Living in the Sky

            On the top floor of the admissions building at the University of the Cumberlands sits a man in a swivel chair with his feet planted on the grey, Berber carpet. Although his dress pants and silky, red tie make him seem so sure of where he’s at, he will soon chase his dream of living in the sky.

Chris Sexton, an admissions counselor at UC will soon leave his students and co-workers behind to serve his country from the skies and share views with the birds as he earns his own set of wings.

“Why did I decide to join? I wanted to travel all over the world but with importance, and I knew that serving my country was most important,” Sexton said.

When Sexton entered as a student at the University of the Cumberlands, he walked amongst his classmates as a 16 year old freshman. He was just a kid when he left his home in Somerset, Ky. to attend college with towering students that were ancient in comparison to him. While most teenagers were getting their permit, Sexton was headed to his college math courses with no idea what he wanted to do with his mathematics degree.

“I actually wanted to major in mathematics and take the pre-med route just to be different than everyone else, but that didn’t last,” Sexton chuckled with a half added smile.

After graduating from UC, Sexton worked as a loan officer at a local bank. He quickly realized he didn’t enjoy it and came back to UC to start his current position as an admissions counselor. Although he was happier with this job, he knew he didn’t want to stay in Williamsburg forever.

So, with his mind set on traveling the world, he applied for the US air force. Sexton had high hopes of becoming an officer. This particular position requires a college degree in which he had already obtained. He started applying for Officer Training School with dreams of becoming a commission officer.

Along with completing a timed heavy, rigorous test, Sexton also got his pilot’s license and conquered the flight simulation test. Furthermore, he was required to complete an extensive, 20 page application while gathering five letters of recommendation and was then asked to write a personal essay on why he would be a good officer for the US air force.

“I’m already sworn into the air force but I’m in a delayed entry program. That means that I have more processes to go through before I’ll be put in a class and it will probably be late spring before I go,” Sexton said.

The competition was tough. Nearly 1,200 people turned in applications that were qualified and only 260 were selected. Sexton, without a doubt, was one of the few.

He will first travel to the Maxwell air force base in Montgomery, AL. From there, he will go to initial flight training in Colorado and onto Pensacola, FL where he will complete his Combat Systems Officer training.  

His wife, Tara Sexton will also be joining him once he resides in FL. She is currently a teacher at Williamsburg and will be leaving her students behind as well.

Chris Sexton

However, Sexton won’t leave the ground without being missed. He has been working for admissions for three years and has obtained several jobs within his position as an admissions counselor. Along with going to college fairs, traveling and helping students, Sexton is also in charge of the UC Bloggers. This is essentially a website where students give their views on the college, along with tips and advice with hopes that prospective students will feel welcomed by their input. He is also responsible for travel scheduling and making sure that all six counselors have a vehicle for when they travel to different college fairs. In addition, he is the public service announcer for the football team and for both men’s and women’s basketball.

            He is also the leader of the PatriotAdventure Club on campus. This club is for thrill seeking students who want to get off of campus and have fun outdoors. Sexton took over this position this year and has successfully made many trips so far with the PAC.

            “Chris seriously made this semester so much more fun by introducing me to the PAC,” said Kendra McCollum, a senior at UC. “The club let me experience things I never would have otherwise and I hope it continues once he’s gone but without a doubt, he’ll be missed.”

            Sexton will first have to earn his “wings” which will take around a year and half to complete. After that, he is in a six year commitment to the air force and dedicated to serving his country.

            For someone who is so important on campus, Sexton is more than ready to brush his peach toned cheeks against the clouds. He has grown up in this small, college town making a name in the community but he’s prepared to take the next step in his life.

“I just want to make a career out of this. I want to ride it out for as long as I can and then see what God has for me next,” Sexton said.