CELEBRATING PHILANTHROPY EK U FOUNDAT ION R EPORT 2020
As One Eastern, we will work together to ensure the School of Opportunity continues to serve many more generations to come, despite any challenges that come our way. Thank you for your belief in our great University and unwavering commitment to our students.
Dear Friends, Like many of our students and alumni, I came to Eastern Kentucky University as a firstgeneration college student from rural Appalachia. As a two-time EKU graduate and now president of my alma mater, I owe a debt of gratitude to this institution and our donors — who make opportunities possible for all students who strive for a better future through education. EKU is where I was encouraged and supported to pursue my dreams, and I am immensely proud and honored to serve as its 14th president and to be only the third alumnus to do so. Today, I stand on the shoulders of giants — 13 presidents who came before me and molded EKU into the institution it is today. My predecessors inspire and motivate me, and my focus remains on building upon the foundation they set in place. Although EKU has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year due to the pandemic, we still stand — six feet apart and masks on — to welcome and provide opportunities for students as they work toward accomplishing their educational and career goals. With significant funding changes impacting higher education, donor support is now more important than ever. Just 30 years ago, around 80 percent of EKU’s budget was funded through the state — a figure now less than 20 percent. Despite this significant drop in funding, we remain committed to keeping higher education within reach for all those who seek it. Understanding the financial challenges many students and families have experienced this past year, we were
the only Kentucky institution to hold all costs steady and freeze tuition, dining and housing fees. Although the promise doesn’t come without compromise to our budget, an EKU education remains affordable at an average cost of $5,096 per year for Kentucky students. As we move forward with our Make No Little Plans Campaign, the largest and most comprehensive fundraising initiative in EKU’s history, the need for increased endowment support is evident. Campaign funds provide sustainable support for student success, academic excellence and campus revitalization. In this year’s Foundation Report, you’ll see why donors like you choose to give to EKU. You’ll read stories about students whose lives are positively impacted by donors — like Alex, who is legally blind, but persevering through so many challenges to achieve his career aspirations, and Sierra, who with help from the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) is continuing progress toward her goals, despite setbacks from the pandemic. I am greatly inspired by your generosity and your commitment to EKU and proud of the accomplishment and resolve of our students. As One Eastern, we will work together to ensure the School of Opportunity continues to serve many more generations to come, despite any challenges that come our way. Thank you for your belief in our great University and for your unwavering commitment to our students.
David T. McFaddin David T. McFaddin, Ed. D. President, Eastern Kentucky University
LEADERSHIP UPDATES | 1
One Eastern,
I am passionate about many things in my life — my volunteer work, higher education and an educated and compassionate society. I was able to take these passions and combine them into one great experience through my work with EKU. I hope my efforts here have made an impact in the lives of our students. That would be the greatest reward — to know I made a difference!
LEADERSHIP UPDATES | 2
Dear Colonel Community, What a difference a year makes. As I think back to this time last year, we had just launched the Make No Little Plans Campaign with our beautiful gala hosted by the EKU Foundation Board. We inducted several new members into our philanthropic giving societies and heard memorable stories from grateful scholarship recipients who shared the impact of donor giving, not only on their college experience, but in their lives. It was truly an inspiring and magical evening! While this year has presented new challenges for all of us, students are still learning and experiencing college at EKU. Through these uncertain times, EKU has awarded more financial aid this year than any other year in our history. We established the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) to help students who couldn’t meet financial obligations as a result of the pandemic. Furthermore, students are still receiving scholarships and still have access to technology and educational resources provided by donors. At this point, we have raised more than $41.5 million toward our $50 million goal of the Make No Little Plans Campaign. It has been exciting to watch alumni and friends get reconnected and reinvigorated by the opportunities EKU still provides to young people. I love hearing donors’ own stories of how a certain professor, scholarship or donor gift provided an opportunity that changed their young adult lives. It continues to be evident — the gift of education reshapes a student’s future and truly lasts a lifetime! While we cannot host events at this time, we still want to hear from you! Our methods
of reaching out to you have certainly changed, but we continually need our community of supporters. Be on the lookout for more digital outreach and more virtual social meetings. Now is a great time to get involved through volunteering and making a campaign gift. As I close this letter, I want to thank the many donors and friends of EKU whom I have had the privilege of meeting and working with during my years serving as chair. It has been a great honor to represent my dear alma mater and lead the philanthropic efforts to continue EKU’s mission as a School of Opportunity. It has been a joy to work with such dedicated board members who truly loved their college experience and want to make sure others have similar opportunities. I also want to thank the Development and Alumni Engagement staff who work day after day to keep alumni connected and engaged with the progress and daily happenings of campus. It is the staff members who keep the connections, memories and Colonel spirit alive in all of us. I am passionate about many things in my life — my volunteer work, higher education and an educated and compassionate society. I was able to take these passions and combine them into one great experience through my work with EKU. I hope my efforts here have made an impact in the lives of our students. That would be the greatest reward — to know I made a difference!
Most Sincerely,
Maribeth McBride Berman Maribeth McBride Berman Foundation Board Chair
“We applaud the kindness and generosity we have experienced in this unprecedented year. We look to the future knowing that we will reach our Make No Little Plans Campaign goal of $50 million. And we know that our students are continuing to receive quality education that will shape their futures. Despite this year’s uncertainty, we still celebrate your investment in the success and well-being of Eastern and our students. We still celebrate philanthropy.
Dear Friends of EKU, stepped forward to support our students who found themselves in emergency financial situations caused by the pandemic by giving to the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE). And our endowment finished strong with gains despite market fluctuations, providing critical funding for scholarships and educational experiences. We were able to award $1.3 million in scholarships — the most in our history. Nearly 1,800 deserving students received foundation scholarships to fill financial gaps so that they could continue the pursuit of their degrees. We applaud the kindness and generosity we have experienced in this unprecedented year. We look to the future knowing that we will reach our Make No Little Plans Campaign goal of $50 million. And we know that our students are continuing to receive quality education that will shape their futures. Despite this year’s uncertainty, we still celebrate your investment in the success and well-being of Eastern and our students. We still celebrate philanthropy. Thank you again for continuing on this journey. No matter where it leads us, it is heartening to know that we will move forward together.
Stay Healthy and Safe,
Betina Gardner Vice President for Development & Alumni Engagement
LEADERSHIP UPDATES | 5
Thank you for being a part of our family. In difficult times, we rely on and appreciate our families the most. We have certainly leaned on your continued support and belief in us to navigate through this year. Your belief, coupled with the fact that education is and will always be a catalyst for personal growth and success, inspired us to work harder. No matter the difficulty, we pressed on, as did you and our campus community. A clear challenge this year was the fundamental change in how we do our work as the Office of Development. Our team swiftly adapted to the safety guidelines and found new ways of connecting with our EKU giving community. Our face time with these individuals literally transitioned to ‘FaceTime’ calls and Zoom meetings. Campus events were cancelled or transformed into virtual experiences. While these have still been helpful and meaningful — we miss you! With less engagement and the overall sense of uncertainty in the world, we have experienced a decline in donor support this year, but this was expected. It is hard to continue to give generously when you do not know what tomorrow holds for you or your loved ones. The fact that so many did continue to give through this difficult time is extraordinary. Many of you
MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS: THE CAMPAIGN FOR EKU $50 M (GOAL) TOTAL:
$41,574,837 $3,284,235
$40 M $8,350,245
$30 M
$7,943,145
$8,547,246
$20 M
$8,700,059
$10 M
STATISTICS | 6
$4,749,907
FY 2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
These amounts include cash, new pledges and planned gifts.
