Summer/Fall 2010 - University of the Cumberlands

Karl Rove speaks on “Leadership in
Today’s Economy”
R. Michael (Mike) Duncan, ’71, former chair
of the Republican National Committee (RNC,
was on hand to introduce his friend of nearly
forty years, Karl Rove.
Ward Correll, a leading businessman and philanthropist in
Somerset, is president of Tradeway, Inc., Cumberland Lake
Shell, Inc. and Tradwind Shopping Center, Inc.
Dr. Dale Henry, an educator,
motivational speaker and self-described “edu-tainer” is
founder and president of Your Best Unlimited, Inc., a
Tennessee-based training company.
Jesse (Jess) T. Correll is founder and board chair for First
Southern Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of First Southern
National Bank, and president of The River Foundation, which
supports Christ-centered organizations, locally and worldwide.
Jon Westbrook, from Oldham County, is the owner and CEO
of East and Westbrook Construction Company, Inc., Pearce
Ready Mix Concrete, Inc. and several other related real estate
and construction companies.
Elmer Whitaker, president and CEO of Whitaker Bank
Corporation, created Whitaker Foundation, Inc., organized
exclusively for religious, charitable and educational purposes.
Dr. J. Charles Smiddy, Cumberlands trustee and philanthropist,
worked at the Knoxville-based White Lily Foods Company for
43 years and retired as the vice president of consumer sales.
Sadly, Dr. Smiddy passed away in June.
Karl Rove, former
adviser to President
George W. Bush, was
the speaker for the fifth
annual Center
for Excellence
in Leadership
event, which
was held in
April.
Six regional
business leaders were honored at the
event, which is sponsored each year by
the Forcht Group of Kentucky. The
six individuals, Ward Correll, Dr. Dale
Henry, Jesse Correll, J. Charles Smiddy,
Elmer Whitaker and Jon Westbrook,
received awards, presented by Dr. Taylor
and Rove, to honor their leadership and
entrepreneurial spirit.
During his address on “Leadership in
Today’s Economy,” Rove often referred
to the award winners as examples of the
kind of leadership necessary to help our
nation succeed. He also cited numerous
historical examples of individuals, often
unlikely ones, who stepped up and made
a difference.
“The greatness of America is to be found
in the acts of each one of these men,
and each one of us is called to give; to
serve someone in need; to serve a cause
greater than self, to give as an American
citizen to our great country,” Rove stated
emphatically. “That’s what America’s
about. And, as long as we have that spirit,
as long as [we have] institutions like
this, as long as in our families and our
friendships and our fellowships, we find
a way to encourage that spirit, then this
country is going to remain exactly what it
is; not only the greatest nation on the face
of the planet, but the greatest nation in
the history of the world.”
Rove is the former deputy chief of staff
and senior adviser to President George
W. Bush; the author of “Courage and
Consequence;” a Fox News contributor;
a columnist for Newsweek; and the writer
of a weekly op-ed piece for the Wall Street
Journal.
Summer 2010 CumberlandToday
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