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THEN & NOW A L U M N I
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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.
If you were a Cumberlands student in the ’60s and ’70s who had time to kill between classes, there was one place you’d go: the Wigwam. The door to the restaurant (which had a huge sign above it shaped like a Native American dwelling) was where the side door into the O. Wayne Rollins building is now except, instead of walking in, turning right, and opening a second door into the athletic training room, the first door opened into the restaurant itself. You would immediately hear the chatter of fellow students and the sizzling of food being grilled in the kitchen. The smell wafting through the air was mouthwatering – glazed donuts and honeybuns dripping with hot butter melting over them as they were flipped on the grill. Pair one of those warm, gooey pastries with a steaming cup of freshbrewed coffee, and you were in Wigwam heaven. (And, best thing, it all cost less than a dollar.) You’d sit at one of the stools on the right or pick a seat at a square wooden table in the middle of the room. You’d go by yourself, with friends, or meet your boyfriend or girlfriend there, you’d shoot the bull, play cards, or study, but most important, you’d just enjoy yourself. This was college; life
was busy, but, for a little while, you could sit back and relax. The Wigwam was simple and convenient with a “down home” feel. Today, the main hub for students is the James M. Boswell Campus Center. Students go to the “mid BCC” (the middle level of the building) for all the same reasons students visited the Wigwam back in the day. The sounds of a sizzling grill have been replaced with blenders and espresso machines, and the coffee is exponentially fancier. While there are still tables or stools to sit at, there are also couches available, adding to the comfort of the space. And – to modern students’ relief – there are plenty of electrical outlets and a free cell phone charging station, so your devices are always charged. It’s less “down home” and more contemporary, but the comradery among students is the same. Teammates cut up with each other after practice, girls sit at the tables and braid each other’s hair, friends gather to study and talk, the occasional student takes an unplanned nap on a couch… Whatever you need from a hangout spot, you can find it here. After all, whether Wigwam or BCC, it’s still college.
CUMBERLANDS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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