Alumni Magazine Fall 2019

FALL

2019

UM G ZA IZNI N A LA UL M N IN IM M A GA A E E

A CUMBERLANDS

LEGEND

Dear Alumni, There’s just something about being on a college campus, especially in the fall. It’s the time that new students are beginning to settle into their independent lives; the time that everyone, including professors and administrators, begins getting into the groove of the academic year.

What a wonderful fall it has been!

Whether an Indian or a Patriot, the UC bond is strong. It’s exemplified in the pride, friendships, business connections, and shared passions. When our alumni come together, this bond is especially prevalent. I had the privilege of witnessing this collective Cumberlands spirit firsthand at Homecoming.

We welcomed close to 500 alumni to Homecoming! While some alumni attendees had not been back on campus for over 50 years, others recently graduated and wanted to be part of this annual tradition. I met Mr. Cumberland 1952 and had the pleasure of talking with two gentlemen from the Class of 1949 who were celebrating their 70th reunion. Oh, the stories!

Alumni stories. They're fascinating, inspiring, moving. All different . . . but each revealing a glimpse of our common experience at Cumberlands. And we have some impressive alumni to introduce you to. As you review this issue, I hope you can see the difference that our alums make in the world.

If you haven’t visited campus in a while, you’ll be amazed at how much Cumberlands has changed in the past few years and heartened to see that it still maintains the same intangible spirit that makes our university a special place.

Think about those who encouraged you to come to Cumberlands and thank them by passing it on to the next generation. Your example and encouragement may be just what a student needs.

Great things are happening at your alma mater. Come be a part.

Here’s to a bright 2020 and beyond!

Best,

ERICA BROOME HARRIS, ’84 Executive Director of Alumni Services

Every time you see a green button, it means there is even more to do and see in the digital version of the magazine. Go see more event photos, highlights, and interviews or link right to important dates to remember. ucumberlands.edu/alumni/magazine

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2019-20 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ON THE COVER

President

Randy Vernon began coaching men's basketball at Cumberlands in 1979 and served the school for 37 years as a dedicated coach and athletic director. The new basketball court in the O . Wayne Rollins Center was dedicated to Coach Vernon during homecoming weekend this fall.

Tasha Singleton, '06

President-Elect Dr. Joe Ellison, III, '01

Past President Brant Poore, '94

Secretary Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, '87, MAED '13

Board Member Emeritus Mary Doyle Johnson, '48 Dick Koeniger, '67 Bill Lyttle, '75

Term Expiring 2020 Tracey Kidd Wessell, '82 Alan Coppock, '87 Brian Shoemaker, '79 Tasha Singleton, '06 Lesley Swann, '97

Term Expiring 2021 William "Bill" Jones, '81 Dr. Joe Ellison, III, '01 Amanda Walton, '02 Jacob Moak, '11 Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, '87, MAED '13

Term Expiring 2022 Melanie Mackey Bloomer, '90, MAE '19 Michael Addison, '14, MBA '16 Cathy Sue Smith, '89 Shannon Warmoth, '88 Richard Prewitt, '80

Ex-officio Members Dr. Larry L. Cockrum University President

Paul P. Steely, '49 Trustee Liaison

Office of Alumni Services Erica Broome Harris, '84 Executive Director

Paul Stepp, '12, MSIS '17

Enjoy the magazine!

Features

12 14 16 18 20 22

DIGGING UP BIG IDEAS Kevin White, '87

UNDER A MICROSCOPE Jeffrey "Todd" Parker, '84

MAN WEEKEND

Ellison, '01; Kidd, '02, Harper; '00, Pagles, '99; Eskridge, '02; Smith, '02; and Earle, '00

PREPARED FOR LIFE Jackie Alexander, '14

A STAR BEHIND THE SHOWS J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, '70

BEYOND BORDERS

Cabell, '01; (Keener) Cabell, '01; Wright, '01; (Filiatreau) Wright, '00; Vanhoose, '01; and (Goughi) Vanhoose, '01

In Every Issue 4 26 32

Campus News Class Notes Weddings & Births

34 35 36

Fond Farewells UC Tribute Program Patriot Salute

Director

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CAMPUSNEWS

FINANCIAL AID 101:

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Intro to Free Textbooks

Beginning fall 2020, Cumberlands will give on-campus undergraduate students the option to participate in a textbook loan program. Participating students will receive books free of charge as long as those books are returned at the end of the semester. The program will include all fields of study, and students will have the option to purchase any books they would like to keep.

The new initiative, announced by Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, President of the University, is another step toward “total price transparency and affordability” as part of The Cumberlands Commitment, which was announced in September 2018.

“The Cumberlands Commitment addresses one of the biggest problems facing college students today – affordability,” Cockrum stated. “Eliminating textbook costs is an additional way for Cumberlands to serve students and remove barriers to obtaining a college degree.”

Cockrum noted that a majority of Cumberlands students are from working-class families, and many are first-generation college students who see education as a changing force for their families. Cockrum hopes the tuition reduction, and now the free textbook initiative, helps ease the burden families face when making decisions about pursuing a college education.

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Education reported that the cost of college textbooks had almost doubled in the past 10 years, with an 88 percent jump between 2006 and 2016. Cumberlands is among a small number of universities nationwide to address this issue by offering a free textbook loan program.

FOLLOW THE LATEST

UCUMBERLANDS.EDU/NEWS

ON

E S I R THE

On-campus undergraduate enrollment at University of the Cumberlands is up 33 percent to 1,806 students. The news comes a year after the University announced it was slashing tuition costs by 57 percent.

The increase is due to a significant influx of new freshman and transfer students. Classes began August 21, with 875 new students on the Williamsburg campus (759 new freshmen, 112 transfer students).

“As a university, we are committed to offering young people a quality, student-centered education, especially those students who may not have been able to afford one otherwise,” said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, President of the University.

Cumberlands purchased the old Faulkner & Taylor Furniture Store on Main Street in December 2017.

Renovations have begun, and soon a new butcher shop, coffee shop, and general store will be available to use and enjoy.

rs e b m u N B y t h e e n ts

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The Chronicle of Higher Education recently listed Cumberlands among the fastest-growing universities in the United States in their annual Almanac of Higher Education. Cumberlands, which the article referred to as a “smaller, faith-based college that has found ways to distinguish itself in a crowded market,” grew its enrollment 350 percent between 2007-2017.

Classes have been added at Cumberlands to accommodate the dramatic increase in the student population. From what Cockrum has seen, the University’s faculty and staff have stepped up to handle the higher demands.

"We are excited and grateful to welcome so many new Patriots to campus this fall."

Dr. Cockrum

SCHOOL OF NURSING EXPANDING In January 2020, Cumberlands will launch a new associate degree program in nursing. This addition provides students with a complete career pathway within the Forcht School of Nursing at Cumberlands. Students can now train to become a Certified Nurse Aid (CNA), receive their associate degree in nursing (RN), obtain their undergraduate RN to BSN degree, and pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP).

“This degree program is just one of several ways Cumberlands is working to serve our region through healthcare,” said Cailen Baker, Director of Nursing. “This opens another job market for residents of Appalachia. That speaks volumes of Cumberlands’ mission to serve others with honor and integrity. What better way to serve than through nursing?”

The associate degree in nursing program is four semesters in length and will prepare students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NURSING PROGRAM VISIT UCUMBERLANDS.EDU/ADNURSING

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Class of 1969 RA Reunion

Left to Right: Dennis Minton, Green Calihan, J.C. Allen, Christine (Morgan) Cooper, Earl Brady, Sharlene (Proffitt) Brady, John Schwinn, Jacqueline (Campbell) Schwinn, Pearl Nadine Jarvis, Terri (Richardson) Capek, Michael Capek, Tom Frazier.

Not pictured: Phyllis (Jones) Callaway and Warren Gagner, Jr.

Creech-Boswell Luncheon

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CHECK OUT THE GROOVY GALLERY

Randy Vernon Court Dedication

Alumni Luncheon

Homecoming King and Queen VIEW THE HOMECOMING VIDEO

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HOMECOMING 2020 ST I L L LO YA L , ST I L L T R U E

OCTOBER 9-10

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF VIADUCT HISTORY

1 92 0 -2 02 0

1919-1920

The viaduct was constructed in 1920, joining the two hills on which Cumberlands stands. Williamsburg Institute (Cumberlands’ original name) stood on one hill, and Highland College stood on the other. Cumberlands purchased Highland College in 1913, and for the seven years between that acquisition and the viaduct’s construction, students walked across the ravine between the hills to get to class.

Construction of the viaduct was made possible by the generous donations and efforts of A.T. Siler, T.B. Mahan, J.M. Ellison, the viaduct committee, Manley & Young, L.W. Hancock, and the engineer contractors. A plaque with the inscriptions of these names appears at the west end of the viaduct.

2019-2020

Some reconstructive work has been done on the viaduct over the years as the weather takes its toll on the architecture. It remains a sturdy structure, perfect for bridging the gap between the residential side and the academic side of campus.

Celebrate 100 years of history, loyal friendships, and true Cumberlands spirit with us during Homecoming 2020, held October 9-10. We can’t wait to walk across the viaduct with you again.

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FALL 2019

C i n c i n n a t i & W i l liamsburg

C I N C I N N AT I C H A PT E R

Alumni from in and around the

Cincinnati area came together in September for some food, fun, and reminiscing about the alma mater that ties them together. Special thanks to Janelle Cavendish McCarty, ’89, for hosting the event. Stay tuned for details about future events!

VOLLEYBALL WILLIAMSBURG

Our volleyball alumni enjoyed the first-ever reunion brunch this fall.

Former players got to meet the current team and tour campus, including the renovated volleyball gym. Pictured above are the past three volleyball coaches: Amanda Walton, ’02, coached 2004-2005; Kara (Clemenz) Phillips, ’01, who coached 2006-2012; and Kathryn Hart, who has coached since 2013.

SOFTBALLWILLIAMSBURG

When Cumberlands announced that a new softball field would be constructed, former coach Angie Dean, ’90, wanted to create a space for “legacy bricks� so former players could leave their mark on the program.

