Appalachian Voice Spring 2024

APPALACHIANVOICE

SPRING 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

DONORS FUND GIFTS FOR 114 KIDS

More than 100 local children enjoyed handpicked Christmas gifts and hygiene items last year, thanks to generous friends of Appalachian Ministries (AM).

The student volunteers with AM used the ministry's budget to bring joy to children at their AM sites. With donor support, the AM team was able to buy Christmas gifts for every child who regularly attends the program. Plus, AM bought pizza for the kids; a double win!

Rachel Lowder, AM director, said, "We really want these kids to know they are loved – to know they are loved by us, and they are loved by Christ."

Ashley Tucker, graduate assistant for AM, explained, "The UC students got lists from their AM kids, and they went to the store to buy them. They picked out the gifts and got to watch the kids open them. It was a great moment. Some AM leaders have deep connections with these kids; they’ve made relationships with them for up to four years."

For a month before the Christmas parties, Rachel, Ashley, and student

AM gave local children pizza, coats, toys, and hygiene items after a Bible lesson.

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volunteers collected coat sizes for the AM children and helped make Christmas wish lists.

"We got a coat, some hygiene supplies, and at least one toy for every kid that we serve at AM," Rachel said. "We also shared the story of Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas."

Almost every AM site has partnered with a nearby church. The partnerships are important for the children to have a larger support system, a safe place to hear about God and the Bible from trained pastors, and a place with worship songs and activities that the kids can enjoy even throughout the summertime, when AM has a different schedule than during the school year. (For kids, the more consistency, the better!) The churches assisted with the Christmas parties, allowing AM to use their church buildings and supplying some of the toys for the kids. Toys for Tots, another nonprofit, also offered several of toys to support AM's Christmas events this year.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of Christmas gifts (pun intended), and being given that sense of joy and love as a child is important. But the most important thing of all, at Christmas and any time, is Jesus.

Some of the children who attend AM's weekly events have a personal relationship with Jesus. Others don't yet. But no matter the child, AM does all it can to show Christ to the kids and shower them with love every day of the year.

SCHOLARSHIPS PAVED THE WAY

Thanks to donor generosity, Ricardo Nunes Lopes de Matos from London, England, received scholarships to play soccer and work as a resident assistant (RA) at Cumberlands. The skills he gained from those experiences have benefitted him both as a person and as an employee in the workforce.

"The experiences have been essential in the position I'm in today," said Ricardo. "My soccer teammates became like my brothers, and I made new friends through being an RA. Being an international student seemed daunting at times, but the friendships meant a lot. I also had a lot of learning-curve moments with soccer and RA that taught me valuable skills like communication, thinking outside the box, problemsolving, and being a more selfless team player."

Ricardo has worked as a student financial aid counselor at Cumberlands for several months now. His job involves memorizing a lot of information about different financial situations and procedures, analyzing data, collaborating with the rest of the Financial Aid team, and remaining calm, collected, and compassionate while communicating with students and their guardians, even when it's tough. Finances can get emotional. But Ricardo draws from his training as a college athlete and an RA to navigate every situation.

Ricardo said, "My experience in Financial Aid has been mind-blowing. I have been able to recognize the effort this institution provides for the students on campus and online. It truly has been a pleasure to work for UC and be part of a student's journey the way UC was for me!"

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

Chase Bowman Bowman cHIldren scHolarsHIp A

Michaela Barton

James H. Taylor II scHolarsHIp A

Summer Rains rackI leadersHIp scHolarsHIp A

Molly Prakash wHITley counTy Hs class oF 1973 scHolarsHIp A

Eltisha Major cHrIsTIan leadersHIp scHolarsHIp A

Alexander Haddix

James H. Taylor II scHolarsHIp A

Allison Bryson cHrIsTIan leadersHIp scHolarsHIp A

Robert Lewis

Harold worTman scHolarsHIp A

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

Ricardo's scholarships gave him confidence and skills he now uses in the workforce.

NEW HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It's the first home the Woods family has ever owned! Mother Naomi is pictured with her three children.

Thanks to friends of Mountain Outreach, this young family has a brand new home in which to celebrate the holidays – the first home they have ever owned.

Naomi Woods is a single mother of three who works as a contractor for the U.S. government, taking phone calls for veterans and service members to make sure they and their families have health care coverage and that all their information is showing up in the records correctly. It’s a decent job with decent pay, but it came with a snag: as soon as Naomi started making enough money, she no longer qualified for federal aid, including housing assistance.

“I lost all state benefits, and we lost our home,” Naomi explained. “My dad was kind enough to let me and my children move in with him temporarily. I have shared a bedroom with my 6-year-old her

whole life. We shared a bed in the living room of my dad’s house. I have prayed for 14 years to have a nice home. God has finally answered my prayers.”

