Country artists support Appalachian region

Through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and the generosity of musician couple and Kentucky natives Senora May and Tyler Childers, the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Scholarship was established to support scholarships for students at several universities in the region, including Morehead State University. May, a native of Estill County, is a singer-songwriter. She is married to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tyler Childers, a native of Lawrence County. The couple established the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund in 2020 to bring awareness and financial support for philanthropic efforts in the Appalachian Region. The fund supports ongoing efforts in education, civil rights and addiction recovery and Morehead State is honored to be a part of the project as a beneficiary of their generosity.

Passion for philanthropy shines

Sommai Purintun LeBron-Cooke (Class of 1992) has a passion for philanthropy, education, and economic and social justice. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at MSU and has worked in the field of philanthropy for over a decade. She founded IMPACT Sports Philanthropy to assist athletes and promote philanthropy to support economic, social and environmental justice for underserved communities.

Her scholarship endowment allows her to have an impact on the next generation.

COVID-19 altered my college experience, but I have worked hard to pursue opportunities to challenge me academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally. Without generous donors like Sommai, I would not be able to attend college and getting a graduate degree would be very difficult and unimaginable. Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting the next generation of minority women in Eastern Kentucky at MSU.

-M’Shae Matthews, recipient

A legacy of education

For many students in Johnson County, Cathy Goble Gullett (Class of 1974) is a name that stands out. A native of Johnson County, Cathy earned her master’s degree at MSU and began her teaching career at Porter Elementary School. She eventually went to Johnson Central High School (JCHS), where she taught until retiring in 2004.

Cathy was very involved at JCHS - from teaching to volunteering with athletics, most notably girls’ golf. She also gave back to MSU by volunteering with the Dr. Rex Chaney Golf Academy for over 20 years alongside her husband, Nelson (Class of 1969).

In 2019, Cathy’s unexpected passing led her family to establish the Cathy Goble Gullett Memorial Scholarship Fund in her memory. This scholarship fund supports a student from JCHS who is majoring in an education program. The legacy of Cathy Goble Gullett will live on through this scholarship.