Reader ‘appalled’ by treatment of Taylors by University of the Cumberlands

To the Editor:

I am appalled by news of the unfair treatment and accusations that have been thrust upon Dr. and Mrs. James Taylor by those at their beloved University of the Cumberlands. It is a travesty that these pillars of the community would be threatened financially when a legal contract was unanimously accepted not once (2005), twice (2012), but three times (2014) by the Board of Trustees. Any of us would be forced to take action if our own livelihoods were threatened.

My family was invited by the Taylor’s to UC eight years ago following the death of our daughter. They and their friends are almost single-handedly responsible for saving my life.

The Taylor’s suggested I find something to fill the emptiness, as they did following the death of their only child, Jim. For them, it was the University of the Cumberlands, where they proceeded to place all their love and efforts.

We had a brick placed on the campus eight years ago, engraved with our daughter’s name.

It represents only a small piece of our hearts, but Dr. and Mrs. Taylor embraced the university for 35 years, half of their lives, where they felt blessed and honored to be beneficial towards the growth and reputation of such a fine university.

They deserve the rewards that were promised them unanimously in the Taylor Agreement at least three times over a 10-year period. Shame on those who feel the need to threaten this couple who have done nothing but good for this university.

Linda Harkness
Pittsville, Virginia