GRACE GIVES US
HOPE
A Development Newsletter | Winter 2021
My name is Grace, and I’m a junior at Cumberlands pursuing a music major and psychology minor. I grew up in Blackey, Kentucky, which is a rural coal mining community deep in the mountains. The community is close-knit, hardworking, and personable – values which have been instilled in me. Out of my twelve siblings, I am the tenth to go to college. I grew up with each of us being able to express our own artistic side. The art ranged from graphics, paint, textile, wood, and for me, music. This year I am excited to have my younger sister join me at UC! While we have similarities and spend time together, there is a definite place here for both of our passions and personalities. I have had several workship positions such as serving with Mountain Outreach. This year, my position is in the new library as a housekeeper’s assistant to help pay for my tuition and gain valuable experience. This year I also started marching band, as a part of their “groove section”. I am a keyboardist in a nontraditional part of the band. Having never been part of a band or instrument ensemble before, I was not expecting to love becoming a “band kid” at the age of twenty. The chance to be able to be a part of something bigger and make music is amazing! This year has found me deeper into music than I ever have been. Not only am I practicing piano in a practice room for lessons, but I am using that skill on the field, at concerts, playing duets or trios, and even starting to use the violin in a small group. It has shown me I am in the right department, surrounded by the right fellow classmates and faculty! I want to thank our generous donors. Through people like you, God has made a way for me and many others to attend college and pursue our dreams.
Hello friends, I’m happy to introduce the first newsletter from University of the Cumberlands Development Office. I look forward to updating you about the great work our students are doing here at Cumberlands all thanks to your generous support. As we near Christmas, I want to express what a truly special place Cumberlands is and how you are making a difference. Through the ups and downs of financial hardship and uncertainty that many of our students experience, education is a constant reminder of the stability and strength that lies ahead. Each year our university continues to grow, and fortunately with your support, we have been able to reach more students in need and serve our community more efficiently. Thank you for your dedication and passion. You are making a remarkable difference here at Cumberlands! My best wishes for a joyful holiday with your loved ones. Sincerely, Bill Stohlmann Vice President of Development
CUMBERLANDS
CONTINUES TO SEE STRONG ENROLLMENT GROWTH
First four graduates from The Williamsburg Institute, the university’s founding name.
Fall classes are coming to a close at University of the Cumberlands and, after such an unprecedented year, the university is glad to report continued enrollment growth. Total enrollment is 19,150 students, with approximately 2,000 undergraduate students attending on campus and another 2,400 attending online. Currently, Cumberlands remains the largest private university in Kentucky. This comes on the heels of Cumberlands being named the fastest-growing private doctoral university in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education. In a message to faculty and staff, President Larry Cockrum gave an update on the status of the university and took time to thank Cumberlands employees for their effort, flexibility, and creativity in guiding the university’s pivot in 2020.
Graduates from the Class of 2021.
“Last year, we encountered a situation that none of us have ever dealt with in our lifetime. Even though it was extra work, you rose to the task,” he said. “Thank you.” Cumberlands is housing more than 1,350 students in residence halls this semester – the most residential students in more than five years. More than 780 new students are joining the Patriots ranks this fall. Approximately two-thirds of the on-campus freshman class are from Kentucky, though the class represents 28 states and 22 countries in all. Approximately one in three freshmen are first-generation college students blazing an educational trail for their families. Over the past year, Cumberlands accomplished some notable achievements. For instance, the university launched several new programs of study, including an associate degree program in paralegal studies, three emphasis areas for business, a Master of Science in Finance, and a criminal justice management certificate program. Cumberlands is also on its way to opening a new Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program, which is set to begin in January 2023. Cumberlands’ Season of Service program hosted more than 220 community service projects for the 2020-2021 school year, with students logging more than 5,200 hours of service. Additionally, Cumberlands athletes showed up not only in their sport but in the classroom, earning an average GPA of 3.05 across 29 athletic teams. Many campus projects were completed in the past year as well, particularly during the summer. The university added Habaneros restaurant to its meal plan, improved the campus entrance, renovated offices, reforested land, completed a home for a local family through Mountain Outreach, improved chemistry laboratories, added outdoor seating areas, updated the volleyball team’s locker room, deep-cleaned residence halls, and made various other improvements around campus. The Department of Information Technology refreshed technology on campus, both inside classrooms and outside, to offer better equipment and stronger internet connection. Dr. Cockrum concluded his message by saying, “May we act with grace and patience with ourselves and our students and continue to learn how to fulfill our institutional mission of teaching, learning, and service.”
100% Affordable With your commitment, Cumberlands students will be able to graduate with zero to little debt.
Student-Centered With your commitment, the focus of Cumberlands will continue to be enriching the lives of its students.
Quality Education With your commitment, students from all backgrounds will receive a well-rounded education, enriched with Christian values.
Make your Cumberlands Commitment To arrange a campus visit with us, or arrange a charitable gift, please call: 606.539.3571 or visit ucumberlands. edu/give2uc
Watch the 2021 Christmas video by pressing the PLAY button below.
PLAY
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS University of the Cumberlands Office of Development 6195 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769 606.539.3571 ucumberlands.edu/give
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and inside the dorms Resident Hall Directors sat happy and warm. Garland was wrapped around pillars with style, and students were visiting home for a while. The year had felt long, yet somehow it flew From 2021 to 2022. Year after year, one truth still stands: Christmastime at Cumberlands is always quite grand. Enjoying great music at Hanging of the Green, cheering on winter athletes as our One Big Team, sipping hot chocolate in our student center. Stick peppermint in it – tastes even better. The Cumberlands family young and old can relate To the viaduct becoming the place they ice skate. And you know how red brick that’s covered in white Just makes for the perfect wintery sight. Walking ‘round campus you were bound to see Bright, twinkling lights and big Christmas wreaths. You might’ve heard Madrigals’ beautiful songs or watched little snowflakes float softly along. Now projects! Now room checks! Now packing your bags! Now studying for finals and praying you pass! To Christmas parties! To gift wrapping! Carols! Yule tide! Now cookies and coffee and blankets inside. The holidays are brimming with happiness and cheer And gath’ring with loved ones, those far and those near. This Christmas, remember to take time and pause. Enjoy all the magic, be good for Santa Claus. It’s one more year down and forever to go. You’ve laughed, you’ve cried, learned, and you’ve grown. Wherever you are, I hope it’s merry and bright. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.