Then & Now

Since Cumberlands’ founding in 1888, many things have changed about this institution in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. In this section, we peel back the layers of time for a glimpse at what life was like “back in the day” to see what is different – and what has stayed remarkably similar – from then to now.

Homecoming is fun for alumni, but it also features many fun activities for students. Some old Homecoming traditions have faded while new ones have begun, and some have remained tried and true across the ages. Here’s a quick look at a few of the ways students have celebrated Homecoming over the years.

HOMECOMING COURT

The Homecoming court is a tale as old as time. In the 1950s, this included the Homecoming queen and her court, but no king; he was added to the court in later years. At least once, Cumberlands took a Southern spin and renamed the queen to “the Belle of Cumberland” before returning to the term “queen.” The student body votes on fellow students to represent each class; currently, that means three pairs of men and women chosen per class. Those elected to the court don formal attire for the Homecoming football game and walk onto the field when they are announced during halftime. The previous year’s royalty return (if possible) to crown the two senior students who have been elected as the new king and queen.

HONORED PROFESSOR & STAFF MEMBER AWARD

Another longstanding tradition in which students are the deciders. The Student Government Association leads the voting process as students nominate and vote on which two faculty members (one male, one female) and staff member should win the Honored Professor Awards. The award is based on the professors’ and staff member’s dedication to students. The honored professors and staff member are announced during the Homecoming football game, and, when Cumberlands still hosted parades, would participate in the parade.

PARADE

This was the highlight of Homecoming week! Students (and staff) spent weeks planning and decorating floats to represent their department or club in the Homecoming parade. Representatives from the group were chosen to carry a banner in front of the float in the parade. The parade began at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at Main Street Baptist Church and continued all the way down Main Street. Currently, instead of a parade, Campus Activities Board hosts a carnival with games, face painting, food, balloon artists, and other activities that are fun for students, alumni, and their children.

MUSIC CONCERT

This tradition has occurred for more than 50 years. The Department of Music hosts a music concert the Friday evening of Homecoming weekend. The concert features the campus vocal ensembles and jazz band. (The marching band has their time to shine at the football game the next day.) Parents, friends, and alumni are invited. Songs performed vary between high-level choral music, contemporary music, and gospel, but one song is sung every year: The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory. All choral students learn the song, so all music alumni know it, and alumni are invited to the stage to relive their student days and sing along with the current choir.

DORM LIFE

Each Homecoming has a theme and, for many years, residence halls would decorate banners to go along with that theme. The Student Government Association would visit all the dorms and give a prize to the dorm with the best banner. To boost participation, House Councils and/or resident assistants would make a deal with their residents that those who helped decorate the banner would receive one free room check or something similar. In addition to the banners, dorms often had their own door-decorating contests for their residents. On the Saturday of Homecoming, dorms would offer open house twice and often serve a continental breakfast in their lobbies. Residence Halls could also choose to do a float for the parade.