Alumni & Friends Quarterly Newsletter FALL 2008 Volume 3 / No. 1

INSIDE: Cheatham, Kilian awardedLalon P. Maffett Fellowships

CU’s Saffell-Smith to Lead Nashville’s Largest High School

Educating tomorrow’s leaders for tomorrow’s chal lenges .

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PERMIT #48

FRANKLIN, TN

Saffell-Smith served as principal at Martin Luther King (MLK) Academic Magnet until retiring in 2002. Before that, she was principal at Two Rivers Middle School. In selecting Saffell-Smith as a candidate for the McGavock High School post, state officials described her performance while at MLK as a strong indicator of her abilities.

CU President Dr. Harvill C. Eaton noted Saffell-Smith is one of many Cumberland faculty members who regularly receive such accolades, adding faculty members often carry real-world experience that extends well beyond their respective academic degrees.

“It’s part of the mission of this University and the School of Education to offer instruction that is deeply rooted in personal experience in the professional world, to provide our students with a true sense of the nature of their planned careers,” Eaton said. “Dr. Saffell-Smith’s appointment to this important position by state officials is a testament to Cumberland’s commitment to offering instruction that is based on practice and policy.”

For her part, Dr. Saffell-Smith explained during a recent interview with Andy Humbles of The Tennessean, “As long as (academic achievement) is the priority that is on the table, that is the challenge.“

Cumberland University Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Mildred Saffell-Smith is currently on leave from the CU School of Education, but the University’s temporary loss will benefit roughly 3,000 students at McGavock High School, the largest high school in the Metro-Nashville School District.

Earlier this summer, Saffell-Smith was contacted by the Tennessee Department of Education and asked to serve as executive principal at the school. While McGavock High School had undergone tremendous improvements in recent years, state officials sought out Saffell-Smith in an effort to help the school achieve state testing standards.

Saffell-Smith, who has more than 30 years of experience in Metro schools, didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge.

“Dr. Saffell-Smith has a stellar track record as a professional educator and school administrator,” Dr. Charles Collier, dean of the CU School of Education, said. “The leadership and experience she brings to the table will no doubt benefit students at McGavock, just as it has meant so much to her students here at Cumberland. We’re so proud to count her as a part of the Cumberland University family.”

Prior to joining the ranks of the CU faculty,

Cumberland Provides Setting for New Swift Video

Taylor Swift, one of the biggest stars in the worlds of country and pop music, pauses for an AT&T Blue Room interview during a recent video shoot at Cumberland.

In a whirlwind rise to fame in the worlds of both pop and country music, Taylor Swift has appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, been named one of People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People and claimed a multitude of awards, including a 2008 Teen Choice Award for Breakthrough Artist.

All that recognition and much more came on the heels of the 2006 release of Swift’s platinum-certified, self-titled debut CD.

It goes without saying, then, that the 18-year-old’s sophomore effort is one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

And Cumberland University will play a role in the video for one of the first singles off the young star’s new CD, “Fearless,” which is set for a Nov. 11, 2008 release date.

Baird Chapel and Memorial Lawn provided the backdrop for several scenes in the video for “Love Story” when Swift and a production crew visited the Cumberland University campus for a marathon video shoot just weeks before students returned to campus for the start of the fall semester.

The roughly 12-hour-long video shoot wrapped up a busy summer for the young star. “Change,” a song from Swift’s upcoming release was one of a select few songs chosen as the soundtrack for daily video highlights shown during this summer’s Olympic broadcast. The song was selected by Team USA and NBC for its lyrical content about overcoming challenges and achieving victory.

Consistently ranked the No. 1 country artist on social networking site MySpace.com, Swift is taking an innovative approach when it comes to the Nov. 11 release of “Fearless.” A special deluxe box set of edition of the new CD will allow 10,000 fans to upload their own photos to Swift’s website, and the fans’ pictures will be included in a mosaic image in the album artwork and on the CD.

“We were proud to have such an incredibly talented young woman on our campus,” CU President Dr. Harvill Eaton remarked. “Cumberland’s campus is truly beautiful, and I cannot wait to see this new video.”

