EKU Magazine Spring 2020 by Eastern Kentucky University

A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2020

Contributors EKU Magazine is a collaborative effort between EKU Alumni Engagement and EKU Communications and Brand Management. EKU Interim President David T. McFaddin Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement Betina Gardner Assistant Vice President, Communications and Brand Management Doug Cornett Staff Photographer Amanda Cain Photography Charles Mostoller Chris Radcliffe, ’04 Staff Writers Madison Caplinger, ’19 Joshua Kegley, ’07 Contributing Writers Lanny Brannock, ’99 Kevin Britton, ’00 ’11 Steven Fohl, ’07 ’12 Jerry Wallace Margaret Muncy Willingham ’80 Editorial Director, Brand Management; Managing Editor Brandon Moore, ’14 Design and Layout Art Director/ Senior Graphic Designer Mickey Thomas Graphic Designer Ashley Reaves, ’19 Design Management Jessica Holly

Alumni Engagement Staff Associate Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement Dan McBride, ’89 Senior Director for Engagement and Communications Steve Greenwell, ’06 Assistant Director of Engagement and Communications Alex Hanavan, ’15 ’17 Coordinator of Alumni Programming and Student Philanthropy Ashley Turner, ’19 Administrative Assistant II, Alumni Engagement Jessica Duerson International Alumni Association Board President Amy Jo Smith Gabel, ’05 ’08 Vice President Ray Arnold, ’09 ’13 Secretary; Chair, Development Allison Allgier ’92 Board Members: Deborah Alexander, ’77, Rodney Bussell, ’95, Tichaedza Chikuni, ’05 ’11, Mikayla Courtney, ’19, Christopher Eden, ’09, David Fifer, ’07, Kelvin Ford, ’93, Doug Hampton, ’71, Roger Hardin, ’75, Allison Helsinger, ’07, Kenna Middleton, ’79 ’81, Barbara Phillips, ’73, Chris Radcliffe, ’04 ’12, Tom Reeves, ’99 ’02, Lucy Riffle, ’77, Laura Rudolph, ’08, Ashley Shofner (Student Alumni Ambassador President), Bob Sullivan, ’72 (ROTC Representative), Lori Tatum, ’99, Lelani Turrentine, ’71, Andrea Tyra, ’19, Ray Walker, ’79, Randy White, ’90

Enjoy a Mini-Vacation in Colonel Country Alumni outside of Madison and surrounding counties can

enjoy several days of fun and relaxation at EKU with an alumni membership! Golf, swim, catch a game, enjoy a meal and more at the University Club at Arlington. Your membership package will provide an experience that is like your own personal homecoming celebration.

Visit go.eku.edu/arlington to learn more about alumni memberships starting at just $49 annually. NOTE: These packages are only available to alumni who do not live in Madison County or a contiguous county, or own a business in Madison County.

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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, Eastern Kentucky University, Jones Building 416, Richmond, Kentucky 40475, (859) 622-8020, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. 20202, 1-800-421-3481 (V), 1-800-877-8339 (TTY).

SP 20/20 –—— CON T E N T S ——––

A Letter from Interim President David T. McFaddin

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EKU Stories

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Charting a Course Persistence Pays Off for Gail Dent ’88

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Heroes Among Us Colonel Vets Continuing a Tradition of Service

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A Legacy of Learning Three Generations of Colonel Educators

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Best of Eastern 2019 Alumni Award Winners

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Playing the Underdog Mike Harmon, ’88 Shares his Secret to Success

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A Bridge Well-Built Student Alumni Ambassadors Celebrate 35 Years

14 32

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Athletic Highlights

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Social Media Highlights

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Alumni News

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On our Cover : Distinguished Service Honorees Jon Akers, Col. Alvin E. Miller and Sheila Hill. Read more about them and all the 2019 Alumni Award winners on page 24.

Interim President McFaddin talks with Rachael Stagner, a senior communication disorders major from Princeton, Ky., at the Coates Administration Building in January, 2020.

A LE T T ER from I NT ERIM P RESI DENT DAVI D T. MCFADDI N

Nurtured by the Past, Looking to the Future Since joining Eastern Kentucky University more than a decade ago, I have been privileged to address countless young people, community leaders and public officials about the intrinsic value of higher education and the transformative power of the unique Eastern Experience. Like so many of my fellow Eastern alumni, I speak proudly from experience. Alma mater means “nourishing mother,” and that certainly describes how Eastern has impacted my life — as a first-generation undergraduate student from rural eastern Kentucky, as a communication professional in corporate America, as a doctoral student and as an adjunct faculty member and administrator. Just as I was mentored and inspired by the best professors, administrators and colleagues this Johnson County native could ever desire, I now enjoy an even larger platform from which to advance an institution. I came to love EKU almost 25 years ago. I plan to build public and private support for her future endeavors. As your interim president, I intend to rely on the colossal achievements of all those who came before me, balancing great respect for Eastern’s rich traditions of excellence with a boundless vision for an even brighter future. This is a privilege and responsibility I share with my fellow alumni and the many friends Eastern enjoys throughout Kentucky and worldwide. I know firsthand how powerful and resilient the common bonds are between Colonels past and present. Because I have repeatedly witnessed what we can accomplish when we work together, I pledge to serve in this capacity, to reach out to you, our highly valued alumni and friends, for both counsel and support. While I am no stranger to hard work and prefer to focus on solutions instead of problems, I have also come to learn that the best decisions are never made in isolation. When a team shares the responsibility, the resulting choices empower the group, stand a better chance of lasting success and promote confidence in decision making at all levels of the institution. Moving forward, we will focus on student enrollment and retention. We will practice prudent but foresighted financial stewardship built on

both well-considered efficiencies and new revenue streams. We will continue to facilitate a unique Eastern Experience that differentiates us from other institutions and embrace an inclusive culture of service to each other, our students and the region we serve. These strategic priorities build on an outstanding academic experience that only EKU can provide. We will never lose sight of our academic excellence. Indeed, it is the very foundation upon which Eastern must stand. As the core of our mission, we must foster and support exceptional learning opportunities, programs and instruction — for all our students, whether residential, commuting or online. Whether it is for time-tested core programs or for initiatives that prepare our students for careers that don’t even exist today, academic excellence is baked into each of our priorities. It will be the hub of our implementation. Our faithful alumni will forever have a seat at our proverbial table and, with that, a tremendous opportunity to impact students’ lives. Just as your passions were stoked and your paths illuminated, our current students will benefit from your experience. As a campus administrator these past eight years, I gained a firm grasp of the pressing issues facing EKU and the strategies to address them. As I assume my new responsibilities, I am honored and humbled, confident and comfortable, and excited and invigorated to further my service to my alma mater in an expanded capacity. Working together, we will ensure that our University continues to empower lives for generations to come just as it has mine and yours.

David T. McFaddin David T. McFaddin Interim President, Eastern Kentucky University

EKU MAGAZINE 3

EKUSTORIES IN THIS

ISSUE

SAVAGE ELECTED TO NPR BOARD WEKU Director and General Manager Mike Savage has been elected to the Board of Directors for National Public Radio (NPR). This is Savage’s second term as a member director. His three-year term begins in November. NPR’s 23-member Board of Directors is comprised of 12 member directors who are managers of NPR member stations and are elected to the board by their fellow member stations.

Savage Elected to NPR Board ———— • ————

Gen1 Conference Focuses on First-Generation Student Success ———— • ————

Permanent POW/MIA Honor Chair Unveiled at Roy Kidd Stadium ———— • ————

Professor Emeritus Dr. Qaisar Sultana Receives Fifth Fulbright ———— • ————

Faculty Innovators Recognized ———— • ————

Gaither Named Director of Environmental Health and Safety

The election announcement follows several weeks of voting, including an unprecedented nomination process whereby Savage is believed to be the only NPR member station representative to be successfully petitioned onto the ballot. “Not only will I be representing Kentucky and EKU, I’ll also be representing smaller public radio stations like WEKU which serve rural areas of our country,” Savage said. Savage is the director and general manager at WEKU, a University licensee that serves central and eastern Kentucky through four full-power FM stations and five translators. WEKU is the only dedicated public radio news station serving Lexington. In many parts of rural eastern Kentucky, WEKU is the only source of news and information. “It’s important for stations like WEKU to be represented on the NPR board, and with Mike’s advocacy and experience, we’re elated he’s been elected for the second time,” said Interim President Dr. David McFaddin. Under his leadership, WEKU has improved its financial position through the implementation of a long-term strategic plan. The station has also enjoyed growth in audience, underwriting and membership. “I look forward to providing the NPR Board with the perspective of small and rural stations like WEKU,” Savage said. Savage served on the NPR Board from 2014 to 2017 serving in leadership roles including vice chair of the Distribution Interconnect Committee. In that role, he successfully advocated for a change in the D/I fee calculation for stations to protect stations from large fee increases in the event of CPB defunding. Savage also served on other NPR committees, including Strategic Planning, Audit and Membership. He has held board positions on state and regional public radio organizations, including Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Association of Kentucky Public Radio Stations and Public Radio in Mid America.

CORRECTION: The Marching Maroons played at the Kentucky Derby in 1974. The 2019 performance was the second time the EKU Marching Band performed during Kentucky Derby festivities.

