was one place you’d go: the Wigwam. The door to the restaurant (which had a huge sign above it shaped like a Native American dwelling) was where the side door into the O. Wayne Rollins building is now except, instead of walking in, turning right, and opening a second door into the athletic training room, the first door opened into the restaurant itself. You would immediately hear the chatter of fellow students and the sizzling of food being grilled in the kitchen. The smell wafting through the air was mouthwatering – glazed donuts and honeybuns dripping with hot butter melting over them as they were flipped on the grill. Pair one of those warm, gooey pastries with a steaming cup of freshbrewed coffee, and you were in Wigwam heaven. (And, best thing, it all cost less than a dollar.) You’d sit at one of the stools on the right or pick a seat at a square wooden table in the middle of the room. You’d go by yourself, with friends, or meet your boyfriend or girlfriend there, you’d shoot the bull, play cards, or study, but most important, you’d just enjoy yourself. This was college; life
was busy, but, for a little while, you could sit back and relax. The Wigwam was simple and convenient with a “down home” feel. Today, the main hub for students is the James M. Boswell Campus Center. Students go to the “mid BCC” (the middle level of the building) for all the same reasons students visited the Wigwam back in the day. The sounds of a sizzling grill have been replaced with blenders and espresso machines, and the coffee is exponentially fancier. While there are still tables or stools to sit at, there are also couches available, adding to the comfort of the space. And – to modern students’ relief – there are plenty of electrical outlets and a free cell phone charging station, so your devices are always charged. It’s less “down home” and more contemporary, but the comradery among students is the same. Teammates cut up with each other after practice, girls sit at the tables and braid each other’s hair, friends gather to study and talk, the occasional student takes an unplanned nap on a couch… Whatever you need from a hangout spot, you can find it here. After all, whether Wigwam or BCC, it’s still college.
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Office of Alumni Services 6075 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769
ucumberlands.edu
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