Softball alumni visited the new facility during homecoming weekend to see their bricks, meet current players, and, of course, make sure the current players know how blessed they are to have such amazing athletic facilities.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HOST AN ALUMNI GATHERING, contact Erica (Broome) Harris in Alumni Services at: ERICA.HARRIS@UCUMBERLANDS.EDU

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DEDICATION TO A Cumberlands renovated the basketball court in the O. Wayne Rollins Center this summer, naming it after Randy Vernon, who served Cumberlands for 37 years as an NAIA Hall of Fame men's basketball coach and Athletic Director. An official dedication of the new court was held on October 26 as part of homecoming weekend festivities.

« « « «

Vernon's Inaugural Team 79-80 Seated left to right: Head Coach Randy Vernon, Assistant Coach Donnie McFarland, James Barnes, Chris Ferguson, Tim Stephens, Mike Flynn, Andre Houston, Mark Snider, Head Trainer Dean Hawkins, Assistant Coach Rob Long. Standing: Assistant Manager Chester Simpson, Mike Harris, Billy Herren, Gerald Weatherspoon, David Boyd, Melvin Mabins, James Crawford, James Dallas, Dennis Custard, Rick Pack, Jeff Davie, Head Manager Steve Nelson.

1979 -2000

528 CAREER WINS 11 NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES 8 CONFERENCE TITLES FAB 4 IN 1997 - BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY

2000 -2017 « 8 TIMES MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE PRESIDENT'S CUP « 6 TEAMS ADDED TO THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM MSC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

2 0 0 3 , 2 012 , 2 014 & 2 016

CUMBERLANDS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

C L A S S O F 2 016

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Vernon, former men’s basketball coach and athletic director, and Donnie Butcher, current men’s basketball coach, share a moment at the dedication.

DD GGING GGINGUP UP

BB GG IDEAS IDEAS

In 2015, a farmer in eastern Kazakhstan found a large stone with an engraved cross and strange writing surrounding the cross. Digital analysis revealed the writing to be Syriac and the stone to be a gravestone of a Nestorian Christian priest. Successful excavations uncovered more than 100 Christian graves and other artifacts, leading to the formal creation of the Department of Nestorian Studies by the Kazakhstan Archaeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences in 2017.

Kevin White, ’87, is head of that department. As such, White regularly reaches out to the world’s top scholars and recruits partner programs for development purposes. He is also an avid reader and writer with nearly two dozen published articles. His writings largely focus on Kazakhstan’s culture; after all, White has called the country home since 1999, originally coaching basketball for a number of high-school aged and elite teams.

“It has been a pleasure serving Kazakhstan and its people for the past twenty years, a blessing for which I thank God,” said Kevin. “The values of hard work, personal responsibility, teamwork, and abiding by the rules are all foundational for shaping the character of young lives and giving them confidence that will carry into their respective fields and professions later in life.”

As head of the Department for Nestorian Studies, White’s contemplations have shifted more to the country’s history – political, economic, and religious. Kazakhstan is a post-Soviet Central Asian nation which gained its independence in 1991. It is the ninth-largest country in the world in land mass and ranks seventh in natural resources. It is also the geopolitical center between East and West Asia, making it the prime nation to revitalize the Great Silk Road.

In December 2012, the former president of Kazakhstan announced a plan to position Kazakhstan among the top 30 global economies by the year 2050. He believed the nation needed to "look into the past in order to understand the present and foresee the future." Kevin White agrees with him and created Pravda Forum (pravdaforum.com) as a platform for individuals to provide input regarding the ideological considerations the area now faces.

“IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AND IT IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT BUT EVEN CRITICAL TO EMBRACE THE IDEAS WHICH PROVIDE THE MORAL BASIS FOR CONSTRUCTS SUCH AS RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS, FOR THESE ARE THE NATURAL PREREQUISITES FOR HUMANS FLOURISHING AND FOR JUST AND STABLE SOCIETIES.”

White said, “Kazakhstan has indeed made significant strides in its development.

I see a bright future for Kazakhstan because I see a bright young generation loaded with talent and ambition. Herein is the importance of education and coaching – investing into the lives of young people.”

That concept holds special weight in White’s heart, as his life is the product of professors and other leaders investing in him at Cumberlands and beyond. Dr. John Broome especially played a role in helping lay a foundation for White’s academic and spiritual development while White was a college student.

“He really hounded me,” White said. “I was an average student who had never read a significant academic book in my life. He gave us a list of books to choose from for a report. He was so on top of me in class that I knew I would not get away with a mediocre effort. Because it took me so long to really get the gist of the book – three times reading through it – I was quite overdue with the assignment. Dr. Broome actually had to deduct five points from a previous test score!

But I was over the hurdle.”

He certainly was, with lasting impact. White has since completed two masters (3.8 and 3.5 GPA) and is now defending a doctoral dissertation. He has a passion for passing on the life-changing influence people like Dr. Broome had on him, challenging the youth he encounters in their studies and their professional development. He has even opened the door for Cumberlands students to join in his department’s work in Kazakhstan, should any have interest.

“We very much welcome Cumberlands students and alumni to get involved, whether in academic field research, archeology excavation assistance, or partnership,” said White.

Perhaps while they’re there, where the collecting of artifacts and ideas is a constant activity, they will dig up some big ideas of their own. The world never changed without an idea, and as Kazakhstan shows, ideas are still changing the world.

For more information, visit nestorianstudies.org Cumbelands Alumni Magazine

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UNDER A MICROSCOPE

A close-up look inside the Centers for Disease Control

Jeffrey “Todd” Parker, ’84, became infected with tuberculosis (TB) as a teenager and was unable to afford the necessary medication and treatment. A public health nurse named Ida White treated Parker at a local health department, ultimately saving his life. Parker decided to pursue a career in public health so he could help others like he'd been helped.

“In part, having the chance to give back has been my way to pay it forward,” said Parker. "I think maybe Nurse White would be particularly proud of that.”

Once his body recuperated and he returned to school, Parker stopped being an unfocused student and began to study more. As a result, upon graduation, he won nearly every science honor award offered that year.

His approach to academics changed so much that a former teacher filed a protest against his science award nominations, unable to believe his progress. His teachers eventually convinced the woman that the work

he presented really was his; he was a changed student.

Both Parker's mother and his sister graduated from Cumberlands. He followed suit. After graduating with bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry, he attended Georgia State University and obtained his Ph.D. in molecular genetics and biochemistry.

During Parker’s time at GSU, a fellow classmate pushed him to apply for a position with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Parker felt that working for the CDC was a pipe dream, but he eventually applied.

He was hired by the CDC in 1989 to

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make microbiological media, and as he says, “the rest is history.” He’s been working with CDC for 30 years and is now a division-level associate director for laboratory science. Most of the job includes clearance and policy implementation. He also regularly interacts with partners at the World Bank, Robert Koch Institute, Health Canada, Ethiopia Public Health Institute, and Korea Centers for Disease Control.

“In reality, nothing made me believe working at CDC was ever in my reach,” Parker said. “I started out pouring petri dishes in the media lab. I’m now teaching laboratory scientists all over

MEASLES

EBOLA

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the country and around the world.”

Parker worked the front lines of the public health response during America's bioterrorism threat in 2001.

He was one of six people working in the Rapid Response and Advanced Technology (RRAT) laboratory, processing and testing samples for Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax). Of the 125,000 samples tested by the CDC program LRN (Laboratory Response Network), 30,000 were tested in his lab, and up to 12,000 were tested by him alone.

“I remember when we received the first sample from Florida on October 6, 2001,” Parker stated. “I remember watching the results. As the signal got stronger and stronger, we knew this sample was real. We had a real Anthrax sample from a patient.

This was truly an ‘oh my goodness’ moment.

In 2000, Parker joined the CDC program that would manage the LRN. Every outbreak involving biological threats or emerging infectious diseases involves the LRN. The LRN conducted testing over a large Monkeypox outbreak and a SARS outbreak in Asia in 2003, and most recently, performed Ebola testing.

From 1996 to 2005, Parker and his team worked to create a reagent that could accurately test for measles. Just this year, there was a global outbreak of measles, particularly in the African,

Western Pacific, and European regions. Before the measles project was handed to Parker’s lab, the reagents being generated cost $50,000 for only 100 patient tests. Parker’s lab, however, generated enough of the

reagent to last the measles lab for the next 10+ years – several hundred thousand patients – for the same cost. While cost-efficiency wasn’t the primary goal for the project, it was an astounding achievement.

Another big aspect of Parker’s career is traveling. He travels to local labs to rule out or identify the bioterrorism pathogens. In the last decade, Parker’s life at the CDC has included traveling internationally to enhance training efforts with the CDC’s partners in the Department of Defense and foreign partners in South Korea, Canada, Germany, and Ethiopia. Most recently, Parker traveled to Ethiopia

in attempts to help improve their lab testing capability.

Recently, Parker contacted biology professor Dr. Sara (Steen) Ash, ’93, in search of a recent graduate he could hire as a contract employee. Dr. Ash recommended Paula Nieto, ’18, a top student at Cumberlands. Nieto was persistent and became the top candidate for the position. She was hired in September 2018 and has received a one-year extension in her work at CDC. “Paula had no experience building mobile apps but has been a great resource to gather content for the app development,” Parker said. “I have also found a way for her to shadow in some labs to learn advanced molecular biology techniques. I would definitely consider another UC graduate as an employee in the future.”

Parker continued, recalling, “As a Cumberlands student, I remember sitting in class when I first saw a few images courtesy of CDC. I thought that working at CDC would be a dream come true, but not possible for me.

Even after I moved to the Atlanta area, I thought CDC was out of reach. But God had a different plan, and He has blessed me with a career following a dream I thought was not possible.”

Microscopic look at Paula Nieto, ’18 Nieto is originally from Villavicencio, a city southeast of Bogotá, Colombia. She came to the U.S. to play tennis for Cumberlands while earning degrees in both chemistry and biology. As a Hearst scholar at Cumberlands, Nieto worked as a laboratory assistant in the Department of Chemistry. Thanks to her position at the CDC, she's steadily achieving her goals of conducting medical research and someday earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry.