Read more about these stories and access additional content: stories.eku.edu

4 SPRING 2020

Conference attendees listen to a presenter during the Gen1 Conference, November 8, 2019.

GEN1 CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SUCCESS Friday, Nov. 8, was national First Generation College Student Day, and

Other keynote speakers included Dr. Aaron Thompson, a Clay County

approximately 150 educators at all levels from Kentucky and several

native, EKU graduate and former professor/administrator who now serves

other states converged on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University

as president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and

to discuss ways to better serve those who are the first in their families

Silas House, Laurel County native, Eastern graduate and acclaimed author.

to attend college.

The conference agenda featured 35 breakout sessions focused on

The day-long Gen1 Conference, held in the Perkins Building, was the

readiness, classroom management and support topics of interest

first conference focused on first-generation student success ever held in

to middle school, high school and postsecondary teachers, staff

Kentucky, according to Dr. Gill Hunter, executive director of retention

and administrators.

and graduation at EKU, and honored the University’s commitment to first-generation student success.

“The idea began when the director of our NOVA program proclaimed

“We brought together thought leaders from across the spectrum of

Hunter said. “We planned for more than a year to make this happen and

educational experience: four-year and two-year colleges, publics and

have brought many different partners from across the University on

privates, middle schools and high schools, state agencies and private

board. This conference is a great example of it taking a village to see a

industry partners,” Hunter said. “Leaders from these presented and

project through. I’ve made new friends in helping lead this effort and have

attended sessions, forming valuable networks that will let ideas grow.”

seen colleagues find their voice and chart new paths for themselves. And

One keynote speaker actually spoke the preceding evening, Thursday,

her goal of making EKU the first-generation student college in Kentucky,”

that’s exactly what we want for the students we serve.

Nov. 7, as part of the University’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series.

“We’re eager to share the news about what EKU does with and for first-

Michael Sorrell, who as president transformed struggling Paul Quinn

generation students,” Hunter continued. “We’re glad that others share our

College in Dallas, Texas, into one of the most innovative colleges in

desire to shape the outcomes of these students. We see this as a starting

America and was honored by Fortune on its 2018 list of the world’s 50

place, where the breadth of a conference experience can lead to the depth

greatest leaders, addressed “Building Resilient Universities for Resilient

of continued conversations and implementation of policies that support

People” at 7:30 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall of the Whitlock Building.

students and change families and communities.”

EKU MAGAZINE 5

PERMANENT POW/MIA HONOR CHAIR UNVEILED AT ROY KIDD STADIUM Roy Kidd Stadium added one new seat to its capacity in November,

National League of POW/MIA Families in Washington, D.C. “My focus

a seat that holds the memories of thousands, but which will remain

is now on the 1,587 veterans who never returned from Vietnam.”

forever unfilled. A Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Honor Chair was unveiled at the stadium during a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 14. near the statue of Kidd, on top of The Hill. The public unveiling came during halftime of the Colonels’ win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Nov. 16. EKU Director of Military and Veteran Affairs Barbara Kent and Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5 have been working for months to place the Honor Chair. The Honor Chair is a permanent reminder of soldiers who never came

Fourteen Kentucky Vietnam veterans remain classified as missing in action. One was an EKU graduate. “But for me, today, this chair has a very personal, important presence in my heart,” said Cathy Stringer Robinson, whose father, Capt. John Curtis Stringer II went missing in Vietnam in November 1970. Stringer is a graduate of EKU like her father was. “I don’t think he missed many games while he was here at Eastern. He loved Eastern. He loved his ROTC program, and I feel that this is a very special chair.

home and who remain lost on the field of battle in overseas wars.

“I really want to thank EKU for this chair and this remembrance

“I never spoke about it,” said Cindy Stonebreaker, the daughter of

said. “Barbara (Kent) has been a workhorse for this chair. That’s what

Lt. Col. Kenneth Stonebreaker, who went missing in Vietnam on

this mission is about, not forgetting him (my father).”

Oct. 28, 1968. Stonebreaker now sits on the Board of Directors for the

6 SPRING 2020

ceremony. This is beyond anything I could have imagined,” Robinson

PROFESSOR EMERITUS DR. QAISAR SULTANA RECEIVES FIFTH FULBRIGHT Dr. Qaisar Sultana, professor emeritus and former chair of the Department

chair of the Kentucky Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children by the

of Special Education in the College of Education, has enjoyed an incredible

governor, and was appointed Due Process Hearing Officer of the panel

career. She became an authority and pioneer in the field of special

by the attorney general. At EKU, she authored federal grants that

education in her native Pakistan. She was instrumental in building EKU’s

provided a three-year, in-service training program to prepare teachers

Department of Special Education into the exceptional program it is

in EKU’s service region for mainstreaming (now called inclusion), and

today. Now, she has been selected as a Fulbright Specialist — the fifth

to fund a special certification program to prepare teachers of seriously

Fulbright award of her career.

emotionally disturbed learners. She has also provided numerous

The Fulbright Program, which aims to increase mutual understanding of the people of the United States and the people of other countries, is the flagship educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. As a Fulbright Scholar and Specialist, Sultana has taught courses in Bangladesh, Norway, Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan. She has high hopes for her next international endeavor. “I want to work on an interesting, challenging and exciting project which will have a long-lasting impact in the host country,” said Sultana.

services at the Kentucky Department of Education and served as president of organizations such as the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA), Future Site and outstanding paper selection committees of MSERA. In her native Pakistan, Sultana played a critical role in establishing the National Institute of Special Education in Islamabad and the University of Karachi’s Department of Special Education, the country’s first program of its kind. She has served as a consultant to the National Higher

When Sultana came to EKU in 1980 as chair of the Department of Special

Education Commission in Islamabad, provided professional development

Education, the department was on probation by the National Council

to faculty members at universities all over Pakistan and served as

for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Sultana set to work

coordinator of the Asian Caucus of the International Council for

developing new courses and overhauling curricula. By the next NCATE

Exceptional Children.

visit, the department exceeded standards and was cited as exemplary.

Sultana retired in 2006 after 27 years at EKU, but remains professionally

Sultana’s accomplishments have advanced the field of special education

active. Sultana’s impressive career has made it clear that for her, teaching

both stateside and in Pakistan. She has been a consultant for the

and learning are lifelong ventures.

United Nations and the World Health Organization, was appointed

EKU MAGAZINE 7

Dr. Calderon and Dr. Ndinguri working in a lab at EKU

FACULTY INNOVATORS RECOGNIZED The EKU Innovation Fund was established by the University’s Board of

funds allowed the group to expand current early childhood services,

Regents in 2018 to support faculty and staff projects that are innovative

purchase new equipment and modify existing space to accommodate

and entrepreneurial; solve problems on a campus, local, state, national or

new service offerings.

international scale; and demonstrate a high likelihood of generating a return on investment for the University. The 2019 award winners included projects relating to health care, cancer treatment, solar energy and safe drinking water. Read on for an overview of two of the winning projects from EKU innovators..

DR. DANA BUSH HOLISTIC FAMILY CARE Dr. Dana Bush has a vision to turn EKU into a regional leader in family health and well-being.

DR. LINDSAY CALDERON AND DR. MARGARET NDINGURI TARGETED CANCER DRUG Two Eastern Kentucky University faculty members recently received a U.S. patent, with 15 claims approved, for their discovery of a chemical compound that better targets specific types of reproductive cancer tumors. For Dr. Lindsay Calderon, associate professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Margaret Ndinguri, associate professor of chemistry, the patent is the culmination of painstaking and time-consuming research that merged

Bush, along with Dr. Colleen Schneck, chair of the Department of

two academic disciplines, capitalized on the University’s state-of-the-art

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, and Dr. Mary Clements,

new Science Building and involved the assistance of dozens of EKU

chair of the Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing, are

undergraduate and graduate students. The duo’s compound selectively

pioneering a new system that provides existing resources, as well as

targets the cancer cells that have elevated hormone receptor LHRH. That

students and faculty from departments such as nursing, early childhood

includes breast, prostate and ovarian cancers, as well as various

education and occupational therapy, to provide health services to

non-reproductive cancers such as lung, pancreatic and bladder.

families in the community.

The successful project was aided by years of grants from the Kentucky

Bush describes their vision as a big-picture project. “We’re looking at an

Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) and by the

interdisciplinary approach to care and health services,” she said. “We’re

University. Calderon and Ndinguri agreed that the project served to

bringing in OT and nursing and child development. Then, we’ll even

“build up the biomedical infrastructure” at EKU, and to open new doors

bring in further departments on campus.”

for their colleagues.

The program was set into motion this fall, with the awarding of the

“We want to be leaders for developing corresponding administrative

CCAMPIS grant to the Applied Human Sciences department. Award

routes for pursuing this type of research,” Calderon said.

