Heart of a Bear

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Pikeville Alumni Association collaborated with faculty and staff to turn the new normal into an opportunity to highlight the bravery and dedication of UPIKE alumni. To honor alumni for their selfless service to others during the global pandemic, the UPIKE Alumni Association began a social media campaign called “Heart of a Bear.”

Nominated by friends, family, community leaders, classmates and colleagues, alumni were recognized on social media and praised for their service to others.

Throughout the campaign, physicians, nurses, teachers, law enforcement officers, delivery drivers and those serving in hospitality were among the essential positions recognized. With nearly 300 nominations, it was clear that graduates served in almost every area of need across the country.

In August, those nominated were also invited to attend a virtual event via Zoom with the UPIKE Alumni Association. President Burton Webb, Ph.D., KYCOM Dean Dana Shaffer, D.O., FACOFP dist., FAOGME, and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations David Hutchens thanked attendees for their front-line service and commitment to the values of being a UPIKE Bear.

Hutchens defines the meaning behind having the “Heart of a Bear.”

“Service to others is at the core of having the ‘Heart of a Bear,’ and going beyond just the duties of a job in a manner that is recognized by your peers,” said Hutchens. “Simply put, it’s passion on the front lines of all industries during this pandemic. UPIKE could not be prouder of the alumni who were nominated for Heart of a Bear.”

UPIKE alum Brad Hall ’96 is proud of his alma mater for continuing to present graduates who keep showing everyone what it means to take a “Heart of a Bear” into the world.

“I am honored to have been selected as having the ‘Heart of a Bear,’ as others were more deserving of this award than I, such as our doctors, nurses, and other essential workers. In my work with American Electric Power, during this time of a pandemic, I have played a small part alongside our many extraordinary AEP employees to make sure everyone has reliable power,” said Hall. “It has been a time in life like no one has ever seen and I, along with millions of other people in this great nation, played a small role in keeping our country functioning during such abnormal circumstances.”

Fadi Al Akhrass, M.D., FACP, MBA ʼ20

“Fadi Al Akhrass, M.D., FACP, earned his MBA from UPIKE in 2020. He is the medical director of infectious diseases and infection control at Pikeville Medical Center and is serving Eastern Kentucky in critical ways during COVID-19. From providing exceptional care as a highly-skilled, compassionate infection disease specialist at PMC; to providing expertise at local COVID-19-related press conferences; to offering credible information on COVID-19 through social media, Dr. Al Akhrass has been proactive in helping keep his community safe.”

Katie Fekety Zeljak ʼ11

“Katie Fekety Zeljak is a 2011 graduate of the UPIKE College of Arts and Sciences. She works with Home Instead Senior Care in Los Angeles. As the client care coordinator, she is continuing to meet with seniors and their families in the community to assess their needs and organize in-home, personal care. Katie and her team are also participating in Errands for Seniors, delivering essential items to seniors who cannot leave their homes due to the quarantine.”

Breanna Tussey ʼ18

“Breanna Tussey is a 2018 graduate of the UPIKE College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelorʼs degree in biology. She is a QC Technician in the DNA Sequencing Lab of Eurofins Genomics in Louisville, Ky. At the beginning of the pandemic, Eurofins started getting massive orders for COVID-19 test kits. Breanna immediately stepped up and volunteered to help the Oligo Manufacturing Lab of Eurofins. She is working countless hours and going above and beyond her regular duties to assist those in need during this pandemic.”

Brandon Blackburn ʼ04

“Brandon Blackburn is a 2004 graduate of the UPIKE College of Arts and Sciences. As a co-district technology coordinator and teacher for Pikeville Independent Schools, he has poured his heart into supporting teachers’ transition to non-traditional instruction by ensuring that all the teachers in the district have the digital tools to reach students in this time of crisis. As a worship minister at Cornerstone Christian Church, he has helped his congregation transition to online services. Despite his workload and dedication to service, Brandon still has energy to support his own family and to hold them close during this global uncertainty. He and his lovely wife, Sarah, have two boys, Ian and Liam. He makes this whole situation a little more BEARable for his family, his students, the teachers in his district, his church family and his community.”

With nearly 300 nominations, it's clear that graduates serve in almost every area of need across the country. THANK YOU for having the heart of a bear and making your alma mater proud.