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MAN

at Christmastime. Then Chip got jealous…”

“Well, yeah!” Chip interrupted. “I live all the way in North Carolina!” “…so, Chip got jealous,” Jimmy continued, “and he said, ‘How about we have some kind of man weekend?’

We went, ‘Yeah, okay.’”

Every Man Weekend, the men reminisce about their time at Cumberlands and find an opportunity to eat chicken wings. Besides that, the only other constant is the amount of boisterous laughter which fills the room wherever the men go.

The friends deeply enjoy it, and sometimes onlookers do too.

“Once, we found an outdoor basketball court with the rim lowered to eight feet,” Jimmy said. “An elementary school bus pulled up, and the kids’ faces were pressed up to the windows so they could watch us – this group of chubby guys just freaking out because we could actually dunk!

We must have played for hours…”

“It was 20 minutes,” said Chip.

Jimmy laughed, “It felt like hours, whatever it was!”

W

elcome to Man Weekend, an annual two-day event full of sidesplitting laughter, sporting events (sometimes participating, usually spectating), video games, debates about which day the week really starts on, the occasional nap or two, and plenty of sarcasm to spare.

Dr. Joe Ellison III, ’01; Jimmy Kidd, ’02; Ben Harper, ’00; Wes Pagles, ’99; Dr. Jonathan Eskridge, ’02; Chuck Smith, ’02; and Chip Earle, ’00 –

or as they call themselves, The Pride of Cumberland College – make up this easygoing entourage. They stayed on Cumberlands’ campus for a weekend in June, squeezing in enough time to visit the Office of Alumni Services and explain their Man Weekend tradition. From the get-go, the conversation was full of teasing, rebuttals, and laughter.

Jimmy began, “It all started with a few of our families getting together 16

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Joe said, “Hey, didn’t we take that great nap afterward?”

“Oh, yeah,” Jimmy recalled a bit wistfully. “We were just sprawled out everywhere – on the couch, on the floor, absolutely passed out.”

Ben, who sat next to Jimmy, chuckled and shook his head. Grinning, Jimmy shouted, “What? That was a really good nap!”

Chip, in an overly-official voice, said, “Needless to say, there has been a steady decline in our number of athletic activities over the years.”

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The guys stay connected using WhatsApp. Wes, who has the youngest child of the group, sometimes asks for parenting advice (to which he sometimes gets a legitimate, nonsarcastic answer). There isn't a day when one of them doesn't post something.

“We have a better pulse of what’s going on because of that constant communication,” said Joe. “When things are going on with people, we’re better able to mobilize, respond, and support. We’ve done that a few times.”

EEKEND

Like when a tree fell on Jimmy’s house and two of the guys drove over to help.

Or when Jimmy’s father passed away and the group attended the funeral to support Jimmy and his family.

Chuck said, “Well, Chip didn’t come…” and stared disapprovingly at Chip, to which Chip rolled his eyes and muttered “North Carolina.”

Chuck continued, “So, I whispered a funny message from him to Jimmy.

And Jimmy just busted out laughing in the middle of everyone mourning, in front of his family and God and everybody.” (To this day, Jimmy says it’s one of the top five times in his life he’s laughed the hardest.)

The level of support these friends have found in each other far exceeds that of any other friends they’ve had, minus their wives. Ben mentioned how crazy the concept is, being in contact with the same person/group of people every day when you’re not married to them, to which Jim

piped up, “We’ve explored marriage.”

Everyone laughed, so he went on, “It’s a whole zoning thing, though…”

“Yeah,” Jonathan added, “and it’s just a hassle to get married eight different times. Plus, you know, the paperwork,” (laughter) “the taxes,” (more laughter) “city codes…”

Chip just shook his head. “Stop the interview,” he said. “Please. Just stop.”

So, the interview kindly ended. But the conversation continued, through the office, out the door, down the viaduct, around campus, and most likely into forever.

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PREPARED FORALIFE

Jackie Alexander, ’14, believes she was led to Cumberlands for the ROTC program.

“It was the best thing I ever decided to do in my life,” she stated matter-of-factly. “It laid the foundation for who I am today and everything I’ve been able to do. I loved every minute of it.”

Alexander transferred from West Point to Cumberlands in 2011, majoring in biology with minors in Spanish and military science. Upon graduation, she left for a basic officer leader course and became a platoon leader.

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She was an active duty Army officer from 2014 to 2017, reaching the rank of captain. She served primarily at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until 2016, when she deployed to Iraq. During her deployment, she had the task of redeploying equipment and supplies back to the United States.

Joining ROTC wasn’t originally a goal for Alexander. She remembers dodging the man in charge of Cumberlands' ROTC program in the cafeteria, knowing he would pressure her to join . But she gradually felt that ROTC was meant for her. She officially joined during her junior year and continued in the program until graduation.

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Alexander’s days at college were packed as she balanced ROTC, classwork, and Varsity basketball. Her mornings began at 6:30 with ROTC drills. She then attended classes (taking up to 21 credit hours in a semester), and then it was off to basketball practice. (Alexander was a three-year letter winner, captain of the team for her junior and senior years, a two-time All-Mid-South conference selection, and a two-time NAIA Academic All-American.) Then she would shower, eat, do homework, and hit the pillow hard, waking up early to do it all again the next day. It was tough but worthwhile.

“I had a good career at Cumberlands, loved my professors and everything,” she said. “It was a huge experience, super positive.”

Alexander is now an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). She carries what she learned in the Army into coaching.

“Both the military and basketball have a team atmosphere,” Alexander said. “Being an athlete helped me be a better leader in the Army and connect with my soldiers better. I understood the way a team worked, the different dynamics, the different personalities and how each person is intrinsically motivated differently.

Basketball really helped me.”

The Army ROTC program began at Cumberlands in the early 1970’s. The first professor of military science was Lieutenant Colonel Mike Lane, and the first commissioned officers were Master Sergeant Buck Kendall and Master Sergeant Mike McClaine, both of whom served in Vietnam. ROTC was relaunched this fall, with 25 new recruits.

Like others, Alexander was excited when Cumberlands announced it was re-instating the Army ROTC program in fall 2019.

“THE MILITARY LAID A FOUNDATION FOR WHAT I EXPECT FROM MYSELF AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE,” SHE EXPLAINED. “I’M NOT THE KIND OF COACH WHO WILL LET PLAYERS GO THROUGH DRILLS HALFWAY. WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAR, BUT I’M PREPARING THESE KIDS FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN A BASKETBALL GAME. IT'S ABOUT LOYALTY, HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE, WORKING HARD – JUST INSTILLING IN THEM EVERYTHING I’VE LEARNED.”

"F O R A L I F E I’M PREPARING THEM

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A Star b J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, ’70, is president and CEO of Performance Facilities Management (PFM), a $100 million programming consultant which services 13 venues in nine states. He's also president of Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), which has been ranked one of the top venues in the world and won several Tony Awards, the highest honor in live Broadway theater.

“I like to say that success has a thousand fathers, and failure is an orphan,” Singleton stated. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right leadership, because I could never have accomplished this on my own.”

Since Singleton arrived at PPAC in 1983, he has brought the theatre up from near-bankruptcy, overseen the theatre’s $8 million stage expansion and $5 million restoration, founded PFM, increased PPAC’s attendance from 57,000 to 500,000 and tripled its number of events, been nominated for a Tony Award, and received honors such as an Emmy Award for the “Best Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program,” Vanguard of the Arts, and the Broadway League’s Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management. He was also named one of the 25 “driving forces” in Rhode Island business in 2011 and 2016 and was the first recipient of the City of Providence Renaissance Award for Highest Achievement in the Arts.

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Oh, and when he finds time, he sits on the Government Relations Committee of the Broadway League and votes for the Tony Awards.

As a student, Singleton helped book talent and promote events through the Student Government Association at Cumberlands. He later worked for a university in Rhode Island, managing several facilities on campus and booking shows like J. Geils, The Pretenders, Aerosmith, and more.

The work was contemporary and commercial, and Singleton had a knack for it. So, he moved up the chain, becoming president of PPAC. “It was the first facility I was involved in where we bought the talent,” he said. “We took the risk, we marketed the shows. It's like you're controlling your own destiny, for better or worse.

You’re not dependent on somebody.”

The interior design of PPAC is dazzling, boasting the spacious grandeur of a former movie palace constructed in 1928. But for PPAC to survive, it needed the ability to hold bigger productions. In 1995, under Singleton's leadership, PPAC became one of the first converted movie

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FALL 2019

Behind the Shows

“We spend our lives with so many things swirling around us, but musical theatre has the power to move people and change attitudes in ways you won’t see from any other form of entertainment. It’s very internal, and it affects people in different ways. You just can’t replace that experience.” palaces in the nation to undergo a successful stagehouse expansion.

“My line is, we had a Cadillac body but a Volkswagen engine,” Singleton said with a chuckle. “I will always be remembered as the guy who spent $8 million to move the wall 12 feet.”

Well, it's worked. PPAC has presented blockbuster shows like Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Wicked, and Hamilton, doubling attendance in one year, then doubling it again the next, skyrocketing their subscriber base with every hit that comes to town.

Singleton’s role in the success has been crucial and multifaceted, yet

he takes a simple approach to it all: build good relationships with people.

That's a trait he learned from leaders at Cumberlands, especially Dr. James Boswell, President of the University at the time. Singleton remembers sitting outside “Jim’s” office until the President had time, then stepping inside for conversation and counsel.

Singleton realizes young adults rarely get chances like that anymore.

“If I hadn't been given the opportunities I had at Cumberlands, I wouldn't have had the foundation to do all I’ve done since then,” he said.

One of PPAC’s newest programs is Experience PPAC, in which the Centre

Think you know your Broadway trivia? Click here to find out.

brings every high school sophomore in Rhode Island to a Broadway show for free, even providing the busses.

It costs PPAC a million dollars a year, but to Singleton, it’s worth it. As he says, “The energy audiences have when they leave is electric; they're just buzzing! That’s the juice, the reason you stay in this business. You can’t buy that.”