8 SPRING 2020

GAITHER NAMED DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Throughout her 10-year career in environmental health and safety, Dekia Gaither has applied her knowledge while honing her leadership skills. Recently named director of environmental health and safety at her alma mater, Gaither is now excited about the “opportunity to lead a team that fosters a positive safety culture by providing the tools to empower our campus community to make day-to-day decisions.” Gaither earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from EKU in 2009, minoring in environmental health science. Three years later, she added a master’s of public health degree, with a concentration in environmental health science. While a graduate student, she interned as an environmental health and safety technician with the EKU Department of Environmental Health and Safety. After stints with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Gaither returned to Eastern in 2016 as environmental health and safety specialist with the Division of Public Safety. In May 2019, she was named environmental health and chemical safety manager with the division. “From specialist to manager and now director, there have been many challenges and opportunities along the way, but I wouldn’t change my experiences,” Gaither said. “Those experiences and opportunities led me to be the person and leader I am today. Many thanks to those who believed in and supported me along the way.”

APRIL 14

One Day. One Goal. For EKU students, every gift makes a world of difference. On April 14, join Colonels around the globe for EKU’s second annual Giving Day. Mail your gift in the included envelope or give online at eku.edu/givingday to help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors. Every gift counts and helps make a big difference in the lives of Eastern’s students.

#GIVEBIGE

EKU MAGAZINE 9

CHARTING aCOURSE PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF FOR GAIL DENT ’88

Gail Dent was a newly minted Eastern Kentucky University graduate when she settled on her couch to watch “Jeopardy!” one summer night in 1988. The ringing of her phone interrupted Alex Trebek. On the other line was a man named David Cornwell. He was an attorney and staff member for the National Football League (NFL). Hired by then-commissioner Pete Rozelle, Cornwell was tasked with reviewing minority hiring policies and procedures in the league. Dent’s conversation with Cornwell that night launched a decades-spanning, pioneering career in the sports industry. Dent didn’t play sports. She never coached sports. But she absolutely loved sports. It was in her genes. Both of Dent’s parents were big sports fans. Every Sunday at her childhood home in Louisville, Dent and her father watched NFL games together. It was cherished “Daddy-Daughter Time” for the only child. After graduating from Fern Creek High School, Dent arrived at EKU in the fall of 1984 and immediately began laying the groundwork for a career in sports. She volunteered for longtime EKU Sports Information Director Karl Park and wrote press releases about the track and field teams of an up-and-coming coach named Rick Erdmann. She began pursuing a degree in public relations/mass communications, with an emphasis in sports. “The Mass Comm department at EKU was fabulous,” Dent said. “The professors really took an interest in us as students. They would stay after class and answer questions for as long as needed.” Dent specifically cites former faculty Dr. Dean Cannon and Dr. Ron Wolfe as key characters in her Eastern experience. “The learning environment at EKU was phenomenal,” Dent added. “I made long-lasting friendships, was a part of school activities like the EKU Dance Team, and developed great relationships with my professors. It was really a wonderful experience I had in Richmond.” After four years overlooking the Ravine in the same room at Burnam Hall, Dent graduated from Eastern in the spring of 1988. It was finally time to pursue her dream career in the wide world of sports. The wide world of sports is actually an exclusive world. It’s notoriously hard to break into. Dent discovered this in the months after graduation. She aggressively applied for PR jobs with (warm-weather only) NFL teams — the Dolphins, Cowboys, Oilers and Buccaneers. She received rejection letters from all of them. Frustrated — but undaunted — Dent took a job in customer relations with Humana in her hometown of Louisville.

10 SPRING 2020

Gail Dent at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, poses by an exhibit she created about athletic programs in historically black colleges and universities.

EKU MAGAZINE 11

Gail Dent at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, poses by a mural of the NCAA logo composed of photos submitted by NCAA partner institutions.

One night, however, she happened upon an article about Cornwell and

Hancock convinced Dent to apply for a job at the NCAA offices in

his study of minority hiring patterns in the NFL. As an African American

Indianapolis. She has worked for the NCAA ever since, most recently

woman struggling to be hired by that very organization, Dent was

as the associate director of communications. Dent earned the career

intrigued. She immediately wrote Cornwell a letter, asking for advice.

she always wanted, and it’s a career most sports fans can only dream

A month later, Cornwell interrupted “Jeopardy!” with a phone call. He could not guarantee Dent a job in the NFL, but he pointed her in the direction of a sports information job at the University of Kentucky. He even offered to write a letter on her behalf to the Kentucky athletics director, Cliff Hagan. Dent interviewed and got the job. Her persistence had paid off. Dent was an integral member of the Kentucky athletics department for nearly a decade, most of which she spent working under visionary administrator C.M. Newton. While at Kentucky, she earned her master’s degree, which greatly helped her career. In 1997, Dent moved to Colorado Springs to work in the public relations office for the U.S. Olympic Committee. She did White House visits with various U.S. Olympic teams, and she traveled with the teams to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. It was in Sydney that Dent met Bill

about — working SEC events while at UK, the Olympics, the NCAA. She has witnessed — up close — some great sports moments. Memories to last a lifetime. But it didn’t come easy. Dent credits the power of persistence for her rise. After all of those early rejection letters, “I could have just given up,” she said. “But I didn’t.” She advocated for herself. She made connections. And she refused to quit. Even after breaking into the industry, challenges remained. “There weren’t many women — especially women of color — coming through the industry that I saw as role models,” Dent said. Now Dent cherishes the opportunity to be one of those role models. One of the most rewarding aspects of her current position is being able to impact change in the areas of diversity and inclusion. She also works closely with stakeholders, as well as local and national media, through engagement opportunities.

Hancock. At the time, Hancock was one of the directors of the NCAA

When mentoring young people now, Dent preaches two tenets that

Men’s Basketball Tournament. He is currently the executive director

served her well: “Be Visible and Be Vocal.” n

of the College Football Playoff.

12 SPRING 2020

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Shannon Childers in her classroom at Newport (Ky.) Intermediate School.

14 SPRING 2020

HEROES AMONG US COLONEL VETERANS CONTINUING THEIR TRADITION OF SERVICE

EKU boasts a proud legacy of providing opportunity to military veterans and their families; nearly 10 percent of EKU students are veterans or veteran dependents. For many of these Colonels, their Eastern experience is a vital part of successfully adjusting to civilian life. Below are the stories of a few of these heroes: Navy veteran turned special education teacher Shannon Childers, ’16 ’18; Marine Corps veteran turned chemist Dale Williams, ’12, ’14; and infantry Marine turned airline pilot Gage Colson, ’16.

—

shannon childers • navy —

For most of her childhood, Shannon Childers dreamed of

vice president for student success, his wife and Childers’

becoming a champion for students with special needs. She

OMVA supervisor Cindy Palka and academic advisor Jaime

felt most in her element while teaching her special-needs

Roberts became mentors and close friends.

brothers. Given her background, attending college was not an option. Her family, composed of a single mother and four children, struggled to afford food and housing. Tired of working as a waitress in her impoverished Texas hometown, Childers joined the Navy in 2007, shortly after finishing high school. For five years she served as a military police officer in Washington state and later overseas in Bahrain. It was there that she met her husband, a native of Somerset, Kentucky.

Childers earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education with a concentration in learning and behavior disorders, and now serves as a special education teacher at Newport Intermediate School in Newport, Kentucky. Though some of Childers’ students are intimidated by her military background, they sense her compassion right away. Children who come to school hungry know that her top drawer is stocked with snacks, which they are welcome to eat as they complete their schoolwork. Even students outside

Once Childers completed her military service, she and her

her caseload seek her out to provide a listening ear. Her care,

husband settled in Kentucky and began to explore higher

she said, stems from a place of empathy. Many of Newport

education options. EKU’s well-respected education program

Intermediate’s students return to homes that mirror

piqued her interest right away. She finally got the opportunity

Childers’ own difficult childhood.

to pursue her lifelong dream with the help of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) staff. She held a work study position in the office. During that time, Gene Palka,

“I grew up in the same exact situation as most of these kids,” she said. “But I’m here, and I can help them get there too.”

EKU MAGAZINE 15

dale— williams — •

marine corps

Dale Williams has made a lifelong habit of defying expectations. “The worst thing to tell me,” he said, “is that you don’t think I can do something, because I will make it my mission to prove you wrong.” Williams has repeatedly proved people wrong over the course of his career. Others questioned his decision to join the Marines after high school. They believed that being a Marine would prove too difficult. He stayed in the Marine Corps for eight years as an artillery forward observer. Williams’ main duties included scouting military targets and plotting courses of attack. If he wasn’t going overseas, he recalled, he was training to go overseas. Though he enjoyed the challenge, he knew he couldn’t sustain such a demanding career forever. After his discharge, Williams rekindled his passion for science, and found EKU’s forensic chemistry program to be among the top in the nation. His naturally steely resolve, and the “never quit” attitude he developed in the military, ushered him through a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry and a master’s degree in analytical chemistry in five years, despite significant setbacks. After nearly a decade without any formal education, Williams found himself in need of remedial math classes, adding semesters to an already-long program. Instead of bowing out, Williams buckled down. “My entire first year, I literally did nothing but eat, sleep and go to school,” he said. He sought tutoring from older students and took full course loads each summer session. “It was a long, tough road, but one that I will never forget, and am definitely grateful for,” said Williams. “I couldn’t have asked for a better school to go to.” Williams now applies his degree in the lab at Pharmaceuticals International Inc. in Hunt Valley, Maryland. He sees his position as an opportunity to pay forward the mentorship he received at EKU. “I had so many great people who took their time with me and encouraged me along the way,” he said. “Now, I put back into newer employees what was poured into me.”