Cumberland University Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Mildred Saffell-Smith addresses a crowd of educators and administrators during a School of Education symposium.

Donors Recognized in 2008 ‘Cumberland Circle of Friends’Cumberland University is grateful for the generous

support of its benefactors. Many have shown extraordinary commitment to the goals of the University by making philanthropic gifts, earning a place in the 2008 Cumberland Circle of Friends (formerly known as The Phoenix Society). These gifts will allow the University to carry on its academic excellence while continuing to improve campus facilities and programs.

This distinguished honor roll recognizes contributors of cash, stock or gifts of property from June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008.

Every gift to Cumberland is valued; however, with limited space available, we are only able to list those donors with contributions totaling $1,000 or more in this publication. Donors with gift levels below this amount are listed on the University’s website at www.cumberland.edu/alumni/HonorRoll.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. However, in the event of an error or omission, please contact the Office of Advancement at 615.547.1235. Thank you.

Chairman’s Circle $25,000+

AnonymousEstate of Lillian Phillips BryanEstate of Blanche Paty CatronEstate of Miles W. ChristianEstate of Bascom S. CookseyCustom Packaging, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Dan W. EvinsDr. Jerry H. FutrellMr. and Mrs. William D. HeydelUniversity Medical CenterMr. Harry G. VickersMr. and Mrs. Samuel K. WelbornLettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.

Trustee’s Circle $10,000 - $24,999

Adams Family FoundationMr. and Mrs. Alfred AdamsMr. and Mrs. W. Joseph AdamsBelk FoundationDr. and Mrs. Robert Carver BoneC.P.C., Inc.Mrs. Sandra W. DuncanMr. and Mrs. Joseph GrayMrs. Carrie McClain HatfieldMr. and Mrs. Jim K. LancasterMr. Ronald N. MagruderPrecision Rubber Products Foundation, Inc.Mrs. Jeanette Cantrell RudySaint Thomas Health ServicesSherlocks, LLCSodexo, Inc.Southern Baptist FoundationThackston Family FoundationUniversity Medical Center Volunteer AuxiliaryWhite Thompson, LLC

President’s Circle $5,000 - $9,999

AFLACAT&TBaptist Healing TrustMr. Rick BellBone, McAllester, NortonMr. and Mrs. Edward C. CallisCBRL Group FoundationChatlos Foundation, Inc.Mrs. B.B. GullettMr. and Mrs. Steve W. GuynnMr. and Mrs. Bill HartbargerKappa Sigma Endowment FundThe Lett Center - Dr. Dwayne Lett

President’s Circle (cont.)

Mr. W. David MarksMr. and Mrs. A.B. McCallRay Sutton McGeehee FoundationSpectra EnergySumner Regional Medical Center AuxiliaryState of TennesseeUnited Auto Workers-General MotorsWachovia FoundationMr. and Mrs. J. Roy WaufordWilson County Chamber of CommerceWilson County Motors

Dean’s Circle $1,000 - $4,999

ABWA Hermitage ChapterRobert L. Adams Mortuary, Inc.Mr. Robert W. AgeeMr. Solon C. AppleBaker FoundationColonel and Mrs. Bernie S. BassBlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeRepresentative and Mrs. Stratton BoneThe Bootstrap FoundationDr. and Mrs. James C. BradshawBryant Broadcasting - Music City TV 66Mr. and Mrs. Gordon G. CarrollCarroll Homes, Inc.CedarStone BankCIC FoundationCitadel Security, LLCThe Honorable and Mrs. Robert N. ClementMr. and Mrs. Randall ClemonsDr. and Mrs. H. Bert CobleDr. and Mrs. K. Charles CollierCommunity Foundation of Greater ChattanoogaMr. and Mrs. Eddie Ray ConradMr. and Mrs. Charles M. Cowden, Jr.Cox’s Gifts and JewelryCharles Davis FoundationDayton FoundationDurham ContractingMr. Everett G. DyeEast High Alumni AssociationDr. and Mrs. Harvill C. EatonEducational & Memorial Foundation of CPAsChris Elrod Scholarship FundFirst Tennessee BankFive Oaks Golf & Country Club, Inc.Mrs. Ann FloydDr. Ron D. FordFoundation of the National Student Nurses’ AssociationFranklin American Mortgage CompanyGannett FoundationMrs. Mildred GastonMr. Donald David GilbertHartmann LuggageMr. and Mrs. Jonathon L. HawkinsMr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. HawkinsEstate of Sarah Elizabeth HawkinsIndependence Athletic ClubJohnson & JohnsonMrs. Melissa L. JohnsonJSM Properties, LLCDr. Charles R. “Bob” KaelinKeown Charitable FoundationMr. and Mrs. Tab KirklandRobert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland FoundationCity of LebanonLebanon All-Sports Booster Club, Inc.Lebanon Business & Professional WomenThe Lebanon Democrat

