Louise & Bernard Perry

A Legacy of Higher Education Investing

University of the Cumberlands

A Life of Service and Partnership

Louise Perry grew up in Oakland, California, attending the city’s public schools and training in millinery. She later worked for the Federal Reserve Bank and Bank of America in San Francisco.

In 1948, she married Bernard Perry, a World War II Air Force chaplain and Kentucky pastor. Together, they planted churches in California before eventually retiring in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Faith and Education

Bernard earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky and completed his seminary training at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1941. His ministry spanned churches in both California and Kentucky.

After 53 years of marriage, Bernard passed away in 2002. Louise, then in her late nineties, remained active at Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church and continued to support University of the Cumberlands students.

Scholarship support at Cumberlands creates a career‑launching platform for students.Louise and Bernard Perry — humble servants whose generosity still impacts lives today.

Connection to the Cumberlands

The Perrys were introduced to University of the Cumberlands through Dr. Harold Mauney, a pastor from Williamsburg, Kentucky, and a member of the University’s Church Relations Board. In 1987, they made their first gift to the University’s General Scholarship Fund. That single step began decades of faithful giving.

Impactful Giving

General Scholarship Fund — providing tuition assistance to deserving students.
Workship Program — supporting the University’s student work‑study initiative.
Capital Projects — helping the campus grow and modernize.
Endowed Scholarship — creating a lasting source of student aid in their names.
Charitable Gift Annuities — ensuring a steady source of support while receiving lifetime income.
Planned Estate Gift — leaving a final legacy to benefit future generations.