Appalachian Voice Fall 2023

APPALACHIANVOICE APPALACHIAN VOICE

EMPOWERING STUDENTS AND CAMPUS MINISTRIES TO IMPACT COMMUNITIES

FALL 2023

IN THIS ISSUE LIVING FOR GOD

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SUMMER INTERNSHIP

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SHOES 4 THE SOUL

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HIGHEST GIFTS EVER

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KNOW. GROW. GO!

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Appalachian Ministries leaders teaching a Bible lesson to local children.

LEARNING TO LIVE FOR GOD “I wanted to serve with Appalachian Ministries because I wanted to give my summer to the Lord by serving Him. I have a big heart for kids, so just showing the love of Jesus to the kids is very important to me.”

It's hard to say it better than Destiny Goodrich, a senior who volunteered with Appalachian Ministries (AM) this summer. At the end of the day, the ultimate purpose of AM is to serve the Lord. All the games, snacks and drinks, dances, Bible lessons, and conversations that University of the Cumberlands students lead local children through every summer are all to show the kids one thing: how to live for God. Generous donations from AM donors provide the recreational equipment, snacks, craft supplies, and whatnot that make it possible for AM to lead children through a fun week of VBS (Vacation Bible School). College students provide the energy and time it takes to teach the kids. And the Holy Spirit provides the growth.

Dylan Spainhower, a sophomore, explained, “On a typical day, we do a craft such as a prayer bracelet or paper airplane that turns into a cross.

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We also have snack, dance, and games. We might play ‘What time is it, Mr. Fox?’ or something like that. We also have split time, which is where we split the guys and girls up and teach them life lessons they may not get at home. With the girls, we focused on how they’re made in God’s image, and with the boys, we taught them how to treat women right. We also do Bible lessons that are based on the summer’s theme, which, this year, was salvation.”

While some kids had heard about salvation before, others hadn't. The AM leaders got to teach them about Jesus for the first time this summer, planting a seed in their hearts that will, Lord willing, bear much fruit throughout the rest of their lives. Those children may not have heard the Gospel during their crucial childhood years were it not for attending AM activities.

Because of donors, AM was able to provide plenty of crafts, snacks, and so on that are needed in order to host VBS. And thanks to VBS, young children's souls might have been saved.

Everyone has their own favorite memories from AM summers. Ashley Tucker, interim director of AM, said, “My favorite memory with AM is always the last lesson of split time. The boys have learned how to treat women with respect, and the girls are learning how to treat men with respect. So, at the end of the week, the boys will go and give the girls a flower and a compliment, and the girls give the boys a cookie that they iced just for them. I just think it’s so sweet.”

Destiny, meanwhile, said, “One of my favorite things with this summer is when you see their big smiling faces and they just run up to give you a hug!”

Arguably, it's the college students who volunteer with AM in the summers who feel the biggest transformation. Working with children can be exhausting, especially when you're outdoors in the summer heat. But there's something uniquely special about becoming a leader for children. When young adults begin understanding that they are role models, that love requires sacrifice, and that children's lives can change for the better because of their example, something inside the college students changes. They aren't living for themselves anymore. They're living for others now, and, most importantly, for God.

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APPALACHIAN VOICE

UC students leading kids through games, lessons, & activities

Scholarship Recipients AAA Abby Cain

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Harley Huddleston SBF-Opdyke Scholarship A

Erica Dick

SGA Leadership Scholarship A

Joshua Gabbard

Gwen Cornell Helping Hand Scholarship A

Jermiah Behnke

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Abby Arsenault

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Owen Missions Fund helped Alex fund an internship with Love Thy Neighborhood

Chase Bowman

Bowman Children Scholarship A

Michaela Barton

MISSIONS FUND ENABLES SUMMER INTERNSHIP

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Summer Rains

Racki Leadership Scholarship A

Molly Prakash

Whitley County HS Class of 1973 Scholarship A

Alex Miller, class of 2023, is completely comfortable talking to homeless people, addicts, alcoholics – anyone destitute. It doesn’t scare her. In a sense, it’s actually refreshing.

Eltisha Major

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Alexander Haddix

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

“I care a lot about being real with people," she said. “These people know they’re at the lowest point in their lives, so they’ll tell you how they really feel. They're so humble. I see the image of God in them.”

Allison Bryson

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Robert Lewis

Harold Wortman Scholarship A

Alex knows better than most how to connect with those who are struggling with hard circumstances and hurtful behaviors. Her mother was addicted to drugs for several years, and her father was an alcoholic for most of Alex’s life. (Praise God, both are now healed and currently free from addiction!) Her whole life, Alex saw the very real effect that those struggles had on her parents, herself, and those around them.

She also saw how the way people treated her parents (herself included) either helped or hurt the situation.

