The Bridge Between Goals and Accomplishments

Brooke & Shadd Walters

Brooke Walters ’03 still cherishes a special memento from the evening she and her husband, Shadd Walters ’02, met on the Armington Bridge on September 9, 1999. “During the back-to-school bridge dance, Shadd sent over a handwritten note on a small piece of paper that read, ‘Call me.’ I was never allowed to call boys growing up. They had to call me,” said Brooke. “So I responded by passing it back with my number for him to call me.”

That is where their story began, and Brooke still has the note in her possession today. Deciding to attend UPIKE was the most significant decision for both of them. Shadd was grateful he could play on the men’s golf team while earning his degree close to home, and Brooke promised her mother she would stay at a local college her first year and loved it so much she did not want to leave.

“The opportunity to extend my education close to home while being far enough away, I was able to have the college experience I was looking for,” said Shadd. “UPIKE allowed me to play golf at the next level, which was a dream come true for me.”

Shortly after Shadd graduated in 2002, they celebrated their marriage. In May 2003, Brooke walked across the stage at commencement and, a few days later welcomed their son, Tate, to the world. After earning their bachelorʼs in business management and starting their family, they began successful careers. Novartis Pharmaceuticals currently employs Brooke as an institutional sales specialist, where she focuses on serving hospitals in Eastern Kentucky. Shadd serves as the southern region president for Citizens Bank of Kentucky in Pikeville. Today, their son is pursuing his dreams at UPIKE. He is a men’s baseball team member majoring in biomedical science.

“It is surreal to think that our son is now attending college at the place where it all began. Although many of the professors have retired, it is nice to have people in our community with a vested interest in your success,” said Brooke. “We felt he would get the best education at UPIKE, but ultimately it was his decision. He will have his own story, and we love that.”

The couple believes the bridge symbolizes connection, physically connecting buildings and relationally connecting people.

I hope current students find the new Armington Bridge as a place of connection, taking a few minutes between classes to get to know someone or meeting a friend for lunch,” said Brooke. “Sometimes, it may be giving thanks as they jet across the bridge to get to class on time. For us, our life now is about our connection to God. Who knows, maybe two or more may gather and find it a place to meet and pray.

Courtney & Danijel Tadic

Courtney Morgan Tadic ’16 and Danijel Tadic ’16 crossed paths as freshmen on UPIKE’s campus in 2012 while waiting for class on the Armington Bridge.

“I was on my way to organic chemistry, and Danijel had a lab in Armington as well,” said Courtney. “I didn’t know him. I just knew ‘of’ him and casually walked by, teasing him for his outfit choice of a tank top and pajama pants. It was an instant connection, and the rest is history.”

Courtney and Danijel came to the university by earning athletic scholarships in softball and football. Their schedules were hectic, but the Armington Bridge offered a gathering place for students to catch up with friends.

“The bridge was the meeting spot. It was where everyone got together before or after classes to hang out, catch up, and socialize between classes,” said Courtney. “It was a place where we could study or just stroll mindlessly when the weather was nice with friends to stay connected or meet new people.”

In 2016, both walked across the stage, receiving their degrees. Courtney obtained her bachelor’s in biology, and Danijel earned his bachelor’s in psychology.

They now reside in Georgetown, Ky., where Courtney serves as a family medicine physician assistant, and Danijel is driving for the United Parcel Service.

They both feel the construction of the new Armington Bridge is bittersweet.

“Going away to college is tough because you often feel so alone. You’re away from family, friends and everyone from your hometown that you know,” said Courtney. “The bridge was a place where you were never alone. There was always someone hanging out there that you could talk to and connect with. We are excited thinking about all the new memories that the current students will make on Armington Bridge.”

Jennifer & Jeremy Davis

As a first-year student, Jennifer Justice Davis ’04 remembers the moment she and Jeremy Davis ’01 met on the Armington Bridge.

“Jeremy was sitting on the bridge between classes with his friends,” said Jennifer. “I had attended high school with one of his friends, and when I stopped to speak, I had the opportunity to meet him.”

Jeremy added, “It was the beginning of a lifetime of happiness.”

The university held several events throughout their time on campus, filled with fun and excitement. Movie nights, bowling nights and dances were created to allow the students to explore and meet new people.

“One of my fondest memories of UPIKE was the extra things that student services put together for the students,” said Jennifer.

The most memorable moment they share at UPIKE is when Jeremy proposed to Jennifer on the Armington Bridge after the homecoming dance in 2002.

“I will never forget the night we got engaged. It was a rainy night, and my roommate and one of Jeremy’s friends were hiding in the bushes near Derriana Hall,” said Jennifer. “They attempted to get as many photos as possible for my mother. It was surreal since that location was where we had met a few years prior.” They both recall the bridge as the campus centerpiece and the heart of the university.

The Armington Bridge will always represent friendship to me. Spending that time between classes with my classmates and sharing stories will be a lasting memory,” said Jeremy. “We hope the new bridge can serve as a symbol of community and youth, bringing as many wonderful memories for current and future students as it has for us.

Jennifer went on to earn her master’s degree in education and currently serves as a fourth-grade math and science teacher at Burch Elementary in Delbarton, W.Va. After spending years in social service work, Jeremy has been an educator for the past 16 years, also at Burch Elementary.