Liberty State BankDr. and Mrs. Troy LongMacon County Arts CouncilDr. and Mrs. Garvin S. MaffettManar, Inc.MediaMailMr. Woody MedlockMemphis Firefighters AssociationMr. and Mrs. Monty MiresMLK Scholarship/Task Force of Wilson CountyMt. Juliet Rotary ClubNashville Auto AuctionNashvilleCyclist.comNational Football Hall of Fame & College HallNelnet FoundationNoon Rotary Club - LebanonMr. Jay O’LearyMs. Lynne B. ParedesMr. Duane L. PatrickMr. and Mrs. Eddie PawlawskiMs. Alicia PaynePerma-PipeMr. Andy PerryDr. and Mrs. Wilbur “Pete” PetersonPFC Management, Inc.PFG LesterPFP, LLCPhillip Morris USAPinnacle National BankMr. Eric PirtleMr. and Mrs. Gary F. PolingPortland Community Education FoundationPortland Rotary ClubPreacher Films, LLCProject Graduation KnoxvilleQuality Care InvestorsJudge Knox RidleyRiverview Regional Medical CenterMs. Carolyn RobisonRotary Club of ChattanoogaRotary Club of Kissimmee West - FloridaRichard Siegel FoundationSelect Staffing/Koosharem Corp.Shankle-Lind, LLCMr. and Mrs. Forrest ShoafSignature Jewelers, Inc.Skyline Medical Center AuxiliaryMrs. Carmine Swingley SmithMr. and Mrs. Miles SmithMr. and Mrs. Willard Max SmithSouth Carthage Civitan ClubSouthwest Human Resource AgencySports WorldDr. Paul C. Stumb, IVSumner Regional Medical CenterTennessee Association of BroadcastersTennessee Athletic TrainersTennessee Grocers Education FoundationTennessee Private StorageTennessee Propane Gas AssociationTennessee Secondary School Athletic AssociationDr. and Mrs. Edward L. ThackstonTHW Insurance ServicesUPS FoundationWednesday Morning MusicaleMr. and Mrs. Karol Jon WilhiteWilson Bank & TrustWilson County, TennesseeWilson County Retired Teachers AssociationWinfrey’s Rone JewelryYear Round Garden ClubZeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Dear friends,

Presidents of corporations and universities are more alike than one might think. They are responsible for understanding their product and ensuring it stands out in the marketplace. It’s part of the job -- understanding, shaping, improving and sharpening their product.

Cumberland is in the business of futures. We help young men and women reach for their dreams, and I argue with confidence that we do it well.

Why? What is it about Cumberland that makes it special?Simply put, we care about every student and take the time to get to

know them and their families by talking directly to them about their futures and how they get there.

Last Sunday, I was taking my five-year-old grandson home to his parents after an overnight visit. On the way home, he asked, “Papa, will you stop at Wal-Mart and buy me a toy?” If you’re a grandparent, you know that I made a hard right, parked the car, took his hand and walked into the store. As our impromptu shopping trip concluded, a gentleman called my name. I responded with a nod as he extended his hand and offered his name, Randall Sanderson.