Mountain Outreach (MO) chose Naomi to be the recipient of their second home build in 2023. It’s a contemporary home built with high-quality materials and using top-notch equipment and technique.

The four-bedroom house is a perfect fit for Naomi and her three children to have their own space to make their own. Plus, they have an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room area where they can cook, eat meals, and spend quality time together.

Naomi said, “The possibilities are literally endless for me and my children getting this home. We have never had that security before. We have never had a

nice place to sit around a table and eat family meals together, or their own rooms to go to when they need some quiet time to themselves. This is a dream come true and a million prayers answered!”

Naomi’s family lived with her dad, Jim, for more than half a year before receiving the keys to the MO house. Though Naomi will now owe a mortgage on the home, the months at her father’s gave her time to continue working and save up enough money to start making the new house payments.

When Naomi heard she had been chosen to receive the home, she started laughing and crying.

“I couldn’t believe it!” she said. “I was so thankful. I just felt like I had blessings all over me! I just started thanking God!”

The family was excited to move in. They still live close to Naomi’s father, which he jokingly said that she may not like, but he does. At the key handoff ceremony, Rocky Brown, director of MO, gave credit to the One who is ultimately responsible.

“First and foremost,” he said, “I just want to say I’m thankful to the Lord Jesus that we’re able to do this. It’s amazing that we get to do what we do.”

Every morning the family awakes and every night they go to bed, it’s in a safe, sturdy, and comfortable home they can call their own. And it’s all thanks to the Lord, the donors who funded the construction, and the MO team for making it happen.

The

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

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 A

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 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

BEATRIZ DESOUZA, '24 BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION ARTS

Beatriz - who goes by a nickname "Bia" - hails from Brazil and is receiving an athletic scholarship. She is a member of the track and field team at Cumberlands, competing in individual sprints.

If being an international student and getting used to English and American culture wasn't enough, Bia has also grown a lot through athletics at UC.

"The support that the team gives in practice and in competition is amazing!" she said. "Being on the team has taught me that God's timing is always perfect. It's also shown me how much a team environment can change how you feel and how you perform in your sport."

Though English isn't Bia's first language, she doesn't mince words when it comes to gratitude. To donors, she says, "THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have no idea how much this has changed my life!"

WILLIAM HAGGARD '24 CHRISTIAN STUDIES AND YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY

William is from Medina, Ohio, and is receiving a Christian Leadership Scholarship. As part of the scholarship, he attends evangelism training and assists with various Campus Ministries events. His time volunteering with Appalachain Ministries that has been especially impactful for him.

"I absolutely love it," William said. "My mom was a babysitter my whole life. I had my fair share helping care for kids while growing up. Especially in the community where UC is located, seeing the kids' daily lives, there is a big need here, and we answer that with a lot of care. I just like to help these kids realize they're better than how some of them are being treated. That God loves them."

William is deeply thankful for his scholarship and the difference it makes. He said, "With your support, you have allowed people to hear about God and to receive care as well. Thank you all so much."

BLAKE GRESHAM, '24 HUMAN SERVICES

Blake is from Athens, Georgia, and is receiving a scholarship to serve as a Residence Hall Leader.

Blake enjoys meeting new people and creating meaningful connections with them, which makes Residence Life a great fit for him. It's his goal to create a welcoming environment where residents aren’t afraid to talk to the ResLife staff but rather look forward to seeing them.

"I have learned how to interact with individuals from different walks of life as part of ResLife," said Blake. "I've had an opportunity to grow as a person by learning more responsibility and teamwork."

He added, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have provided me an opportunity to grow as a person and attend the best college in the world. I am forever grateful for you."

MADDIE FURTICK, '25 COMMUNICATION ARTS

Maddie is from Elgin, Illinois, and is receiving a workship scholarship. During the school year, she serves the Office of Communications & Marketing (UCOMM), giving her the chance to grow her communication, leadership, and teamwork skills while also learning how to approach social media from a marketing perspective.

"Working in the UCOMM office has helped me apply what I learn in the classroom," Maddie said. "From creating videos to writing articles, I get to see the entire process and learn how to market to college students. My favorite part is the journalism aspect. UCOMM has given me opportunities to interview students and faculty on campus and learn how to be a better journalist. It has made love journalism even more while learning so much from others."

Maddie's opportunity to work in UCOMM is already paying off, and she's grateful.

SCHOLARSHIPS ALLOWED HER TO ATTEND. NOW SHE'S WEAVING CULTURE INTO WORSHIP.

Scholarships made it possible for Anne (pronounced “on”) Ngharsta to attend University of the Cumberlands four years ago. The culture – including church culture – was a far cry from the African village she grew up in, but the experience taught her to wrestle with her faith and determine answers to a critical question: What exactly in church culture is Biblical, and what is merely cultural?