FISCAL YEAR-END DATA SUMMARY DATE
ENDOWMENT
CASH RECEIPTS
NUMBER OF DONORS
NUMBER OF ALUMNI DONORS
2016
$57,903,000
$4,027,000
11,091
4,606
2017
$65,639,000
$4,664,000
11,044
4,692
2018
$69,329,000
$3,633,000
10,233
4,228
2019
$69,139,000
$3,539,000
9,747
3,913
2020
$69,765,000
$2,641,000
8,545
2,746
AVERAGE GIFT BY YEAR 2016
2017
2018
2019
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED 2016
2020
500 $422 $363
400 $355
$363
$309
300 200 100
2018
2019
1,800
1,400
1,000
2020
1,797
1,600 1,425
1,200
$309
2017
1,041
1,151
1,252
1,252
$1,128,039
$1,224,675
1,151
800 600 400 200 $1,024,672
$1,304,360
STATISTICS | 7
$809,788
$1,497,412
$1,486,952
2017
$144,429
GIVING BY SOURCE
$1,075,408
$506,743
$459,886
TOTAL CASH GIVING: $4,664,087
$328,234
$864,145
2020
$1,405,043
2018
$281,572
$249,527
TOTAL CASH GIVING
$2,640,726
$753,514
$812,699
TOTAL CASH GIVING: $3,632,509
$978,896 $1,401,195
$447,882
$1,057,563
$186,851
2019 $445,568
TOTAL CASH GIVING: $3,539,058
STATISTICS | 8
$92,861
n Alumni
n Corporations n Friends
n Foundations
n Other
STUDENT ENROLLMENT 20,000 17,500
16,881
16,844
16,612 15,816
15,000
14,980
12,500 10,000 2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED 3,500
2,838
2,843
2,974
3,004
2,938
1,649
1,60 4
1,709
1,764
1,740
1,189
1,239
1,265
1,240
1,198
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
3,000 2,500
TOTALS
2,000 1,500 1,000 500
n Women
n Men
STATISTICS | 9
STUDENT SUCCESS
While attending Eastern Kentucky University, we learned the importance of pride, perseverance and paying it forward. We hope that the Skepple Family Scholarship will be beneficial to a first-generation underrepresented student in the field of education.
PHOTO: Kira Derryberry Photography.
Rose, ’86 ’93 ’95 ’02 ’10 ’11, and St. Claire Skepple Sr., ’97 ’99
STUDENT SUCCESS | 10
ETERNAL COLONELS PAY IT FORWARD Rose, ’86 ’93 ’95 ’02 ’10 ’11, and St. Claire Skepple, ’97 ’99, are the true definition of Eternal Colonels. The couple met, married, earned a combined eight degrees and certifications and raised their children on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. Now, they are helping other Colonels finish their degrees through the Skepple Family Endowed Scholarship. Awarded annually, the Skepple Family Endowed Scholarship provides financial support in the pursuit of degrees in the field of education for first-generation students from underrepresented populations. As a first-generation college graduate with several education degrees herself, Rose knows those unique struggles firsthand. An athletic scholarship allowed her to finish her bachelor’s degree, then go on to earn master’s degrees in guidance counseling and student personnel services in higher education; principal and superintendent certifications; and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies — all from EKU.
After serving as a biology teacher at Madison Central High School and later principal at Model Laboratory School, she returned to EKU as a professor of education. St. Claire earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in applied engineering, serving as an engineer with Lexmark International. “During our more than 30 years in Richmond, Kentucky, we earned multiple degrees from Eastern Kentucky University that allowed us to pursue our dreams,” said Rose. “I chose to major in the field of education, the most rewarding profession that influences the next generation of learners.” The Skepple Family Endowed Scholarship is the couple’s way of paying it forward, ensuring that first-generation Colonels can achieve their dreams. “While attending Eastern Kentucky University, we learned the importance of pride, perseverance and paying it forward,” said Rose. “We hope that the Skepple Family Endowed Scholarship will be beneficial to a first-generation underrepresented student in the field of education.”
Alex Sparks
BERMAN CENTER AIDS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Maribeth, ’92, and Louis Berman
THE BERMAN CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL SALES
STUDENT SUCCESS | 11
Industry demand for sales professionals has grown continuously in recent years, and long-time business executive Louis Berman knows the need firsthand. That’s why he and his wife, Maribeth, have committed to support an up-and-coming academic program in the Eastern Kentucky University School of Business. A $1 million gift from the Louisville couple has enabled the School’s Center for Professional Sales, which now bears the Bermans’ name, to secure space and equipment, increase faculty support and provide scholarships and competition opportunities for students. The program currently offers a sales certificate, but will expand in spring 2021 to encompass a minor, as well as a major at a future date. “Having spent most of the last 40 years hiring, training and mentoring sales people, I recognize the need for a pipeline of more sales professionals,” said Mr. Berman, senior vice president with AssuredPartners. “Additionally, sales people are high-income earners and have the personality to give back.” That has certainly been the case with the Bermans, long-time EKU benefactors whose support has included a $4 million planned gift to the University, announced in 2019. “Maribeth (formerly Maribeth McBride, a Richmond native, 1987 Model graduate, 1992 EKU graduate, and former University administrator) and I are excited about our gift to support the growth and success of the program,” Mr. Berman said. “We are passionate about helping young people obtain their college education.” Currently, more than 60 EKU students are pursuing a sales certificate through the program, with more enrolled in one or more classes, according to the center’s Executive Director Dr. Lee Allison. The Berman Center for Professional Sales includes sales labs, made possible by the Bermans, where students hone their sales skills via recorded role-playing sessions. Allison noted that the center’s experiential model allows students to “repeatedly make practical application of their knowledge to building relationships, effectively listening, communicating and influencing others, and practicing self-discipline and self-reliance, establishing a strong sense of self-confidence and competence in their field of expertise.” Mr. Berman and Allison agreed that the recent addition of Ed Gogol as program manager and Dr. Lixun Su as a faculty member would significantly boost the center. Gogol, recently president of sales with a Fortune 100 tech firm, will focus on fundraising, promotion, coaching and overall planning for the center. “It is impossible to overstate the benefits that accrue to the University, our students and our service region as a result of the Bermans’ commitment and philanthropy to Eastern Kentucky University,” Allison said.
Marketing major Alex Sparks has overcome several obstacles as a legally blind student pursuing higher education. At 6 years old, Sparks was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare and progressive disease causing severe vision impairment. Since then, his vision has continually declined and significantly worsened over the past eight years. Despite the additional challenges it brings, he has not let this stop him from obtaining a college degree. “The whole experience of college has been very humbling for me,” Sparks said. “I had to come from this background of denying the elephant in the room, not wanting to accept my circumstances.” Initially frustrated trying to do everything on his own, Sparks took a year off from college. But when he returned to EKU, he discovered an overwhelming amount of support. With help from his business professors, along with skills gained from the Berman Center for Professional Sales, he’s now finding success on both an academic and personal level. “I’ve molded myself over these last few years from a shy, sort of introverted kid who stayed to himself, into this fairly charismatic individual who’s extroverted and outgoing,” he said. Through the Berman Center, Sparks said he’s learning communication and problem-solving skills, perseverance and persistence. He’s also taken on the role of president as part of the founding group of the Berman Center’s Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) chapter, “a nationally recognized co-ed professional sales, marketing and management fraternity,” he explained. Having had the opportunity to meet Louis Berman, Sparks felt inspired and encouraged by Berman’s career. “It was comforting to have that support, and from all the professors, too,” he said. “It’s really a community that’s centered around creating successful people.”