16 SPRING 2020

Dale Williams at a Pharmaceuticals International Inc. lab in Baltimore, Md.

HEROES AMONG US

Gage Colson with an Air Wisconsin plane at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Special thanks to Charles Mostoller and the staff at Columbia (SC) Metropolitan Airport and Air Wisconsin for their assistance with this photo shoot.

HEROES AMONG US

gage colson — — •

infantry marine Military service and aviation both seemed to be in Gage Colson’s blood. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, many of his family members served in various branches of the military. Many of those same family members flew planes, whether as service members or civilians. So when the 9/11 terrorist attacks struck while Colson was in high school, enlisting in the Marine Corps after graduation seemed his natural next step. Colson served in the Marine Corps infantry for four years, with a year-long deployment to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. After being discharged, he had arranged to return to Texas and join a local fire department. But a chance meeting redirected his plans. It was during a visit to Kentucky for a cousin’s wedding that Colson met his now-wife, a student at EKU. He joined her in the Bluegrass State, and at the University, and never looked back. In his first semester Colson majored in economics and minored in aviation. But hours spent in the hangar brought back fond childhood memories of flying planes with his father and two grandfathers. “I caught the flying bug again,” said Colson, “and realized it was a good time to get into the industry.” Colson changed his major to aviation with a professional flight concentration the next semester. The close-knit aviation faculty and staff, especially program director Dennis Sinnett, he said, went above and beyond to invest in his future. Colson began working alongside them as a flight instructor near the end of his time as a student, and eventually became a maintenance manager at the EKU airport after graduating in 2016. Now Colson flies for Air Wisconsin, a regional subsidiary of United Airlines. Thanks to his EKU education, he wakes up every day and reports to his dream job. “I get paid to fly a jet all across the country,” said Colson. “I don’t think it gets a whole lot cooler than that.” n

EKU MAGAZINE 19

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LEGACYof LEARNING THREE GENERATIONS OF COLONEL EDUCATORS

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Though Eastern Kentucky University has modernized, its legacy as a family-oriented institution lives on. Perhaps no one knows that better than Dr. Allen Engle, a management professor in the School of Business. He is the third generation of the Engle family to serve as a professor at EKU. Through the stories and experiences of his father and grandfather, Allen Engle has observed the unique triumphs and challenges of nearly a century of EKU history. “Some things change,” he reflected. “And some things don’t change.”

Dr. Fred A. Engle Sr. (1928-1963) Engle’s grandfather, Fred Engle Sr., began teaching at Eastern Kentucky State Normal School just before the Great Depression. Many of his students worked long hours to afford school, and Engle Sr. could relate. Born the oldest of 10 children in Indian Creek, Kentucky, Engle Sr. dreamed of better days from an early age. His grandson recalled a story told by Engle Sr.’s brother, Dewey, in which the two were using a mule to plow a field on the family farm. Suddenly, Engle Sr. stopped the mule, looked up at Dewey and said, “There’s got to be more to life than this.” Determined to find it, Engle Sr. attended Cumberland College, a two-year institution. He taught school in nearby coal towns to fund his education and went on to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Kentucky. Like many EKU students, he became the first in his family to leave his hometown and attend college. “The students that came to Eastern after my grandfather were a lot like him,” said Allen Engle. They wanted more out of life and they did a lot of very difficult things to get to Eastern and to stay in.”

Dr. Allen D. Engle Sr. (1989 - present) Since 1989, Allen Engle has been a pillar of the School of Business at Eastern Kentucky University, but a career in academia was not part of his plan. Originally, Engle enrolled in law school, but dropped out after one semester. He instead pursued an MBA at Eastern, graduating in 1980, and a doctorate at UK, graduating in 1990. What was meant to be a temporary job teaching at Union College sparked a love of teaching, and in 1989, he came home to EKU as a faculty member and researcher. Though Engle held the same title as his father and grandfather, he faced vastly different challenges, including helping the College of Business earn accreditation from the prestigious Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Still, Engle’s favorite part of the job is the same as that of his forebears — teaching the students. Among management majors, he’s reputed as a tough instructor but remembered as one who cares deeply about students’ success. “The best part of the job is to watch people figure out what they can become,” he said. “People go to universities for a lot of reasons, but one reason is to find out what they can be. So I push them hard just to show them that they’ve got abilities that they don’t know they have.”

Dr. Fred A. Engle Jr. (1959-1998) In 1959, Dr. Fred Engle Jr. had just returned to teach at the School of Business at EKU after a two-year stint at the College of William and Mary. Unlike his father, Engle Jr. joined the institution at a fortunate time. The launch of Sputnik a year earlier marked the beginning of the space race and provoked an influx of government funding into higher education, which led to the campus expansion undertaken by then-EKU President Dr. Robert R. Martin. Engle Jr. primarily taught 40- to 45-person sections of 200-level business courses, such as Principles of Economics, in the Combs Building. For the last nine years of his career, he taught near his son, in whom he had deliberately instilled the importance of education. Outside the classroom, he sponsored the College Republicans and Sigma Tau Pi, a locally based business honorary. Engle described his father as “the most dependable person I ever met.” He rarely recalls Engle Jr. taking a sick or personal day until his retirement in 1998. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 83.

NEW UNIVERSITY, SAME VALUES Much has changed on the Campus Beautiful over the last 90 years. Three generations of Engles have made their mark. Buildings have been built, demolished and replaced, and the expectations of university faculty and students have shifted. But at its core, Eastern is still the school of opportunity for Kentucky families, and its faculty still go above and beyond. “We’re here to help students find out what they want to do, and help them do it,” Engle said. “That is a very big part of what Eastern is about and always has been. That’s something that hasn’t changed.” n

Colonels are helpers. They use their EKU education to make a difference in their communities. They aren’t afraid to break barriers or challenge the status quo. The annual EKU Alumni Awards recognize the best of those Colonels. The University selects winners in several categories, including Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Distinguished Service, Professional Achievement and Young Alumni. These photos capture the Forever Colonels you should know. Congratulations to the winners as they continue to make an impact.

——— DISTINGUISHED SERVICE HONOREES ——— ———— SHEILA A. HILL, ’82 ’84 ———— Sheila Hill could have been content as a successful management executive and consultant in health care operations. Instead, she wanted to make a difference in the lives of deserving teens. That’s why she founded Sassy Frassy, a non-profit organization that provides young women throughout Kentucky with life-skills enrichment, mentoring programs and scholarship assistance. Hill serves as president of the board, but also personally mentors each scholarship recipient throughout the college experience. As of May 2019, Sassy Frassy awarded a total of $38,000 in scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in education, mathematics, sciences and technical fields. Hill has been honored among Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati in 2012, and as one of its 10 Women of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer in 2015.

———— JON R. AKERS, ’70 ’74 ———— Even his numerous awards can’t begin to measure the impact Jon Akers has had on K-12 education as a teacher and principal in Fayette County and, for the past 19 years, as executive director of the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS). Based at EKU, the KCSS is a “one-stop shop for all K-12 educators to rely on for information, training, professional development technical services pertaining to the various facets of school safety,” Akers said. But his proudest professional achievement came in 1990, when he helmed the opening of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Fayette County’s fifth public high school. He served as its principal for a decade and was named High School Principal of the Year by the Kentucky Department of Education.

———— COL. ALVIN E. MILLER SR., ’81 ———— Col. Alvin Miller Sr. grew up in a home with a single parent and 10 children. A first-generation college student, his family could not help him pay for school. “Coming to EKU with hopes of making the football team was a step of faith,” he said. “All I wanted was a chance to prove myself.” Miller made it as a walk-on football player in 1977 and began his first season at the bottom of the running back depth chart. Two years later, he was MVP in the Colonels’ national championship win. After earning his degree, he began a distinguished 32-year career with the Army. Now, with master’s of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees, he’s a minister in Clarksville, Tennessee. LEFT TO RIGHT: Akers, Miller, and Hill at Purdy’s Coffee Company in Richmond.

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———— MARLA RIDENOUR, ’78 ———— Marla Ridenour’s award-winning, 43-year career in sports journalism smashed barriers and blazed trails. The first female sports editor at the Eastern Progress became the first woman to cover the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, including post-game locker room interviews, even before the league mandated such access. In 2013, Ridenour was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, taking her place alongside Helen Thomas and Diane Sawyer. But she is quick to note that none of that might have happened if not for coaching legend Roy Kidd, whose trust of the aspiring journalist led him to let her in the locker room. “If Coach Kidd had treated me dismissively, I might not have had the guts to go forward,” she said. “He spoke to me like an equal.”

———— DR. STEVEN POLLOCK, ’80 ’81 ———— Dr. Steven Pollock has devoted his professional life to continuous improvement, internal consulting, employee coaching and program management. The lifelong learner has earned one bachelor’s, two master’s and a doctoral degree, and professional certifications from the American Society of Quality and Project Management Institute. His first book, co-authored by Daro Mott, “Coaching Green Belts for Sustainable Success,” hit shelves in 2015, and he has shared best practices through the publication of more than 18 peer-reviewed articles. After holding a variety of high-level positions across several industries, Pollock now serves as program manager for the process improvement and execution team at Farm Credit Mid-America in his native Louisville, Kentucky, leading strategic projects to produce the best results for customers.

