Below is an announcement from the University of the Cumberlands via Merit:
WILLIAMSBURG, KY — Pooja Ramesh Salve, of Wilmington, recently graduated from University of the Cumberlands. Congratulations, Pooja Ramesh!
It was another joyful graduation weekend at University of the Cumberlands as the campus hosted annual commencement ceremonies.
More than 2,100 graduates celebrated the completion of their undergraduate or graduate degrees from Cumberlands this spring. Many graduates attended commencement ceremonies in person on the University’s Williamsburg campus the first weekend in May to celebrate their accomplishments.
“Graduates, today marks a significant milestone in your lives,” said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, University President, during the ceremonies. “You have persevered through years of hard work and dedication and now stand here, ready to take on the world. I am honored to congratulate each and every one of you on your outstanding achievements.”
President Cockrum offered heartfelt advice to the newest graduates – in short, to dream big, work hard, make mistakes, and always be kind. He said those were the lessons that have gotten him through his life and made all the difference and encouraged graduates to try it for themselves.
The Class of 2023 from University of the Cumberlands hailed from all 50 states and territories – as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam – and from 21 countries around the world. Many diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds were represented in the graduating class, all sharing a universal commitment to education and determination to succeed.
Of the Class of 2023 undergraduate students, 134 earned Latin honors of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude. A Cum Laude Latin honor denotes students earned a cumulative GPA of 3.70 to 3.84 , Magna Cum Laude denotes a cumulative GPA of 3.85 to 3.94, and Summa Cum Laude denotes a cumulative GPA of 3.95 to 4.0.)
On-campus undergraduates who completed 96 hours of coursework (with a minimum of 48 hours obtained at Cumberlands), who maintained a 3.75 cumulative GPA or higher with at least a 3.50 GPA for their first 48 credit hours of college classes, and who have no incomplete courses (barring ongoing Presidential Scholar research) are designated J.T. Vallandingham Scholars by University of the Cumberlands. It is the highest academic honor bestowed by the university. Of the Class of 2023, 308 were named J.T. Vallandingham Scholars.
While academics are important, college is about more than grades. Among other values, Cumberlands emphasizes the importance of community service. The on-campus undergraduate Class of 2023 performed 42,085 hours of community service during their college career. That equals 5,621 eight-hour work days, or 1,052 40-hour work weeks.
Moreover, Cumberlands designates as “Hutton Scholars” the graduates who have served their respective communities for 200 or more hours during their college career. Of the on-campus undergraduate Class of 2023, 80 students were named Hutton Scholars.
University of the Cumberlands is one of the largest and most affordable private universities in Kentucky. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction offering quality undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online degree programs. Learn more at ucumberlands.edu.
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