Letter from the President

As she pushed a wayward strand of hair aside, a child, not more than 4, tugged at the hem of her shirt. “¿Has visto a mi madre?” Though she didn’t speak enough Spanish to translate the request, something about the word, madre, helped her to understand. This child was looking for his mother. The clinic was hot and packed with people. As a member of UPIKE’s Kentucky College of Optometry team, she knew what to do and where to go. That day, the team would help more than 200 people see more clearly, but right now, she must help one lost boy find his mommy.

Students who choose to pursue their calling at the University of Pikeville gain more than knowledge during their time as a Bear. Whether studying business, education, communication, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine or another field, service is the link that binds students to the UPIKE family and sets them on a path toward something greater than themselves. The ripple effect of such selflessness is felt for generations and is evidenced in countless ways throughout our rich history.

Service opportunities are abundant on campus and begin as soon as first-year students join us in the fall. These students are immediately immersed in a spectrum of projects that have a positive impact on our region. Opportunities for all students range from an impromptu trip to Texas in response to a natural disaster, to helping improve the health and quality of life of those living in other countries, to a Backpack Ministry providing food security to local children.

Students go on to lead incredible lives of service as alumni. In this issue of UPIKE Magazine, you’ll read about Will T. Scott (’71), a retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice who committed his career to helping his community and the Commonwealth. You’ll learn about Ashley Richmond (’19), who’s entering UPIKE’s Kentucky College of Optometry with a strong desire to serve the under-served in Appalachia.

Our faculty and staff are in constant service to our students, the university and their profession. I encourage you to take a moment to read about some of their recent accomplishments. Their passion and devotion are contagious.

You’ll be inspired by the compelling story of the late Lon and Mary Evelyn Rogers – avid supporters of the university. Lon and Mary Evelyn dedicated much of their lives to increasing access to education in Appalachia. Because they so firmly believed in the university’s mission, they engaged in philanthropy and endeavors that still benefit students today and encourage the continuation of service to humanity. Having served their community in countless other ways, they felt it was their duty to enrich the lives of others.

Alumni and friends of UPIKE around the world also feel the call of service to the university for which they care so deeply. Thank you for your incredible support. Because of you, we can continue to help the blind see and aid children who are lost, all while providing students with an exceptional UPIKE experience.

We believe there are a multitude of ways to serve as a member of the UPIKE family. Please join us as we continue …

Striving to serve,

Burton J. Webb President