———— KEN TIPPETT, ’62 ’63 ———— Ken Tippett’s former roommate recalled that Tippett had his life and career mapped out even as an Eastern student. Now, countless Kentuckians are glad he followed through. Throughout his distinguished 28-year career, Tippett earned a reputation for selfless service as an educator. He spent most of it in Woodford County as principal of the junior and high schools, and later as assistant superintendent. During his 15 years at Woodford County High School, the school was accredited as a comprehensive high school, the highest accreditation available at the time. Beyond school administration, Tippett has served KHSAA as a member of the Board of Control, fundraising consultant and director of the Dawahare’s Hall of Fame, and helped establish the Forcht Group of Kentucky and the Sweet 16 Club.

———— EDWARD B. HALL JR., ’96 ’99 ———— Physicians and nurses aren’t the only professionals who contribute to the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of hospitals and other health care facilities. Edward Hall has dedicated more than 20 years to the advancement and improvement of safe patient handling, the largest loss category in health care, and is a nationally recognized expert in the field. Today, Hall is the chief safety officer of the Owner Controlled Insurance Program and executive director of risk management for Stanford Healthcare and Stanford Children’s Health in California. He was also recently elected president of the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals. But his impact is felt far beyond the Golden State. Many of the safety initiatives Hall designed and implemented have drastically improved the effectiveness and efficiency of health care services in hospitals nationwide.

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LEFT TO RIGHT: Ridenour, Pollock, Tippett and Hall at the Rathskeller, University Club at Arlington.

———— AMBER UNGARO, ’08 ———— When Amber Ungaro first became a Colonel, she planned to become a professional horn player. Soon, she began marching to a different drum as broadcast journalism piqued her interest. Now, she serves as senior segment producer for “Today in Nashville,” a lifestyle and entertainment show that airs live on WSMV, the Music City’s NBC affiliate. “I wanted an opportunity to be a storyteller, and when a spot came up for the midday show, I went for it,” she said.

———— DR. CAELIN SCOTT, ’07 ’10 ’14 ———— As assistant coordinator for EKU Online, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Recreation and Park Administration, and chair of the University’s Staff Council, three-time graduate Caeiln Scott is widely respected on the Richmond campus as someone who gets things done. One measure of her reputation is that she was selected to be a part of the inaugural class of the President’s Leadership in Action Academy. “Eastern has challenged me, helped me reach certain goals and provided me with a great deal of memories and experiences,” said Scott. “Without EKU, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

———— MATTHEW LEDFORD, ’13 ———— Matthew Ledford is the environmental, health and safety manager for the North America operations of Wolverine Advanced Materials. In 2015, he was named a Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council for his work in the public sector. Then, in 2018, the Staunton/ Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce named him Young Professional of the Year. When Ledford moved to Virginia, he realized the LGBTQ+ community was underserved. So, he partnered with the PowerOn program, a LGBTQ+ non-profit that upcycles technology and puts it in the hands of vulnerable youth across the country.

———— TATIANA CODY, ’14 ———— For Tatiana Cody, her law career is a means to serve the community. She is currently a trademark examining attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C., where her long-term goal is to help business owners — particularly black- and women-owned businesses — protect their intellectual property. In 2017, she earned the President’s Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service, and she continues to participate in monthly pro bono clinics through the D.C. Bar Foundation.

———— LACY ANDREWS, ’10 ————

LEFT TO RIGHT: Ungaro, Scott, Ledford, Cody and Andrews at Paddy Wagon Irish Pub in Richmond.

Lacy Andrews honed her public speaking skills in EKU’s communication studies program, graduating summa cum laude. She learned how to think critically in the Honors Program and how to serve others as a member of Student Senate. Today, she serves as assistant Commonwealth’s attorney for the 29th Judicial Circuit in her hometown of Liberty, Kentucky. “I know I am in a position to really make a difference in my community,” she said, “and I want to make the most of every moment and do my best.”

EKU MAGAZINE 29

———— RICK MCQUADY, ’77 ’78 ———— The issue of affordable housing has long been close to Rick McQuady’s heart; he served as CEO of the Kentucky Housing Corporation. That may be why shortly before he retired, he approached campus and local officials about the possibility of founding the Eastern Scholar House and received enthusiastic support. The Eastern Scholar House serves single parents and their children with quality, affordable housing and childcare, and has made an incalculable impact on the lives of those who call it home. Now, McQuady and his wife, Debbie, have taken their support for student parents one step further by establishing the Rick and Debbie McQuady Scholar House Endowed Scholarship Fund.

———— TOM COLBERT, ’76 ———— Tom Colbert’s career has been one of firsts for African American Oklahomans: first to sit on the Oklahoma Appellate Courts, first chief judge of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, first to sit on the Oklahoma Supreme Court and first to serve as chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Making his mark involved beating the odds. He grew up the eldest child of a single mother who started out on welfare. He prefers, however, to be known as “a soldier fighting in the war of equality and opportunity for those individuals who have lost the will to dream ... I hope to show students that they, too, can become anything they desire with hard work, determination, picking a dream and sticking with it.”

———— DEBRA LAMBERT, ’83 ———— After graduating from EKU with a child and family studies degree, Debra Lambert called her mentor and department chair, Dr. Betty Powers, to ask for a reference for law school. Powers complied, but with one condition: that Lambert “use what she learned in the department to help children and families.” Throughout a trailblazing legal career that has included the establishment of the first two drug courts in her area, many hours of in-school volunteer work as a family court judge and election in 2018 as the first woman from the 3rd District on the Kentucky Supreme Court, Judge Lambert has fulfilled her chair’s admonition. In 2002, she was inducted into the Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

———— TIMOTHY BROWN, ’72 ———— Tim Brown served as president, CEO and chairman of the board of Thomas Industries for 13 years. After retirement, another challenge awaited. He served from 2004 to 2010 on the Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors, securing the Bill Shoemaker Collection, which was then the museum’s largest. Never one to leave a job unfinished, he agreed to extend his term in the wake of a devastating flood and subsequent facility renovations. In 2012, Brown so impressed his fellow EKU Foundation Board members that he was tapped to chair the board through some significant issues, including the future of Arlington. “Financial support to one’s chosen charities is critical, said Brown. “But also important is involvement. Your experiences, successes, failures and mistakes can be shared with others and be a help.”

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LEFT TO RIGHT: McQuady, Brown, Colbert and Lambert at the Clay Cloyd Salter House, home of Richmond Tourism.

MIKE HARMON, ’88 SHARES HIS SECRET TO SUCCESS In the story of David and Goliath, Kentucky’s Auditor of Public Accounts, Mike Harmon, ’88, often identifies with the small shepherd and his slingshot. The now successful politician has lost his share of races and often ran with a fraction of the resources of his opponent. But as Malcolm Gladwell points out in his influential book, “David and Goliath,” the underdog wins one-third of the time. That perspective, and the book from which it originated, was instrumental in Harmon’s campaign for Auditor of Public Accounts in 2015. Since his election, it has been his duty to ensure that public agencies use taxpayer dollars ethically and efficiently. Though a registered Republican, the partisan hat comes off when on the job — his administration coined the phrase “follow the data.” Now, nearing the beginning of his second term, Harmon reflects on his Eastern Experience and the perseverance that has been critical to his success. More than 30 years after graduation, Harmon still bleeds maroon. However, EKU was not always part of his plan. The Boyle County native initially planned to attend Centre College after finishing high school. An analytical number-cruncher even then, he found that a degree from EKU would leave him with little to no debt after graduation. He enrolled in 1984, triple majoring in mathematics, statistics and theatre. When Harmon wasn’t studying for upper-level math courses, he made extra cash by working at the local Arby’s and selling subscriptions for the Courier Journal. But surprisingly, many of Harmon’s fondest memories happened in the theatre department. In addition to performing in shows, he was a member of theatre honorary Alpha Psi Omega and maintained a work-study position within the department. The camaraderie he built with the

diverse body of students in the program has been a lasting part of his life; he remains in contact with many of his old theatre friends to this day. “That helped me become a better politician because I learned to love everybody where they are, not just the people that agree with me,” said Harmon.

“

That helped me become a better politician because I learned to love everybody where they are, not just the people that agree with me.

”

At the time, though, Harmon saw theatre as more than a hobby. In fact, he had hoped to pursue it as a career, even spending some time in Southern California. Soon, however, he longed for his old Kentucky home, returning to spend some time in the banking and insurance industries before an epiphany in a voting booth radically changed his direction.

EKU MAGAZINE 33

In 1996, Harmon noticed that only one candidate was running for District 54 state representative, an incumbent who had held the seat for over 20 years. “People need the opportunity to have an option, even if they vote against you,” said Harmon.

The politician that’s willing to go out and listen will make a difference.

Impassioned by this realization, Harmon ran for the office in 1998 with less than one-tenth of the budget of his opponent. He lost, but with an impressive 43 percent of the vote. Undaunted, he ran again in 2000, this time losing by less than 200 votes. The third time proved to be the charm; Harmon finally won the seat in 2002, where he stayed for 13 years.