Sometimes Singleton struggles with the challenges of the industry.

Sometimes his weekends are booked with meetings and shows instead of being with family. Still, when all is said and done, he is having the time of his life. This star behind the shows isn’t going anywhere soon.

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EYOND ORDERS

Founding members: Michael and Carrie (Keener) Cabell, ’01; TJ Wright, ’01, and

Krissy (Filiatreau) Wright, ’00; Jason Vanhoose, ’01, and Nadia (Goughi) Vanhoose, ’01

A

certain spot on the American side of the ArizonaMexico line boasts a Burger King and a country club.

The Mexican side has a small orphanage on a dirt road, surrounded by children with no shoes and no food.

Welcome to Naco Casa Hogar Emmanuel.

“That was when God started giving me a heart for the poor and the outcast,” said Michael Cabell, ’01, one of the graduates. “I had never seen poverty like that before. We realized we could make a huge impact for the kingdom of God if we settled in and made this orphanage our ministry.”

Casa Hogar houses children from the surrounding area who are either officially orphans or are so abused or neglected by their families that they may as well be. In 2001, a group of young Cumberlands graduates listened as a man told them about Casa Hogar, and they were so moved by what he said, they packed up their cars and drove the whole way from Kentucky to Mexico.

The group worked at the orphanage for two weeks before returning to the States. For the past 18 years, every one of them has partnered with the orphanage, gradually bringing their own churches into the fold. Financial support, Bible camps and service projects during summer mission trips, prayer, counsel, encouragement – the mission partnerships provide whatever they can.

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FALL 2019

American side of the Arizona-Mexico line boasts a

Burger King and a country club.

Mexican side has a small orphanage on a dirt road, surrounded by children with no shoes and no food.

“I don’t think that without the influence of strong leaders the orphanage would still be functioning,” Cabell said. “The continued support has provided an opportunity for people in Mexico to help children who otherwise would not be helped. The orphanage has progressively become a more Gospel-centered, hopeful place. It is able to serve kids in a better way now than it was 18 years ago.”

Cabell is president of the board of directors for the orphanage. Matt Walton, ’01, is a fellow board member. Cabell has led approximately 70 church groups to the orphanage on mission trips. The American church groups partner with churches in Naco often to co-operate mission work during spring and summer breaks.

“The people there are part of our family,” he said. “That's why I believe mission partnerships are so important, because that long-term commitment helps bolster the place where you're serving. If you just do the one-and-done mission, you could be accidentally enabling something or developing a dependency.

With our partnership, the mindset is that we're not going to give up on you. We're going to support you, pray for you, love you, care for you, and call you on your birthday. That's the difference.

I think there’s a dignity we can still give people in poverty. We seek to serve them in a way they know they are valued and loved by God. It's been an incredible journey, and we've enjoyed every minute of it.”

Without the food, care, education, and safety the orphanage provides, many of the children would have been forced into local drug cartels to survive. The alumni families love seeing the children grow up and become confident young adults.

But the domino effect doesn’t stop in Mexico. Cabell, who pastors Versailles Baptist Church in Kentucky, has noticed a change in his church body since the church became involved with Casa Hogar. They began recognizing various needs in Versailles, such as the largely-unreached Hispanic population. The church began offering a Spanish-speaking service on Sundays, which now services one-tenth of the church body.

Innumerable lives have been changed, all because God brought a guy from Mexico to speak to a group of Cumberlands graduates 18 years ago. The best part is, that domino effect – that one influence which impacts someone who in turn impacts someone else – will never end.

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1 DAY

TOTAL VOLUNTEERS

LOCATIONS INCLUDED:

· Refuge Ridge · Anchor Home · Cedaridge Recycling · Lane Theater · Friendship Center · Musick Mountain Farm · Briar Creek Park

ALL CHILDREN RECIEVED · Pair of shoes · Backpack · Socks · Hygiene Items

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

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PROJECT

54

LOCATIONS

2,500

LOCAL CHILDREN SERVED SINCE 2011

MAKING A HUGE IMPACT

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ALUMNISPOTLIGHT: THEN & NOW Jessica (Cox) Cupac, '10 When I was a freshman in college, I sadly lost my mother to her fight against breast cancer.

It was during that time that I decided to enter the medical field and become a pharmacist, namely because of the relationship we had developed with our own pharmacist throughout her battle and my strong love for all things science.

I grew up in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with my mom, dad, and younger sister. My mother, Barbara, worked as the assistant registrar at University of the Cumberlands for most of my life, which allowed me to attend tuition-free.

I had many great mentors along the way who continually supported me, pulled me out of my comfort zone, and always pushed me to do and be my best.

I graduated from Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 2010 and subsequently traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, to attend the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy where I earned a Doctor of Pharmacy in 2014. I completed two years of residency to specialize in oncology pharmacy and now serve as the Hematology and Blood & Marrow Transplant Clinical Pharmacist Coordinator at UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center in Lexington. This past October, I married my best friend and the love of my life, whom I met at Cumberlands.

In everything I do and each day I practice, I find a way to remember my sweet mother and think fondly of the life path she helped send along.

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FALL 2019

1950s Willard White, Ph.D., ‘56, is currently a professor at Florida Atlantic University and serves as a consultant to school districts in developing curricula for gifted and advanced learners. He is also the author of America's First Gifted Program: Hollingsworth and the Speyer School Experiment. Willard resides in Jupiter, FL, with his wife, Peggy.

Randy Martin, ’72, retired as assistant superintendent from the Cherokee County School District (GA).

1960s Delores (Morris) Davis, ’63, retired after teaching and as an executive administrative assistant. Delores now volunteers as an Arlington Lady at Arlington National Cemetery. She has been married for 56 years to Gene Davis, ’63, retired USN captain.

L.C. Madron, ’64, is enjoying retirement after a career in education.

He and his wife, Carroll, have two children: Aaron (UC grad), daughter Amanda, and six grandchildren.

Robert Mor ris & rs) Mor ris Dor ot hy (Meado

Cumberlands Couples Robert Morris, ’61 Dorothy (Meadors) Morris, ’62 Bob and Dorothy Morris met as a result of Cumberland College basketball. Bob was the basketball trainer, and Dorothy was a Varsity cheerleader. Their first date was his walking her to Johnson Hall after a Friday night game in 1959. They were married December 24, 1961. Bob taught health & PE and biology before becoming a high school principal, and Dorothy taught business education. They have two children and four grandchildren and now reside in London, Kentucky.

Dennis Borden, ’74, held a book discussion and book signing for his second book, Vivid Brushstrokes II. Dennis was recently granted tenure as a faculty member at Drake State Community and Technical College (AL) where he serves as assistant director of library services.

Larry Ison, ’66, former superintendent of Letcher County Schools (KY), retired after a 20-year career in pharmaceutical sales. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Versailles, KY, and recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary.

Carolyn (West) Reaves, ’74, recently held a book signing at the Whitley County (KY) Public Library for the book she published entitled, Who's the Girl in the Mirror?

Carolyn retired from University of the Cumberlands in May 2019 after 13 years of service.

Billy Sharp, ’66, was elected Putnam County Georgia 3rd District Commissioner.

Glenna (Mattingly) Bryant, ’69, retired in 2007 after teaching English for 23 years and working as a counselor for 9 years. Her three children and daughter-in-law are all Cumberland graduates.

Sue (Sanders) Shealy, ’69, continues to work as a psychotherapist. She is active in the Sweet Magnolias branch of the Red Hat Society and is also an active member of the American Association of University Women.

1970s Teri (Winkler) Foltz, ’71, is enjoying success as a playwright and poet.

Her first book of poetry is titled Green and Dying and chronicles the human experience from childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the process of aging. Her plays have been produced in NYC, Chicago, San Diego, Vancouver, Louisville, and Cincinnati.

Her latest play, "Incorrigible", won the Roots of the Bluegrass Playwriting Contest in 2017.

Brendon Berg, ’75, retired from his dental practice in 2017 and is enjoying lake-living in Hattiesburg, MS. Bobby Howard, ’75, and his wife of 45 years, Waynetta (Powell) Howard, ’75, retired from Harlan County School System (KY). Bobby enjoys painting from his home studio daily and still has morning coffee with his former college roommate.

William (Bill) Lyttle, ’75, retired from public school teaching in 2014. He continues to serve Clay County Schools (KY) in the athletics department as chief ticket officer, a position he has held for 42 years.

Bill also serves as a supervisor for student teachers at University of the Cumberlands.

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ucumberlands.edu/classnotes

FALL 2019 John Harris, ’83, retired from teaching in May 2019. He taught and coached for 31 years; the last 22 years at Williamsburg Independent School District (KY).

Pam (Parrott) White, ’76, retired as an elementary music teacher in May to become a stay-at-home grandmother.

William D. “Bill” Henard, ’77, accepted a call to pastor First Baptist Church in Athens, TN.

Bill Jones, ’81, retired August 2019 after 37 years in education, the last 18 years as principal of Corbin Intermediate School (KY).

Bill was Kentucky's Elementary Principal of the Year in 2007 and served as president of the Kentucky Association of Elementary School Principals (KAESP) in 2010. He most recently served on the board of directors for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). His wife of 35 years is Lora (Renner) Jones, ’97, MAE ’02, and they have two children, Julie and Taylor.

Robert Parker, ’84, retired after 31 years of teaching, the last 27 for the Jefferson County Public Schools (KY). He is now pursuing a second career in the education department at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, giving school group tours and visiting classrooms.

Doug Adkins, ’87, just completed his first year as pastor of Hardwick Baptist Church in Hardwick, GA.

Tim Engel, ’87, earned his master’s degree from Antioch University in May 2010 and teaches high school intervention at West Union High School in West Union, OH. Tim received a kidney transplant on December 7, 2018 and is doing well.

Darlene (Marsee) Jones, ’85 began her 30th year of teaching this past August with plans of retirement at the end of the year. Her son is a freshman at University of the Cumberlands.

Karen (Brock) Moore, ’85, is celebrating her 34th year of teaching in the same elementary school where she began her career. She is also a proud grandmother to her first grandchild.