Ricky Gordon, ’91 ’20
COLONEL FOR LIFE
Jada Clayton
STUDENT SUCCESS | 12
RICKY GORDON SCHOLARSHIP HELPS STUDENT FIND CALLING Jada Clayton has dreamed of teaching since high school, when leading a cheer camp made her realize her love for working with kids. With the help of the Ricky and Christian Joelle Gordon Endowed Diversity Scholarship, Clayton can make her dream a reality while graduating with minimal debt. “As a young African American woman from the west end of Louisville, Kentucky, it is not often that I am offered an opportunity to continue my progress in college,” said Clayton. “EKU has provided me with multiple opportunities to expand and develop my professionalism. I am thrilled to see what the future holds for me at Eastern.” While exploring her college options, Clayton fell in love with EKU’s beautiful campus and small class sizes. She entered orientation as an elementary education major but began to question her decision. Eventually, however, Clayton knew that teaching was her calling. “While being exploratory here at Eastern, I learned that teaching is what I’m meant to do,” Clayton shared. “Could I do something else? Yes, but would I like it? No. Once I learned that about myself, I knew I needed to teach.” Clayton will graduate in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Wherever her career takes her, she hopes to be both a teacher and an advocate: “My plan is to not only teach children, but be a voice and a support system for children.”
Ricky Gordon, ’91 ’20, enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University as a non-traditional student, having served our country prior to attending college. Toward the end of his enlistment in the U.S. Army, he found EKU at his last duty station, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Since graduation, Gordon has led a highly successful career. He currently works for Google as a physical security manager. Gordon has devoted the success of his life to helping other diverse, non-traditional Colonels through the Ricky and Christian Joelle Gordon Endowed Diversity Scholarship. “In this day and age, it’s important to help our young students,” Gordon said. “If you can do it with your time, talents, or treasures, you owe it to the next generation.” Gordon first set foot on the Campus Beautiful in 1989. With the aid of scholarships, he was able to focus on schoolwork, community service and being active in student life. During his time at EKU, he joined ROTC, the Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. — the first African American fraternity, established Dec 4, 1906 at Cornell University. Gordon graduated from EKU’s ROTC program as a 2LT ’92 known for welcoming veterans around the world. When Gordon graduated in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in loss prevention management, he couldn’t help but notice some of his classmates didn’t cross the finish line with him. “I remember going to school with students who didn’t finish their degree because of money,” said Gordon. “I decided that when I get out of school, I want to help students like that because I was fortunate enough to have scholarships.” Gordon received awards as the African American male with the highest GPA on campus both his sophomore and junior years. A former state program called Bucks for Brains gave him the opportunity to do just that — to help students in financial need. In 2002, Gordon donated his bonus to EKU, and the state of Kentucky matched his gift through this program. That gift kickstarted the scholarship, and he has given faithfully ever since, making more than 30 donations in 15 consecutive years to diverse students at EKU. Gordon also takes advantage of the generous Google Match Giving program, which matches his gifts dollar for dollar, doubling his impact and the support he offers to diverse students. Even in a time of unimaginable grief and loss, Gordon continued to think of how he could help others. When Gordon’s son, Joelle, passed away unexpectedly in an accident, Gordon added Joelle’s name to the scholarship in his memory, contributing what was originally Joelle’s college fund to the scholarship. Joelle’s legacy will live on through every student who is afforded the opportunity of obtaining a degree through this scholarship. It is clear that Gordon has a philanthropic spirit and a deep passion to help students reach their dreams. The driving force behind his generosity comes down to a common thread we all share: Colonel pride. “I’m a Colonel for life,” said Gordon. “I show that by not just talking about it, but taking action. We all can wear the t-shirt, but what are we doing to help the next generation of Colonels?”
Holly Carter
ACCOUNTING STUDENT STRIVES TO IMPROVE HER HOMETOWN
Jeri Isbell, ’79 SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS
STUDENT SUCCESS | 13
Jeri Isbell, ’79, acquired more than just a diploma from EKU. “Your degree is important,” the accounting graduate said, “but the learning agility you gain from the experience is just as important.” Isbell put her nimbleness to good use throughout a distinguished 33-year career with IBM and Lexmark, where she spent her first 17 years in financial planning and accounting and the final 16 in human resources. In 1991, two years after moving from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Lexington, Kentucky, Isbell became the U.S. controller of Lexmark after its spinoff from IBM. She went on to serve as chief financial officer of the business printer division before moving to human resources. She served as chief human resources officer for Lexmark from 2003 until her retirement in 2016. Today she serves on two public company boards of directors — Atkore International Inc. and SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. — where she chairs the HR and compensation committee for each of the boards. Looking back at her career now, Isbell is most proud of the focus on diversity and inclusion at Lexmark. “We had a wide range of benefits, programs and policies that supported all of our employees,” she noted. “We were named among the Best Places for Working Mothers and Working Fathers, and were recognized for LGBTQ equality. We excelled in our flexible work practices and were recognized for it. Most of all, you were able to be your authentic self every day. In our employee survey, we had a 96 percent positive rating year after year from our worldwide employees, saying that they felt respected at work without regard to race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.” Today Isbell is reengaged with her alma mater by serving on the EKU Foundation Board. She also generously gives back through two distinct efforts. She established the Jeri L. Isbell Non-Endowed Scholarship with first preference to women majoring in accounting, and she has made a lasting commitment to EKU through a legacy gift. Her unrestricted gift reflects her trust in EKU, allowing her support to be used where it is needed most. Her desire is that future generations will have the ability to further their education and enhance their families through their experience and knowledge gained at Eastern Kentucky University. Having raised three children, Isbell said, “My passion is to mentor young women, to help them understand that they can be themselves and be successful and be a mother. You really can have it all.” Isbell was the keynote speaker for the College of Business and Technology commencement ceremony in May 2018, and received EKU’s highest alumni award with induction into the EKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2018.
Junior accounting major Holly Carter wants to use her education to better her hometown community in Southeastern Kentucky. As a legacy student, her dad having graduated from EKU, campus has “always just felt like part of home to me,” said Carter. Some doubted her ability to pursue accounting, including herself initially, thinking she may not have the skills to succeed. Thankfully, she had her dad, an EKU orientation professor and a high school math teacher, encouraging her along the way and believing she could excel. Now thriving in EKU’s College of Business and Technology, Carter became president of the EKU Accounting Society as a sophomore. This year, she took her success a step further as the recipient of the Jeri L. Isbell Non-Endowed Scholarship, which was established to support women pursuing a degree in accounting. “It’s something that I’m very, very grateful for,” Carter said. “It’s been the first year that because of this scholarship, I didn’t have to take out multiple types of loans.” In addition to giving her more ease financially, “it’s also given me a little bit more confidence that I’ve been able to achieve something that’s been like a reward to me,” she said. Ultimately, Carter wants to make a difference in her hometown of Corbin, Kentucky, as an accountant. She feels financial literacy and economic opportunity are lacking not just in her community, but across Appalachia. With her education, she hopes not only to help expand financial literacy, “but also help small businesses to grow where they can make a larger impact on the community.”
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
RICHARD PUCHSTEIN ESTATE
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | 14
FOSSIL COLLECTION CONTRIBUTES TO STUDENT LEARNING AND RESEARCH
Alumnus Richard Puchstein’s extensive collection of fossils has a new home at Eastern Kentucky University. Puchstein, a 1970 geology and paleontology graduate, spent a lifetime collecting fossils from around the world, including invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, dinosaur models, and other rare fossils, such as invertebrate specimens of fish from the Old Red Sandstone of Scotland and Permian fish from Germany. “Every species listed is represented by one or more specimens. Mostly complete. Many perfect,” Puchstein had stated. Puchstein wanted to donate his collection “as a research and display collection to a university,” and was insistent about not wanting his collection “sitting in a closet somewhere.” In February 2019, Puchstein indicated through EKU’s Phonathon program his interest in donating his fossil collection, and when he passed away in May 2019, he had bequeathed his entire collection to EKU. Through the coordination of Melinda Murphy, director of gift and estate planning at EKU, more than 50 boxes of Puchstein’s carefully labeled fossils arrived on campus in a moving van, after traveling from his home in Lakeland, Florida.
