Meet Our Students

MAQUOIA BERNABE

EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCE, '24

MaQuoia is from Versailles, Kentucky, and is a recipient of an athletic scholarship.

Her whole life, MaQuoia was criticized by coaches, friends, and even family members for her decision to wrestle. Instead of quitting or letting them discourage her, she learned how to quickly find the positive side in situations, kept wrestling, and let her love for the sport grow. She loves being on the team at Cumberlands.

"It's been a privilege repping this school," she said. "It's another group of people to call family and more lifelong friendships. The amount of love and support here is amazing and something I will forever cherish."

For the record, as a freshman, MaQuoia placed fifth at the national championship and was the MSC champion for her weight class, among earning other titles. Cumberlands gave her a chance, and she is determined to keep making it count.

NOAH INGLE

COMMUNICATION ARTS, '22

Noah is from Vale, North Carolina, and is receiving a scholarship for his job as a resident assistant (RA).

"I care deeply about my dorm. That might sound weird, but I care about the guys that live in the dorm where I work, and I so badly want them to become all that they can be," Noah said. "Some of these guys have grown up with a pretty rough background. I want to be one of the people, if not the first person in their lives, to cheer them on and be there for them when they need it."

Through his position as an RA, Noah has met hundreds of young men on campus and worked to make their lives better. From helping organize dorm events to offering life advice when a resident is facing a difficult situation, Noah does what he can to be a "2 a.m. friend," someone his residents could call in the middle of the night and know that he would come help. The job has also taught him better communication, organization, and leadership skills, which he is thankful for.

ERIC BEECHAM

BIOLOGY, '22

Eric is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a recipient of a Student Government Association (SGA) scholarship. This is his second year as SGA president.

Eric always knew Cumberlands was right for him.

"It was a smaller private school, which I enjoy," he said. "It was also one of the few universities I looked at that did not apologize for having students take religion classes or perform community service. That told me a lot about the spirit of the school."

His studies in the biology department, plus the leadership skills he learned through SGA, helped him earn a spot in a medical exploration program in summer 2021.

Now, Eric is mere days away from graduating college and attending medical school, a major step toward his goal of becoming a physician.

JENNA ROSE

COMMUNICATION ARTS, '22

Jenna is from Williamsburg, Kentucky, and is receiving a Christian Leadership Scholarship.

Jenna strives to be a big sister figure to younger girls through mentorship. Through her time on the Campus Missionaries Team at Cumberlands, she has learned how to better live out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20. She is now more Gospel-minded and has gained confidence in sharing the Gospel with others. She has also found her niche of friends on campus.

“As a commuter, I really struggled to find my place on campus at first,” Jenna said. “I actually enjoyed the class we had to take as scholarship recipients, not just for what we learned in class, but because it helped me make connections and build friendships. I started finding where I fit in here.”

Now Jenna is better prepared for a life after graduation that is marked by spreading God’s truth and love to the people around her.