State Auditor Mike Harmon December 2019

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Near the end of Harmon’s tenure in the House of Representatives, a statewide office began to call his name. After an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor under Phil Moffett in 2011, the opportunity to run for state auditor presented itself. He ran in 2015 against incumbent Adam Edelen. Though Edelen’s campaign boasted more resources, Harmon was right in his comfort zone as a long shot. Maybe that is why he won the race. “I’ve always been the underdog,” Harmon said. “Except for my last one, I’ve never had a race where I wasn’t an underdog.” Throughout his political career, Harmon’s favorite aspect of his duties has always been connecting with people. His theatre background left him comfortable addressing large crowds. Most of his campaigns were spent knocking on doors, presenting his message and listening to people’s concerns. His constituents are often surprised when he personally returns their calls. Perhaps that personal touch is the secret to his success. “Politicians always say that we want to tell our message, but really, people want to tell you their message,” Harmon said. “The politician that’s willing to go out and listen will make a difference.” n

A BRIDGE WELL-BUILT STUDENT ALUMNI AMBASSADORS CELEBRATE 35 YEARS

The Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) has long been a vital part of life at Eastern. This cadre of EKU’s best and brightest students serves as a bridge that connects alumni to the campus and current student body. That bridge has proven remarkably sturdy — the prestigious organization is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2020. When it was founded in 1985, the SAA was only a shadow of what the organization would become. Now nearly 100 members strong, SAA began with 15 charter members led by Ron Wolfe, former assistant director of alumni affairs. As universities nationwide were beginning to form student ambassador organizations, Wolfe decided to bring the idea to Eastern. ThenPresident Hanly Funderburk and Director of Alumni Affairs J.W. “Spider” Thurman signed off on the initiative to form the Student Alumni Association. Wolfe has fond memories of that founding group, many of whom had strong family ties to EKU and have gone on to highly

successful careers. Roughly half of the founding students were recruited from Lambda Sigma, a sophomore honor society that Wolfe advised for 30 years. “They were really the brightest and the best in the sophomore class,” he recalled. “When I started this organization, I thought, ‘Well, this is a ready-made group.’” What is now a 10-person executive leadership team started as four positions: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The founding group conducted the first EKU phone-a-thon in the Perkins Building and were among the first to offer exam-week care packages for students.

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SAA members still represent some of Eastern’s highest achievers — 35 percent are enrolled in the EKU Honors Program and nearly 30 percent are enrolled in some other academic organization.

Those projects birthed a sense of camaraderie that, along with the group’s high academic achievement, remains one of the strongest hallmarks of SAA today. The group saw steady growth in membership for decades, exploding in the 2010s, according to current advisors Ashley Turner and Alex Hanavan. Members still represent some of Eastern’s highest achievers — 35 percent are enrolled in the EKU Honors Program and nearly 30 percent are enrolled in some other academic organization. At 2.75, the minimum GPA requirement is higher than other registered student organizations. Outside of academics, SAA places a heavy emphasis on service to alumni, the campus and the community. Ambassadors host alumni events such as Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, and A Day at the Races at Keeneland, as well as cater to VIP guests at athletic events. Campus partners often request SAA members to volunteer for their events, as do Richmond-based community service organizations. Members earn points for their volunteerism, which determine whether they retain “active” status, and can even result in scholarships when they go above and beyond. Recruitment begins each year in January. Potential ambassadors undergo three rounds of evaluation. First, interested students attend professional days, in which they are interviewed in small groups. Then, during group nights, students participate in games and team-building exercises. Finally, standout recruits return for individual interviews.

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PREVIOUS PAGE AND TOP: SAA students at Induction Ceremony,

November 2019. ABOVE: SAA students assisting alumni to football game, November 2019. OPPOSITE, TOP: SAA students at Friendsgiving, November 2019. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM: SAA students meet at Blanton House, November 2019.

The selection process helps identify students with high potential for success, and their selection rewards them with many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Development is an important pillar of SAA’s mission. Traditions like professionalism, etiquette dinners, alumni networking events and alumni-student mentoring seek to “prepare our members for life after EKU,” said advisor Turner. A shining example of SAA’s impact is 2019 president Mikayla Courtney. When she came to Eastern as a freshman, she described herself as shy and introverted. She knew she wanted to dive into a student organization, but wasn’t sure where to start. Her sister recommended Student Alumni Ambassadors, and she never looked back. Her election as public relations chair her sophomore year brought her out of her comfort zone and prepared her to lead the chapter as president. “I really feel like that’s where I flourished,” said Courtney. Through the rigors of service, growth and academic excellence, ambassadors form an almost familial bond. Internal events such as formals, movie nights, socials and holiday parties create a sense of community and belonging, which reinforces the bridge that has served Eastern and its alumni well for more than a third of a century. n

EKU MAGAZINE 37

EKUATHLETICS MATT ROAN NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Larissa Heslop

Eastern Kentucky University named Matt Roan as director of athletics on Jan. 7. Roan returned to EKU after three-plus years as director of athletics at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. “Eastern Kentucky University and the region it serves are special places for my family and I,” Roan said. “We look forward to embracing EKU’s tradition and leading the athletics department to new heights — where we display excellence academically, in athletics, and in the community.” Roan was a deputy director of athletics at Eastern in 2015 and 2016, after serving as a special assistant to the president and working with the counsel’s office for two years. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky School of Law after a standout football career at Southern Utah University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a political science degree. Roan’s hire aligns with several of EKU’s core values, including its role as a school of opportunity and a destination institution for first-time students, many of which come from Appalachia. Roan is originally from southwest Virginia and along with his sister, was the first from his family to attend college. Nicholls State athletics garnered accolades and showed significant success under Roan’s leadership. Student-athletes at Nicholls set school records for GPA the last three years. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the football and softball teams’ either won conference championships or reached the postseason under Roan’s leadership.

EKU ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Three Eastern Kentucky University studentathletes — Larissa Heslop, Graham Ashkettle and Samuel Hayworth – were chosen as Academic All-Americans this fall. Heslop wrapped up her career as one of the winningest players in program history. A member of EKU’s Honors Program, the outside back from Greer, South Carolina, has maintained a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in anthropology and a minor in international business. She recently presented her Honors thesis, which focuses on the difficulties of reentry after incarceration in Kentucky. Ashkettle, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, has a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in chemistry. The Crestwood, Kentucky, native earned second team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors this past season. Hayworth, a redshirt senior kicker, carries a 3.96 GPA while pursuing a master’s degree in public health. He earned first team all-conference honors in 2019.

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A MATTER OF PRIDE The new Matter of Pride Wall at Eastern Kentucky University’s Roy Kidd Stadium was dedicated on Sept. 28, 2019, before the Colonels’ home football game against Tennessee State. The wall highlights the players, coaches, managers, trainers and office personnel who were involved in the football program during the tenure of head coach Roy Kidd from 1964 to 2002. It was completed using private funds that were donated specifically for the project. A player representative from each decade of Coach Kidd’s Hall of Fame career addressed the crowd – Jim Guice (1960s), Ernie House (1970s), Bobby Scannell (1980s) and Yeremiah Bell (1990s & 2000s).

NEW FOOTBALL HEAD COACH NO STRANGER TO THE COLONEL SIDELINE Eastern Kentucky’s new football head coach Walt Wells is a familiar name. Wells served as an assistant under legendary EKU Head Coach Roy Kidd from 1997 to 2002 and was an assistant again with the Colonels in 2015. “I’m excited to be back and be the head football coach at Eastern Kentucky University,” said Wells. “This is a place that is very close to my heart, and my wife Jennifer’s heart. Our daughter was born here and I look forward to bringing my son here, too. EKU has a proud tradition and I look forward to continuing that tradition.” Wells most recently served as a quality control assistant at Kentucky during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. From 2016 to 2017, Wells worked on the staff at the University of Tennessee. He was an offensive quality control coach during the 2016 season and served as the offensive line coach in 2017. Wells coached Freshman All-American left guard Trey Smith and was ranked as a top-10 national recruiter. During his first stint with the Colonels, Eastern won the 1997 OVC title with a perfect 7-0 mark and advanced to the NCAA FCS playoffs. Wells served as Kidd’s tight ends coach from 1997 to 1999, and as the offensive line coach from 2000 to 2002. He coached seven All-OVC players and an All-American. Wells returned to the EKU coaching staff in the spring of 2015 as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach. The veteran coach brings 25 years of college coaching experience to the sidelines as both an offensive line coach and coordinator.

EKU MAGAZINE 39

@reagan_cole

Colonel

PRIDE

For EKU students and graduates, the Colonel is more than just a mascot â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it's a part of who they are! Here's what they have shared about what it means to be a Colonel.