“Richard Puchstein was an incredibly thoughtful and generous EKU alum who has shared his one-of-a-kind, world-class collection of invertebrate fossils — a life-long passion — which will encourage, enrich and enhance the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education of our students and community for generations to come,” said Murphy. The collection will be used for research, instruction and display. In the dinosaurs class taught at EKU’s Manchester Regional Campus, “the extensive collection of dinosaur models will allow students to compare and contrast different species of dinosaurs, as well as their evolutionary changes over geologic time,” said Dr. Melissa Dieckmann, chair of EKU’s Department of Geosciences. “Instructional collections of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils will be used to teach Earth history and Kentucky geology and stratigraphy.” Furthermore, Dieckmann sees the research and display collections as an opportunity to attract graduate students from other universities to view and analyze the fossils, recruit prospective science students, and host kindergarten through 12th grade student groups. “Fossils are significant because they give scientists clues about what the Earth was like millions of years ago,” said Geosciences Instructor Dr. Ann Harris. “Mr. Puchstein’s collection will allow faculty, staff, students and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Earth.”
Construction Management Capstone Campaign VOLUNTEERS BUILD STUDENT FUTURES AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Since its founding more than four decades ago, EKU’s construction management program has built a strong reputation as one of the best in the nation. Several industry leaders have volunteered to secure the program’s legacy through the Construction Management Capstone Campaign. “The number of businesses and individuals who are supporting this campaign is incredible,” said Sharron Townsend, senior director of development for the College of Business and Technology. “It’s a great success story and inspiration to other programs.” Founded in 1977, EKU’s construction management program is one of only two such degree programs in the commonwealth and one of only 38 in the nation. Since its founding, the program has graduated some of the most highly trained construction professionals in the world. In 2018, 100 percent of graduates were placed into jobs within nine months, with an average starting salary of $60,000. The program’s Capstone Campaign aims to continue that success, and has been entirely volunteerdriven by leaders of the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky committed to the program’s continued success. The committee is comprised of Chairman David Jackson, ’85, of Hacker Brothers, Inc.; David Dean, ’95, of Dean Builds; Brandon Berry, ’09, of Wehr Constructors; Casey Dunn, of Denham-Blythe Company; Steve Judy, ’87, of Judy Construction Company; Stephen Gray, of Gray; and Richard Vincent, of the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky. The group has designed and developed promotional materials, led fundraising efforts, developed donor incentive plans and hosted donor recognition events. So far, the campaign has raised $211,000 of its $250,000 goal. The contributions will be used to recruit and retain top-tier faculty, support faculty in research and professional development, increase opportunities for faculty and student travel and offer financial support for conference fees and special projects. Moving forward, the group hopes to build on the program’s positive momentum, helping graduates continue to build lucrative careers in Kentucky. “Contractors, by nature, take action. Chairman Jackson and the committee identified an opportunity to support EKU’s nationally recognized construction management program, developed a solid strategy and then rallied the industry to make it happen.” said Vincent. “By any measurement, you can see that this is a high-performing program.”
ERICA GILBERT
SCHOLARSHIP HELPS A YOUNG MOTHER ACHIEVE HER DREAMS
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | 15
Non-traditional aviation student Erica Gilbert had always dreamed of a “different and exciting” career, but initially struggled to get those dreams off the ground. The Georgia native enrolled in a nearby college right out of high school, but her parents’ divorce altered her plans. This change in circumstance led her to Kentucky with her sister, who was pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. “I worked little jobs here and there,” Gilbert said. “I was looking at joining the military, because I realized I didn’t want to do those dead-end jobs anymore.” Her plans to enlist, however, were put on hold. “I couldn’t pass the physical because I was pregnant.” After Gilbert’s son was born, she heard about EKU’s aviation program and wasted no time enrolling. Now she’s president of the Women Aviation International chapter at EKU and a recipient of the Patricia Eidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Although EKU offers an affordable tuition rate, the fees associated with any aviation program add significant cost. “The Patricia Eidson Scholarship really does help relieve some of that financial burden in a major way,” Gilbert said. “It’s a huge, huge blessing.” Never having considered pursuing aviation when she was a child, one of Gilbert’s goals as president of EKU’s Women Aviation International chapter is “to help bring light to little girls that they can be pilots.” Upon graduating from EKU, Gilbert plans to pursue a master’s degree and gain experience in aviation. Ultimately, she hopes to come back to EKU as a flight instructor to educate the next generation of aviators.
Dr. Lucky Meisenheimer, ’79
A FAMILY LEGACY AT EKU
The President’s Circle celebrates those dedicated alumni and friends who demonstrate their support of EKU’s mission and vision through leadershiplevel annual gifts of $1,000 or more.
350 DONORS
Dr. Lucky Meisenheimer, ’79, and his brother Dr. Ben Meisenheimer, ’85, are among countless EKU students who were influenced by their dad, Dr. John Meisenheimer Sr., to pursue careers in the medical profession. “I don’t think Ben and I knew you had an option not to be a physician,” Lucky laughed. Both of Lucky’s parents worked at EKU. His dad served as the pre-medical advisor and foundation professor in organic chemistry for more than three decades. His mom, Alice Meisenheimer, earned a degree in horticulture from EKU and worked as the greenhouse technician. For Lucky and Ben, being a Colonel was a lifelong endeavor. The brothers grew up in Richmond, graduating from Model Laboratory School, and later EKU. Part of the legacy of EKU’s swim team, Lucky was an NCAA national scholar athlete winner. Ben achieved a high school record for swimming and also swam on EKU’s renowned swim team. Lucky went on to attend the University of Kentucky medical school, and took a “life changing” rotation in Richmond with a local dermatologist and fellow EKU donor, Dr. Stuart Tobin. “I had no intention of going into dermatology,” Lucky said. “I took the rotation so I could come down and swim with the swim team.” Just a few days working with Dr. Tobin, however, changed his mind. “I decided I wanted to go into dermatology and never regretted that decision since,” Lucky said. Now Lucky is a dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon in Orlando, Florida, and Ben is an anesthesiologist in New York. In honor of their dad, Dr. John Meisenheimer Sr., the Meisenheimer family supported EKU’s College of Science Endowment for Faculty Success. “Academic excellence, which is the foundation of the University’s mission, begins with faculty,” said Dr. Tom Otieno, dean of EKU’s College of Science. “Gifts to this fund, therefore, support the very foundation of our mission. I cannot thank the Meisenheimer family enough for their support.” In addition, the College of Science recognized Dr. John Meisenheimer Sr. as an Iconic Professor, permanently honoring his legacy through the naming of The John L. Meisenheimer Sr. Laboratory — an organic chemistry lab in EKU’s Science Building. “He really impacted a lot of people’s lives,” Lucky said about his dad. “A lot of people are doctors and dentists and other medical professionals because of his influences as a pre-medical advisor.”
