University of the Cumberlands

Founded in 1889, the University of the Cumberlands is a Baptist affiliated higher learning in Williamsburg, southern Kentucky. This small city is based on the Cumberland river, containing the Kentucky Splash Waterpark, and based 13 miles from the Tennessee state border.

Study at Cumberlands is divided between 40 major and minors, plus pre-professional programmes.  Freshman students will be inducted into the general education curriculum, which includes Bible Study, Writing Competence, and Mathematical & Scientific Reasoning. Study abroad programmes are available for exchange in the European nations of England, France, and Spain, as well as  3-hour upper-level biology course studying ecology and habitat in Belize.

A key learning centre at Cumberlands is the Hagan Memorial Library, spanning across a 25,000 foot area on two floors of the Smiddy Learning Resource Centre. There are more than 430,000 books and e-books, and over 800,000 microforms in the library resources.

Athletics teams are known as the Patriots, and compete in the Mid-South Conference. There are a total of 26 sports programmes across men’s and women’s team, from archery to wrestling, and a co-ed cheerleading team. Since 2016, Cumberlands has also offered men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

Residence on campus is divided between five women’s halls and five men’s, with a combined number of over 1000 living in student accommodation. Those studying at Cumberlands are expected to live by a code of conduct dedicated to a Christian ethos, prohibiting alcohol on campus or pre-marital relations.

Perhaps the most notable alumni of Cumberlands is Bert Combs, a prominent judge and Mayor of Kentucky. The university colours are red, white and blue, and its motto translates as ‘A Life More Abundant’.