"I want all potential students to know you're immediately a part of the Colonel family once you come to our campus. My first day at Eastern everyone went out of their way to make sure I knew where all my classes were and gave all the advice they have to offer. When I came to EKU I knew I was at home the first time I walked on campus." @reagan_cole, Spring 2019 #EKUGrad @alexsky7700

@shelbygarner_mua

"As a first-generation college student I was timid and shy when entering EKU. EKU soon helped me grow in my confidence and become the strong person I am today." @shelbygarner_mua, 2017 #EKUGrad

"The EKU aviation program taught us great 'stick-andrudder' (hand-flying) skills, while other schools were focusing heavily on automated flying." @alexsky7700, 2012 #EKUGrad

40 FALL 2019

"Being a Colonel is more than I can put into words. It's belonging to a community that nurtured you into more than you ever thought you could be. It's not being afraid to work hard for what you want. It's seizing opportunities that were once only available to an elite few. Being a Colonel is going out and conquering the world, but always having a home to come back to." - @mjcaplinger, Spring 2019 #EKUGrad

@_jazzylea628

@mjcaplinger

@__l.d.f

"Since graduating from Eastern Kentucky University, I gained the confidence, skills, and drive to go out into the real world with confidence and support to accomplish my goals and land into my career. EKU most definitely prepared me for life outside of graduation and I will remember and continue to use what I learned in the classroom in my career." @__l.d.f, 2017/2019 #EKUGrad

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love that EKU offered an alternative pathway to reach my goal. Entering the MAT program and having my own classroom is much more suitable for my lifestyle as a single parent.â&#x20AC;? @_jazzylea628, 2019 Spring #EKUGrad

"I love that #EKU brought me my amazing sisterhood that I'll have as lifelong friends." @sarahelizabethhall 2021 #EKUGrad photo: @mickaylawaltersphotography

@sarahelizabethhall

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ALUMNINEWS IN THIS

ISSUE CLASS NOTES

——––———— • —————––—

ALUMNI PROFILES Alan Long ’79 —— • ——

Tim Sendelbach ’90 ’91 ’93 —— • ——

Robert Blythe ’71 ———— • ————

Dr. Rachel Taylor ’86 ——––———— • ———––———

IN MEMORIAM ——–——–—— • —————––—

2019 ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

For a comprehensive list of Class Notes or to share your good news with fellow alums, visit

alumni.eku.edu/ Class-Notes.

Dear Fellow Alumni, In my role as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, I have had the privilege of representing all of you at many events and meetings. With that representation comes the opportunity to speak, at times, to those gathered. Lately, I have often found myself reflecting on what an amazing privilege it is to have a voice, a purpose and a platform. I was on campus in October for homecoming. Over the course of the weekend I had the honor of presiding over our fall alumni board meeting, participating in the homecoming parade, cheering on the Colonels at the football game and celebrating outstanding alumni through awards and recognition. At the end of the awards ceremony, I shared, “…No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to repay what has been afforded as a product of this place. I ask each of you to join me in making your own personal commitment today to continue supporting our beloved Eastern in any and all the ways you can.” In this magazine, you read about the amazing alumni we honored during the weekend. Their stories are incredible. Their lives are valuable. Their impact is everlasting. I love hearing their stories and seeing their faces light up as they share about their time at Eastern and after. I am constantly amazed by the difference that EKU makes in the lives of her students. Those students become alumni who, in turn, make a difference in their communities, their states, their countries and our world. I was on campus in December for commencement. During each of the three ceremonies, I had the honor of addressing the graduating class and giving remarks on behalf of the alumni association. Standing in front of those graduates, I shared, “By virtue of the degree conferred upon you by the faculty and Board of Regents of Eastern Kentucky University, I hereby declare you to be members of the Eastern Kentucky University International Alumni Association, with all the rights and privileges of membership.” The student speakers representing each college were remarkable. Each told a story of determination, perseverance, grit, heart — personal stories of survival, fear, character. Each thanked their loved ones, who always have reserved seats in the front row and who I can see clearly from the stage. Just as I enjoy watching the groom while the bride walks down the aisle at the wedding, I love watching the parents, siblings, grandparents and partners while their graduate stands proudly behind the podium and addresses their classmates. Each thanked Eastern, her faculty and staff, for pushing them, loving them, championing them. It is truly remarkable. What an amazing privilege it is to have a voice, a purpose and a platform. I look forward to continuing to shout or whisper, in large or small settings, how proud I am to be a Colonel. I look forward to taking every opportunity to share the amazing things that Eastern continues to do for her students and alumni. And I look forward to continuing to listen to, learn from and be inspired by all the other exceptional Colonel voices out there. I can’t wait to hear your story.

We want to hear from you! Amy Jo Gabel, Classes of ’05 and ’08

42 SPRING 2020

Class Notes Dr. Doug Hines ’53 ’55, was inducted posthumously into the Union County High School-United Community Bank Athletic Hall of Fame. Judy Ullrich ’70, was honored as a 2019 recipient of the “Heart of Gold Award” by The Dearborn (Indiana) Community Foundation Inc. Joyce Dettor Baker ’75, was a Hall of Distinction inductee into the Covington (Kentucky) Education Foundation’s Hall of Honors in October 2019. Wanda Carol Clouse ’80, has been selected for the 2020 Class of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. Joy Benedict ’82, celebrated 40 years at Baptist Health Richmond, originally Pattie A. Clay Hospital. Joe Bentley ’83, retired as director of Richmond (Kentucky) Parks, Building and Grounds after 37 years working with the city’s parks department. Crystal Wilkinson ’85, was recently featured on the Inside Appalachia podcast by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Scott McKay ’87 ’89, has been selected as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Texas Permian Basin. Walter S. Gilliam ’90, was recently appointed as the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. Kevin Hattery ’91, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, has been named one of the Houston area’s Most Admired CEOs of 2019. Carol Robinson ’92, has joined Central Bank in Lexington as a trust operations supervisor. Debbie Wyatt ’92, a Hardin County Schools intervention specialist, will serve as the interim HCS director of federal programs and leadership development. Brian Blanchard ’95, was selected as assistant director at the Space Coast Office of Tourism in Brevard County, Florida. Jill Cotreau ’97 ’05, has been appointed as principal at Martinson Elementary in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Brandi Thomas ’97, has been appointed assistant professor of criminology at Davis & Elkins College. Rebecca Wallace ’99, recently joined the staff of Feeding America as manager of network fundraising services. Chris Girdler ’02, was recently appointed to the Kentucky Community and Technical College Board of Regents. Jeremy Hamm ’02, was appointed captain of the Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond. Brad Smith ’02, has been appointed as the new communications coordinator for the Lincoln County School District.

ALAN LONG, ’79

EKU Alum Returns to Accounting Today’s 2019 MP Elite List Alan Long ’79, founder and managing member at Baldwin CPAs, is honored to be one of Accounting Today’s 2019 Managing Partner Elite. This is his second appearance on the list, his first being in 2012. The list profiles leaders who aren’t just achieving firm growth but have the right priorities in place when it comes to their staff, culture, technology, planning, innovation and leadership. Long founded Baldwin CPAs in 1984. Since the inaugural list was published in 2012, he has led the firm to double in revenue and triple in staff. He credits his success to being comfortable with change. “Change can be uncomfortable for most leaders, but what has set me apart has been my ability to embrace and ultimately drive change,” he said. Baldwin CPAs was also recently named to INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 400 Firms for 2019. “As a company, we are very proud to be listed among the top 400 accounting firms in the nation,” said Long. “Our staff continues to enhance the services we provide to better serve our clients and the industries we work with. We are excited to see what the future holds and to continue on this growth trajectory.” n

EKU MAGAZINE 43

Tim Sendelbach, ’90 ’91 ’93

EKU Alum Named Vice President, Chief of Public Safety Operations at Bobit Business Media Tim Sendelbach, ’90 ’91 ’93 has been named vice president and chief of public safety operations at Bobit Business Media, a leading B2B media provider for several industries. “It’s an honor to join Bobit as the chief of public safety operations,” Sendelbach told Yahoo Finance. “Bobit’s core initiatives and values align directly with what I’ve spent my entire career focused on: sharing information, training firefighters and continuously working to improve the operational safety and effectiveness of the fire service. I look forward to continuing to work toward these goals alongside the team at Bobit and the many partners who will join us in this effort.” Sendelbach holds a bachelor’s degree in fire administration and arson from EKU and a master’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University. He has also served as president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. n

Alecia Webb-Edgington ’02, president at Life Learning Center, was named one of the Top Women in Business by the Lane Report in 2019. Ticha Chikuni ’05, has been selected as the new director of admissions at Georgetown College. Kristan Erdmann ’06, has been named assistant professor of athletic training at Central Methodist University. Donnie Wilkerson ’07, was awarded an Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award on August 8, 2019. He is a fifth-grade social studies teacher at Jamestown Elementary School in Russell County. Tara Beth Anderson ’09 ’13, has been named the new chief nursing officer at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. Matthew Grammer ’09, owner and CEO at Kentucky Counseling Center, was named to the 40 Under 40 by Louisville Business First. Travis Martin ’09 ’11, has been selected as a professional member-at-large in the Alpha Lambda Delta National Council. Kyle Allen ’10, has joined the staff at Ephraim McDowell Walk-in & Primary Care in Danville as a physician assistant. Harry Hunsucker ’11, became the first HRMMA pro heavyweight champion in Covington on Oct. 12, 2019. He manages Elite Martial Arts in Richmond. Julie Rogers ’11, has been named senior safety consultant with risk and insurance advisor Insgroup. Allen Wilson ’11, a fire chief in Surf City, North Carolina, recently graduated from the National Fire Academy to become certified as an executive fire officer. Chase Moore ’13 ’15, associate professor of music and chair of the music department at Eastern Arizona College, has been selected as Arizona’s American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) collegiate repertoire and resources chair. Jaime (Horn) Lisk ’15, has joined Price Associates at its office in Boise, Idaho. Tarah K. Rémy ’15, joined the Cincinnati office of Dinsmore & Shohl. She will practice out of the intellectual property department. Mitch Smith ’15, owner/CEO of MitchSmithMedia, launched an international comic book series through Zone Komics in December 2019. Tyler Caldwell ’16 ’18, was recently selected for the Laurel County Health Department’s Trail Blazer Award. He was chosen by his fellow employees for his dedication to the various programs offered by the department. Veronica Seawall ’16, spent the summer of 2019 studying endangered golden lion tamarins in Brazil. She is a zookeeper at Cosley Zoo and a graduate student in the Global Field Program at Miami University. Sergio Mena ’17, completed an MBA from Texas A&M-Commerce and finished second in the BMW runDallas Marathon half, all in the same week. Andrna Christopher ’19, joined Northern Maine Medical Center as a mental health nurse practitioner. Elsa Moberly ’19, finished 7th in the 23rd Kentucky Women’s Open at Frankfort Country Club. Matthew S. Wall ’19, U.S. Air Force Air National Guard Airman 1st Class, graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