Since coming to Williamsburg, Anne has had to take initiative in her walk with Christ and in finding Godly community. Her father was a pastor in a local church in her hometown of Rusha, Tanzania, in Africa. Growing up in a pastor’s home included an understanding that, every single Sunday, you'd wake up earlier than you would’ve liked to in order to go to church. You'd be encouraged to read the Bible.

The family would discuss the Lord, and so on. But when Anne was 15, her mother stepped back and let her make decisions about following God.

“My mom was like, ‘You’re grown. It’s up to you. You build your relationship with Christ,’” Anne said.

Her mother was someone she looked up to and an inspiration for her life – a very strong, powerful woman of God. She looks up to her mother as someone she wants to be like, and she hopes to make this world a better place for her kids to feel safe in, as her mother always made her feel safe.

When Anne was 17, she arrived on Cumberlands' campus. She is now a senior, and no two years have been the same for her.

“You are gonna have different stages every single year,” she said. “You’re gonna have a year where you make a lot of friends, you are on top of the world, you feel like you’re thriving… and the next year, the friendship you thought was gonna last a lifetime broke up, or you had the worst heartbreak. What you have to accept and truly see is that this world is always going to try and break you, but you need to stand strong, and that’s with the Holy Spirit.”

“This world is always going to try and break you, but you need to stand strong, and that is with the holy spirit. ”

Anne Ngarhasta

For Anne, standing strong in her faith involves worship, which looks very different in Anne’s hometown than in Williamsburg. Many churches in America follow a detailed schedule, but Anne’s church in Africa operates differently.

“In my church back home, we start around 9:00 a.m. and go until 2:00 p.m. or really whenever, because we let our people feel the music, we really want them to feel that worship,” she said.

Many churches in America are less physically "free" during worship. While Anne has slowly gotten used to that, she sticks to her African roots as strongly as possible. Neither American worship culture nor African worship culture are “right” or “wrong,” it’s more about the heart behind why someone is worshipping. So, Anne doesn’t let the American culture around her change the way she worships. Instead, she continues to worship God the way she was raised.

Anne continues to worship God and trust him as she prepares to graduate. Going home this summer helped Anne to slow down and focus on God without the hustle and bustle of her life in America.

She said, “I had an internship with the United Nations for two months, and that really helped. God really helped clarify a lot of things for me.”

Anne's scholarships to UC helped her become the person she is now. Following her graduation in May 2024, she will pursue her dream of working in international relations and diplomacy.

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 r mack, r & H Brown scHolarsHIp A

Logan Mann Troy clark scHolarsHIp A

Lily Hoskins cHrIsTIan leadersHIp scHolarsHIp A

Isabella Valldeperas r mack, r& H Brown scHolarsHIp A

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

Kristen Jones 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

Alyssa Rector cHrIsTIan leadersHIp scHolarsHIp A

Ben Hale rackI leadersHIp scHolarsHIp

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.

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.

IN HONOR OF:

CARLEE B. CORNETT

Given by: Ms. Dale Marie Ballard

HELLA ANNA BERNEGGER

Given by: Mrs. Heidi Logan

JAYLA MEDINA

Given by: Medina Family

Mr. Harry Askin

Ms. Anita Donahue

Mr. Steven Reutter

MARIE S. BARNA

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Barna

LINDA CLARK

Given by: Ms. Claire Debakey

LOIS WORTMAN

Given by: Dr. Susan Weaver

MYRTLE & GENE EMLING

Given by: Mr. Robert Emling

DIANE JAMISON

Given by: Ms. Kimberly Kelley

MRS. CHESTER R. YOUNG

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Paul Daverio

DAVID BERGMAN

Given by: Dr. Elaine Bishop Trent

PIPER MCGUIRE

Given by: Ms. Jessica McGuire

CALLIE BISHOP

Given by: Ms. Shelley Bishop

DENNIS SMITH

Given by: Ms. Janette Rosenbaum

DYLAN WILSON

Given by: Ms. Tammy Brown

Mr. Anthony Campbell

JAMES SCHWEIZER

Given by: Mr. Daniel Hall

LEXIE DONITHAN

Given by: Ms. Crystal Shepherd

HAILEY HUNSINGER

Given by: Ms. Beth Renfro

KALE TANNER

Given by: Ms. Jillian Stoddard

Ms. Tiffany Faunce

Louise Later

Nona Herrington

Ms. Karissa Duke

Ms. Wendy Belden

Kim DeSpain

CHIPPI UPPOOTTIL

Given by: Chinnu Uppoottil

Ms. Darly Uppoottil

ABIGAIL LONG

Given by: Shelley Long

BESS BENNETT

Given by: Ms. Lori Nantz

LEXIE DONITHAN

Given by: Ms. Caroline Donithan

Ms. Tammi Shrout

AMANDA GAULT

Given by: Ms. Susan Gault

Mr. Michael Thompson

SOPHIE CORNETT

Given by: Madison Cornett

TALLI BURGESS

Given by: Ms. Shanna Dunn

EMMA WILSON

Given by: Ms. Mischelle Wilson

CARSON COX

Given by: Mr. Tim Cox

SPENCER SCHARSTEIN

Given by: Ms. Lydia Fogel

Mr. Tim Crum

TRIBUTE GIFTS

September 1, 2023, THROUGH January 31, 2023

CREATE A LASTING IMPACT AT UCUMBERLANDS.EDU/GIVE

FRAN CLAYTON

Given by: Ms. Catherine Elwell

R.C. MEDARIS

Given by: Dr. William Payne, Sr.