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$1,396,607
PHOTO: Jacquie Meisenheimer
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | 16
RAISED
Daniel Draper
SCHOLARSHIP ENABLES STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH
Battelle
SUPPORTING STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | 17
Through a unique regional grant and employee match program, Battelle is supporting undergraduate research at EKU with the establishment of the Battelle Student Research Scholarship. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Dr. Lindy Espina Dejarme has worked at Battelle’s Richmond, Kentucky location for 27 years. He currently serves as a research leader, developing carbon dioxide capture technologies to help address global climate change, as well as environmental chemical destruction technologies and new ways to collect harmful chemical pollutants before entering waterways. He’s also the senior chemist at Richmond’s Bluegrass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, in partnership with Bechtel and Parsons. After meeting EKU’s College of Science faculty and Dean Tom Otieno, Dejarme was moved to support their efforts. “The faculty had umph — they were so inspired with what they were doing with students and their teaching,” Dejarme said. “It was their exceptional dedication to students and their attitude that got me hooked. You don’t often see that level of commitment, and it motivated me to advocate Battelle’s support for this project.” Battelle offers a regional grant program, where employees submit funding proposals for projects they feel passionate about supporting. Additionally, Battelle’s employee matching gift program, Always Giving, makes an even greater impact. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the not-for-profit company devotes 62 percent of its philanthropic support to Central Ohio, but the remaining 38 percent is spread out amongst its regional offices, according to Regina Schofield, Battelle’s director of corporate engagement and education outreach. With the majority of Battelle’s charitable giving directed toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) engagement, the Battelle Student Research Scholarship provides a perfect fit for both the company and Dejarme’s interests. “Student research is invaluable to students — providing opportunities for collaboration with faculty to apply what they know and to build new knowledge,” Dejarme said. The scholarship enables students to devote their summers to the research experience, alongside a faculty mentor. The research gives students a competitive edge in graduate school and employment placement, Otieno noted, and many students have opportunities to present their research findings at local, regional and national conferences. “Undergraduate research positively impacts student learning, engagement and success. I am very thankful for Battelle’s generosity and the ongoing partnership between them and the College of Science,” Otieno said.
Thanks to the Battelle Student Research Scholarship, nontraditional student Daniel Draper had the opportunity to conduct geological research alongside EKU Geosciences Assistant Professor Dr. Jonathan Malzone. “Throughout the summer of 2020, I have been working with Dr. Malzone to characterize the volume of wetland pools in the Daniel Boone National Forest,” 34-year-old Draper said. “It is important to obtain volumetric data as it changes over a period of time since this allows each wetland to be studied in terms of its water budget.” The senior geology major from Williamsburg, Kentucky, plans to present the results of his wetland surveys at a science conference this fall. And upon graduation, Draper intends to pursue a graduate degree, furthering his education in this field that he loves. “I have found that the work I have been doing this summer has been the most rewarding of my life,” Draper said. It is clear the impact donor gifts make on a student’s educational experience. This has prepared him to take the next steps toward his career in which he ultimately wants to land a job categorizing geospatial data and studying natural areas. “I want to thank the Battelle Corporation for their support, which will certainly impact my life for many years to come,” Draper said. “I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities, and I know that when the time comes, I want to help others in their journey as well.”
CAMPUS REVITALIZATION
Chi Omega
CAMPUS REVITALIZATION | 18
SORORITY CELEBRATES PAST 50 YEARS WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gamma Theta chapter of Chi Omega at Eastern Kentucky University, the sorority gifted two intricate stained-glass windows to the University. The smaller of the two windows depicts Daniel Boone and was installed in the John Grant Crabbe Library between the Grand Reading Room and the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity. The rich tradition of the Daniel Boone statue on EKU’s campus parallels the sorority’s presence on campus over the past 50 years. The larger window serves as the glass wall of a conference room in the Powell Building, which was recently updated as part of EKU’s campus-wide revitalization project. Depicting the Ravine, one of the Campus Beautiful’s most scenic areas, the artwork is intended to honor the sorority’s future at EKU, said Chi Omega Chapter Adviser, Allison Helsinger, ’07. “This 50th anniversary project has been in the works since our chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary. Each year, funds were set aside before even knowing what the project would be,” she said. “We wanted this gift to be significant because a 50-year anniversary is a great milestone to achieve, and we are proud of that.”
To finish raising the needed funds, Chi Omega partnered with EKU’s Office of Development and Alumni Engagement in December 2017. In the course of a year, the sorority’s 1,000 EKU alumnae donated nearly $25,000 to fund the creation of the windows. The entire project cost an estimated $40,000, Helsinger said. In 2019, Chi Omega Alumnae Relations Adviser, Stacey Adams Kelly, ’89, presented renderings of the windows to then EKU President Dr. Michael T. Benson. “We all have such fond memories of our time together, not only as Chi Omegas, but as a part of the entire Greek and EKU communities,” Kelly said. Now a reality, the windows — created by Lexington, Kentucky stainedglass artists John “Zig” Zeigler and Sam Noelscher — showcase a beautiful addition of artwork on EKU’s campus. “EKU is most appreciative of the contributions that Chi Omega has made to support the creation of two beautiful stained-glass windows, which will be enjoyed by future generations of EKU students,” said Melinda Murphy, EKU’s director of gift and estate planning.
REBECCA SWARTZ
NOEL STUDIO GIVES STUDENT “A LOVING SPACE TO GROW” Rebecca Swartz, a first-generation student from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, understands firsthand the value of an education. “As the first member of my immediate family to attend a four-year university, I never could have anticipated the opportunities I would have while attending EKU,” said Swartz. “I have always taken pride in both my educational and professional achievements.” To help alleviate the burden of student loans as she pursues a degree in deaf and hard of hearing education, Swartz was the recipient of the Harriet Sesline Connor Loan Fund award. “I am grateful to have received this scholarship, and I feel that this award sees the value in my role as not only a student, but also a worker,” said Swartz. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, I can continue to pursue my passions and fulfill my desire for learning here at EKU.” As the only Kentucky university with a deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) education program, EKU was the obvious choice for Swartz. After graduation, she hopes to become a DHH teacher in one of Kentucky’s underserved rural counties. Furthering her commitment to helping others excel in the classroom, Swartz helps students every day as a Noel Studio for Academic Creativity consultant. The Noel Studio, which was made possible through the generous donations of the late Ron, ’64, and Sherrie Lou Noel, ’11, is a multiliteracy center offering integrated support for writing, speaking, research and multimodal communication. “Working at the Noel Studio has enhanced my educational experience in more ways than I can count,” she said. “Most importantly, the studio has provided me a loving space to grow as a teacher and to learn transferable skills that I will need to succeed in my future career.”
Friends of the Center is the annual giving group for the EKU Center for the Arts, the region’s primary performing arts and entertainment venue. The organization provides sustaining support for the EKU Center to enhance the patron experience. It performs educational outreach, funds facility improvements and brings together a fun-loving, like-minded community for amazing experiences. Friends of the Center members enjoy exclusive access to performance-enhancing benefits such as premier parking, meet-and-greets with performers, advance notice of shows and early ticket purchasing opportunities.
314 DONORS ————————————
$65,466 CAMPUS REVITALIZATION | 19
RAISED
COLONEL CLUB Colonel Athletics enhances the full collegiate experience, offering students educational and personal opportunities in the stands, on the field of play and beyond. Eastern Kentucky University supports over 300 student-athletes in their pursuit of academic, athletic and personal excellence. The Colonel Club helps provide the resources necessary to maintain a first-class athletics program.
