During the month of October, Cumberland will be hosting many peace-related events to pair with the Cordell Hull Peace Forum. Cordell Hull, one of CU’s most notable alumni and recipient of the 1945 Nobel Peace Prize, profoundly said, “Peace must be our passion.” As CU strives to do just that, discussions about peace in our community, in our country and around the world will take place on campus.
- Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. | Memorial Hall Lawn | Kickoff Event with Keynote Speaker Al Gore
Former Vice President Al Gore, whose grandfather was close friends with Cordell Hull, will initiate the Cordell Hull Peace Forum sponsored by Middle Tennessee Electric and the Tennessee Valley Authority. During kickoff, a life-size, bronze statue of Cordell Hull created by sculptor Alan LeQuire will be unveiled as a permanent memorial in front of Cumberland’s historic Memorial Hall.
- Oct. 4 | 11 a.m. | Baird Chapel | “Is Peace Possible?” Chapel Chat with Chaplain Ripski and President Stumb
Chapel Chats are a part of Cumberland’s on-campus experience and curriculum as a way to help students thrive intellectually, professionally, personally and spiritually by creating a space for diverse conversations that offer representation to many groups and ideas.
- Oct. 7 | 12:30 p.m. | Vise Library | “A Person Can’t Ever Amount to Something Unless He Stands For Something: The Life and Legacy of Cordell Hull” with Mayor Rick Bell
Mayor Rick Bell will take a biographical look into the legacy of Cordell Hull.
- Oct. 20 | 2 p.m. | Baird Chapel | The Power of Story with author Colum McCann
Students will share personal narratives with Chaplain Ripski and guest Colum McCann to gain greater understanding of others’ perspectives and the human condition. Students will be paired in a symbolic sharing of the sacred space of personal experience.
- Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Alumni Hall | “Peace Through Storytelling” with author Colum McCann
The concept of peace through storytelling is explored in McCann’s latest novel “Apeirogon”, which takes a poetic and personally painful dive into the Middle East Conflict by chronicling the real life story of two men who came together in grief to find brotherhood. Following a reading from “Aperiogon” will be a moderated discussion with the author and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, who have bonded over each other’s stories of loss and overcome cultural contempt. Guests can RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peace-through-storytelling-with-author-colum-mccann-tickets-180461915447.
- Oct. 22 | 6 p.m. | Catron Alumni House | Alumni Party on the Patio
Alumni are invited back to campus to kickoff Homecoming weekend festivities with a fun night of music, food and fun on the Catron Alumni House patio. Don’t forget to dress up in 60s and 70s inspired clothes!
- Oct. 23 | 1:30 p.m. | Nokes-Lasater Field | Homecoming “Peace, Love & Phoenix”
The CU Football team will play against Bethel University during the 2021 Homecoming game. Show your team spirit by wearing the 2021 groovy Homecoming shirt!