ALUMNIGREETINGS Hello, Cumberlands Alumni! I am thrilled to represent University of the Cumberlands by serving as the president of the Alumni Board of Directors. During my tenure, my theme, if you will, is Leaving a Legacy. Our alma mater was founded over 133 years ago to prepare servant leaders at a Christian based, affordable institution. The purpose adopted by our founders is still the mission of the university today. The legacy of Cumberlands is not just written in its history; it continues through the students of today and the students of the future. I came to Cumberland College in the fall of 1985. I still remember my first day on campus waiting to see what dorm I was in and who my roommates would be. I was the first person in my family to attend college. I was both enthralled with this new chapter and terrified at the same time. Little did I know just how much this tiny school in the mountains of Kentucky would influence my life. In the thirty years since leaving Cumberlands, I have experienced both joy and heartbreak, life and loss, success and defeat. The one constant has been my connection to Cumberlands. To this day, I have a friendship group from my days on the Campus Activities Board that texts daily. My former roommates are now my prayer partners. The ‘80s football players still consider me part of the tribe and include me in their reunions. My husband, Eddie Bloomer, ’87, serves along with me. Cumberlands made a family out of complete strangers. YOU are part of this family. YOU are part of the Legacy. YOU are the reason Cumberlands exists. I encourage you to join me in supporting our school – in continuing the legacy by leaving our own. I am asking you to make a commitment to be an active alumni member. Show up and show out. Show up to athletic events in your area and cheer on our Patriots. Show up to local chapter meetings. There are active alumni chapters in Cincinnati and Knoxville, and we could use more chapters in more states. Show up at Homecoming ’22, scheduled for September 30 – October 1. I want to see you! Show out by participating in alumni surveys, so we know how to serve you better. (A big THANK YOU to all who participated in the recent alumni magazine survey!) Show out by downloading the Cumberlands Connect app and participating in our community. Last, show out by participating in giving. This is not all about your money. It is about building strong alumni support that will encourage foundations to partner with the university. It is about leaving your own legacy by ensuring that University of the Cumberlands continues to provide a quality, affordable education for all. It is about giving back to the school that gave us all so much. Together, we can Leave a Legacy. What will yours be? In HIS service to you,
MELANIE (MACKEY) BLOOMER, ’90, MAE ’19 President, Alumni Board of Directors
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SPRING 2021
A L U M N I
2021-2024 Alumni Board of Directors PRESIDENT Melanie (Mackey) Bloomer, ’90, MAE ’19
PAST PRESIDENT Dr. Joe Ellison, III, ’01
SECRETARY Cathy Sue Smith, ’89 A
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS Dick Koeniger, ’67 Bill Lyttle, ’75
TERM EXPIRING 2022 Michael Addison, ’14, MBA ’16 Melanie (Mackey) Bloomer, ’90, MAE ’19 Richard Prewitt, ’80 Cathy Sue Smith, ’89 Shannon Warmoth, ’88
TERM EXPIRING 2023 Mathias Brewers, ’16 Wes Cornett, ’90 Wendy (Himes) King, ’03 Ann Orrick-Wohlfarth, ’87, MAE ’13
TERM EXPIRING 2024 Hampton Clark, ’19 Jared Forgety, ’11 Kimé Malcom Harris, ’90 Jimmy Huddleston, ’87 Laura (Cornett) Koogler, ’86
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Larry L. Cockrum President
Paul P. Steely, ’49 Trustee Liaison
OFFICE OF ALUMNI SERVICE Erica (Broome) Harris, ’84 Executive Director
Paul Stepp, ’12, MSIS ’17 Director