44 SPRING 2020

Robert Blythe, ’71

Mayor, EKU Alum Receives Maffett Award Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe ’71 earned the Wallace G. Maffett Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce in November 2019. Named for a former Richmond mayor, the award is bestowed on those who exemplify a commitment to community through time, experience and effort. Blythe has been a part of the city of Richmond government for nearly two decades. He earned his first seat on the city commission in 2002, and in 2018 was elected as the town’s first African American mayor. Beyond local government. Blythe has served Madison County as an educator, pastor and volunteer. He taught at Madison High School, Madison Southern High School, and later at EKU. He pastored First Baptist Church on Francis Street and has served on the boards and committees of several organizations, including the Madison County NAACP and the Richmond Rotary . n

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EKU MAGAZINE 45

WALLY CHAMBERS, ’73

BLAINE S. CORRELL, ’48

Wally Chambers, EKU football hall

Blaine Correll ‘48 passed away August 8,

of famer and celebrated NFL player,

2019, at the age of 97.

passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2019. He was 68.

Correll resided in Somerset, Kentucky, for most of his life. In 1942, he enlist-

Chambers’ extraordinary career began

ed in the United States Army, where

with the Colonels in 1969. His senior

he served as a surgical technician in

season, he was named first team All-American by The Sporting

Europe and Africa during World War II. Upon returning to the

News and Time Magazine, as well as first team All-OVC. In

United States, he enrolled at EKU, where he graduated with

1973, Chambers was drafted by the Chicago Bears. During his

bachelor’s degrees in business and agriculture. He began his

NFL career, he earned the Rookie of the Year honor, and was

career teaching farming techniques and management skills to

named All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl three times each. He

returning soldiers in Pulaski County under the GI Bill, but later

was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.

became a real-estate developer and commercial builder. His

In honor of his exceptional career, Chambers was named to the All-Century team at EKU and was elected to the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2006. n

RON NOEL 1 9 4 1 - 2 0 1 9

A Lifetime of Giving Ronald Noel, the largest single donor in EKU history, passed away on Friday, Nov. 22, at the age of 78. Born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, Noel came to EKU as a student in the 1960s. He played baseball for the Colonels and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in business. Ever since, he has generously supported his beloved alma mater. In total, Noel and his wife of 56 years, Sherrie Lou, have given nearly $2 million to the University since 1989. Most notably, the couple contributed over $1 million to establish the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity. They have helped fund the Noel Reading Porch behind the John C. Crabbe Library, the Noel Research Endowment and the sports performance center in the Moberley Building. The Noels have also generously supported EKU Athletics, the Colonel Club, the Alumni Fund and other scholarships and colleges. He was also a member of the Foundation Board and HODA. Noel’s legacy of unmatched generosity will prosper for generations to come. n

46 SPRING 2020

construction firm, CB&S Construction built many commercial and institutional buildings in the region, including classroom and administration buildings for EKU. n

DR. SHEILA PRESSLEY 1 9 6 7 - 2 0 1 9

A Lifetime of Service Dr. Sheila Pressley, dean of the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University, passed away on Jan. 24, 2020, at Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. She was 52. “Her positive attitude, joyful personality and desire to be of service to others touched our entire campus and community,” said Interim President David McFaddin of Pressley. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Pressley attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate education, and earned graduate degrees from Tufts University and the University of Kentucky. The latter institution awarded her the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award, which honors outstanding African American alumni.

As an EKU faculty member, she became the first African American to chair the EKU Faculty Senate (2012-2014). She also served as the university Faculty Athletics Representative,

Before joining the faculty at EKU in 2004, Pressley participated

co-chair of the New Faculty Orientation Committee, and a

in conservation efforts in Zimbabwe, spent a year with the

member of the Presidential Search Committee (2012-2013),

Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National

Strategic Planning Steering Committee, NCAA EKU Athletics

Program Office and served with several nonprofit agencies.

Certification Committee and the Diversity Planning Council. n

JAMES CHENAULT, ’49 Retired Judge James S. Chenault

Dr. Paul Blanchard

Bob Richmond

Geraldine Conder

Ed Riley

Dr. Bruce Hoagland

Dr. Richard Vance

solely on video recordings as its official record. Believing

Lisa Ann Cissell ’85

Carrie Walker Shipp Newberry ’48

citizens had a right to see their judicial system in action,

William (Bill) C. Dosch ’56

Carol (Carbone) Northrop ’73

he also arranged for jury trials to be carried live on local

Dr. Phillip Estepp ’62

Timothy Portale ’86

David Allen Fedders ’74

Rebecca June Rue ’72

Brenda Gail Tatterson Gladding ’78

Rev. Robert J. Scott ’58

Barbara Sue May Halcomb ’52

Casey Sparrow ’04

World War II, received many prestigious awards and is a

Merwyn Jackson ’58 ’63

Allen C. Trimble ’70

member of EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni. n

B. Joan Mitchell ’57 ’58

Sherry Chambers Trimble ’80

Gwen McChesney ’69

Randall “Randy”Tucker ’84

passed away on Jan. 16, 2020. He was 96. Presiding over Kentucky’s 25th Circuit for 27 years, Judge Chenault earned a national reputation when, in 1982, his court became the first in the U.S. to rely

cable television. Judge Chenault was also revered because of how rarely his judicial decisions were reversed on appeal. Judge Chenault, who also served as a Naval officer in

Marsha Ann Grant Nash ’99

EKU MAGAZINE 47

EKU Inducts 2019 Athletics Hall of Fame Class EKU inducted five Colonel athletes into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. The inductees were recognized at halftime during the Colonels’ football game against Tennessee State. Colonel football tight end Patrick Bugg (2003 –06) became one of only seven players in EKU history to reach All-American status twice. At the time of his induction, he ranked ninth on the all-time list for receiving yards in Colonel history, concluding his career with 1,856 yards on 112 receptions with 23 touchdowns. Mike Smith (1988–92) is still EKU’s all-time leading rebounder with 977 rebounds. His final point total of 1,077 ranked 28th on the all-time list at the time of his induction. For those accomplishments, he was named to the 15-player EKU All-Century Basketball Team in 2009.

Track and cross-country runner Lisa Malloy (1987–92) was named first-team COSIDA Academic All-American and OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year twice. She is still listed among the top three all-time runners at EKU in the 3,000-meter run. Thirty-season assistant football coach Jack Ison (1967–96) coached EKU’s first national championship game, in which the Colonels commanded a 30-7 victory over Lehigh. In his honor, Eastern’s new strength and conditioning room is named the Jack Ison Sports Performance Center. After his time as a player at Eastern, Don Richardson (1952–54, 57) coached the Madison Central High School baseball team for 35 years, earning an 85.8 winning percentage, which still ranks No.1 in KHSAA history. He has been inducted into the National Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Dawahare’s Kentucky High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Baseball Hall of Fame.

Learn more about the Athletics Hall of Fame at go.eku.edu/hof19

48 SPRING 2020

Dr. RACHEL TAYLOR, ’86

EKU Professor Receives Teacher of the Year Award Dr. Rachel Taylor ’86, music professor at EKU, earned the 2019 Teacher of the Year award from the Kentucky Music Teachers Association for her years of dedication to teaching piano. “I love to see how students develop and grow,” Taylor told the Richmond Register.” I love to see students accomplish unimaginable things.” Taylor began her study of music at age 3, prompted by her mother, who also taught piano. After she graduated from EKU, graduate study and other opportunities took her outside the Commonwealth, but she returned in 2000 to Georgetown, Kentucky, where she opened her private piano studio. She returned in 2009 to EKU, where she serves as a piano professor and faculty member of the annual Stephen Foster Music Camp. n

EKU MAGAZINE 49

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PASS ON YOUR VALUES Contact (859) 622-5035 for help with Foundation Scholarships. ————————————————————

To make a gift or learn more, visit eku.edu/campaign

“ Thank you to everyone who came together to donate to these scholarships!” — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — DaNeysha Christopher graduated in December with a major in finance and minor in fashion. Her work ethic and high GPA earned her several scholarships, including the Dr. William and Mrs. Marion Berge Scholarship, the Dr. Rodney Gross Scholarship and the Joanne K. Glasser Scholarship.