U of C President honored as a visionary leader Tuesday

University of the Cumberlands President Dr. Jim Taylor, left, accepts the Daniel Boone Visionary Award Tuesday night during a banquet in Williamsburg. He is presented the award by Forcht Group of Kentucky Founder and CEO Terry Forcht, who was also last year’s recipient.

In naming the annual visionary award after pioneer Daniel Boone, the Mountain Laurel District of the Bluegrass Council of the Boy Scouts have sought to change the landscape through hard work and dedication.

Adding his name to the list of recipients that includes Bob Mitchell and Terry Forcht is University of the Cumberlands President Dr. Jim Taylor.

Taylor called being named the 2013 recipient, "humbling." 

"I can’t take credit for anything," said Taylor, who graduated from then Cumberland College in 1968 and was appointed to the president’s position in Oct. 1978. "The key is hiring a bunch of great people with a great work ethic."

In a videotaped address, Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers, R-Ky. whose legislative district includes Whitley County, noted that Taylor is similar to Boone and other visionaries who stare down fear and turn stumbling blocks into building blocks.

Rogers noted the marble floors in several of the buildings on the university campus that have been built during Taylor’s tenure, explaining many of  the pieces that make up those floors were previously discarded for being imperfect.

"That is how Dr. Jim operates," Rogers said. "He takes imperfect situations and creates master pieces."

In Taylor’s 33 years as president, the main campus has expanded from 15 buildings on approximately 20 acres to 42 buildings sprawling across 100 acres.

New buildings added to the campus under Taylor’s watch include: Brock Security Building, Multi-Media and Athletics Services Building, Campus Health Center, International Office, Smiddy Campus Entrance Building, Hutton Hall, Hutton Townhouses, Hutton School of Business, Grace Crum Rollins Fine Arts Center, Luecker Building and Annex, O. Wayne Rollins Center, Smiddy Learning Resource Center, Correll Science Complex, Siler Hall, Kleist Hall, Harth Hall, Hutton Mountain Outreach Center, Mountain Outreach Warehouses, Cumberland Inn, Cumberland Museum, Perkins Admission House, Angel Dale House, Taylor Stadium and the Physical Plant Office.

In addition, every other building on campus has been renovated and updated.

An essential part of that expansion has been fundraising. In introducing Taylor, Forcht noted that Taylor always has his bags packs in case the call comes in that may result in another donation and that he spends more than four months of the year on the road in his on-going fundraising efforts.

Between 1980 and 2012, the university endowment has increased from $6,755,349 to $70,480,126.

"Dr. Taylor is a true scholar and visionary who has changed the landscape of this region," Forcht said.

Taylor’s journey from student to president included time as a professor, teaching speech, argumentation and debate. He has also served as Assistant to the President, Director of Alumni Activities, Director of Admissions and Director of Development.

"Tonight, I am so indebted to Forcht Group and the Boy Scouts," Taylor said. "Thank you for your confidence. Thank you, everyone."