Brian Shoemaker, ’79, finished his first book, Beyond Believing: BELiving in a Wonderful World Gone Wonky, for those struggling or needing comprehensive defense for their faith. The scheduled publish date is mid-January 2020.

1980s

Vicki (Tincher) Blair, ’86, was the honoree for 2019 Woman of the Year at Laurel County’s (KY) Homecoming.

She is the human resource director for Senture LLC and a published author.

Linda (Johnson) Morin, ’81, retired from public school teaching; however, she continues to substitute teach for two school systems. She is also the proud grandmother of her first grandchild, born in January 2019.

Richard Lovitt, ’82, retired after 30 years of teaching special needs students. He would like to hear from his ’82-’85 classmates. R7talon@ gmail.com Terry Wagnon, ’83, retired from public education as an educator in 2017 and began work at Dalton State College (GA) in the School of Education as an educational consultant. He is the grandfather to two beautiful girls.

Terry Roberts, ’89, after retiring from the Navy seven years ago as a Navy USMC chaplain, has written and published three books with WestBow Press, most recently, Cain’s Wife and other Biblical Conundrums. Terry has also worked in the movie industry, appearing as an extra, working with such names as Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Glenn Close, and Ron Howard.

1990s Karen (Hinkle) Patton, ’86, serves as a regional managing director with Transamerica in Corbin (KY), training individuals to grow, develop, and successfully establish themselves as financial professionals.

Amon Couch, ’91, retired on June 30, 2019 after 27 years of service in public schools. His most recent position was as superintendent of the Williamsburg Independent School District (KY).

Kim (Sanders) Bush, ’90, was recently promoted to executive assistant to the president and CEO of Grayson Rural Electric Cooperative in Grayson, KY.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! Marvin E. West, ’90, acted in a scene of the Donald Ballou, ’80, retired after 38 years with the US Department of Defense. He and Darline (White) Ballou '95 will reside in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

October 2019 release of the feature film The Last Full Measure. Marvin enjoyed meeting and working with Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music), who stars in the movie.

Kelvin “Bernie” Blue, ’80, retired after a 39-year career as a social worker and counselor, with 30 years as a geriatric care manager supervisor.

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FALL 2019

Allen Robbins, ’90, published the book Trial by Fire, which documents the perseverance of the men and women of Sevier County Electric System during the tragic events of the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfires (TN).

Allen welcomed his first grandchild, Mia Kate Robbins, in March.

Bryan Bass-Riley, ’95, is a licensed professional counselor working as high-risk care manager with Community Care Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh, PA. In this role, Bryan works with Medicaid recipients with severe mental illness and substance use disorders to try to help them be successful, healthy, and sober in the community. Bryan is also volunteering with Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign as one of the online organizing leaders for Pittsburgh.

Katie (Black) Heffernan, ’98, serves as an outpatient mental health therapist/evaluator at CDC Behavioral Health Services in Hamilton, OH, where she has worked since 2006.

Edward “Ted” Mears, ’92, was recently named director of purchasing at St. Cloud State University (MN).

Mark Fryer, ’93, became the COO of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation.

2000s Jasie Logsdon, ’01, became program manager for the Healthcare Preparedness Program at the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Marc Taylor, MAEd ’01, recently became the principal at Williamsburg Independent School District in Williamsburg (KY).

Elaine Stott, ’01, of Woodbine (KY), was selected as a contestant for season 39 of Survivor on CBS. Heather (Murphree) Cheney, ’02, is a secondary teacher at First Baptist Academy of Dallas (TX), where she also coaches volleyball and basketball.

Heather recently launched her personal ministry called “Thru the Journey” to help others who are struggling with anxiety and depression.

Robin Prince, MAEd ’93, was named Teacher of the Year at Harlan High School (KY). Prince has taught special education for 28 years.

Emily (Tulloch) Kraus, ’98, returned to school after raising her family and earned a second degree and licensure in special education. She has joined the faculty at Jacob Coy Middle School in Beavercreek, OH, teaching inclusion and resource social studies for grades 6 - 8.

Philip Ritchey, ’98, was named dean of students at Blue Mountain College (MS) in 2018.

Jennifer Edwards, ’03, became the director of strategic engagement & communications for IT services at the University of Kentucky. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in higher education leadership at UK. Josh Benton, ’04, MACS ’17, served as a panelist at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s event Eggs ‘N Issues: Career Pathways to Success.

Charlie Brock, ’04, was named principal at Berea Community High School (KY).

Guy, ’94 and Crissy (Roe) Crubaugh, ’94 currently work at Somerset Christian School (KY), a school they helped start in 1996.

Crissy is the school's librarian and Guy teaches and is the assistant principal. Guy served a deployment to al Taqaddum, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (October 2017-August 2018) and served as the camp chaplain for Marine Task Force 50 and 60. February 2, 2020 will mark Guy's 20th year of military service. Crissy and Guy own and operate a small farm in Somerset where they live with their three children.

Brent West, ’94, is beginning his 25th year of teaching and coaching. He is also a proud grandfather to his first grandchild, born in April 2019.

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Sam Marple, ’07, MAT ’11, MAEd ’13, was named head football coach at Taylor County High School (KY).

Jessica Medina, ’08 was hired as the women’s development coach at the US Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, CO. Brad Shelton, MAEd ’08, head baseball coach at Cumberlands, was awarded the Mid-South Conference Coaching for Significance award.

Carson Hall, ’93, completed his Master's in Information Systems Security (University of the Cumberlands) in May ’19 and works as a network analyst for an intermediate care facility in Louisville (KY).

Charlie Owens, MAT ’93, was named principal at Berea Community Middle School (KY).

Shawna (New) Lundin, ’06, has launched Joyful Anchor, an online ministry that encourages women to know their value and their God-given purpose. You can follow Shawna's journey at: joyfulanchor.com or on Facebook and Instagram.

Rodney Clarke, ’04, MBA ’17, was named the head coach of girls’ basketball at Lynn Camp High School (KY).

Derek Lewis, ’09, was elected to the Kentucky State Legislature in 2018 to represent District 90, which includes Clay, Leslie, and parts of Laurel Counties. Derek runs a variety of businesses in Eastern Kentucky and resides in Laurel County with his wife Brittany (Jones), ’09, a high school media teacher and librarian, and their daughter, Athena Joelle.

Brittany Turner, ’09, was inducted into the KY Prep Softball Hall of Fame.

Turner was a softball star at South Laurel High School before continuing her athletic career at Cumberlands.

She is an assistant coach for the Whitley County Lady Colonels (KY).

Amanda White, ’09, MAEd ’12, became an instructor for the McNeil Music Center in Somerset (KY).

Shawn King, ’99, has been named chief operating officer for Peoples Exchange Bank in Winchester, KY. Previously, he held management roles in credit risk and administration, along with loan operations management.

Glenn Reeves, ’80, EdS ’99, returned as defensive coordinator for the football team at Lawrence County High School in Louisa, KY.

Wesley Hicks, ’04, is a software tester engineer for SAIC and serves as the executive pastor at The Ridge Community Church in Oak Ridge, TN, and the location pastor at City Lights Church in Clinton, TN.

Jonathan (Shaolin-Do) Turner, ’10, is living and working in China as an IB homeroom teacher at the Zhangjiagang Liangfen International School.

FALL 2019

WORLD CHAMPION Rebecca "Becci" Holcomb ’12, set a new American record and unofficial world record in the deadlift with 271 kg/597.5 lbs. She is on the U.S. national team for powerlifting and trained for the Open World Championships in Dubai, UAE, that was held in November. Becci is a member of the International Powerlifting Federation and is also a powerlifting coach.

Becci began powerlifting in October 2013 when she moved to Georgia. She holds all USA Powerlifting - Georgia State equipped records and all raw records aside from the bench press. (“Raw” lifting means lifting without supportive suits, shirts, or knee wraps.) Becci has broken both raw and single-ply American deadlift records. She has placed top three in every national competition in which she has participated, most notably winning the 2017 USAPL Open Nationals.

2010s Jeremy Burns, ’10, MAEd ’15, EdS ’16, was awarded a Legacy Honor during the annual Living Treasures banquet in downtown London (KY). Burns is the North Laurel High School Choral Director (KY).

Leslie Goss, MAEd ’10, teaches third-grade reading and was named Teacher of the Year at Harlan Elementary School (KY).

Brandon Hensley, ’11, married Kacey Foley, and they have two sons, Grayson and Tucker. Brandon is the supervisor of multimedia productions at University of the Cumberlands.

Linda Keck, EdD ’11, was named the new Claiborne County director of schools in Tazewell, TN. Krista Sawyer, MAEd ’11, was named Teacher of the Year at Saffell Street Elementary in Lawrenceburg (KY).

Dr. Julie Whitis, MAEd ’11, served as a panelist at a Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce event.

Brad Lovely, ’10, MAEd ’13, became the head girls’ basketball coach at Madison Central High School in Richmond (KY).

Ashley Cornelison, MAEd ’13, EdD ’18, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University (KY).

Kimberly Cruse, MAT ’13, MAEd ’18, was hired as a first grade teacher for the LaRue County School District (KY).

Josh Henderson, MAEd ’13, EdS ’14, was named principal at Cumberland County High School (KY).

Howard V. Roberts, EdD ’13, was installed as chairman of the board for the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in Pikeville, KY. Dr. Roberts is the founding dean of the Coleman College of Business at the University of Pikeville.

Dayna (Hill) Stephenson, ’13, is an accounting clerk at Sisk Nissan in Hopkinsville (KY) and has two children; Alexander (5) and EllaRae (2).

Jackie Alexander, ’14, was named assistant head coach of the Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball team.

Brian Hartigan, MAEd ’14, was named principal at West Elementary School in Wyoming, MI.

Jennifer Marsee, ’10, recently released book three of the Molly Sue the Dingo Diva series, a book inspired by her father, Raymond, and his battle with kidney cancer. He is cancer-free, and it is Jennifer’s hope that this book serves as a reminder that God is in control and one is never alone.

