Patriot Salute

Ms. Debbie Harp

Lifelong Service in Appalachia

When Debbie Harp, ’79, stepped onto Cumberland College’s campus, she knew it was the school for her. Cumberlands gave her the opportunity to be the first in her family to attend college; meanwhile, she could find ways to serve God and minister in Appalachia, where she’d lived all her life.

From the day she moved into her dorm room on campus in August 1975, Harp got involved at Cumberlands and in the community. She was an active member of Love in Action (now Appalachian Ministries) and steadily climbed the ranks from student volunteer, to student coordinator, to the ministry’s assistant director after she finished her degree.

For 40 years, Harp poured into the lives of students and fellow staff at Cumberlands. She also served community members in the local area. She provided support for all the University’s campus ministries and assisted thousands of students through her roles as assistant professor, Director of Campus Activity Board, and Director of Career Services. Harp helped many students not only get through college but also find viable careers after graduating. Between her many responsibilities, she also raised two children and a niece and nephew.

In 2018, alumni contributed $2,850 to create a scholarship fund in Harp’s honor.Shannon Warmouth, ’88,who spearheaded the fundraising efforts, asked alumni who knew Harp to share their thoughts and memories about her. The universal response was that she was an amazing mentor, friend, and teacher. For many of the students, Harp was like a second mother. Ann Orrick Wolfarth, ’87,said, “Debbie is always the calming force. She seems to always instantly know the solutions. She is the most consistent person I know.”

Warmouth shared the story of when he stepped into Harp’s office, where she was sitting in front of a giant corkboard wall she used to have. He called the meeting “an impromptu counseling session – of which there were many.” In that meeting, Harp told him that the only thing she ever wanted for him was that he would be content. That always stuck in Warmouth’s mind. He said that wish has finally materialized and called Harp’s influence on his life “immeasurable.”

Warmouth said Harp has “an uncanny ability to meet people where they are and really connect with them. She was a mentor to all of us, and more importantly, she was like a cool mother to all of us.”

The scholarship was announced during the Campus Activity Board reunion at Homecoming that year, and Harp’s jaw dropped when she heard the news.

“I’m speechless,” she said. “You all have impacted my life more than you probably realize. I’m so blessed and grateful that our journeys crossed. No matter where we go, where we are in the world, we’re part of a family.”

Harp retired in 2019, having made a lasting impact on countless people’s lives. We salute her for pouring into the personal and professional lives of students during her 40+ years at Cumberlands.