A Cumberland alumnus, Joseph Bates received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture.  While attending school, he received 1st Place in sculpture for the Artist of the 21st Century, a competition held for the entire Southeast region of America.  He was also featured in an edition of Nashville Arts magazine for his creative Neon lighting concepts.  

After Cumberland, Joseph was accepted to Arizona State University, where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture.  During his stay in Arizona, his proposal for Platform AZ was approved and commissioned to fabricate a 12-foot-tall steel solar powered Rubix Cube that illuminated at night.  Any free time from school went to playing and competing National for  ASU’s disc golf club.