Recently Dr. Lisa Cobb, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Biology, was named the 2012 President of Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (WHET). She previously served as the Middle Tennessee Representative, 2011 Conference Chair and President-elect. WHET is recognized as a premier professional organization that empowers professional women, advocates professional growth, provides career opportunities and develops community partnerships.

In November Cumberland welcomed a new member of the Advancement team. William “Rusty” Richardson was invited to join the CU family to design and spearhead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that will strengthen relationships with alumni and donors and maximize fundraising efforts that support academic programs and capital improvement projects. Rusty comes to CU from the Phie Delta Theta Foundations in Oxford, Ohio where he had served as president since 1997.

Rev. Dr. Michael E. McDonald, JD, MPA, PAC, Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Political Science at Cumberland University, has received an appointment to a national advisory board for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Selected from a pool of more than 500 educators nationwide, McDonald will act as a member of the SPLC’s Teaching Tolerance Advisory Board. The newly established 22-member board will advise the SPLC on issues of diversity and K-12 education as part of the civil rights organization’s Teaching Tolerance program.

If you have not been to campus lately, you may be surprised as the landscape has changed. The opening of our new residence facility, temporarily being called South Hall, offers our undergraduates another wonderful place to live, learn and grow.  This is not just another residence hall for our students but a strong commitment to keep Cumberland a viable option for future students as they make their choice for higher education.  I hope you plan on visiting campus soon to see South Hall and the other improvements to our beautiful campus.

This year’s Homecoming promises to be even more special as we bring back our Distinguished Alumni Awards.  During halftime of the Homecoming game the Cumberland University Alumni Association will be honoring alumni in the following categories: Outstanding Professional Achievement, Service to Community/University, and Young Alumni Achievement.  Stay tuned for more information on these awards as well as future alumni events.

Thanks for being involved with Cumberland!  I encourage you once again to visit campus, connect with old friends and be proud of your involvement with CU.

Best wishes,

Jamey Eldridge, (‘96, ‘00)

Alumni Board President

Cumberland University, which served as 2nd Army field headquarters for those massive exercises, wants to award honorary Master of Military Arts degrees, at an event on May 8, to as many of the soldiers from the Maneuvers as it can find. Veterans who trained in the Tennessee Maneuvers but are unable to attend the ceremonies in person may still receive the honorary Master of Military Arts degree by contacting Cumberland University by phone at 615-547-1387, email at veterans@cumberland.edu, or web at www.cumberland.edu/veterans.

See more information about the Tennessee Maneuvers here. 

Left to Right: CU Board Chair - Dr. Ed Thackston, CEO of UMC - Saad Ehtisham, CU President - Dr. Harvill Eaton

for Cumberland’s Online Campus and School of Professional Studies.This facility will serve as the headquarters for online learning
and will provide off-campus facilities for CUmberland’s Nursing, Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Public Service Management, and other programs in the health professions and business.

Stephonia Summers, Manager, Administration, at Spectra Energy is celebrating her 37th anniversary with the company this month.  Looking out of her office’s beautiful view of Nashville, she reflects on why she chose Cumberland University, her experience here and how it helped her rise through the ranks of this Fortune 500 natural gas company.

What made you choose CU to further your education?

I live in Lebanon, so Cumberland was close to work and home — not to mention it had a good reputation.  Its working adult program made it convenient for me.  Plus, Cumberland offered smaller classes than other schools.  My company and husband were very supportive of me going back to school.

How has CU made a difference in your life…and your career?

Cumberland opened up a whole new world for me.  I met a lot of people and made new friends while gaining an abundance of knowledge.  This knowledge has created more job opportunities for me within my company.  I started out as a temporary replacement worker and eventually became the first female supervisor in a field office.  The classes I took in database management have helped me the most at work.  It makes it easier to work with our computer programmers.  Going back to school also helped increase my confidence and satisfaction. I still keep in touch with many of my professors and some have become very good friends.

I had never been to college and quickly found out that the professors at Cumberland were interested in providing a good education for my classmates and me.  They were always helpful, even allowing me to call them at home.  As a full-time employee, I often went out of town on business and the professors were very understanding and helpful to me.  Even George (her husband of 46 years and CU ’64) would sometimes sit in on the class for me, record the lecture and get a copy of the transparencies.

Being active in the community is also important to Garrett.  One of her interests is being a member of the Lebanon planning commission. After hearing about plans for a new residential facility on the Cumberland campus at a commission meeting, she thought back fondly to her college days.  She was inspired to establish an endowed scholarship at Cumberland through her will, called the “Shine Where You Are Planted” fund.   Garrett’s philosophy is that you should make the best of your situation, no matter what.  Even though she did not have any help with college expenses, she wants to make things a little easier for Cumberland students.

Why Have a Will?

Regardless of your life circumstances or estate size, your will is perhaps the most important document you will create. It expresses your values and also effectively provides for the people and charitable causes important to you. If you’ve been putting it off, here are seven important reminders why you need a will.

• Without a will, your state’s laws—not you—determine how, when and to whom your property is distributed.
• You can reduce (or maybe even eliminate) future estate taxes.
• You can name your executor (a person, bank or trust company you choose to personally represent you) to manage and settle your estate.
• You can designate beneficiaries for items such as heirlooms, art, jewelry or real estate.
• You may create trusts to provide for your spouse, children and others.
• You can support Cumberland University through a gift in your will, which is simple, flexible and revocable at any time.
• You can designate the guardian for dependents under your care.

Another Important Reminder

If you already have a will, make sure it’s up-to-date. Life changes such as grown kids; births, deaths or marriages; increased estate value; or a move to another state are triggers to meet with your estate planning attorney to review your will.

Step by Step: How to Create Your Will

• List all of your major assets.
• Decide which individuals or organizations you want to receive specific possessions or a share of your assets.
• Contact an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
• Determine who will be your executor.
• Have your attorney draft your will.
• Sign and date it before witnesses. Keep it in a safe place and make sure others know where it is and have access to it.

Let Us Know

If you already have a planned gift set up for Cumberland University, please contact us to secure your membership in the Cornerstone Society – the new donor recognition society for planned gift donors.  If you have further questions or would like to arrange a planned gift, please call Stephanie Ferrell, Development Officer for Major & Planned Gifts, at (615) 547-1235 or e-mail her at sferrell@cumberland.edu.

Learn More

To learn more about planned gifts, visit our website at www.cumberland.edu/giving/ and click on the Planned Giving tab.

© The Stelter Company

The information in this publication is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.