Senior Spotlight

Samuel Martin, ’21, likes to keep things in focus – figuratively and literally. He’s a dedicated student with big dreams for the future, not to mention a talented photographer.

Sam is passionate about health, fitness, and science of any sort. He just graduated with a degree in exercise sport science, minoring in biology, with hopes of a career in physical therapy. But even more than the academics, Sam has valued the people he’s met here.

“Cumberlands has an unbelievable community,” Sam said. “Schools have been pushed into this arms race of having the best amenities in order for students to feel fulfilled. While it’s a privilege to have those luxuries, the heart of college is to earn a degree and to build relationships. I’ve learned to invest in people rather than things. That’s what I’ve loved about Cumberlands.”

Sam was part of the track team, the pre-health club, the alpha lambda delta club, the residence life staff, the student orientation team, and campus ministries. With those extracurriculars, plus schoolwork, plus shooting photo and video for friends and family, the last four years have flown by for Sam.

“I remember sitting in the mid-BCC as a freshman and thinking about how the next three years were going to pan out,” he said. “College was more rigorous than I expected, but I’m grateful for how I’ve grown.”

Sam originally pursued photography and videography in 2018 to document the fun times he and his girlfriend at the time were having. Over the years, he’s honed his craft and become a co-owner of F2.0 Visuals, a photography and videography company whose photos have been featured in Vogue and other publications. Being a tech enthusiast, Sam is fascinated by the interconnection of photography products and software. More than anything, he wants to remember the great times in his life and the amazing people he’s met. He does earn money for some of his photography and videography, but he tries to keep finances in the periphery and let his enjoyment and passion for photography drive his hobby.

“The relational connections I’ve made here are invaluable,” he said. “From starting as a naïve teenager to becoming an adult, I’ve learned more about myself and others. I’ve broadened my knowledge in academics, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be part of one big team.”