"It's all about what you leave behind ..."

Ronald “Ron” Cartee (Class of 1965) graduated from high school and had the option of going to work or going to college. He did both. Initially from Greenup County, Ron worked for Jesse Stuart during his teenage years. Through that connection, he landed a job at Armco Steel during the summers. He also worked construction jobs and worked in tobacco to earn extra money. All the while, he attended classes and studied to earn his business degree from MSU. He and his wife Diane married during his junior year. After Ron graduated from MSU with his bachelor’s degree, his work ethic, determination, and his wife’s support and partnership propelled him forward in the business world.

The couple moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where they began a business in land development. Together, they started with renovating homes before having the opportunity to develop 40 acres in the city. In 1989, the Cartee family, along with their son, Ron Jr., entered the restaurant industry with a Taco Time restaurant in Portsmouth. This was followed by the purchase of an Arby’s franchise in 1990. The Cartees continued to develop this business and owned and operated nearly 30 Arby’s locations across Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. In 2008, The Cartee family was recognized with a President’s

Award, Arby’s company’s highest honor. Ron was recognized for his career success by being inducted into the MSU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Cartees have been longtime supporters of MSU but, in recent years, have taken their support to the next level. They established the Cartee Family Scholarship Endowment in 2019. The endowment, valued at over $200,000, will provide annual scholarships for Greenup County students.

“My time at MSU was special, and I am grateful for the opportunities I received as a student. My wife Diane and I have worked very hard together to accomplish what we have today and credit that in part to a wonderful education at MSU,” Ron said. “That’s why it’s important for us to give back and provide scholarship opportunities for deserving students. We hope that we can assist students in realizing their full potential. I believe that life is not what you take with you, it’s about what you leave behind.”

To recognize this initial charitable commitment to MSU, the Ronald and Diane Cartee Family Theater was named in their honor in the Adron Doran University Center. The theater is used for various campus events and welcomes new students to MSU.

Soaring the extra mile

Artist rendering of sculpture placement

In addition to their scholarship commitment, the Cartees recently presented MSU with an extra special gift in honor of the University’s centennial celebration, recognizing 100 years as a public institution in Kentucky. Ron and Diane are generously providing a gift that will fund the creation of a unique bronze Eagle statue that will be placed on campus, honoring MSU’s Eagle mascot and the school’s commitment to helping students soar higher.

This landmark art piece, bearing a nearly 12-foot wingspan, will serve as a focal point on campus and will be constructed by fellow Eagle, former instructor of art and world-renowned artist, Sam McKinney (Class of 1973, 1992). Whether students are landing home in their new eagle’s nest or taking flight to new adventures after graduation, the piece will represent the spirit of the Eagle – and the loyalty and dedication of the Cartee family.

Pictured left to right, Ron Cartee and Sam McKinney