547 DONORS ————————————
$401,157 CAMPUS REVITALIZATION | 20
RAISED
CHASE CARSON
CAMPUS SPACES AND SCHOLARSHIPS HELP COLONEL MAKE A DIFFERENCE Chase Carson, a junior accounting major and psychology minor from London, Kentucky, dreams of using his education to bridge the gap between civil rights and law enforcement. The Nina B. Duvall Endowed Scholarship is helping make that dream a reality by allowing him to earn his degree without the burden of student loans. “I am honored to be a recipient of the Nina B. Duvall Endowed Scholarship,” said Carson. “I am so appreciative because it has allowed me to pursue my academics and career during these hard times we are all facing.” As a young African American man, Carson is passionate about improving the relationship between the African American community and law enforcement. He has even helped found his hometown’s diversity council, which aims to educate the community and foster discussion about diversity and inclusion. Eventually, he hopes to work for the FBI. In addition to scholarship funds, Carson says, revitalized campus spaces have been an integral part of his academic success. “I like to work in spaces where there are not many distractions,” said Carson, “and also close to food in case I get hungry.” The recently renovated Powell Building features new study spaces, as well as restaurants like Starbucks and Steak ’n Shake. And nearby Case Dining Hall, completed in early 2018, offers extra fuel for Carson’s intense study sessions.
EKU VETS Center
STRENGTHENED SUPPORT FOR VETERAN STUDENTS Eastern Kentucky University has long been known as an institution supporting veterans, and now has a new space on campus to strengthen that support. The 3,000 square-foot Veterans Education and Transition Support (VETS) Center, located in EKU’s newly renovated Powell Building, is the largest space on a college campus in Kentucky dedicated to veterans. “The establishment of the new EKU VETS Center has one guiding purpose: to develop and provide services, programming and opportunities to engage, transition, retain and graduate our students so they may then go out and serve other veterans in their communities,” said Barbara Kent, ’17, director of EKU’s Office for Military and Veteran Affairs. The center boasts an open area designed for EKU veteran and military students to study and hold events. The space includes lounge furniture, group work stations, a customer service desk staffed by VA student employees, charging stations, a retractable large-screen projector, computer stations, printers and a hospitality station with café-style seating. The VETS Center was made possible with the support of donors and more than $30,000 in gifts and funding to help furnish it. “This new veteran center is a great opportunity to support our veterans at EKU,” said donor Keith Daniel, ’79, president of KDA Office Furniture.
“As the son of a World War II veteran from Johnson County, Kentucky, I have always had a strong passion to support those who protect us. So proud to be able to support our EKU Colonel Veterans!” EKU VETS Center donors include: • Lynn Taylor Tye • Keith Daniel of KDA Furniture • Richmond Walmart • David Gannon, representing US Bank Home Mortgage • Jessica Strunk, representing US Bank • Mark York, representing Bechtel International • Gabe Hoffman, representing Pieratt’s • Jaime Stansell, representing Sherwin-Williams • K.R. Schomp of Longship “The generous support of donors has enabled us to create a space for our veteran and military students where they can socialize, engage with their peers, study, receive services, as well as participate in events,” said Kent. “We cannot thank our donors enough for their support of our veteran and military students.”
CAMPUS REVITALIZATION | 21
SAFE
Anthony, ’02, and TANLEE WASSON, ’02
SAFE | 22
PAYING IT FORWARD Tanlee Wasson, senior vice president of student success, engagement and opportunity at Eastern Kentucky University, can better relate to the average EKU student than many of them could know. Like much of the student body, Wasson grew up in a poor family in Eastern Kentucky — Campton, Kentucky, to be exact, later moving to Stanton, Kentucky, at the age of 13. Also like many EKU students, Wasson became the first in her family to attend college. Those experiences led her to EKU and to give to the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE). “As a native Eastern Kentuckian and first-generation college student, I fully understand the transformative value of higher education,” said Wasson. Wasson’s three degrees were stepping stones to a successful career serving students in higher education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Berea College, a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from EKU, and a doctorate in organizational psychology from
Hofstra University. Since January 1, 2020, she has put those degrees to work as vice president, using data to improve and develop programming to help students succeed at EKU. “Nothing could be more exciting or more rewarding,” Wasson said of her role. Wasson’s firsthand experience with poverty and her interactions with students remind her of the obstacles that some students face in getting their degree. Giving to the SAFE fund is her way of paying it forward. “Something that seems small to others like a flat tire, a few days of missed work, an unpaid utility bill or a sick parent who can’t babysit during class this week can turn into the final string that unravels their ability to balance everything it takes to remain an EKU student,” she said. “SAFE provides relief for those emergency situations. I am proud and humbled to be a part of bridging that gap for our students. They deserve our help!”
ALAN AND ANNE FLEIScHER
PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST Like many EKU students, Anne Fleischer, professor of occupational science and occupational therapy, entered college as a first-generation student from a low-income family. Her father passed away when she was in high school, and her mother was unable to work due to a disability, resulting in a difficult financial strain for the family. The help Anne received from family and friends allowed her to pursue the education that has led to her dream job. Now, she and her husband, Alan, a professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, are helping students that are also in great financial need by giving to the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE). “This is a time in which we all need to work together, and we’re glad to be part of it,” said Anne. After living in North Carolina for 28 years, the Fleischers moved to Kentucky to be closer to family in St. Louis, Missouri. Anne felt drawn to EKU’s nationally recognized occupational therapy program, and it proved to be a perfect fit. Serving on the faculty senate allowed her to be even more involved in EKU’s student-first approach to leadership. “The sincerity in providing quality education for the students is what impressed me the most about EKU. It’s not just lip service or philosophy,” said Anne. “People are really trying to do it.” Anne espouses that student-centered philosophy outside of the classroom as well. As higher education professionals, both Alan and Anne have witnessed firsthand the devastation COVID-19 has caused for students. Many have lost jobs, housing and more. Moved by compassion, the Fleischers are leveraging their positions to give these students a hand up. “Both of us know how extraordinarily lucky we are to have such great educations and positions,” said Alan. “This is a real time of educational crisis. Our students need help.”
SIERRA HERALD
SAFE FUNDS HELP JUNIOR MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE
SAFE | 23
For junior forensic psychology major Sierra Herald, coming to EKU was an exciting step into adulthood. She discovered her dream career path, began an on-campus job at the Crabbe Library, and moved into her first apartment. When COVID-19 shutdowns threatened her newfound independence, the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) was there to help. “College can be an exciting but scary part of your life. Many of us are starting off on our own for our first time. Sometimes the unthinkable happens, such as COVID-19, and makes it difficult to make your rent for a month,” said Herald. “It’s nice to know there is a fund available for these situations if you need it.” Native to Hazard, Kentucky, Herald chose EKU for its generous scholarship offerings, top-notch forensic psychology program and proximity to her family. Upon graduating from EKU in 2022, she hopes to enroll in EKU’s doctor of psychology program, eventually becoming a therapist in the prison system. “I plan to use my degree to help others,” Herald said. “I want to work on a reform of the current system and get more of a spotlight on the importance of mental health.” When COVID-19 caused campus shutdowns in March, Herald and her fellow library student employees were unable to work. Receiving SAFE funds helped her continue to pay rent. “Any student who receives the funding from SAFE appreciates it,” said Herald. “I’d like to thank any donor to the SAFE fund because the money helped me out in a tough time.”