Alex spent the summer serving as an intern with Love Thy Neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a $3,600 pricetag to participate. But thanks in large part to the donor-supported Owen Missions Fund, which helps send students out on mission work, Alex's internship was fully funded in three weeks. She combined her gift of teaching scripture with her passion for building relationships, spreading the Gospel through word and deed. Though it was a challenging time, God was faithful every step of the way.

Piper McGuire Berger Scholarship A

Rebekah Kersey

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Sandra Neace

A.S. Sullivan Scholarship A

Jacey Wilson

SBF-Opdyke Scholarship A

Blake McCullah Alden Scholarship A

Sage Winterbottom SGA Leadership Scholarship A

Joy Kendrick

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Luke Linton

A.S. Sullivan Scholarship A

Breanna Collins

Christian Leadership Scholarship

DONORS PROVIDE NEW SOCKS, SHOES, HYGIENE ITEMS FOR 500 CHILDREN Funding from generous donors provided new tennis shoes, socks, and hygiene items – not to mention a fun, memorable day – for 500 children from five local schools at this year's Shoes 4 the Soul event.

Some of the kids walked into the event a bit shy, keeping to themselves. But by the time they left, all of them were wearing brandnew socks and shoes, carrying a drawstring bag full of essential hygiene items like toothpaste and soap, and grinning from ear to ear.

(And, yes, the ice cream truck Cumberlands rented to be on campus that day for the event helped.) Shoes 4 the Soul is a favorite campus event that local schoolchildren and the Cumberlands community look forward to every year.

"Last year, I was a buddy for this little boy named Jack, who went to one of our Appalachian Ministries sites, so I already knew him," said Ashley Tucker, a staff member in the Office of Campus Ministries (CM) at UC, which hosts the event. "At first, he was reserved, which wasn't like him. But once he got his shoes, he was hopping everywhere. He just wanted to jump around in his new shoes."

Children are chosen by their elementary school's Family Resource Officers, who are familiar with the families in school that are facing financial struggles. The event is hosted by Appalachian Ministries (AM).

In order to steward funding wisely, AM does their best to finds deals that don't sacrifice quality. For instance, the Shoe Sensation store in Williamsburg, KY, offered a bulk discount on the shoes needed for Shoes 4 the Soul. Lane Roberts, a sophomore at UC, helped load the boxes and transport them to the school. The Shoes 4 the Soul event has special meaning for him.

"I grew up in this area," said Lane. "I've been the kid who sometimes didn't have new shoes at the beginning of the school year. Giving these kids new shoes helps them with their self-esteem and confidence."

Hannah Baldauff, a graduate assistant in CM, said, "It's a very humbling experience. It's interesting because we have the perspective of Christ, who washed his disciples' feet, but there are people washing kids' feet who don't know that story. They don't even know they're exemplifying Christ's love, but they are. The Gospel is intermingled in this event."

In addition to giving shoes to kids in need, this event exemplified the Gospel to 500 children and more than 100 volunteers who may not have seen God's love embodied well before. That alone is worthwhile.

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APPALACHIAN VOICE

Scholarship Recipients AAA Madeline Raizor

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Logan Rose

SBF-Opdyke Scholarship A

Zackary Riley

Racki Leadership Scholarship A

Sydnee Payne

Norma Brock Patrick Scholarship A

Kristin Mitchell

Gorman Jones Scholarship A

Mickayla Coppock

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Grant Morton

Work Ethic Scholarship A

Ashlyn Liddle

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

”HIGHER GIFTS THAN

WE'VE EVER RECEIVED”

DONOR-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS GIVE UC STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO SEE THE WORLD

Karleigh Prater

Harrodsburg Baptist Foundation Scholarship A

David Rambo

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Katherine Lunsford Appalachian Scholarship A

Courtney Drury

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Mabrie Richards

Christian Leadership Scholarship

Generous donors who gave toward UC Study Abroad on Cumberlands Give Day 2022 gave three Cumberlands students the finances they needed to study abroad in summer 2023.

Peyton Anderson and Meghan Minniear travelled to Italy with Professor Russell Weedman, and Kristin Mitchell travelled to London and Paris with Associate Professor Jason Bourne. The students received $1,200 each toward their short-term study abroad travels.

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Noah Brandt

Fred Roth Scholarship A

Shaylea Dabney

Dr. Jerry Lowrie Scholarship A

Mackenzie Babb

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Sarah Smith

Racki LeadershipScholarship A

Braylon Emerson

Julie Deyrup, Director of UC Study Abroad, explained the importance of these awards, saying, “These generous financial gifts were higher than we have ever received or given in UC Study Abroad for our undergraduate programming. We want our Patriots to see the world, and we hope to offer this opportunity to our student travelers again!”

