University of the Cumberlands Honors Veterans and Military Service Members at Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans, alumni, and an Army ROTC cadet reflect on military service, leadership, and the role of education in shaping lives beyond the military.

University of the Cumberlands honored military veterans, active-duty service members, and their families during a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony at the Grace Crum Rollins Fine Arts Center on its Williamsburg, Kentucky, campus.

The ceremony brought together members of the Cumberlands community to recognize the sacrifices of those who have served and reflect on the lasting impact of military service, leadership, and education.

"Here at Cumberlands, we often talk about preparing our students for lives of leadership and service," shared Dr. Jennifer Simpson, provost at Cumberlands. "And when I think about what that really means, I often think about the example our veterans have set for us."

Simpson emphasized that leadership extends beyond title or rank and is instead reflected in character, responsibility, and a willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.

Those themes were echoed throughout remarks from retired U.S. Army Col. Judge John Knox Mills; retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas "Tommy" Black, '91; and Army ROTC Cadet Mason Preston, '27.

Mills, who serves as chair of Cumberlands' Department of Criminal Justice, reflected on his family's history of military service, which spans multiple generations, including his grandfather, father, uncle, and himself.

"Different wars, different circumstances, but the same willingness to answer a call that was greater than themselves," shared Mills. "But there's another part of their story that matters just as much today: what happened after their military service."

Mills explained that education played an important role in his family's lives following military service. His uncle earned a degree in electrical engineering, while his father became an attorney. Mills continued his family's legacy of service and education, building a career that included a military deployment to Baghdad from 2007 to 2008 and his current role in higher education.

"Military service teaches many lessons. One of the most important is that the mission is never only about you. It's about the people beside you, the people who depend on you and the principles that you've sworn to defend," shared Mills.

He connected those lessons to Cumberlands' mission of preparing students for lives of leadership and service grounded in Christian principles.

"Those are not just the words on our website. They're a challenge to us to bring our gifts for the good of others," he said.

Black, a Cumberlands alumnus and retired Kentucky Army National Guard infantry officer who served as both a company commander and battalion commander, shared how military service helped shape his educational journey and sense of purpose.

As a high school student, Black initially viewed military service as his only opportunity to afford college. He enlisted in 1985 through a split-option training program that allowed him to complete basic training before his senior year of high school.

During training, a recruiter suggested that Black need not concern himself with Officer Candidate School, implying that becoming an officer was beyond his abilities. But after his junior year at Cumberlands, Black earned a commission through an early commissioning program.

"Less than four years after my recruiter told me that I didn't have to worry about Officer Candidate School, I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army," reflected Black. "I was one of the youngest officers at barely 21 years old. Apparently, my recruiter and I had different expectations. The young man who had joined to afford college was finding purpose. I was becoming focused. I wanted to see what I could accomplish."

Black encouraged those in attendance to recognize that honoring veterans involves more than acknowledging their sacrifices. It also means carrying forward their commitment to serving others.

"We can honor those who served and the families that stood behind them through how we treat one another, serve our communities, and exercise the freedoms we cherish," he shared

Representing the next generation of military leaders, Preston offered the perspective of a Cumberlands Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadet preparing for military service.

"The military traditions we uphold, the standards we strive to meet, and the opportunities available to the next generation of service members exist because of the dedication of those that came before us," shared Preston. "As a cadet preparing for the responsibility of becoming an Army officer, I understand that leadership is something I must continue to earn through my actions."

Preston emphasized that the qualities developed through military training, including responsibility, accountability, and teamwork, are equally valuable in everyday life.

"These lessons extend far beyond military service. They apply to our families, our workplaces, our university, and our communities," he shared. "The qualities that make someone a dependable soldier are often the same qualities that make someone a dependable neighbor, coworker, or community leader."

Together, the speakers' reflections reinforced a shared message: The values of leadership and service extend far beyond military duty, shaping how individuals contribute to their families, professions, and communities.

Supporting Veterans and Military-Connected Students at Cumberlands

For University of the Cumberlands, honoring military service extends beyond Veterans Day.

The university remains committed to supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and military families through accessible educational opportunities and resources for military-connected students.

Cumberlands has been recognized as a Gold Military Friendly® School for multiple academic years, including 2026-2027, reflecting its continued dedication to helping military-connected students pursue their educational and professional goals.

Through its commitment to quality, affordable education and leadership through service, Cumberlands continues to support those who have served while preparing the next generation to lead with purpose. Learn more at https://www.ucumberlands.edu/admissions/military-students.

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