Giving Eastern Kentucky talent a shot at success

Pictured above, left to right: Makenzie Beth Werner, current recipient, and Linda Thacker

Linda Thacker (Class of 1982, 1992) knows that a lot of success has less to do with ability and more to do with opportunity.

“Coming from this close-knit community where everybody has strong connections formed at school, church and work, and people really care for one another, it’s hard to pull yourself away to attend college,” Thacker said. “There is a wealth of talent in Eastern Kentucky. If we can help students tap into their talents and realize their dreams of what they can become, then our goal has been accomplished.”

This motivated Linda and her husband, Eric Howard (Class of 1981), to start the Linda D. Thacker Scholarship. The scholarship was created in honor of Linda, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and later a Master of Arts in Art. The scholarship gives preference to students from Pike County.

This scholarship will allow me to pursue an elementary education degree in hopes of returning back to Pike County to be a light in my students’ lives just as some of my teachers were in mine.

-Makenzie Beth Warner, current recipient

Ensuring the show goes on

Jack Matthews (Class of 1974) and his wife, Cheryl Matthews, both decided to channel their longtime general support for Morehead State University to the specific need of helping theatre majors succeed in their craft.

The Matthews Family Endowment will produce an annual scholarship for a fulltime undergraduate student pursuing a degree in theatre. Preference will be given to students with a focus on technical support, including lighting, sound and stage management, as well as those students with demonstrated community service. The endowment was created in honor of Paul Denayer, a theatre faculty member while the Matthews’ son, Alan, was a student. The terrace outside the newly renovated Adron Doran University Center has been named the Matthews Outdoor Performance Area in honor of the couple’s contribution.

Alan Pleiman

“Our son Alan (Class of 2011) graduated with his degree in theatre and has never been without work since,” Cheryl said. “We appreciated the attention Morehead gave him before he even made the decision to attend. We’re just so thankful.”

“We have reached a stage in our lives where making a gift like this is possible. We realized that it was time to give back,” Jack said. “Given that funds are no longer coming to state schools the way they used to, student scholarships are important now more than ever for student success.”