The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.
Issue link: https://louisville.epubxp.com/i/43017
A C R O S S C A M P U S Faculty Spotlight John Cumbler John Cumbler relishes role of teacher History Professor John Cumbler was on sabbatical when nominations were being accepted for the university's 2011 Trustees Award, but his students nominated him anyway, noting the impact he has had on their lives. Their case was compelling and Cumbler won, receiving the prestigious award at spring commencement. "A lot of our students don't come from elite, privileged backgrounds. They don't realize how smart they are," Cumbler said. "As a teacher, I'm in a position where I can introduce students to this…scholarly world of ideas. At Louisville, you get the chance to change these students' lives." How he does that came through in letters stu- dents wrote nominating Cumbler for the Trustees Award: "Dr. Cumbler's always-open offi ce door and lecture pit-stops for emergency skill-building helped transform me from an unconfi dent back- row student into a learner eager to lead and teach," one former student noted. Others said that Cumbler encouraged them to push past what they perceived as their own weaknesses — learning disabilities or being a fi rst-generation college student. Some said that Cumbler helped pay for graduate school applications when they couldn't pay the costs, and that he became an active part- ner in their education."I was struck immediately by his use of the word 'we.' He wasn't suggesting a course of action I should take alone, but one that he and I would carry out together," another student wrote. "A lot of these students don't come from academic backgrounds," said Cumbler. "Once you've introduced them to this world, you have a responsibility to help them negotiate it. If you're lucky, you've made a relationship with these students. I don't see that ending when the semester's over." Cumbler has been on UofL's faculty since 1975. He has received two UofL Distinguished Faculty Awards — one for teaching and another for scholarship, research and creative activity. He also was a Fulbright professor to the Netherlands. But receiving the Trustees Award may be the most treasured of his accomplishments. "This award is about the impact you've had on your students, about being a force in students' lives. This goes beyond the classroom." FALL UOFL MAGAZINE|39