Mountain Outreach holds Gift Day

By Clark Embree and Nancy Phelps

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=398

EMLYN, Ky. - The Mountain Outreach warehouse doors were swung wide open on December 8 for the annual Holiday Gift Day. Not only were the building's doors opened, but also were the doors to the hearts of the 150 volunteers who worked many, many hours and to those individuals and organizations that made thousands of dollars of donations. With their generosity, 1089 people of the community flowed in throughout the day choosing from a multitude of toys, clothing, household items and food.

Volunteers ranged from University of the Cumberlands students to faculty and friends. In addition, there were volunteers from several churches from Glasgow to Georgia. All were as starry-eyed in the spirit of giving as the recipients were in the face of the generosity of the day.

Even Santa was on hand during the annual Mountain Outreach Gift Day to entertain the children of the waiting families.

"The volunteers brought toys, clothes, Bibles and money with them. They are not just here to work," said Marc Hensley, Mountain Outreach's director.

“Mountain Outreach is so blessed to have such an outpouring of help and assistance from all over the southeastern United States, but what is more important is that the community has responded fantastically with both physical labor and financial support for this ministry, this is evident here today”.

With a donation of eight tons of food, Feed the Children enabled each family to leave with a box of food along with their gifts. Jerry Thomas with Feed the Children assisted the Mountain Outreach station workers in their efficiency of handling the hundreds of people served that day.

This year, a new system was put in place for pre-registration to pinpoint more precise demographics. Each family provided proof of income and number and ages of children, so the dollars spent on toys and clothes were better economized. Each family was also issued a number, so they didn't have to wait in long lines for hours in the pouring rain before entering the warehouse. Tommy's Motorsports, of Clinton, Tenn., donated the use of a brand new Arctic Cat ATV for shuttling participants throughout the day.

Another first was the University's student volunteers of the Kentucky Education Association Student Program (KEA-SP), who worked with the children in reading and writing, and provided games while their parents were free to peruse the merchandise.

Another volunteer was "Santa," played by James Cook, a member of Omega Force Strength Power Team, a Christian organization based in Scottsville, Ky. The other members of Omega Force, who performed "amazing feats of strength" such as tearing phonebooks and breaking concrete blocks, were on hand to not only entertain people waiting for their numbers to be called, but to share the Gospel as well.

In addition to the annual Holiday Gift Day, Mountain Outreach, a ministry of University of the Cumberlands, builds homes for underprivileged families in southeastern Kentucky. Since the program's start in 1982, Mountain Outreach has constructed and repaired more than 126 homes for members of the surrounding communities. It has been nationally recognized for its work several times: the Action Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty selected it as one of ten charities to receive the Samaritan Award; USA Today noted the program in its 1996 "Make a Difference Day" competition; and President George H. Bush honored Mountain Outreach as his 220th Daily Point of Light.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

Madrigals held at Cumberlands

By Clark Embree

University of the Cumberlands held it's annual Madrigal Dinners November 29 through December 1. The event, which was held in the T. J. Robert's Dining Hall, was a culmination of months of practice by the University's Chamber Choir, which performed during the holiday show.

The show, the 40th one in the university's history, was performed in the Elizabethan style, with actors in period costume. In addition to the performance by the Chamber Choir, the Flute Choir and the Jazz Ensemble also performed. All proceeds benefited the Music Department, which hosted the event.

"Madrigals were wonderful this year," said Chamber Choir director Dr. Jeff Smoak. "The planning for this event always starts back in the spring, and rehearsals start as soon as the students arrive on campus in August. There was a nice selection of music and the food was quite good. The script was well-received by the audience, and it seemed that all who attended had an enjoyable evening. I have already received several comments congratulating the cast on a spectacular performance, and I’ve started making plans concerning things that I would like to include for Madrigals next year"

Cumberlands’ Madrigal was started in 1967 by Dr. Harold Wortman, former head of the music department at the school. The Madrigal has been popular for all of its 40 years and is well known as a jovial kick-off for the holiday season. Students, faculty and community members alike enjoy the program. Each night was either sold out or close to it.

Hanging of the Green celebrated at Cumberlands

The Chorale

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Hanging of the Green, the annual kick-off to the Christmas season, was held at University of the Cumberlands on November 27. The service, which featured congregational singing, as well as special music from on-campus musical groups, took place in the Gatliff Chapel.

