5 minute read
The Power of Education
TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT: Nancy Horn Barker, Pharm.D.
Since 2016, Nancy Horn Barker, Pharm.D., has been a dedicated member of the University of Pikeville’s Board of Trustees, combining her passion for education and her family’s rich history with the institution. After graduating from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Pharmacy in 2002, she completed a postgraduate fellowship in government affairs through UK and the American Pharmacy Services Corporation (APSC) in Frankfort. She went on to serve as director of government affairs for APSC before purchasing and running her own pharmacy until 2014. Barker now works as a fulltime pharmacist with Big Sandy Health Care in Salyersville, Ky., while continuing her efforts with many philanthropic organizations.
Her business acumen comes from her father, Everett Horn, Jr., ’61, who has owned and operated various businesses, including a convenience store, truck stop and laundromat. But her curiosity and pull toward government comes from her mother, Carolynn Horn, who served as the Martin County Circuit Court Clerk for more than thirty years.
“My parents were scraping by trying to raise four kids, and they had a work ethic like no other,” Barker said with a smile. “I get my political interest from my mom, and my business sense comes from my dad. He still owns our original convenience store, which is right down from the house I grew up in. It’s called Horn’s Fuel Stop in Martin County.”
Her leadership role with APSC and her business experience prepared her well for handling her responsibilities on the board. During her seven-year tenure, Barker has served on the President’s Executive and Health Professions Education committees, working on several important initiatives at UPIKE. Her insights have supported President Webb’s strategic direction for the university, ensuring it remains a beacon of educational excellence in Eastern Kentucky.
“It is a privilege and an honor to serve on the board. The least I can do is help to guide this institution for the next generation,” said Barker.
“Since I became a trustee, I’ve gotten to see the first graduating class of the optometry school, and now we are adding dentistry. It’s exciting to think about how the new dental college will further improve the access to care for Eastern Kentuckians.”
Barker’s interest in UPIKE began with her father, a proud graduate of then Pikeville College, who understood the transformative power of quality education. After being awarded a basketball scholarship, he was propelled to succeed in business. He instilled a profound appreciation for education in his children and fostered a culture of learning that continues to shape their lives. Her father’s pride in her service on the board of trustees is unmatched. He recognizes the significance of her role and sees it as a continuation of the family’s long-standing connection to the university. Horn beamed with joy when reflecting on the mark all his children are leaving in their own professions.
“I am so proud of Nancy, and I know she is an asset at my alma mater,” said Horn as he fought back tears. “I am proud of all my children for their accomplishments, but I am most proud that they never forgot where they came from. They are all so kind and humble, doing their part to help their fellow man.”
Horn’s success became the cornerstone of their family’s values, paired with their mother’s deep faith. The Horn family’s story is a testament to the extraordinary impact of UPIKE on generations of students and their families. Barker, her parents and siblings credit the university for launching their family into a trajectory of success and prosperity.
Barker’s siblings include Leslie Horn, DMD, the first female periodontist in private practice in Lexington, E.J. Horn. M.D., obstetrics and gynecology physician and professor at the UK College of Medicine, and Hon. Claria Horn Boom, a federal judge who serves as a United States District Court Judge for both the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.
Barker and her siblings found a way to pay forward the educational opportunities their family received from UPIKE. Together, they are working to establish the Horn Family Scholarship Endowed Fund, a philanthropic initiative to empower a deserving student each year with the opportunity for a college education. This scholarship fund reflects the Horn family’s deep-rooted belief in the power of education and their desire to replicate the generational success that UPIKE has bestowed upon their family.
“Behind our faith in God, education is one of the most important things to my family. We love the university, and the impact my dad’s education had on our lives is immeasurable,” said Barker. “We hope this scholarship fund is the catalyst for generational success in someone else’s family, just like his education was for us.”
Through this scholarship, they hope to provide financial support and inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers and community builders. They are eager to see future scholarship recipients use their UPIKE education to benefit themselves, their families and their communities.