Mary Beth Warwick, MAT ’10, was named director of special education and coordinator for the prekindergarten program and accommodations for students with disabilities in Alcoa, TN.

Dr. Jake Brock, ’12, MBA ’14, MACS ’16, completed his Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in accounting in May 2019. His dissertation was titled, "An Empirical Investigation of the Ethical Development of Accounting and Business Students."

Ashley McGaughey, MAEd ’12, received the Clements Award in recognition of her commitment to education and public service.

McGaughey has taught history and literacy at Spencer County Middle School in Taylorsville (KY) since 2010.

Jeff McClain, MAT ’14, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University (KY).

Amber Hipsher, ’14, began her master's in special education at Tennessee Tech University in 2018 and currently teaches special education for DeKalb County Schools (GA).

Caroline Johnson, ’14, graduated from Belmont University College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May 2018. She is currently completing a PGY1 residency in pharmacy practice at Henry County Medical Center in Paris, TN. Samantha (Taylor) Kaai, ’14, accepted a new job as program director of the Audubon Area Community Care Clinic in Owensboro (KY).

Dr. Angel Sanford Jackson, ’14, released her first book, The Power of Change: Understanding Your Resilience In the Midst of Growth. Through various lenses, Dr. Jackson provides a glimpse of her journey dealing with trauma that she experienced as a child using what she refers to as "The 5 C's" that consist of compassion, communication, collaboration, commitment, and consistency.

Scott Maddox, EdD ’14, became the new secondary education and career and technical education supervisor at Stone Memorial High School in Crossville, TN. Quanisha McFadden, ’14, is working as a case manager at Equitas Health, a nonprofit that cares for all. Quanisha works with people who are living with HIV/AIDS, as well as individuals of the LGBTQ community, and is currently enrolled in The Ohio State University Master's of Social Work program.

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FALL 2019

RIDING FOR A CAUSE Jeff Bracken, ’17, completed his first cross-country bicycle ride from Seattle, WA, to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness for Usher syndrome and for the Fuller Center for Housing. The nine-week journey averaged 75 miles per day. Seven days were for rest and another seven days were working or building homes.

Cassandra Jackson, ’15, MAPC, ’19, accepted a position at Health Connect America located in Memphis, TN, which serves underprivileged youth and their families to provide individualized/ personalized evidencebased therapy, as well as individual advocacy within the court system.

Darcy (Mascotti) Whyte, ’14, has accepted a position with Savida Health, a medically assisted treatment program for those struggling with alcohol and opioid use disorder. Darcy will be inducted into the UC Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2020.

Matthew Yates, MAT ’14, was named the new principal at Winsor Hill Elementary School in Johnston, RI. Randy Adams, EdS ’15, was named principal at Bloomfield Middle School (KY).

Erica Baker, MAEd ’15, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University. Erica teaches middle school science classes in the Washington County School District (KY).

Dr. Brandy Howard, EdD ’15, was selected as principal at Old Mill Elementary School in Mt. Washington (KY).

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Tammy (Chapman) Biscotti, EdS ’17, was named Teacher of the Year at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, Harlan campus.

Chapman is a full-time professor and coordinator, instructor, and advisor of the teacher education and early childhood certificate programs.

Brantly Bray, ’17, has been named head baseball coach at Allen CountyScottsville High School (KY).

Rob Eddleman, MAEd ’17, has been hired by Citizens Deposit Bank.

Eddleman was formerly a teacher/ coach in the Carlisle County School System (KY).

Shaun Faulkner, ’16, was recently promoted to associate warden of the Federal Correctional InstitutionElkton in Lisbon, OH.

Kasey Malone, ’15 and Kayli (Gizel) Malone, ’14, married in October 2017. Kasey works as a community economic development specialist (grant writing) for the Kentucky River Area Development District and also serves as the youth pastor for Solid Rock Fellowship Church in Hazard (KY). Kayli is an academic interventionist for the Perry Promise grant through Berea College (KY).

Jalisa Smith, ’16, published her first children's book in November 2014 entitled In His Absence I Can Still Feel His Presence. Jalisa lost her father at age eleven, and her book helps children to cope with grief through the loss of their loved ones.

To learn more about the book, you may visit authorjalisasmith.com.

Sheri Jo (Jordan) Bonzo, ’17, accepted a new position at Boyd County Public Schools (KY) as a K-12 district instructional teacher leader.

Naaman Lauderdale, MAPC ’15, is a current doctoral candidate (Ph.D. CES program) and owns a private practice (First Choice Counseling PC) in Saint Louis, MO. He is also a behavioral health consultant/ MAT specialist at Care Saint Louis Health, one of largest underserved community health centers in Saint Louis.

Dr. Valerie Flanagan, PhD ’15, was named chair of Campbellsville University’s (KY) graduate programs.

Rodney Holt, ’15, became a business teacher at Crittenden County High School (KY). Holt is a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and lives in Paducah with his wife and three children.

Erika Murphy, MAEd ’15, EdS ’18, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University (KY).

Andrew Buschbacher, ’16, is a member of the Army Reserves as a specialist and recently graduated AIT with the highest GPA in his class, receiving honors in the Quartermaster Schoolhouse at Fort Lee (VA).

Conan Brooks, ’15, has been teaching public school in Louisville (KY). He and his wife have two young sons and two foster children.

Brandon Hayes, MAEd ’15, EdS ’17, was named principal at Irvington Elementary School (KY).

Madison Mitchell, ’15, accepted a full-time position on the stroke unit at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital (Lexington, KY) working with adults after traumatic and non-traumatic neurological injury.

Dr. Kimberly Probus, MBA ’16, just finished her Doctor of Nursing Practice at University of Alabama.

Kim returned to Kentucky to manage two hospitals and is an adjunct faculty member in University of the Cumberlands' nursing program.

Kayla Garrett, MAEd ’17, received a 2020 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award. Garrett is a kindergarten teacher at Mercer County Elementary School (KY).

Richae Logan, MAT ’16, was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award by Campbellsville University (KY).

Zachary McRoberts, ’16, is currently working for the family business, McRoberts Furniture, in Maysville (KY) with future plans to be the third generation to own and operate a successful, trusted business.

Todd Moody, EdS ’16, is an eighthgrade science teacher at Robert D. Campbell Junior High School (KY).

Kandace Gibson, ’17, earned a Master's of Public Health – Epidemiology from Georgia Southern University in May 2019. She started a new job as a data analyst for the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph/Candler Health System in Savannah, GA, in May 2019.

Amanda Kelly, ’17, accepted a new position as communications coordinator at CHI Saint Joseph Health in Lexington (KY).

Vanessa (Gardner) Morton, ’18, recently earned her Rank I status and national board in literary: language arts.

Magen Meader, MAED ’17, transitioned from her position as a science educator into the guidance counselor’s office at Allen CountyScottsville High School (KY).

Dinesh Nalluri, ’18, accepted a position in December with Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, as a data engineer.

Victoria Paynter, ’17, MJA ’18, accepted a position with the United States Secret Service.

Samantha Sams, EdS ’17, has been named principal at Second Street School in Frankfort (KY).

Ben Kendrick, ’18, has been accepted to the doctor of physical therapy program at the University of Kentucky. He and Jessie Truelove, ’18, are engaged to be married in July 2020.

Brittany (Briggs) Williams, MBA ’17, works as the project director for the University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research and is also managing a new hepatitis C treatment clinic in Hazard (KY). Brittany married in August of 2018.

Sarah Allen, ’18, was hired as assistant wrestling coach at University of the Cumberlands.

Randy Case, ’18, has been promoted to director of interdisciplinary education for the College of Health Science and Human Services at Midwestern State University (TX).

Ajay Magham, MSISS ’18, was hired by RoseIt Corp. as a dev-ops engineer, working with software developers, system operators, and other production IT staff to oversee code releases.

Srinivas Reddy Pisati, MSISS ’18, got a job as an IT engineer for Fannie Mae, a mortgage loan company.

Arelys Valles, ’18, was hired as assistant wrestling coach at Grandview University (IA).

Emmanuel Anama-Green, EdS ’19, co-presented at the annual national conference of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) in Washington, D.C. Emmanuel is a Spanish teacher at Harlan County High School (KY).

Sarosh Haider, ’19, is working with the Department of International Graduate Services at University of the Cumberlands as a CSR. Ifrah Nazneen, MSISS ’19, was hired by the JB Hunt Transport Services company in their engineering and technology department.

Sean Ratican, PhD ’19, resigned from the Ashtabula County Port Authority and accepted a position as an assistant professor at Kent State University (OH).

Daniel Sigler, EdD ’19, received the Clements Award in recognition of her commitment to education and public service. McGaughey has taught history and literacy at Spencer County Middle School in Taylorsville (KY) since 2010.

Mellonni Smith, EdD ’19, recently accepted a position as assistant professor of english at South University (FL).

Douglas Anderson, ’19, published a book entitled Fundamentals of Apostolic Leadership.

Dr. Jennifer Cumpston, EdD ’18, was named dean of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at College of DuPage (IL).

Patrick Kessinger, ’19, was promoted on July 1, 2019, to deputy warden at the Green River Correctional Complex in Central City (KY).

Austin Gilliatt, MAEd ’18, became head band director at Southwestern High School in Pulaski County (KY).

Saiteja Kanamarlapudi, MSISS ’18, accepted a position at Shape Security, a cyber security company.

Tiffany Riddle, MAEd ’18, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Campbellsville University (KY).

Haley Tillett, ’18, accepted a job as K-5 elementary music teacher at Ridge View Elementary School in Rockwood, TN.

Julia (Higginbotham) Centers,’18, recently accepted a position as an art teacher at McCreary Central High School (KY).

Mike Hale, MAEd ’18, was named principal of Winburn Middle School in Lexington (KY).

Bobby O'Connor, AS ’18, was hired as the varsity softball coach at Ballard Memorial High School in Louisville (KY).

Adam McCloud, MACMHC ’18, received a promotion to clinical therapist in charge of objective measures assessment in May. Adam is employed by Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. in Kingsport, TN.

