Faculty Category: Faculty

JOE CALLIS

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Instructor of Nursing
Work Email: JCallis@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-257-2005
Location: McFarland Hall, Room 1126
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
B.S.N., Cumberland University
M.S.N., Cumberland University
Bio:

Joe Callis is a nursing graduate from Cumberland University. His background includes Medical/Surgical, Nursing Informatics, and Critical Care. He currently works in a Surgical ICU. He is board certified in Medical/Surgical and Critical Care.  Mr. Callis has the following certifications: CCRN & RN-BC.

In his free time, Joe enjoys traveling, cooking, and being with his two dachshunds, Huckleberry and Wally.

J. MICHELLE ZUERCHER

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Instructor of Nursing
Work Email: jzuercher@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1296
Location: McFarland Hall, Room 1133
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
B.S., Tennessee Technological University
B.S.N., Cumberland University
M.S.N., Cumberland University
Bio:

Michelle began teaching in the Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing as a clinical instructor in 2019 and also assists students in the health assessment laboratory. 

Michelle is a two time graduate from Cumberland University. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree in May 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in May 2014. She is also a graduate of Tennessee Technological University earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree in May 2010. 

Michelle has clinical experience in medical surgical, critical care, infectious disease, and home health nursing. She has a passion for rural health and has regularly traveled to Honduras on medical mission since becoming a nurse. 

Michelle is a member of both the Tennessee Nurses Association and American Nurses Association as well as the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.

JULIE WINDMILLER

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Assistant Professor of Nursing
Work Email: jwindmiller@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 453-6351
Location: McFarland Hall, Annex 1140
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
B.S.N., Indiana Univeristy
M.S.N., Middle Tennessee State University
Bio:

Julie Windmiller has been an Assistant Professor at Cumberland University since 2009 and is currently teaching Medical Surgical and Successful Entry nursing courses. In 2001, she graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and in 2006 she graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Education. Julie practiced as an Emergency Department (ED) nurse for twelve years before becoming a Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurse. She is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing and has published an article in the International Journal of Childbirth Education.

ANDREW WILEY

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Assistant Professor of History, and Associate Editor for the Martin Van Buren Papers
Work Email: awiley@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1351
Location: Vise University Library, Presidential Papers of Martin Van Buren
Category: Faculty
Department: Presidential Papers, Martin Van Buren
School: The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
Degrees:
B.A., Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis
M.A., Indiana State University
Ph.D., University of Calgary (Canada)
Bio:

Andrew Wiley started his work at Cumberland University in January 2018 when the Papers of Martin Van Buren employed him as the new associate editor. His research interests are Civil War Era politics (particularly conservatism), military history, Cold War History, and the history of Baseball. In addition to his editorial work, Dr. Wiley teaches introductory level courses on United States History, occasionally teaches upper-level history courses, and has served as a guest editor for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. 

Prior to his work at Cumberland University, Dr. Wiley worked as an editorial assistant for the Frederick Douglass Papers in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Civil War History, an academic journal published by Kent State University Press. He is presently revising his manuscript, White Man’s Liberalism, American Conservatism: Race, Economics, and the Origins of Movement Conservatism in Nineteenth-Century Indiana, and is working with a university press on future publication.

When not on campus you can find Andrew Wiley playing guitar, at a baseball game, or touring the numerous historical sites in Tennessee and other surrounding states.

JOHN (JAKE) WHICKER

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Assistant Professor- School of Nursing and Health Professions
Work Email: jwhicker@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1214
Location: McFarland Hall, Room 1134
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
A.S., Nashville State Community College
B.S.N., Cumberland University
M.S.N., Cumberland University
Bio:

Mr. John “Jake” Whicker was appointed to the faculty of the Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions in the fall of 2018. Mr. Whicker is a two-time graduate of Cumberland University, having earned his Master of Science in Nursing degree in May 2018 and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in May 2014. He also earned his Associate of Science degree from Nashville State Community College (Magna Cum Laude) in May 2012. 

Currently, Mr. Whicker teaches courses in Professional Nursing Foundations, Nursing Foundations Laboratory, and Dosage Calculations. 

Before his appointment to the faculty at Cumberland University, Mr. Whicker worked as a Research Nurse Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. During his time at Vanderbilt, he served as the Study Coordinator for a clinical research team in the Department of Infectious Diseases. Prior to this, he spent several years working as a Public Health Nurse and Disease Intervention Specialist for the Tennessee Department of Health. While working for the Department of Health, Mr. Whicker’s responsibilities included performing disease surveillance and outbreak response, as well as HIV/AIDS counseling, Tuberculosis Case Management, contact investigation, and providing routine clinical services. He also has many years of experience working in emergency departments, several of which were as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

Mr. Whicker is interested in issues pertaining to rural, migrant, and refugee health, and participates in medical mission trips around the world. He has done humanitarian aid work in Eastern Europe, Central America, East Asia, and rural Appalachia.

Mr. Whicker is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.

