Cumberland Today-Summer 01 - University of the Cumberlands

2001 Berger
Award Recipients
Cumberland College President,
James H. Taylor, presented two
Cumberland College seniors with
the prestigious Berger Award during
the commencement ceremony
Sunday, May 6, 2001. David Bruce
Blakeman and Anita Earle Childers,
both residents of Williamsburg,
were this year’s recipients.
The Berger Award is presented
David Blakeman each year to the male and female
student of the graduating class who
has excelled in academics and service and show exceptional potential
for the future. Last year’s recipients were Jessica Faught and
Casey Patrick.
David Blakeman is the husband of Bridgett Blakeman, a 2000
graduate of Cumberland. He is the son of Robert and Glenda
Blakeman of Burgin, KY. David has a double major in physics and
mathematics. He has made the Dean’s List every semester since
1997 and has maintained a high cumulative grade point average.
He has been inducted into the math, physics, and education honor
societies, as well as the J.T. Valandingham Scholastic Honor Society.
David recently completed Presidential Scholar research in physics
entitled “Acoustical Investigation of Circular and Elliptical
Resonating Rods Using Fast Fourier Transform Analysis.” He is listed
in Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and was
recognized this school year as the outstanding senior in physics.
While a student, David has participated as a STAR in the college’s
freshman Insight’s program, a resident assistant, and as a member
of the track team. He has served as the recreation director for
First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, president of the Baptist
Student Union Freshman Council, has participated in mission trips,
and has served as a revival team preacher since 1997.
David was the recipient of the T.E. Mahan Service Award during
the 1999-2000 school year and was the recipient of the Algernon
Sydney Sullivan Award for the 2000-2001 school year. His future
plans include pursuing graduate
studies in physics.
Anita Childers is the wife of
Jonathan Childers and the daughter
of Steven and Sherell Earle of
Clinton, TN. She is a middle school
education major with emphases in
mathematics studies, English and
communication. This past semester
she finished her student teaching at
Whitley County Middle School
where she received high praise from
both her students and teachers. She
Anita Earle Childers
has maintained a high grade point average and has been inducted in
the mathematics honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon and the English
honor society, Sigma Tau Delta. Anita was also inducted into the
J.T. Valandingham Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American
Colleges and Universities. She was this year’s award winner for the
middle school education outstanding senior.
Anita’s campus life has been just as productive as her academic
life. She has been a STAR in the Insight’s program, a Knight
Mentor and an Ambassador for the Admissions Office. She also
served as a preschool choir director at First Baptist Church of
Williamsburg.
During the next academic school year, Anita will serve as a graduate
assistant in the Cumberland College Education Department
while working toward her master’s degree in education. Her future
goals include teaching on the middle school level and one day teaching
either education or English on the undergraduate level.
Faculty and Staff Awards
On Saturday, April 21, Cumberland College held its annual
Faculty and Staff Recognition Dinner. Three members of the faculty
and staff were honored with awards for their commitment and
service to the college. Ms. Lisa Cox was awarded the 2001 Service
Award. This award is made possible by the contributions of alumnus,
Robert Michael Duncan ‘71. Lisa was chosen for the award
because she is “pleasant, polite, friendly, efficient, kind hearted, considerate,
a Saint.”
Lisa attends the Corbin Parkway Church of God, where she participates
in the Jail Ministry. She has spent her entire career working
as an employee of Cumberland College. Her first appointment
was as a co-op student while in high school. After being graduated
she began working full-time in the Development Office and transferred
to the President’s Office after Dr. Taylor became president.
She has the singular distinction of having worked for President
Taylor longer than anyone at Cumberland College.
Religion and philosophy professor, Robert Dunston, is the
2001 recipient of the William T. Miles Memorial Award. This
award, named in honor of a dear friend of the college, recognizes
a member of the teaching faculty for an outstanding commitment
to community service. Dr. Dunston, or as anyone on
Cumberland’s campus would call him, “Dr. Bob,” has been a
member of Cumberland’s faculty for 18 years. In those years, he
has taken an active role not only at the college, but also in the
Williamsburg community. He enthusiastically supports activities
at Williamsburg Independent School such as the academic team.
At First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, he has long served as a
Sunday School teacher. Most recently, Dr. Bob has provided yeoman
service as Interim Administrator and Chairman of the
Deacons. Cumberland English professor, Thomas Fish, introduced
him with these terms, “Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind...his character reflects all the components of
the Scout Law.”
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