Mr. Sanderson reminded me that we had met at a ‘Dawg Day’ several months ago. He went on to say that he and his wife, Sherry, knew that day that Cumberland was special -- that it was the right place for their son, Randall, to find his future. I asked why, and he said because on that day they knew that Cumberland really cared about the students. I shook his hand and thanked him for making my day.

Cumberland does care and is shaping lives. So I, as its president, am proud to say that we are in the business of futures -- very bright ones.

Best,

Harvill C. Eaton, Ph.D.President

A Message From The President

CU Students Give Back to CommunityAs nearly 150 Hurricane Gustav evacuees made

their way to an American Red Cross shelter at Lebanon’s College Hills Church of Christ in early September, the CU student body made a concerted effort to lend a helping hand.

From athletic teams to Greek organizations, the student body quickly took action to help those who had been displaced by the first significant hurricane of the season.

The Lady Bulldogs softball team was among the first groups to step up to the plate, delivering meals to the shelter as evacuees were still arriving.

“We were thankful to have the opportunity to help out,” senior infielder Rebekah George said.

First-year head softball coach Heather Stanfill said the team has set a goal for the season to give back and to serve the community.

“I want these young student-athletes to understand the importance of serving their community,” Stanfill said. “They have made me proud in their willingness to give back.”

The Lady Bulldogs were not alone in their efforts, as the entire CU community sought to aid the evacuees. Members of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity volunteered at the shelter throughout the course of a weekend. Other members of the CU community contributed money or much-needed items and supplies to the American Red Cross.

Cheatham, Kilian Receive Inaugural Maffett FellowshipsAs a result of their works outside the classroom

toward furthering their own professional development, a pair of Cumberland University professors were recently selected to receive the first-ever Lalon P. Maffett Fellowships in Faculty Development.

Funded by a May 2007 gift from CU Vice President for Advancement Dr. Garvin S. Maffett in memory of his late mother, the Lalon P. Maffett Fellowships are intended to provide faculty members the ability to participate in scholarly activities outside the classroom. In turn, the classroom experience is ultimately enhanced for the University’s students.

“I want to see our stellar faculty here at Cumberland recognized for their academic efforts. They are more than deserving, and it is my hope that the Lalon P. Maffett Fellowships will boost their profiles in academic and professional journals across the country,” Maffett commented.

The inaugural Maffett Fellows represent diverse academic fields, an indicator of the scope of educational opportunities contemporary liberal arts schools like Cumberland University provide.

Dr. William “Russ” Cheatham, professor of criminal justice, was awarded a Maffett Fellowship to help cover costs associated with his ongoing research for an untitled scholarly book on the landmark mental health lawsuit, Wyatt v. Stickney.

In his research, Dr. Cheatham regularly travels to Alabama to review court records at the federal court district and at the Alabama Department of Mental Health headquarters. Cheatham noted that, as the Wyatt-Stickney case lasted more than three decades, there are a multitude of documents to be reviewed.

“My book will be a critical scholarly analysis of the Wyatt-Stickney lawsuit that will determine its role, if any, in creating the present shameful condition of the seriously mentally ill in the United States caused by the obvious failure of our mental health policies,” Cheatham explained. “ ... The Wyatt-Stickney lawsuit is a landmark lawsuit -- perhaps the landmark mental health/illness lawsuit -- and as such, merits peer-reviewed research.”

Cheatham’s work thus far has garnered praise from the editorial committee at the University of Alabama Press.

Professor of Music Dr. Brian Kilian’s Fellowship will allow him to receive hands-on study with a specialist in the Saito conducting method, which acknowledges the interactive process between conductor and performer and makes use of conducting motions which allow the performers to anticipate the “beat-point.”

Kilian will travel to Canada to receive personal instruction in the conducting method, originally developed by Professor Hideo Saito -- a cellist who studied in Germany during the 1930s and one of three founders of the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo. Before his death in 1985, Saito ended his career in New York as permanent director of the New York City Opera, Kilian explained.