 

GEORGE WALKER

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Associate Professor of Physical Education and Athletic Coaching
Work Email: gwalker@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1213
Location: Bone Hall, Room 200
Category: Faculty
School: The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
Degrees:
B.S., Tennessee Technological University
M.A., Tennessee Technological University
Ed.S., Tennessee Technological University
D.A., Middle Tennessee State University
Bio:

Dr. George Walker began at Cumberland University in the Fall of 2003. Prior to his arrival at the university, he was an elementary/middle school principal in the Jackson County School System. Dr. Walker gained experience in the area of education by serving many years as a physical education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as well as a coaching football at the middle and high school levels. Along with his administration and teaching at K-12 level, he has taught at both Tennessee Technological University and Middle Tennessee State University.

Dr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in the areas of Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Technological University. He also earned at Tennessee Technological University a Specialist in Education degree in the area of Educational Leadership. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State University.

He holds memberships in many professional organizations most notably Phi Delta Kappa, where he served as the Vice President for Membership. He has received educational honors from the Tennessee State Department of Education, Tennessee Academy for School Leaders as well as the educational peer mentoring program from the Tennessee Army National Guard Special Award (Bee Like Me Program).

Along with his duties at Cumberland University, Dr. Walker serves as the Director of Tennessee Special Olympics for Area 27, Wilson County. His area of research deals with all areas adaptive physical education along with the impact of physical fitness on academic performance.

 

WILLIAM TUNE

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Associate Professor of Mathematics
Work Email: wtune@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1294
Location: Labry Hall, Room 235
Category: Faculty
School: The Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
Degrees:
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Ph.D., Indiana University
Bio:

Dr. William Tune joined Cumberland University in the Fall of 2017 and teaches courses in the Mathematics program.  Prior to this, he taught mathematics courses at Motlow State Community College and Indiana University, where he received the Rothrock Teaching Award in 2013.  His research interests are in the field of Mathematical Logic, especially as it applies to natural language, the λ-calculus, and coalgebras.  He received the Robert K. Meyer Graduate Fellowship twice for his research into creating a calculus for representing monotonic patterns in natural language.

Dr. Tune also has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of the Chancellor’s Honor program and the Mathematics Honors program.  He participated in two summer undergraduate research experiences, and was selected by the Mathematics Department faculty as the 2010 Outstanding Graduate.

In addition, he has co-authored two papers: Eigenvalues and Transduction of Morphic Sequences (2014) and A Monotonicity Calculus and Its Completeness (2017).

SUMMER VERTREES

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Assistant Professor of English
Work Email: svertrees@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 257-2007
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 200C
Category: Faculty
School: The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
Degrees:
B.S., Tennessee Technological University
M.A., Tennessee Technological University
Bio:

Summer Vertrees earned a B.S. in Secondary Education English from Tennessee Technological University in 2004. After earning her degree and beginning her public school teaching career, she later pursued her M.A. in English, which began her collegiate teaching experience.  

As an educator, Vertrees has spent her time teaching students ranging from 7th grade summer school and high school dual enrollment, to seniors at four year universities as well as online college enrollees. Her main focus is in the realm of English Rhetoric and Composition, where she has spent most of the past decade instructing and inspiring students to be better writers. Recently, she has instructed the Advanced Composition and Grammar course for CU. In way of literature, she has taught many courses, from classes on Shakespeare to Utopian and Dystopian Literature, as well as general survey courses covering American Literature. 

As a writer, Vertrees has published many pieces in local magazines and newspapers; she has worked alongside excellent student writers to help them get their work published as well, in order to highlight the exceptional work and progress they have accomplished while in her classroom.  

Personally, Vertrees enjoys spending time with her husband and three children foremost. Participating in Crossfit workouts, writing with brightly colored pens, drinking coffee, playing word games, and completing any adventure that involves running all serve to make her happy. Currently, she is training for her second triathlon.

 

PAUL STUMB IV

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University President and Professor
Work Email: paul.stumb@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1223
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 101
Category: Faculty
Department: Office of the President
School: The Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
Degrees:
B.I.E., Auburn University
M.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
M.A.E., Cumberland University
Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Bio:

Dr. Paul Stumb was named as the 26th President of Cumberland University in August 2015. He has served Cumberland University since 2003, when he became an Adjunct Instructor for two years before being named Dean of the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business, a position he held for 10 years before he was named president. During his tenure as president, Cumberland has seen record enrollment and the addition of over 40 new faculty members.

Prior to joining Cumberland University, Dr. Stumb enjoyed a successful career in the for-profit business sector, serving in a variety of increasingly responsible positions including: Director of Marketing and Business Development for Georgia Pacific Corporation, General Manager of American Corrugated, Vice President for Operations and Owner of One Coast Network, and Regional Vice President for Curtis 1000 Inc. Earlier assignments included work in the nuclear industry with Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, and 26 years of service in the US Navy Reserves, where he retired with the rank of Commander.

Dr. Stumb is a graduate of the Navy War College Strategy and Policy Program, and holds a BS in Engineering from Auburn University, an MS from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master’s in Education from Cumberland University, and earned his PhD at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Before joining CU, he served as an Adjunct Professor for the National Security Agency, Georgia State University, Shorter College, and Middle Tennessee State University. He is a member of a number of professional and honor societies, and deeply engaged in several civic and professional activities.

Dr. Stumb is married to Dr. Cristy Stumb, a CU alum and former faculty member, who now owns and operates Stumb Healthcare Professionals, a primary care clinic in Lebanon, TN. Together; they have four children and grandchildren.

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