Congratulations Class of 2021

The University of Pikeville held inperson commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 to recognize the academic achievements of students earning degrees in the health professions, and undergraduate and graduate studies. The celebrations were held over a three-day span at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in downtown Pikeville, as a safety measure in response to COVID-19. Graduates and families who preferred to celebrate virtually were able to watch the ceremonies via livestream.

In his keynote address for the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, Nate Morris, founder and chief executive officer of Lexington, Kentucky-based Rubicon, challenged students to join him in helping to build sustainable economic development opportunities for Eastern Kentucky. Morris also promised seed funding to help UPIKE start a studentled conservation program with objectives, goals and deliverables.

“Together, we can be leaders in making great things happen,” said Morris. “We are the people who will find opportunity in unlikely places. Opportunity surrounds you, and yours could be waiting for you anywhere. Now is your time to think big and dream big.”

President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., awarded the Presidential Medallion to Professor of Nursing Mary Rado Simpson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, for her significant contributions to nursing education at UPIKE, and Assistant Provost Pam Gilliam, Ed.D., MBA, for her decades of dedication to the university’s faculty and students. Simpson and Gilliam were the first female faculty members to receive the award. Dean of Kentucky Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) Dana Shaffer, D.O., FACOFP dist., FAOGME, also received the Presidential Medallion for his dedication to furthering KYCOM’s mission. All three faculty members have announced their retirement this June.

Mary Rado Simpson, Ph.D., RN, CNE Professor of Nursing

Pamela Gilliam, Ed.D., MBA Assistant Provost

Simpson and Michael Holcomb, Ph.D., were honored as first- and second-place recipients, respectively, of the William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Award.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program graduated its inaugural class, and commencement highlights for the College of Nursing and Human Services and the Patton College of Education included pinning new professional social workers, nurses and educators.

“This graduation is an incredible milestone for our School of Social Work, but more importantly it means that 10 advanced-level social work practitioners and servant leaders will be joining the workforce and changing lives across Central Appalachia and beyond,” said MSW Program Director and Chair of the School of Social Work Genesia Kilgore-Bowling, Ph.D., MSW, CSW. “I am so proud of these graduates.”

Ancil W. Lewis, chief executive officer of Big Sandy Health Care, Inc., delivered the keynote address at the health professions ceremony.

“Collectively, these graduates will make a major contribution to the healthcare delivery system in Kentucky and across the nation,” said Lewis. “What the University of Pikeville has accomplished is phenomenal. This is the community and people that move mountains.”

Cheikh Ndiaye - B.S. in Social Work

UPIKE has helped me find myself, know who I am and also helped me build many connections. I have people who support me that I can turn to for advice and help when I enter my career field. My first meeting with Genesia (Chair of the School of Social Work) set me on this path. She opened me up to this career and I’m very grateful I had that experience. I learned that the true values I have in my life align with the values held in social work. Values like dignity, worth, service for all people and selflessness. That is how I want to live my life.

Cheikh Ndiaye - B.S. in Social Work

Cullen Hall - Master of Business Administration

As a business owner, this degree holds so much value. Through the curriculum, I was able to reevaluate my own business strategies and management styles. The advantage of this program is being able to do it at my own pace, on my own time. This means a lot to my future success going forward.

Cullen Hall - Master of Business Administration

Ashley Branham - Master of Social Work

My time at UPIKE has taught me so much about who I am. I have learned that I am capable of reaching any goal that I have set for myself. Our professors were amazing, and having a great team behind you helps keep you motivated. I was a student here when we switched from Pikeville College to the University of Pikeville, and that was a huge jump, creating a whole new campus.

Ashley Branham - Master of Social Work

Alysha Bolling - B.S. Criminal Justice

After coming here from Florida to play softball, UPIKE taught me to be independent, being so far from home. Just being with my team and making lifelong friends has been so meaningful. I feel prepared to enter my career because of all the networking I was able to do. Everyone here is so great at reaching out and making you feel included, and I believe I can apply those same skills wherever I go.

Alysha Bolling - B.S. Criminal Justice

Zachary Howell - A.S. in Nursing

“Being a nursing student, I have learned I am more of a people-person than I ever knew, and no matter what is thrown at me, I can adjust. After getting into clinicals, I realized nursing was natural for me. UPIKE has done a great job of preparing me to be a nurse. The university set up lots of hands-on experience at the hospital, making sure we are trained to be work-ready when we graduate."

Zachary Howell - A.S. in Nursing

Emily Williams, O.D. - Kentucky College of Optometry, Valedictorian

My father is an optometrist and sparked my interest in the field at an early age. KYCO’s dedication to service, outreach and mission trips were my most admired memories of being an optometry student. The experiences that I have had at KYCO with rural optometry will benefit me going forward in my career. KYCO has prepared me with the expanded scope of optometry practice, and I have learned surgical procedures that will advance the future of optometry. I am forever grateful to KYCO for extending me the priceless gift of an optometry education and helping me to fulfill my long-term goals.

Emily Williams, O.D. - Kentucky College of Optometry, Valedictorian

Mustafa Basree, D.O. - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

I have had a wonderful journey in pursuing my dream of becoming a physician. I always wanted a career that is intellectually stimulating and provides service to patients in the community. KYCOM offers many resources and equips students with all the skills that you need to be a successful physician. I am grateful for the deep connections I have made while attending KYCOM. My interest is working in radiation oncology with the goal of helping patients with cancer. There will be challenges, but if you have the right attitude, you will not only overcome them, you will grow from them.

Mustafa Basree, D.O. - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erin Cosner - B.A. in Educational Studies

UPIKE has prepared me really well for my career, and I secured a teaching position immediately after graduation. I discovered I am not a very shy person, like I used to be, and I have come out of my shell more here. On the bowling team, my freshman year, we won the national title and that achievement will be forever in my memories.

Erin Cosner - B.A. in Educational Studies

Will Wheeler - B.A. in Communication

UPIKE took me away from the distractions of the city and helped me to focus on my education. It made me feel like I could be a good student and get everything done. During my time here and my involvement with student government and restarting the Black Student Union, I learned I have a large sphere of influence that I can use anywhere. Knowing there are people still here that can continue the work of the BSU is important to me. I will also really miss the soul food dinners hosted by the BSU at the president’s house.

Will Wheeler - B.A. in Communication