ATHLETICS
JACOB ABBOTT
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPLETES THREE DEGREES IN FIVE YEARS
ROY, ’55, AND SUE KIDD
ATHLETICS | 24
HONORING A LEGACY OF COLONEL FOOTBALL For almost four decades, Roy Kidd, ’55, was synonymous with Colonel football — coaching EKU’s football team from 1964 through 2002. And what a legacy he fashioned: 314 wins, two national titles, 16 Ohio Valley Conference crowns and induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. But as much as he will be remembered for the winning tradition he built at his beloved alma mater, Coach Kidd will also be remembered as a molder of men. A group of admiring former players banded together to pay tribute to a demanding but nurturing mentor whose life lessons resonate to this day. “Because of you, we all know what it’s like to be winners,” said former player Rick Sang, ’81. Sang, a wide receiver and punter on Kidd’s 1979 I–AA national championship team, helped lead a $100,000-plus fundraising effort to honor Kidd with a life-size bronze statue overlooking the north end of the stadium bearing his name. Coach Kidd, as he has always been quick to do, generously shared the credit with assistant coaches, players, fans and his wife, Sue. To recognize all who have ever coached or played football at Eastern, Coach Kidd and Sue added their support to establish a wall of honor behind the statue. The student-athletes who played for Coach Kidd gave EKU alumni, friends and families some of their best EKU memories, united them through a love of football and showed the world what Colonels can do. The Matter of Pride Wall serves as a permanent monument to hundreds of EKU players who fought every game to ensure a winning tradition. “Coach Kidd represents every tenet of strength that an EKU student-athlete should — hard work, discipline, resilience, execution and accountability,” said Bundy McGinnis, ’91, former football player under Coach Kidd. “He held himself, his coaches and his players to championship standards. He wanted to win, and that started from the very beginning. He played for championship coaches, he developed championship caliber teams and he developed championship level men.” With the “Matter of Pride Wall” now in place, the legacy of Coach Kidd — along with his team of assistant coaches and players — will continue to inspire and motivate Colonels for future generations to come.
It was baseball that brought Jacob Abbott, triple major and pitcher for the Colonels baseball team, to Eastern Kentucky University. Thanks to the Bet and David Koeninger Endowed Scholarship, the senior has been able to defray the costs of taking an extra year to finish all three of his degrees. “I am honored to be a recipient of the Bet and David Koeninger Endowed Scholarship,” said Abbott. “It will be extremely beneficial for me as I wrap up my collegiate career and get prepared to go into the real world.” The Koeninger Scholarship is awarded to Kentucky high school graduates who have declared accounting as their major. Recognizing his knack for numbers, Abbott did just that, later adding majors in finance and risk management and insurance to fulfill the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam. Abbott will graduate in 2021 and has already received a full-time job offer with Louisville accounting firm Ernst & Young. Abbott’s drive is apparent both on and off the field, and baseball has been vital to his academic and professional success. He was recruited to EKU through Colonel baseball, where he has played eight out of nine positions on the field. “Being an athlete has led to many great relationships that I have been able to rely on throughout my time here at Eastern,” said Abbott. “The work ethic I have established within baseball translates over to the classroom and has allowed me to get the grades that I have.”
Mike Osborne
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING HIS COMMUNITY
Taran McMillan
SCHOLARSHIP HELPS COLONEL ACHIEVE TWO DREAMS
ATHLETICS | 25
Since she was 5 years old, Taran McMillan has been in love with the game of soccer and currently plays on the EKU women’s soccer team. She also dreams of one day helping people in the medical field as a physician assistant. Thanks to the Jacqueline “Jackie” Kearns Whalin Endowed Scholarship, McMillan can pursue both dreams. “The Jackie Whalin Scholarship has allowed me to focus and succeed in school and on the field, without having the stress of working,” said McMillan. “This scholarship is helping me achieve my long-term goals and save money to help pay for grad school in the future.” A transfer student from Centerville, Ohio, McMillan began her college career at a small private college in Indiana. However, she quickly decided a bigger campus with more opportunities would be a better fit and offer her a better shot at eventually playing professional soccer. Luckily, a former coach had connections at EKU and set up a campus tour for her. “As soon as I stepped on this campus, I fell in love with it and the soccer program,” said McMillan. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in late 2021, McMillan hopes to play professional soccer abroad for a few years, then come back to the United States and enroll in a physician assistant program. “I am so happy to be a Colonel,” McMillan said. “This school has allowed me to flourish in a great environment so I can be the best person, student and athlete that I could possibly be.”
Since making Richmond their home 10 years ago, Mike Osborne and his wife, Anita, have generously supported EKU athletics and the local community. “We’re big on supporting the community, no matter where we live,” Mike said. Mike, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, is originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Anita, a University of Kentucky graduate, is from Ashland, Kentucky. Following Mike’s 28-year, executive-level career in the pharmaceutical industry in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Osbornes decided to return to Kentucky to be closer to family. Now, “semi-retired,” as Mike said, he owns an investment company, New Millennium Asset Management, specializing in investing for retirement income. A few years after moving to Richmond, Mike bought the Boones Trace National Golf Club in partnership with the Richmond community to prevent its closure. Soon thereafter, local leaders connected him to EKU athletics and the golf team. “My daughter was a college golfer, and we had a great father-daughter relationship through golf,” Mike said about his interest in donating to the golf team. In addition to golf, he’s given to the baseball and track and field teams, and further supports athletics through the Colonel Club and as a season ticket holder for both basketball and football. “I’m always open to addressing any of the special needs of the athletics programs,” Mike, a former college football player, said. “I definitely am willing to do whatever it takes to help the University and help the athletes.” The Osbornes enjoy cheering on the Colonels at football, basketball and baseball games. However, if the Colonels are playing rival Western Kentucky, Mike’s alma mater, “that’s about the only time I would not totally root for EKU,” Mike laughed, saying he takes a neutral position. “I sit there and just watch.” Keeping their philanthropy within the local community, the Osbornes’ generosity goes beyond EKU, as they also give locally to charitable organizations and participate in initiatives to benefit the Richmond community.
PLANNED GIVING PLANNED GIVING | 26
Frances Elizabeth Hensley Kramer
MADELYN BURNS
A successful investor, Frances Elizabeth Hensley Kramer believes the best investments people can make are investments in themselves, and specifically, in education. Kramer was born in 1931 in Heidelberg, Kentucky — near the town of Beattyville. Her family moved to Hyden, Kentucky, when she was a young girl. Hyden is the county seat of Leslie County and is named in honor of Kramer’s great-grandfather, Senator John C. Hyden, Jr. When Kramer was 9 years old, her father tragically passed away, and a few years later, her family relocated to Lexington. Nevertheless, she has always considered Hyden her home. After graduating from college and getting married, Kramer moved to Ohio, became an elementary school teacher, and she and her husband had three children. In the early 1960s, Kramer and her family moved back to Lexington so she could help her mother manage an apartment building she owned. While in Lexington, Kramer made several highly successful investments in real estate, including two apartment buildings and many single-family homes and townhomes. She and a business partner designed and built a successful townhome community near Southland Drive in Lexington. Together with her brother, Paul H. Hensley, she owned and managed more than 10,000 acres of mineral and surface property in Leslie and Clay Counties, Kentucky, much of which was acquired by her grandparents and great-grandparents. Kramer also became very skilled and successful at investing in the stock market. As a strong proponent of long-term investing, Kramer encourages young people to invest in themselves first through education and then by wise financial investments. She is a living testimony to the practice of duplication and compounding of financial assets. Her savings have grown significantly throughout her life and she says, “This is the best way to prepare for your ultimate peace of mind and financial security.” Many members of Kramer’s family, including her mother, her children and her grandchildren, graduated from EKU. Out of a deep gratitude to EKU and to her family, she is helping students from Leslie and Clay Counties through a renewable scholarship she created — the Frances Elizabeth Hensley Kramer Endowed Scholarship, in honor of her parents Harvey H. and Maude Hyden Hensley; grandparents Henry M. (HM) and Fannie Chappell Hensley, William Hacker and Mary Baker Hyden; and great-grandfather, Senator John C. (Jack) Hyden, Jr. “EKU is extremely grateful for Ms. Kramer’s generous investment in incoming freshmen from Leslie and Clay counties, who will be inspired via these renewable scholarships to fulfill their dreams of attaining a college education,” said Melinda Murphy, EKU’s director of gift and estate planning.
