Cumberland opens professional development center in Mt. Juliet

Cumberland University President Dr. Harvill Eaton’s vision to bring a professional development center to Mt. Juliet will become reality in January when the private institution opens an initial “on site” location at Victory Baptist Church. Eaton made the announcement when he visited the Mt. Juliet Noon Rotary Club Monday afternoon. Cumberland University director of public relations Brian Harville accompanied Eaton on the visit. Eaton told the Rotarians this move is the initial step toward a grander vision of eventual “construction” in Mt. Juliet of the city’s first ever collegiate facility to offer residents an opportunity to seek a baccalaureate degree or further their education. Cumberland University will partner with Victory Baptist Church, located off West Division Street, in this first stage of the “on site” instructional center which will focus on graduate studies and professional development, according to Eaton. He said he met with pastor Chuck Groover to see if the church would be willing to provide class space for this initial venture. “They were very willing,” Eaton said. “We will in January begin to offer from that location graduate courses and professional development. I’m excited about this and this is the first step toward a permanent location in Mt. Juliet I want construction in this town and I welcome this first step.” Because the announcement is so new, details about exactly how many and what courses to be offered are not yet solidified, but Eaton’s enthusiasm about expanding to the Mt. Juliet area is inspiring, according to Groover. Initial plans are to offer graduate study classes–coupled with on-line instruction. “Dr. Eaton spoke to us about offering classes at our facility,” Groover said. “And when he described the program, our board thought it was conducive to the church's overall mission statement for community awareneness and enhancement. I think it will be a very positive move for Mt. Juliet and Cumberland.” A curriculum will be cemented by the end of the month with more details to be announced soon, according to Eaton. However, Eaton’s enthusiasm sparked when he detailed his ultimate vision for the university’s Mt. Juliet center. “I envision a conference center that will attract national meetings,” Eaton expressed. "With clusters of buildings, classrooms and online support. You can’t deny your location in Mt. Juliet and we want to be part of it.” Eaton also outlined the university’s $50 million campaign to bring to the Lebanon campus a new nursing and science building, a campus center and more. Mt. Juliet Managing Editor Laurie Everett can be reached at 754-6397 or by e-mail at mtjuiletnews@tds.net