For 41 years, Cumberland University’s Phoenix Ball has united the Middle Tennessee community and championed the university’s mission of transforming lives through the power of education. Set against a backdrop of ‘Starry Night’ the 2025 Phoenix Ball, hosted by Chairs Kevin and Christine New, raised over half a million dollars towards scholarships and programs.
The impact of the Phoenix Ball extends far beyond a single evening each year. Thanks to the generosity of Phoenix Ball patrons, Cumberland is able to provide critical financial assistance to students through the Phoenix Promise and Cumberland Promise programs. During the 24-25 academic year, 319 students received financial support, with 69 awarded through the Phoenix Promise and 250 through Cumberland Promise. Scholarships like the Phoenix Ball’s Al Ashworth and Dallas Whitfield Endowed Scholarship, established in 2023 raised $41,500 during the scholarship paddle raise alone. The inaugural recipient, Lily McPeak, is a Criminal Justice Major in the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Arts, and Education.
Last year Fotini Allteni Kokeri presented a $200,000 grant check from the Kosloski Family Foundations in support of Cumberland's Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions’ new Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP) track that launched in the 2025 fall semester. The gift marks a significant investment in the future of nursing education at CU and showcases her incredible dedication to CU healthcare initiatives. The Kosloski Family Foundations origin story with Cumberland University is uniquely intertwined with this year’s chairs and the Pope Family.
The Kosloski Family Foundations were introduced to Cumberland University through Dr. Genti Tahiraj. Dr.Tahiraj, originally from Albania, began his journey at Cumberland in the fall of 1998. Having fled a life of hardship that is unimaginable to many, his path to CU was nothing short of extraordinary.
His story came to light when longtime CU Trustee and co-owner of Wilson County Chevrolet Buick GMC and Wilson County Hyundai, W.P. Bone III, read about the Tahiraj’s in The Tennessean. Moved by their story of resilience and commitment to education, Bone reached out and connected the Tahiraj family with Monty and Pace Pope, John’s parents, at Cumberland University who worked directly with incoming international students through the University’s Office of Admissions and the rest, as they say, is history.
Despite arriving on campus without knowing English, Genti quickly flourished. He became a standout member of the cross country team, an exceptional student, and a beloved member of the Cumberland community. Through the support and connections he found at CU, Genti not only adapted but thrived, forming lifelong relationships with Pope and Bone families and building a remarkable future. Genti married the love of his life, Marsela, in Baird Chapel, and is now a successful physician leader and Health IT entrepreneur in Tampa, FL. But, his love and memories of CU remain strong and his story and many student stories like his serve as a powerful reminder that real lives are changed by the generosity of this community and through the power of education.
For 41 years, the Phoenix Ball has united generosity, transforming lives, opening doors, and proving education’s power to change futures.