Cumberlands Community Mourns Dr. John Broome

It is with great sorrow that we announce the loss of Dr. John Broome, a long-time faculty member and pillar of the Cumberlands community, who peacefully passed away on February 19, 2025.

When speaking of Dr. John Broome, it's not enough to say that he was a respected faculty member. Some individuals transcend titles such as professor, representative, and director to become fixtures in the community.

Dr. Broome was a well-known and beloved figure at Cumberlands, and his presence was integral to campus life for nearly 60 years. His journey at Cumberlands began in 1966 when he sent a letter inquiring about a teaching position. While Dr. Broome had contacted several Baptist institutions, it was Dr. J.M. Boswell's persuasive encouragement that led Broome and his wife, Mavis, to travel to Williamsburg from their Louisiana home. The couple quickly realized that this small private college in the hills was exactly where God intended them to be.

"We were particularly impressed with the people we met and with the stated mission of the college to provide a quality education for all, even those who did not have the means to go to college," Broome stated in a 2014 interview with the Corbin Times-Tribune. "My wife and I always agreed that we wanted to be somewhere we could do some good," said Broome.  "We found the right niche and have never looked back."

And do some good they did. Over the years, Dr. Broome taught more than 7,000 students, attended countless athletic matches, personally arranged class schedules for over 15,000 students, transported students and fans to events, mentored students and faculty in their faith, and helped generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds. The Mavis F. Broome Endowed Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Dr. Broome's late wife, continues to assist students from Southeastern Kentucky.

“When we think about the impact of Cumberlands, we must first think of those individuals who impacted the many students that have walked across this campus,” said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, university president. “Dr. John Broome was cherished by his students, the Cumberlands community, and will forever have his memory carried forward by all that knew him.” 

Throughout his time at Cumberlands, Dr. Broome held numerous roles, including Professor of History and Religion, Director of Academic Advising, Athletic Eligibility Coordinator/Faculty Athletic Representative, Black Student Union Advisor, and Young Democrats Sponsor. He also served on the College Athletic Committee and was a member of the national council of NAIA FARs, even holding the position of FAR president for one year. Broome also was an inaugural member of the WYMT-TV Mountain Classic Basketball Committee, persuaded to join due to its work providing scholarship opportunities for students in the mountainous regions of Kentucky.  He proudly served on this committee for twenty-five years.

Dr. Broome's tireless dedication to his work and students earned him numerous official recognitions.  His accolades include the Distinguished Teaching Award, the SGA Honored Professor Award, a 2000 induction to Cumberlands' Athletic Hall of Fame, and the 2018 Honorary Alumnus Award, among others.

"Though Dr. Broome was a recipient of several awards, I think his greatest career achievement was his investment in the everyday people and students he came across," said Dr. Christopher Leskiw, vice-president for academic affairs. "He had an ability to bring the best out of you and make you feel valued. His story is woven into so many lives on campus."

Broome prioritized students as individuals. To him, it was always about emphasizing their name over an ID number. His family has stated he mentally stored the name of every student who crossed his path, and he often never forgot them–even long after they had graduated. It was this personal dedication to his work that led him to be actively involved in the lives of the campus community and Williamsburg as a whole. According to his family, "Only he and the Lord truly know how many field trips, student mission trips, pep club bus drives, etc., that he took part in." Even in his later days, Broome maintained a practice of having lunch at least once a week in the university dining hall with friends, never losing the joy of being a part of a campus community he loved so dearly. 

His family has stated, "Being a husband, father, and professor are what constituted his primary identity—after, of course, being a follower of Jesus Christ.  He lived a long and happy life, and his influence for good will continue through the lives and achievements of those who have received the benefits of his life's work through the church and Cumberlands."

Dr. Broome is survived by his daughters, Kim White (Fred), Erica Harris (John), and Shelleigh Moses (Ronnie); grandchildren, Tyler Harris (Hannah), Richard Moses, Erin White Wells (Phillip), Katelyn Harris, Jake Moses, Kelsey White Howard (Adam), Amanda Moses Kelly (Ethan) and Haley Harris Akins (Connor); great-grandchildren, Reedy, Ramsey and Rawlings Harris, Luke and Samuel Wells, and Hudson and Baron Howard; a sister, Sarah White; several nieces and a nephew.     

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Broom, his beloved wife, Mavis Farmer Broome, and an infant son, John David Broome, Jr.

Dr. Broome's legacy will forever remain a guiding light in the hearts of those whose lives he touched, and his memory will continue to inspire the Cumberlands’ community for generations to come. From the Cumberlands' community: so long, dear friend.