Madelyn Burns from Manchester — a rural town in Southeastern Kentucky’s Clay County — is pursuing her educational aspirations at EKU with financial support from the Frances Elizabeth Hensley Kramer Endowed Scholarship. Donor Frances Kramer established the scholarship to help incoming freshmen from Leslie and Clay Counties, like Burns, achieve their goals of earning a college degree. Now in her freshman year, Burns said, “Eastern Kentucky University has a very welcoming and uplifting environment that I am ecstatic to get to be included in.” Throughout her next few years on campus, she wants to join different outreach groups to support both campus and community while pursuing a nursing degree. Ultimately, she plans to get a master’s in nursing and obtain the title of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. With a focus on mental health becoming more prevalent across society, Burns’ education and career will prove critical in providing an essential service to her community. “I have always had the drive to want to attend college and be successful in bringing my knowledge back to my hometown, to help serve the underprivileged,” she said. “With the help of this generous donation, I am now able to further my education and be one step closer to my long-term goal.” Many EKU students would not be able to pursue higher education without the support of passionate and generous donors like Kramer. Burns is one of many students whose life is positively impacted by the opportunity to attend EKU. With her education, she’ll be able to help others throughout her career, allowing the legacy of Kramer’s gift to continue far beyond graduation.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION
PURSUING A CAREER AS A MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
Dr. Donald R., ’62, and Dr. Sue H. Whitaker
CONTINUING A LEGACY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
4 NEW
COMMITMENTS
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$610,000 PLEDGED
PLANNED GIving | 27
The Whitaker family and philanthropy seem to go hand in hand. Dr. Donald R. and Dr. Sue H. Whitaker have built an enormous legacy, donating to create endowed scholarships at four universities, each supporting a variety of students in their pursuit of higher education. In honor of Donald’s parents, they established the Raymond Benjamin and Ruth Levi Whitaker Endowed Scholarship Fund in Mathematics Education at Eastern Kentucky University. “Since we have no children, we envisioned this scholarship as a way to endow, in perpetuity, the love and support that my parents gave to me,” said Donald. “My parents served ably as my first teachers, taught most effectively by example, and often made personal sacrifices so that my educational goals could be accomplished.” Although the Whitakers had already shown abundant generosity toward EKU through their endowed scholarship, they recently decided to ensure an even greater legacy, committing $210,000 in the form of a planned gift to benefit the Raymond B. and Ruth L. Whitaker Endowed Scholarship Fund and the College of Science Endowment for Student Success Fund. The Whitakers made an immediate commitment of $25,000 for the Raymond B. and Ruth L. Whitaker Endowed Scholarship Fund. Supporting higher education is a priority for Donald and Sue, having spent their careers in and around the world of education. For almost a decade prior to his retirement in 2010, Donald was the executive director of institutional effectiveness at Ball State University. Before that, he chaired the university’s Department of Mathematical Sciences for 14 years. Sue taught home economics at Ball State University, which then led to her becoming chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, a position she enjoyed for nearly 10 years. “As career educators, Don and Sue Whitaker understand the importance of education,” said Melissa Grinstead, associate vice president of development and campaign manager. “Their teaching legacy will continue through the students who benefit from their scholarships.” EKU is honored to have the unwavering support of the Whitaker family. They are both incredibly generous, continuously serving their communities and looking for more ways to offer solutions to difficult problems. “Unfortunately, many of today’s students are graduating with large amounts of debt,” said Sue. “My parents, although not wealthy, were able to put my brother and me through college. We worked to help, and with a few small scholarships, we were able to graduate without debt. Don and I know the scholarships we provide don’t relieve all the debt students have, but they can help.” The Whitakers’ ultimate hope is that those who have benefited from their generosity will continue this tradition, and pay it forward to support the lives of many students for generations to come. Sue shared, “I hope that as time and finances allow, those who receive our help will also give back by setting up scholarships or making contributions to established scholarships at their alma maters.”
The Legacy Society recognizes alumni and friends who have provided for EKU in their estate plans. These charitable contributions greatly benefit Eastern while often offering substantial tax advantages to the donors. The most common form of an estate or “planned” gift is a will bequest in which a donor names EKU as beneficiary of a specific dollar amount or percentage of an estate. Other planned gift options include charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and gifts of life insurance. A number of unique variations are possible with these plans, many of which provide donors with lifetime payments.
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES David McFaddin, ’00 ’15 University President Richmond, KY Maribeth Berman, ’92 Board Chair Louisville, KY Deborah Alexander, ’77 Lexington, KY Paul Chellgren Covington, KY Robert Click, ’73 Columbus, OH Melissa Combs, ’00 Lexington, KY Lewis Diaz, ’00 ’02 Board of Regents Chair Cincinnati, OH Troy Ellis, ‘87 Nashville, TN Matt Evans, ’91 Lexington, KY Suzanne P. Fawbush, ’83 New York, NY Amy Jo Gabel, ’05 Alumni Board President Smyrna, TN
Betina Gardner Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Executive Director of EKU Foundation Richmond, KY Jim Guice, ’11 Coral Springs, FL Jeri Isbell, ’79 Naples, FL Richard Mattingly, ’78 Potomac, MD Mary Ousley, ’74 ’86 Secretary Richmond, KY Andrew Page, ’92 Raleigh, NC April Perry, ’86 ’96 Ashland, KY Barry Poynter, ’92 Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Treasurer of EKU Foundation Richmond, KY William Reddick, ’87 Marietta, GA John Wade Richmond, KY
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Donald Whitaker, ’62 Muncie, IN
Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts, or in any employment policy or practice. Any complaint arising by reason of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Jones Building, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, Kentucky 40475-3102, (859) 622-8020 or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. 20202 1-800-421-3481 (V), 1-800-877-8339 (TDD). 2020_Foundation Report_MT12
EVERY GIFT
MATTERS.
EVERY YEAR.
When you make a gift to Eastern Kentucky University, you help to change lives. Your annual financial support makes a world-class education possible for all students year after year — whether they are with us in person or online. A degree from EKU puts graduates on a path to success that can impact their families and communities for generations to come. Camara Cannady, ’21, a foundation scholarship recipient, describes this impact: “My future is now set on the yellow brick road, and I can now focus on finishing my degree and pursuing a master’s degree in health care. I am so close and cannot wait to finally enrich lives as mine was enriched. This gives me the motivation to help others in my situation, being a low-income, first-generation college student setting the path for success.” Every gift matters. Scholarships help make education more affordable. Gifts to programs across the University provide students with hands-on experiences and better prepare them for professional careers. Support of the Eastern Fund gives EKU flexibility to meet unforeseen needs and improve the experiences of students, faculty and staff. Gifts to the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) relieve emergency financial situations that serve as barriers to academic success.
HOW TO GIVE
You can help change lives at EKU with a gift or new pledge. Please use the included envelope or visit go.eku.edu/give to make a gift by debit or credit card. If you want more information about establishing a named scholarship or need instructions for specialized gift options (such as naming EKU in your will or gifts of real estate and stock), please contact us at:
859-622-GIVE (859-622-4483) OR GIVING@EKU.EDU
@EKUalums
EKU Alumni & Friends
development.eku.edu OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT CPO 19A Eastern Kentucky University 521 Lancaster Avenue Richmond, Kentucky 40475-3102
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