Peyton and Meghan fulfilled an art credit in Italy by learning about art materials and techniques of Italian Renaissance masters. Meanwhile, visiting London and Paris fulfilled a communication arts credit in which Kristin learned about argumentation and advocacy.

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Ryan Ball

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Shaylee Gray

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Hannah Jacobs

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Verna Marcum

Appalachian Scholarship A

Brianna Henry

Norma Brock Patrick Scholarship

MEET OUR STUDENTS

JAYLA BIBBS, '24

COMMUNICATION ARTS

Jayla is from Powder Springs, Georgia, and is receiving a soccer scholarship and a presidential scholarship to work as a campus ambassador.

"These scholarships really help me as a student," Jayla said. "I know my hard work is being noticed, and it makes me feel good to know that people care about the students here."

Her experience on the soccer team has taught her better time management, the importance of teamwork on the field and in life, and how to persevere even in tough circumstances. Meanwhile, her role giving tours to prospective students and their families as a campus ambassador has given her extra confidence. She's more comfortable speaking to new people now, a skill that will benefit her throughout her life.

Overall, Jayla is very thankful for her scholarships!

NOAH BRANDT, '24

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION & CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Noah is from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He's an active member of his church is passionate about ministering to others in every area of his life – one of which being his role as a resident assistant (RA), an opportunity he wouldn't have considered were it not for the scholarship available.

"I just really love the people on campus I get to interact with, and I want to share the Gospel with as many people as I can," he said. "As I do my best to lead other people or show them the Gospel, I am challenged by others to push myself. I've grown closer to God by having to lean on Him when I don’t know what to do."

Noah balances his time between his studies, varsity lacrosse, discipling Life Group leaders, and working as an RA. He's pushing himself to the max during his college years, and he's pleased to see himself becoming more like Christ through the process.

CESAR AVILA, '24

FITNESS & SPORT MANAGEMENT

Cesar is from Livingston, California, and is receiving a baseball scholarship at Cumberlands.

The baseball team made it to the 2023 NAIA World Series for the first time in UC history. Cesar, a pitcher for the team, garnered NAIA All-American honors in 2023. Through his experience on the team, Cesar has been challenged, learned a lot, and formed close bonds with his teammates.

Among other things, Cesar has learned that no matter what your background is, "once you set food on this campus or on the baseball field, we are all family."

"THANK YOU!" Cesar says to those who fund his scholarship. "I am honored and blessed to receive this. I never take anything for granted in life, and to have someone help me achieve my baseball dreams... it's the best feeling ever."

PIPER MCGUIRE, '25

SPANISH & HUMAN SERVICES

Piper is from Lawerenceburg, Kentucky, and is receiving a financial need-based scholarship. She is a first-generation college student.

On campus, Piper does sports photography for the Office of Sports Information. Off campus, she is an active member of her church and Life Group.

"At present, the financial burden for my college education is solely on my shoulders," she said. "This scholarship will help me go into the workforce with less debt, and it allows me to reallocate the money I earn working in the Sports Information toward future study abroad opportunities!"

Piper feels called to serve the Hispanic community in the social services field after graduation. As she says, "they are a large group in our nation but have a small voice." She hopes to someday study abroad so she can immerse herself in Spanish culture.

KNOW. GROW. GO! New program helps freshmen, transfers stand on faith during transition into UC. Transition periods are vulnerable. When we're out of sorts due to living in a new place, attending a new school, or having a new job, unhealthy coping habits can easily sneak in. It's helpful to have Godly people around us during these seasons – people we can look to as Christlike examples and who are willing to support and encourage us as we find our footing.

Know, Grow, Go meets once a week for four weeks and begins at the start of the academic year. The introduces freshmen and transfer students to the Campus Ministries staff, gives the students a place to connect with their peers and make new friends, and informs them about campus ministry opportunities and local churches they can attend. Additionally, core biblical principles are taught throughout the program, ensuring everyone present hears the Gospel and sound basic theology.

Thanks to the continued support of donors, the Office of Campus Ministries at Cumberlands continues to be equipped with enough staff members David Rambo, a junior and work-study students who is pursuing a double to continually improve major in Christian ministry their programming. The and Christian studies at newest program hosted Cumberlands, is one of the

by Campus Ministries is student leaders at Know, called Know, Grow, Go. It Grow, Go. His role is to lead gives freshmen and transfer conversation in the smallstudents at Cumberlands the group discussions that occur opportunity to connect with immediately following the D avid R ambo Christians on campus and large-group presentation Senior, Campus Ministries Leader plug into campus ministry, each week. To David, one of life groups, and local the most important aspects churches. of the program is that it teaches students more about the everyday pursuit Allison "AJ" Bryson, a freshman at UC, said the of following Christ; that Christianity is not a once-aprogram made it more comfortable for her to open week commitment, it's meant to permeate our very up and connect with fellow students whom she existence and be evident in our daily lives. Along might not have met otherwise. In fact, the Know, with that key aspect, David is also thankful for the Grow, Go program has already benefitted not only community that's growing through the program. her, but also a few of her new college friends.