The choral groups on campus, the Chamber Choir, Chorale and the Cumberland Singers, performed several songs at the service, which included traditional favorites such as “Mary Did You Know” and “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.” Music department professors Dr. Patrick Tuck and Gayle Majors also performed an arrangement of “Ode to Joy,” on trumpet and organ, respectively.

The Cumberland Singers

A public reception was held at the home of University President Dr. Jim Taylor and Mrs. Dinah Taylor immediately following the service.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

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Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=395

Charles Roesel receives honorary doctorate from University of the Cumberlands

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=393

Dr. Jim Taylor, president of University of the Cumberlands, presents Roesel with his honorary doctoral degree.

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Charles Roesel, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Leesburg, Fla., was presented with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from University of the Cumberlands on November 26. The ceremony took place during Joint Convocation in the O. Wayne Rollins Center.

Roesel, who has a television ministry that potentially reaches over four million homes each week, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University in Deland, Fla., and in 1961, he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. After graduating from the seminary, he served Coronado Baptist Church of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., for five years, leaving there to serve at the Zephyrhills, Fla., First Baptist Church for over ten years. Under his leadership, the church was in the top 1% of the nation in growth for ten years.

Roesel speaks to Cumberlands’ campus community during the convocation ceremony.

The Lord then led him to Leesburg, Fla., where he served the First Baptist Church for almost 30 years. While serving there, the church was in the top 1% of the nation in evangelism and mission giving, baptizing over 7,000. He is now pastor emeritus, and the church has built the Charles Roesel Ministry Evangelism Training Center to equip many churches and leaders in ministry evangelism.

The church now has over 50 separate ministries, a few of these being a Men’s Rescue Mission, Women’s Care Center, Children’s Shelter, Benevolence Center, Furniture Barn, Food Pantry, Teen Shelter, Pregnancy Care Center, Medical Center, Counseling Center, Rape Crisis Center and an Aides Clinic. First Baptist Church Leesburg is considered the model for the nation in ministry-based evangelism.

Roesel was the recipient of the Southern Baptist Distinguished Service Award for the year 2000. He is coauthor of the book, “Meeting Needs, Sharing Christ,” which is part of the Life Series of the Discipleship Program. In l994, he was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and served eight years.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

UC education students tutor local high school seniors

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=391

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – On November 15, seniors from Mrs. Maria Harrison’s Williamsburg High School class had the opportunity for one-on-one tutoring with graduate students from University of the Cumberlands. “It’s been a lot of help,” said Williamsburg student Erica Mullis.

The tutoring sessions, held at the Whitley County Public Library in Williamsburg, were given by students in Dr. Bob Reising’s education class, Diagnosis of Reading and Writing Problems (READ 630). Reising said his students are teaching elementary grades and this experience of working with older students has been helpful to them.

UC student Jamie Bowman (left) helps Williamsburg student Ashley Freeman (right) with a writing assignment.

“It has been fun, and it’s been a challenge working with high school students since I’m used to second graders, but I’ve enjoyed the opportunity,” said Cumberlands student Angela Bowlin. “I now know I can help older students as well.”

Jennifer Coldiron, also a student at Cumberlands, added, “I teach fourth grade, so it’s been a pleasant experience working with young adults.”

Harrison said after these sessions her students are more focused, they have come up with more ideas, and they are more organized in their writing. Her students have to complete a writing portfolio before graduating, and this is a good time to hone their skills.

“I’ve actually done work on my portfolio in a quiet setting at the library,” said Williamsburg senior Serena Mack. “It’s helped me with descriptive words and working at a college level with college students.”

“I’m very confident I’m going to score well on my portfolio,” said Matthew Wagers.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

Top British Debaters Visit Cumberlands

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=387

British debate team

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Two of the top debaters in the United Kingdom came to Williamsburg on November 3 to debate two members of the University of the Cumberlands speech and debate team as part of the annual English-Speaking Union (ESU) debate tour. “It’s an honor for UC to be part of the oldest and most prestigious debate tour,” remarked Dr. Larry Cockrum, Cumberlands’ vice president for academic affairs. The communication and theater arts department hosted the event in the Hutton School of Business’s Hal Rogers Technology Center.