“This project will allow CU to become the only institution in the United States to begin teaching the Saito Conducting Method within

its existing conducting curriculum,” Kilian said, adding the project could also open the door to potentially offer a summer Saito Conducting workshop at CU for both undergraduate and graduate credit. “This fellowship will also enable a sharpening of conducting skills, providing the same training as many of the conducting greats of our time. I plan to apply these principles specifically to the Cumberland choral program.”

“The Lalon P. Maffett Fellowships in Faculty Development are a tremendous new resource for our faculty as well as our students,” CU Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Wilbur “Pete” Peterson said. “As faculty, we always encourage our students to engage in lifelong learning. Dr. Cheatham and Dr. Kilian are most certainly leading by example in that respect, and their efforts will undoubtedly benefit Cumberland’s students.”

Class NotesRandy Sampson (1983) was recently named

assistant principal and athletics director at Lebanon’s Walter J. Baird Middle School. Sampson’s educational endeavors and experiences include teaching, coaching and serving in administrative positions for more than 16 years. He and his wife of 23 years, Pam, have three children.

Dr. Elizabeth Cato (1986) has been appointed Associate Medical Director of AmeriChoice by United Healthcare, which currently serves more than 180,000 TennCare beneficiaries in Middle Tennessee and manages TennCare services for an additional 83,000 members in East Tennessee. Dr. Cato, an internist by training, has extensive experience as a practicing physician in the Nashville area and as a health plan executive.

Lex Suite (1987, 1993), principal of West Carroll Jr/Sr High School in Carroll County, Tenn., was recently selected by the Tennessee Department of Education as a finalist for the 2009 Principal of the Year award. Suite, a former director of the CU Office of Admissions, has worked at West Carroll since 1996. The award celebrates school leaders who have implemented and actively advocated for the improvement of education for Tennessee’s children, according to the department of education. Winners will be named at the 7th Annual Tennessee Educational LEADership Conference in September. Suite and his wife, Lana Younger Suite, have three children: Danielle, Carson and Ally.

Beth Allison (2001) has been promoted to the position of assistant principal at Byars Dowdy Elementary School by the Lebanon Special School District. Allison previously taught sixth grade at Castle Heights Upper Elementary School. She and her husband, Jon, have two sons.

Jo Crips (2003) was recently named director of human resources for The Embassy Suites Murfreesboro -- Hotel & Conference Center, a new facility scheduled for completion in September. A native of Detroit, Crips earned her master’s degree in Organization and Human Relations Management from CU. Previously, she was human resource manager for K&S Wiring Systems in LaVergne, Tenn.

IN MEMORIAMRobert Bolton Morgan Sr. (1945) of Lillington,

NC, passed away on August 6, 2008 at the age of 93.Morgan was a graduate of Wake Forest University

and received his law degree from Cumberland University. His career first took him to Columbia, SC, where he served as a corporate attorney for an engineering firm and established a private practice. In 1954, he returned to his home state and was sworn in by the North Carolina Bar.

Two years later, he was elected as a county judge in Recorder’s Court, the predecessor to the district court system, receiving all but seven votes in his home precinct. He served in that capacity until 1968, when he was appointed the chief district judge for North Carolina’s 11th Judicial District.

As chief judge, Morgan contributed significantly to the improvement of the judicial system in his district. He remained in the position until his retirement from the bench in 1978.

Jack Quentin Neal (1953) of Graham, Texas, passed away on July 13, 2008 at the age of 88.

A graduate of the Cumberland University School of Law, Neal enlisted in the United States Army in November 1941 and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands from 1942 until 1943. He was then selected to attend the Engineer Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Upon graduation as a second lieutenant in June 1943, Neal was assigned to the 103rd Infantry Division as a platoon leader in the Combat Engineer Battalion. He served in southern France and the Rhineland from October 1944 until January 1945, when he was wounded in action. After a seven-month-long recovery, he retired from the service as a first lieutenant and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action.

In Young County, Texas, Neal was elected county clerk in 1946, county attorney in 1956 and district attorney in 1960 and 1964. He served in the Tarrant County, Texas District Attorney’s Office as chief felony prosecutor from 1966 until 1967 and completed his public service as county judge in Young County in 1986.

