Letter from the President

Rain pelted my face as it came in sideways. Thirty mph wind with gusts more than 50 can drive rain into and through the best rain gear a hiker can find. I was drenched to the skin, cold and having the time of my life. The Highlands of Scotland can be windy and wet any time of year and on this day, as we walked 19 miles from Tyndrum into Glen Coe, nature seemed intent on seeing what we were made of. The hike itself was a pilgrimage in remembrance of a friend and mentor who shaped my life in significant ways. He passed away a few months ago and I felt the need to honor his memory. So, I hiked, as we had always discussed doing together, through the mountains and across the moors of the Scottish Highlands.

Each year, I look forward to autumn. As the leaves begin to change there is a sense of anticipation that fills the air. The transition from summer to fall always foreshadows the passing of another year, the holiday season and the chance to begin again. For many, this time of year is about returning to routines, while for others, it’s about embarking on new journeys. At the University of Pikeville, we find ourselves at the heart of both as we welcome students back to campus and embrace the promise of a new academic year. We live in the liminal space between almost and not yet as we anticipate so many new things about to begin.

Service is at the center of UPIKE’s mission, whether through the selfless dedication of alums like Bryce Carden, a firefighter in Louisville, or the remarkable efforts of our students and faculty at the newly-opened BEAR Healthcare Clinic. We also proudly recognize the Tanner family’s generous gift—celebrated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine—which marked a significant milestone in expanding access to dental care. Through new initiatives and partnerships, UPIKE continues to deepen its role as a vital force in the region’s growth and success, fostering a strong connection between our campus and the community we serve.

This fall, as we come together as a community of learners, leaders and servants, let us each strive to embrace the opportunities before us to serve beyond ourselves.

As I walked this summer through the highlands, I carried a small stone. The weight of it represented the weight of grief I have carried since my friend slipped from this world into the next. More than anything, he taught me the value of humble leadership, to walk as Christ walked through this world seeking to embody the love God has for all of us. This fall, as we come together as a community of learners, leaders and servants, let us each strive to embrace the opportunities before us to serve beyond ourselves. Whether that service takes place in our classrooms, clinics or the broader community, it is through these acts that we truly embody what it means to be part of the UPIKE family

Striving to serve,

Burton J. Webb, Ph.D.

President