Shiana Marlow, ’19, received a job at Ridgeview as a stop recovery specialist, working with clients who are in active addiction or recovering from addiction.

Amitkumar Thakkar, MIS ’19, has been hired by the GAP, Inc. clothing company as a web developer in their San Francisco headquarters.

Shea West, ’19, started a new job as a legal assistant at Louisville Metro Public Defender (KY).

IMPORTANTNEWS

A LU M N I D I R E CTO R Y P R OJ E CT

The Cumberlands Alumni Association is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to publish a Cumberlands Alumni Directory. PCI is a trusted and valued partner of the Cumberlands Alumni Association.

A L U M N I

CALLING ALL

ALUMNI

Soon you will receive a postcard and email encouraging you to call PCI to update your information.

Doing so will ensure that you are accurately represented in the directory.

Your information will not only help assemble the directory itself, but also ensure you are invited to Cumberlands events in your area and receive relevant Cumberlands communications. Please know that your information will remain protected throughtout this process and will not be shared with outside entities.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Questions or concerns about the Alumni Directory, email alumni@ucumberlands.edu

FALL 2019

WEDDINGS & BIRTHS *** Please note: This list includes updates reported by family members, newspapers, and other sources from June 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019.

Nina (Hall) Smithers, ’02, married Ray Smithers of Amelia, Ohio on June 10, 2019.

Josh Kroetsch, ’03, MAT ’14, and Sara (Lyman) Kroetsch, ’04, MBA ’18, welcomed their son, Elijah Fredrick, in August 2019.

Robert Floyd, ’11, and Katy (Rutherford) Floyd, ’11, welcomed their son, Lucas Clay Floyd, in August 2019.

Casey Barnard, ’12, and wife, Greta, announced the birth of their third child, Eden Elizabeth, in September

Cassie (Slone) Adams, ’15, and her husband welcomed their son, Ezra Francis, in August 2019.

Lauren (Wombles) Taylor, ’13, MAT ’17, married current Cumberlands men's basketball player, Caleb Taylor, on July 13, 2019.

Rachel Akins, ’15, would like to announce the birth of her daughter, Brooklyn Lyrie Henriquez, in August 2019.

Matthew Kelley, ’15, and Olivia (O’Malley) Kelley, ’19 were married on June 23, 2019.

Jay Bright, ’12, and Mariah (Carroll) Bright, ’15, announce the birth of their daughter, Whitley Kate, on April 30.

Andrew Underwood, ’14, MAT ’16, and wife, Natasha, welcomed their daughter, Lilah Jude, in September 2019.

2019.

Meghan (Swope) Meiser, ’12, married Michael Meiser on June 1, 2019.

Dr. Pamela Smith, MAPC ’15, PhD ’15, and husband, Jeremy, welcomed their daughter, Remi Michelle, in August of 2019.

Monica (Fields) Spears, ’12, and husband, David, welcomed their son, Othniel John, on July 15, 2019.

Rachel (Sims) Walls, ’15, and husband ,Kyle, welcomed their son, Jase Bennett Walls in April 2019.

Laura (Wilson) Hutchens, ’13, and husband, Dillon Hutchens welcomed a baby girl, Hazel, on June 27, 2019.

Brandon Hall, ’18, and Lorie Hall, were married on July 13, 2019.

Robert "Alex" Russell, ’13, and Danielle Russell, ’13, had their first child, Henry, in March 2019.

Stephen Wells, ’13, married Kristen (Morgan) Wells, ’15, MPAS ’18, on June 16, 2018.

Brittany (Willis) Wilson, ’14, and Kristopher Wilson were married on September 4, 2019.

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Lyndsay (Hall) Huffman, MAEd ’16, and Eean Huffman, ’19, welcomed their first child, Lyla Everlee, on June 21, 2019.

FALL 2019

James Morgan, ’18, and Halea Marlow were married on July 22, 2019.

Macon Webster, ’18, and Allyson (Tabor) Webster, ’19, were married on June 15, 2019.

Whitney Baker, ’17, MBA ’19, and Kody Baker, ’17, welcomed Quinn Harper Baker, in April 2019.

Alex Campbell, ’17, MBA ’18, and Cassidy (Daugherty) Campbell, ’18, were married on June 22, 2019.

Eric Slone, ’17, and his family welcomed a son in June 2019.

Annmarie (Lake) Sagraves, ’19, married her high school sweetheart, Lucas Sagraves, on June 22, 2019.

Julia (Higginbotham) Centers, ’18, and T. J. Centers were married on October 5, 2019. She recently accepted a position as an art teacher at McCreary Central High School (KY).

Michael Wille,’17, and Bridget (O’Brien) Wille, ’17, and his family welcomed a son in June 2019.

Tyler Harris, ’17 and Tiffany (Miller) Harris were married on June 15, 2019.

Amy (Shemwell) Steely, ’09, MBA ’14, and John Steely, ’09, MAED ’15, would like to announce the birth of their daugher, Amelia Kate, born on November 1, 2018. She joins Addie May (5) and Averitt (3).

Kaitlyn Newbery, MACS ’17, and John Newbery, ’09, MACS ’15, MAT ’17, welcomed their second daughter, Magnolia Louise Newbery, in July 2019.

Karthik Nadakuditi, MBA ’18, is the manager of clinical data management at Forty Seven Inc., and is now the proud father of a new baby boy.

Olivia (Moler) McRay, MAT ’19 and Kasey McRay, Cumberlands graduate student, were married on June 15, 2019.

Cumberlands Alumni Magazine

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FALL 2019

FOND FAREWELLS *** Please note: This list includes updates reported by family members, newspapers and other sources from June 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019.

Dr. Robert L. Donohew, Sr., ’49, passed away on June 15, 2019.

Glen W. Johnson, ’62, passed away on September 1, 2019.

Paul R. Smith, ’49, passed away on August 4, 2019.

Lowell G. Osborne, ’63, passed away on August 31, 2019.

Nevada A. Partin, ’51, passed away on August 17, 2019.

Bertie M. Terry, ’52, passed away on March 12, 2019.

Doyle L. Davenport, ’53, passed away on September 7, 2019.

Micki T. Yeary, ’53, passed away on April 19, 2019.

Harold D. Gross, ’55, passed away on August 2, 2019.

Carrol D. Kidd, ’55, passed away on March 9, 2019.

Charles E. Moore, ’55, passed away on June 6, 2019.

Ann H. Smith, ’56, passed away on August 31, 2019.

Lula J. Bush, ’61, passed away on April 13, 2019.

Charles C. Phipps, ’61, passed away on August 26, 2019.

Freda M. Culver, ’61, passed away on June 25, 2019.

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Dana Fugate, ’74, passed away on March 23, 2019.

Clay G. Barger, ’64, passed away on June 19, 2019.

Kathryne “Kathy” Lambdin Neal, ’74, passed away on August 1, 2019 at her home in Jellico, TN at age 66.

She served in the Campbell County School System for 42 years.

Berlin W. Morgan, ’65, passed away on August 2, 2019.

James D. Stevenson, ’80, passed away on April 7, 2019.

Sam J. France, ’67, passed away on June 18, 2019.

Douglas C. Strunk, ’82, passed away on March 11, 2019.

Nancy F. Baksa, ’68, passed away on June 16, 2019.

Judy C. Cook, ’69, passed away on August 13, 2019.

Rodney “Rod” Dunham, ’68, passed away on September 9, 2019. Rod was a 2014 University of the Cumberlands Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame inductee for baseball.

Ann Lawson, ’69, passed away on July 17, 2019.

Daniel Risner, ’70, passed away on April 4, 2019.

Michael D. Perkins, ’71, passed away on July 5, 2019.

Dennis J. Alldred, ’74, passed away on March 20, 2019.

William "Bill" Winhold, attended ’82-’86, passed away on July 23, 2019.

Bill had two sons and two grandchildren and was an active member of his church ministry and Habitat for Humanity.

David Hatfield, ’89, husband of Elizabeth (Grega) Hatfield, ’91, passed away on September 20, 2019.

Sarah M. Miller, MAT ’12, passed away on April 20, 2019.

Erica Davis, attended ’14-16, passed away on September 21, 2019 after bravely battling cancer.

FALL 2019

TRIBUTE GIFT PROGRAM

MARCH 1, 2019 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 A TRIBUTE GIFT IS A GIFT THAT SHOWS LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE PERSON BEING HONORED OR MEMORIALIZED.

IN MEMORY OF:

A Memorial Gift is a gift in memory of a departed loved one.

ANDY J. DECKER Given By: Mr. John Blakely

Mr. & Mrs. Andy Decker

Mr. Ben Smith CLIFFORD C. SLATON Given By: Ms. Maude Randall DIXON CALLIHAN Given By: Dr. Virginia Dalton GORDON L. BEIL Given By: Mrs. Becky Niehoff GRANDMOTHER B. MAMAMIA Given By: Ms. Christian Banda JUDITH E. SLONE Given By: Mr. Gardner Slone, Jr.

HOWARD & EDITH WIEBEN Given By: Mr. Paul Wieben IVAN THOMPSON Given By: Mr. Forrest Thompson JOHN THOMPSON Given By: Ms. Melanie Miles KENNETH R. FOSTER Given By: Mrs. Wilda Foster MR. & MRS. LEWIS BIZZACK Given By: Ms. Martha Childress ORA MANNING Given By: Dr. & Mrs. James Manning PARENTS OF MRS. DAVID Given By: Mrs. Beverly David

PATTY S. MCFARLAND Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Gary Harp

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Harp

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Harp Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Harp

Mr. & Mrs. Terry Harris

Ms. Anita Manley

Ms. Mary Powers

Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Shackleford

Mr. James Skeen PETE GARRETT Given By: Mrs. Mary Dohrman

Mr. Mark Hodges

Mr. Robert Leeth

Weatherly Heights

Baptist Church

REV. IVAN & BLANCHE THOMPSON Given By: Mr. Forrest Thompson SHARON HOSKINS Given By: Ms. Rebecca Shields SIDNEY "PETE" GARRETT Given By: Mr. & Mrs. William Barnett THELMA NEWBERRY Given By: Mr. Dennis Newberry WILMA M. FORMAN Given By: Rev. W. Forman

IN HONOR OF:

A gift that shows admiration and respect for a loved one on a significant day in their life, such as a birthday or an anniversary.