"Already we have built an amazing community that "Finding Christian community is something I knew I supports one another, and I hope it continues to would struggle with," AJ said. "I didn't need to hang grow," he said. "I want to ultimately have a strong, out with only my teammates all the time who may or Christ-centered community on campus, and this is may not be Christians. A couple girls I met here were proving beneficial for that goal." like, 'We want to get involved in Campus Ministries.

How do we do that?' And I was like, 'Um, I don't It takes a lot of effort, prayer, and teamwork to begin know... but come to Know, Grow, Go with me!' It was new ministry programs. But thanks to financial a good event to introduce new friends to, so they and prayer support for Campus Ministries, many could get involved with ministries early." freshmen and transfers are already well-connected.

“Already, we have built an amazing community that suuports one another... This is proving beneficial.”

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APPALACHIAN VOICE

Scholarship Recipients AAA Anne Radjeyanouba Ngarhasta SGA Leadership Scholarship A

Madelynn Furtick

Christian LeadershipScholarship A

Maddie Richardson

james H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Tanner Huddleston Alden Scholarship A

May Rude

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Zachary Hash

Wane and Rita Moore Scholarship A

Taylor Rice

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Chimella Saint Louis Blanc Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Trent Pollack

HE RECEIVED HELP. NOW HE'S PAYING IT FORWARD.

R. Mack, R & H Brown Scholarship A

Logan Mann

Troy Clark Scholarship A

Lily Hoskins

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Isabella Valldeperas

In 2012, the day that teenager Bryan Berta and his two brothers were in an airport headed to Haiti for a mission trip, they got a call that their mom had just had two major strokes. In a brief moment of clarity, she told the youth pastor, "If you don't still take those boys to Haiti, you're gonna be in trouble with me." They went, came back, and quickly realized that their single mother wasn't able to work like she used to – and consequently wasn't able to pay all their bills. The boys were still too young to work full-time. The family was going to lose their house.

R. Mack, R& H Brown Scholarship

That's when Mountain Outreach (MO) stepped in. In 2013, just a year after, MO had built a new home for the family. Later, Bryan attended Cumberlands, where he worked for MO as a student worker. He later became the assistant director of MO (while he was still a junior, no less). He served the community in this role for a few years, even beyond college, helping community members with countless repair jobs, lawn work, and food and item provision. Bryan now works as a teacher in Williamsburg, serving the children of the community and paying forward his blessings through his work.

Kristen Jones

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Jacob York

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Kevin Siler

Work Ethic Scholarship A

Lauren Lucas

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Grayson Estes

James H. Taylor II Scholarship A

Harrodsburg Baptist Foundation Scholarship A

Donovan Steiner

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Beatriz De Souza

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Anthony Grubb Lovett Scholarship A

Christopher Miller

PR Wood Memorial Scholarship A

"It was great to serve MO. That program is very special to my heart," Bryan said. "I now teach math and coach track. God's basically told me, 'I've blessed you. It's time for you to give back.' I'm doing my best."

Alyssa Rector

Christian Leadership Scholarship A

Ben Hale

Racki Leadership Scholarship

Honor or Memorialize a Friend or Loved One

Tribute Program at University of the Cumberlands At Cumberlands, we strive to provide an affordable, student-centered, quality education to students from all backgrounds. It is thanks to your generosity we are able to fulfill this life-changing mission.

What is a Tribute Gift?

A Tribute Gift (either an Honor Gift or a Memorial Gift) shows love and respect for the person being honored or memorialized. It says that the world is a better place because of this individual. Through a Tribute Gift to University of the Cumberlands, you can pass on the impact someone had in your life by impacting the lives of current students.

The size of the gift is up to you and is kept confidential, and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

For an Honor Gift, the person being honored is sent an appropriate card listing the honor giver, as well as the occasion for the honor. The name of the giver and the honoree will be listed in the next issue of Appalachian Voice.

For a Memorial Gift, the family of the departed friend or loved one you wish to memorialize is sent an appropriate card the same day the gift is received. The name of the giver and their loved one will then be listed in the next issue of Appalachian Voice.

Tribute Gifts are an essential avenue for students to receive the financial aid they need. Your gift will help provide scholarship and workship pay, room and board funding, and many other supportive services.

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The Sherwin-Williams Company

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APPALACHIAN VOICE

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Listings reflect Tribute Gifts received February 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. In preparing this list, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness. If a mistake was made in the way you were identified or if your name was omitted, we sincerely apologize. You can help us set the record straight. Please notify the Office of the President regarding any changes in the way your gifts should be recorded in future reports. Email presoff@ucumberlands.edu.

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