NATE PILANT

Given by: Dr. & Mrs. Walter Early, III

ROBERT D. HEAVEN

Given by: Mrs. Elizabeth StraightHeaven

PAUL & HELEN MURNAGHAN

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Peter Murnaghan

HOWARD & EDITH WIEBEN

Given by: Mr. Paul Wieben

FREDERIC P. GROVE

Given by: Mrs. Nancy Neff

The following given by:

GEORGE & MARTHA ROBERTS

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Edward Caston

Mrs. Helen Curless

AMY DOUGLAS SMITH

Given by: Ms. Elizabeth Acuff

MR. CLYDE EVANS OF EVANS

CABINET

Given by: Bank of Dudley

RUBY ABRAMSON

Given by: Mraz Charitable Trust

ROSS WATSON

Given by: Mrs. Mary Smith

MAVIS BROOME

Given by: Ms. Shelleigh Moses

Mr. & Mrs. Earl Brady, JD, CHA

MAYNARD CROSS

Given by: Ms. Patsy Cross

COACH TERRY STIGALL

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Bloomer

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Howard

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Orr

Mr. & Mrs. Brant Poore

JAMES M. BOSWELL

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Charles Newton

DR. KOSSUTH M. MITCHELL

Given by: Ms. Lenore Pollard

JOHN E. RENFRO

Given by: Mrs. Patricia Stonecipher

O.J. HELVEY

Given by: Mrs. Patricia Stonechipher

NORMA PATRICK

Given by: Dr. Susan Weaver

RALPH M. HICKEY

Given by: Mrs. Verna Lee Bruce

ROSS WATSON

Given by: Mrs. Mary Smith

RALPH GILBERT

Given by: Mr. Steve Lanham

CHESTER R. YOUNG

Given by: Mrs. Norma Jean Scrivener Mr. Michael Kellett

CAMERON MULLIS

Given by: Mr. Scott Mullis

MARY PHYLLIS LATHROP

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hollingsworth

Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Jones in support of the Charles Jones, Jr., Scholarship Fund. Charles Jones, Jr., was a sophomore at Cumberlands in 1982 when he sadly passed away after a motorcycle accident. That year, a scholarship was created in his name. Since 2005, Charles' parents have given toward the scholarship in loving memory of others.

In Memory Of:

The mother of Mrs. Peggy Duncan

The mother of Mrs. Kathy Coleman

The wife of Mr. Tom Campbell

The father of Mr. Eric Bacon

The husband of Mrs. Marcella Barrett

The husband of Mrs. Betty Smith

The nephew of Mrs. JoAnn Johnson

The nephew of Mrs. Karen Mitchell

The brother of Mrs. Linda Mansfield

The grandfather of Mr. Ryan Reagan and Family

The husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Carnahan

The father of Mr. John Teubert

The mother of Mr. Grady Sizemore

The husband of Mrs. J.D. Bullock

The mother of Mrs. Betty Ingram

The mother of Mr. Stan Hardaway

The brother of Mr. Ralph Barrett

The brother of Mrs. Dave Muyskens

The mother of Mrs. Kathy McManus

The husband of Mrs. Betty Dickens

The sister of Ms. Debbie Pounds

The grandfather of Rev. And Mrs. Kevin Minchey

The father of Mr. and Mrs. Clint Brown

The sister of Mr. And Mrs. Barry Summerville

The husband of Mrs. Mary Lucille Lovelace

The grandfather of Mr. Nathan Clark

The mother of Mrs. Karen Willey

The sister of Mrs. Kathy Allen

Listings reflect Tribute Gifts received September 1, 2023 through January 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.

IT'S ALL THANKS TO GOD AND YOU!

We truly can't thank you enough for all the ways you have benefitted the lives of our students and our local community.

By funding programs that teach our students leadership, teamwork, work ethic, time management, spiritual growth, and other skills, you are helping our students grow up into the men and women God created them to be. After all, college isn't only about the schoolwork, it's also about the life that happens outside the classroom.

You make a difference in our students' lives. And those students in turn change the lives of others around them. And it's all thanks to God... and you. Thank you!