ANDY J. DECKER Given By: Mr. Kenley Bidwell ANNA D. HALCOMB Given By: Ms. Abigail Carter BRAD D. SHELTON Given By: Mr. Jesse Reyes DANIEL R. REEVES Given By: Ms. Leigh Ann Reeves DEBBIE M. HARP Given By: Mrs. Melanie Bloomer

Mr. Alan Bruce

Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Cornett

Mr. Shannon Warmoth

Ms. Ann Wohlfarth DENNIS J. TRICKETT Given By: Dr. Jane Whitaker

EDWARD J. VON HERTSENBERG Given By: Mr. & Mrs.

Kevin Von Hertsenburg EVELYN DIXON Given By: Mrs. Patsy Howard FLOYD C. STROUD Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Brian Logan GEORGIA J. DUPIER Given By: Ms. Setera Sears HAROLD F. HUBBARD Given By: Ms. Pamela Jones

Dr. Harry Winkler JARED N. BRIGHT Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Craig Hammer JENNIFER A. SIMPSON Given By: Dr. Carrie Collins

JAYNE KLEIN "CROSSWORD CHAMPION" Given By: Mr. Louis Field JEREMIAH P. MASSENGALE Given By: Ms. Setera Sears JOHN D. BROOME Given By: Mr. & Mrs. John Harris

Ms. Amanda Walton JOHN M. HENSLEY

Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Earnie Williamson

LISA I. BARTRAM

Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Harper

MARYBELLE THROOP Given By: Mr. Michael Hiser MELODY L. COPPOCK

MAVIS F. BROOME Given By: Mr. Marsha Griffith

Mrs. Kimberly White MICHAEL B. COLGROVE Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Barker NORMA B. PATRICK

Given By: Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Ellison III Mrs. Patricia Gratton-Riebenack Dr. & Mrs. Casey Patrick Mrs. Rebecca Wollam

PATRICK NORVELL Given By: Mrs. Courtney Bidwell TOM & KATHY FISH Given By: Ms. Brittany Nantz

Given By: Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Coppock

Your Gifts Help!

Your gifts provide a lasting legacy for students in scholarship need as they work to earn a degree and further their education.

How are Tribute Gifts Acknowledged?

Those honored or memorialized are recognized through personal correspondence sent to the honoree or to the family of those being recognized in memoriam. The names of these individuals are then listed in the next issue of the magazine.

In preparing this list, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness. If a mistake was made in the way you are identified or if your name was omitted, we apologize. Please notify the Office of the President regarding any changes in the way your gift should be recorded in future reports.

Thank you.

TO GIFT YOUR TRIBUTE, VISIT: ucumberlands.edu/give

FALL 2019

Patriot SALUTE

DAVID EMMERT

& ROBERT DAY

FOUNDERS OF MOUNTAIN OUTREACH When Robert Day, ’84, took his roommate David Emmert, ’85, through the area where Day grew up, Emmert was shocked. The living conditions Day had considered to be normal were in reality signs of poverty.

“One guy’s house was just a one-room shack covered in cardboard,” said Emmert. “I remember asking, ‘Somebody lives there?’ And Robert said, ‘Absolutely.’ I said, ‘Man. We’ve gotta do something about this.’”

At the time, the two were reading Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger for class. The information in the book, coupled with their experiences in the mountains, led the men to begin Mountain Outreach (MO).

“There was no fanfare, and we weren’t getting any scholarships or credits,” said Day. “It was just a bunch of college kids pooling their own money on their own time to do what little we could to serve people.”

With the help of the campus pastor, a small group came together and visited local homes to do odd jobs and construction projects. Emmert’s girlfriend (now wife) sketched what became MO’s logo onto a napkin. The

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group had little experience and low funds, and they sometimes had to cut class in order to work on projects.

(Thankfully, professors understood.) It took time, but gradually, MO grew. The traumatic story of a local man named Lee spread like wildfire around campus, pushing many people to join MO. (To hear Lee's story, press the green icon in the digital version of this magazine.)

Mountain Outreach is now a well-established campus ministry with a regional reputation. They have access to more supplies and better equipment than Day or Emmert ever dreamed. Their construction projects have radically changed the lives of countless people.

Both Day and Emmert continue serving others for Christ from their new hometowns. Day is the CEO of Patrick Henry Family Services, and Emmert is the senior pastor at Celebration Baptist Church. Their “construction work” may involve less building and more bonding nowadays, but their lives have continued proclaiming Christ’s love to the needy the same way they did when MO began.

1982

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150th home built in 2018

One of the first houses built in 1986 Today, Mountain Outreach remains a primarily studentled ministry. The core intention of MO is to develop confident, Christian, community servant-leaders, using construction projects as the tool to do so.

From the moment students are accepted onto an MO team, MO leaders begin teaching them. They teach the students how to lead Bible devotions, how to live communally day-to-day, and how to consider others before thinking of themselves. Members of MO even learn about financial responsibility by sitting through a home owner’s seminar.

Mountain Outreach students also practice construction skills their peers may never learn, like how to measure and cut wood, operate power tools, fix gutters, paint, inlay windows, insulate walls, safely drive large pickup trucks weighed down with lumber, and do everything else involved in building a house from the ground up. Students also learn leadership skills like clear communication, planning ahead, comparing costs, and holding workers accountable.

1992

The belief is that students are more capable than people may believe. The important balance is determining how much a new team member can really handle – in other words, giving them enough responsibility that the students are pushed beyond what they thought they could do, but not putting so much on their plate that the students fail and become discouraged. The goal is to grow students’ capability and confidence. Since experienced students help disciple and teach the newer students, everyone gradually learns how to strike the proper balance with their peers.

But the most important thing Mountain Outreach hopes to teach students is the life-altering decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Above all else, that’s what Robert Day and David Emmert hoped students would learn through the organization they founded. Well, no worries there. That Christ-centered legacy lives on.

2007

2019

FALL 2019

LORI'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT COCKRUM Editor’s Note: For generations, Cumberlands has taught its students to give of themselves in order to impact the world around them.

The Lewis story is just one of countless examples of how Cumberlands alumni have leveraged their education in ways that provided them with the opportunity to give back. We would love to hear more stories from you, our alumni, about your impact on your alma mater, your community, and your world. You can also join us in a variety of ways on Give Day, amplifying Cumberlands’ opportunity to impact our current students.

M

y name is Lori (Albro) Lewis, and my husband’s name is David.

We both graduated from Cumberland College in 1984. I know each student who attends Cumberlands has a story to tell of God’s great blessings. Well, these are ours.

When I was a sophomore in high school, my older sister Kelly headed off to Carson Newman College in Tennessee. She loved it and thrived there. My parents thought it was wonderful. As I began to look at colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a Baptist college. I knew I didn’t want to go as far away as Kelly, so my options were limited. I looked at two other Baptist colleges. I didn’t like the fraternity/sorority atmosphere at one and knew I couldn’t eat three meals a day in the dark basement cafeteria of the other. That left Cumberlands.

It helped that our church hired a seminary intern as youth minister who had just graduated from there.

The decision was made.

along with a few other gifts from God, helped my dad pay for private college for two girls. My scholarship covered the cost of one year.

David attended an associational youth rally in his hometown of Miami, Florida his senior year in high school and met two brothers, one who had already attended Cumberlands for a time, and the other, who was going back the next year with him.

David became good friends with them, and they convinced him to attend Cumberlands with them. He announced to his parents that he was going to a Christian college in Kentucky with his two friends. Neither of his parents had attended college.

They told him that, if he could find a way to pay for it, he could go.

And so, off he headed to Cumberlands in the fall of 1981 in a beat-up Volkswagen bug with holes in the floor to Cumberland College, sight There was one problem in the Albro household: my father would have two unseen. daughters in private colleges, and he was only part-owner in a Chrysler dealership. This was the late '70s. My father didn’t know day to day if the dealership was going to survive. After being accepted to Cumberlands, I received a letter saying I was awarded a partial academic scholarship. I didn’t even know that was a possibility. That, 38

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He had enough money in the bank to pay for one year with no real plan what to do after that ran out.

He arrived on campus early, since one of his friends had to report to RA training. Two of the RAs did not show up for training. We are not sure

what Floyd Stroud was thinking, but he chose to hire David and the other friend as RAs. So, as a 17-year old freshman, David became an RA – which paid half of tuition, plus room and board. The second year, Cumberlands made it a full-ride scholarship. David graduated in three years and one summer with half of his money still in the bank. Part of that money paid for the engagement ring I still wear today.

When we graduated in 1984, we had been given what amounted to one full four-year degree. We have been blessed in so many ways. David and I feel it is time to pay Cumberlands back for what we were given. We want to give Cumberlands the equivalent of a four-year degree – not at 1984 cost, but in today’s dollars. It will take us a few years, but enclosed is the first installment.

We know our stories are just two of the thousands that alumni can tell.

We hope this encourages you and challenges many others to return some of what was given to them during their years at Cumberlands.

Sincerely, Lori Lewis, Class of 1984

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03.19.2020 ucumberlands.edu/giveday

DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES NEW PLANNED GIVING WEBSITE CHARTERED IN 1888 WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY

There are many ways to make an impact at University of the Cumberlands, and we want to help you plan a gift that fits your goals. Our new website puts the gift planning resources you need at your fingertips.

On our new site, you can: https://ucumberlands.planmylegacy.org/ • Find the right gift for you based on your age, assets or the amount you would like to give. • Learn about ways to give and how to fund your gift. • Download brochures and watch videos on popular types of gifts. • See your potential benefits with our Gift Illustrator. • Get your plans in motion with our Personal Estate Planning Kit. Visit our new website today to start planning your legacy.

ucumberlands.planmylegacy.org

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID LOUISVILLE KY PERMIT #879

Office of Alumni Services 6075 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769

ucumberlands.edu

CAMPUSSNAPSHOT UCUMBERLANDS.EDU/GETSET