The debate, part of a three-month tour of 32 U.S. colleges, marked the first time in the tour’s 85-year history that it had stopped at University of the Cumberlands. UC students Jamie Gregory and Tim Riley debated the ESU’s team of Alistair Cormack and Alex Just. The resolution that the teams were debating, “This house believes that the U.S. would be better if it looked more like the U.K.” was opposed by the British team and supported by the team from UC.

Andy Wolfe

The debate was held in the model of parliamentary debate, which requires “thinking on your feet,” according to UC student Andy Wolfe. Normally, a debate has a judge who determines the winner, but for this debate, the public was invited to vote to decide the winner.

The UC team, which was charged with supporting the debate resolution, gave arguments based on the lack of mass transit in America when compared to the U.K., the absence of a royal family in America, the need for more public appearances by the country’s head of government and the need for America to use the metric system.

The British team, however, gave arguments based on the uniqueness of the U.S.—America’s written constitution, the idea of the “American Dream” and the world-wide influence that America has. Both teams were also given a rebuttal period.

The winner of the debate, as decided by the audience, was the British team of Alistair Cormack and Alex Just. As a token of appreciation, Cormack and Just were both presented with University of the Cumberlands sweatshirts and duffle bags.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

Cumberlands’ Scholar in Residence available to campus and community groups

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=386

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Dr. S.S. Azfar Husain of London, England, is currently a Scholar in Residence at University of the Cumberlands and will remain on campus during the first two weeks of November. A native of India, he received his early education from the Jesuits and subsequently earned four degrees—two from Indian universities and two in England. The University of London awarded his doctorate in linguistics and literature. His dissertation was titled “The Indianness of Rudyard Kipling.” Kipling is the Nobel Prize-winning author of such classics as “Kim” and “The Jungle Book.”

In addition to English, Husain reads, writes, and speaks four languages, including Urdu and Arabic. He is available to campus and community groups at no charge to address or discuss any of the following topics:

• Islam and Its Distortions by Terrorist Groups

• Arabic, Urdu, and the Learning and Teaching of Languages

• The Crises in Iraq and Iran

Husain has taught in a variety of nations, including England, India and Sandi Arabia, and brings a multi-cultural perspective to all topics he addresses.

Groups interested in scheduling Husain should call Dr. Bob Reising at (606) 539-4518, 539-4433 or 539-0104.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

Jesse Clifton to present senior recital

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=383

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. –University of the Cumberlands music student Jesse Clifton, a soprano, is to perform her senior recital at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, November 10, in the Nell Moore Recital Hall of the Grace Crum Rollins Center on campus.

Clfton, of Metter, Ga., is a vocal student of Professor of Music Jeff Smoak, Jr. and will be offering the recital in partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Music in music education degree. Selections for the evening range from folk songs to Broadway hits and include several classical works. Clifton will be accompanied by staff pianist Kay Dawn McFarland.

Admission is free. For more information, call the UC music department at (606) 539-4332.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.

Governor Fletcher makes campaign stop at Cumberlands

Originally posted at http://www.ucumberlands.edu/media/release.php?rk=384

Fletcher answers a student’s question during his visit to the University of the Cumberlands campus October 24. Seated behind Fletcher is his running mate for Lt. Governor, Robbie Rudolph and his wife Lisa.

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher made a campaign stop October 24 at the University of the Cumberlands’ Boswell Campus Center. Fletcher is currently seeking his second term in office.

“This election is about values,” said Fletcher. In addition to talking about his administration’s passage of the fetal homicide bill and the increase in infant screening, Fletcher expressed his continued support of Cumberlands’ proposed pharmacy school.

Ernie Fletcher speaks to a room full of students, faculty, staff and dignitaries during his visit to the University of the Cumberlands campus October 24.

During the question and answer period, Warry Woodard, a junior at Cumberlands, asked Fletcher what he had done to combat Kentucky’s teenage smoking problem. Fletcher responded that he has raised the cigarette tax, which has led to a nine percent drop in teen smoking. He also credited First Lady Glenna Fletcher’s Get Healthy Kentucky initiative.

“University of the Cumberlands is honored to have Governor Ernie Fletcher on campus today to speak to our students, faculty and staff and to answer any questions they may have concerning the issues of the current campaign,” said Dr. Jim Taylor, president of University of the Cumberlands. “Following the election, we will welcome a return visit to again give our students, faculty and staff an opportunity to address issues of importance to them.”

Taylor noted that gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear has been extended an invitation to also visit Cumberlands.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 118th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online programs.