9/25/2017
Cumberland University President Paul C. Stumb and the board of trust announced today the largest enrollment in the school’s 176-year history.
Cumberland University welcomed 2,314 students to campus this fall, which represents a 50 percent increase in enrollment since 2012.
Stumb attributed the growth to the school’s success in sought after majors like nursing and education as well as Cumberland’s status as the first private university in Tennessee to accept Tennessee Promise students beginning in 2015.
“Cumberland University has become a destination university for students from the region who want a private college experience that prepares them for the workforce and a successful career,” Stumb said. “We are one of Tennessee’s fastest growing universities because we provide a welcoming environment, an excellent value, and an energetic student life experience all in a historic college setting.”
Board of Trust Chairman W.P. Bone said accepting the Tennessee Promise is a decision that has resonated with students and families in Middle Tennessee.
“As a former CEO, Dr. Stumb understands the need to make decisions based on market demand,” Bone said. “Our enrollment numbers show we are not just part of the state’s success in secondary education; we are a leader in the movement. Our Tennessee Promise students have helped usher in the next chapter in the history of this great university.”
Cumberland University enters the biggest fall in its history fresh from statewide and national recognition for the school’s undergraduate, graduate, and research programs.
Cumberland University’s educator preparation program (EPP) received the highest marks on the Tennessee Board of Education’s new Teacher Preparation Report Card. The Report Card reveals how effectively the state’s colleges, universities, and other providers are training teachers for success in the classroom.
The Martin Van Buren Papers Project led by Mark Cheathem, Professor of History has been the subject of national media coverage and received a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grant in June. The project is creating digital versions of the papers of Martin Van Buren, which will make accessible approximately 13,000 documents belonging to the eighth president.
“Cumberland University is producing graduates who can fill key roles in our workforce while also giving students a true college experience,” Stumb added. “Our significant enrollment growth and the recent string of accolades are clear evidence of our ascending trajectory.”
Cumberland University has one of the longest, richest histories of any higher education institution in the state. Founded in 1842, the University flourishes today with exceptional faculty and fully-accredited academic programs steeped in the liberal arts, including three distinct schools: the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions; the School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts; and the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business. Athletics also are a strength of Cumberland University, as its teams in 28 sports regularly compete for conference and national championships. Coach Woody Hunt’s baseball teams has claimed the NAIA national championship title three times since 2004.