At the Cordell Building, the University’s large number of International students can gather for special activities like movie nights. The International Center strives to present students with a comfortable, family atmosphere where they can cook food, study and use the Center’s various English dictionaries and reading materials.

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – University of the Cumberlands (UC) Office of International Relations has been given a new home on the UC campus, the Cordell House. According to Dr. Rick Fleenor, director of International Relations, the Cordell House, that was being used as grounds and housekeeping offices, was given by President Taylor to create an International Center. He felt that its size and central location on campus made it the perfect home for this unique office.

UC is home to nearly 100 international students representing 30 different countries. “The International Program at UC helps us to further expand the mission of the university’s ministry of Christian Higher Education,” said Fleenor. “We are excited about exposing students from various cultures and backgrounds to the Christian faith, in hopes that they might personally experience faith in Christ. In addition, by having international students on campus, it helps to expose our students to people of different backgrounds and cultures.”

The Cordell Building was acquired by the University in 1997 and until the fall of 2010 housed the offices of maintenance and grounds. Centrally located in the middle of campus, the Cordell Building is now home to the Office of Church Relations and the International Center. where the University’s large number of International students can gather for special activities like movie nights. The International Center strives to present students with a comfortable, family atmosphere where they can cook food, study and use the Center’s various English dictionaries and reading materials.

The new center will provide a more practical office space to meet the administrative needs of the program. In addition, the International Center provides a space for a language lab, a fully functional kitchen and a social gathering area.

“The center will be used as a place for students to gather throughout the day for fellowship and encouragement,” Fleenor explained. “Special activities will be hosted there such as Bible studies, discipleship groups and movie and game nights. There will also be opportunities for the students to cook and share some of their favorite international foods.”

UC acquired the Cordell House from Jo Florence Cordell, UC alumna and long time active member of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg’s Women’s Missionary Union and various other mission activities.

“What a wonderful opportunity to provide a gathering place for students who find themselves far from their families and their own culture. It is in small group settings that many times we are most effective in sharing Christ,” Cordell said. She added, “My family and I have many pleasant memories of our friendship with an international student from Nigeria. He visited our home on many occasions and became a part of our family. Later his son attended Cumberland as well.”

Cordell is pleased at the decision UC has made to make her former home an International Center. “I appreciate Dr. Taylor's excellent leadership and the dedication of teachers and staff. There is no greater need in our world today than reaching out to those from other cultures and sharing with them the Gospel of Christ. Otis and I are so happy to know that our former house is being used in such a wonderful way.”