Neal was a past president of the Young County Bar Association and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

From left to right: Dr. William Cheatham, Professor of Criminal Justice and Maffett Fellow; Dr. Brian Kilian, Professor of Music and Maffett Fellow; Dr. Garvin S. Maffett, Vice President for Advancement; Dr. Harvill C. Eaton, President; and Dr. Wilbur “Pete” Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

News BriefsKang’s paper selected for ‘research highlighted session’ at ACEICU Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Shin Ji Kang’s paper, “Pre-K to 3rd Grade Teachers’ Efficacy Beliefs in Managing In-Class and Out-of-Class Tasks,” was one of only two selected for the “research highlighted session” at the annual meeting of the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI) held in Atlanta this spring. Over the summer, Dr. Kang also presented a paper at Duke University entitled, “Public School Teachers’ Religiousness and Sense of Efficacy in Dealing with Professional Challenges” at the first meeting of the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health.

Sandoval treks to Peru to aid in water purification systems’ installationAdjunct Instructor of Spanish Hugo Sandoval visited Peru over the summer to aid in the installation of a water purification system in Iquitos and to scout sites in the Andes for similar trips in the future -- trips intended to share the gift of clean sustainable water for communities in need around the globe. For more information on the project with which Sandoval is involved, please visit www.livingwatersfortheworld.org.

Heifner to present papers on indigenous AmericansThis fall, CU Professor of Philosophy and Religion Dr. Fred Heifner will present papers on indigenous Americans at two history conferences. At the Tennessee Conference of Historians in September, Heifner will speak on his paper, “Savage or Spiritual? -- Ethnocentric Perceptions of Indigenous Americans.” Heifner will then visit the Ohio Valley History Conference to present his paper, “Creation Seen Through Indian Eyes.”

Cummings co-authors report for the Education Law CenterCU Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Eric Cummings recently researched and wrote a new report documenting the social and economic benefits of public education in Pennsylvania along with Dr. David P. Baker, professor of education and sociology at Pennsylvania State University, for the Education Law Center (ELC). The ELC is a statewide, non-profit organization involved in identifying diverse ways for high quality public education. Dr. Cummings’ report was entitled “Pennsylvania’s Best Investment: The Social and Economic Benefits of Public Education.”

Bryan delivers presentation to state wildlife agencyCU Assistant Professor of Biology Danny Bryan recently presented a talk entitled “Up Close with Tennessee’s Timber Rattlesnakes!” for a group with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Bryan has researched timber rattlesnakes for almost two decades, and his most recent project is an attempt to determine the species’ current status at Center Hill Lake and elsewhere in Middle Tennessee.

Rose’s work awarded Winsor & Newton Painting AwardTed Rose, Dean of the Cumberland University School of Music & the Arts, recently received the Winsor & Newton Painting Award for a painting entitled “Tucson.” Rose’s painting was part of the Arlington Visual Arts Association’s 32nd Annual Juried Regional Exhibition in Texas. A producer of artists’ materials, Winsor & Newton has been in operation for over 160 years.“... Our products have only been tools in the hands of artists such as you who transform them into objects of enduring beauty and pleasure,” Winsor & Newton General Manager Justin Wraight wrote in a letter informing Rose of the prestigious award.

Members of the Cumberland University Lady Bulldogs softball team pose for a quick photo before delivering donations to a local American Red Cross shelter to aid Hurricane Gustav evacuees.

Giving to the local community is nothing new for Cumberland students. For years, student organizations have contributed to a variety of local organizations, ranging from animal shelters to organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

This fall, the CU community will participate in the first-ever, campus-wide build for Habitat for Humanity. Students, faculty and staff will come together to help build a house for a deserving family.

Community responsibility is a cornerstone of the newly developed Cumberland Creed, an oath to be signed by all students, faculty and staff members each fall at Cumberland.

“Academic honesty is essential to effective learning.Therefore, we as seekers of knowledge hold these as our core values: personal integrity, individual worth, critical and independent thinking, discipline, community responsibility and accountability,” the Creed states.