THE INAUGURATION OF THE 19TH PRESIDENT OF
UNION COLLEGE
j
T H E C E L E B R AT I O N B E L O N G S TO U S A L L
Meet President Hawkins
TABLE
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 2
OF
CONTENTS
j
3 Meet President Hawkins
The Pillars of Inauguration: Appalachia
4
5 Heritage Picnic: Celebrating Appala The Pillars of Inauguration: Service
6
7 Project Green Light: Celebrating Service The Pillars of Inauguration: The Liberal Arts
8
9 The Pillars of Inauguration: Methodism 10
Celebrating the Liberal Arts & Methodism
11 History of the Presidency 12
The Power of 19
13 Speeches of Inauguration 14
The Bulldog Ball: Students reinvent their spring formal
15 The Inauguration goes Viral Inauguration Day at a Glance
16
MEET PRESIDENT HAWKINS Many people in the Barbourville area and beyond have become acquainted with Dr. Hawkins. She has been active in the community since her arrival last July, participating in events such as the Daniel Boone Festival and becoming involved in local municipalities. But you might be interested in knowing about her life before she moved into Baldwin Place. Dr. Hawkins came to Union College from Fort Worth, Texas. As the proud granddaughter and greatgranddaughter of West Virginia coal miners, she has strong roots in Appalachia. Dr. Hawkins was the first in her family to pursue a college degree, so higher education is something she takes very seriously. Her undergraduate degree was earned non-traditionally. Dr. Hawkins was studying part-time at a community college, and followed that by evening classes for several years, all while working full time
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 3
and taking care of her home and family. She earned her undergraduate degree, a BBA in Finance, in 1987. She went back to school a few years later to pursue a Masters of Science in Education, and followed that with a Doctor of Philosophy in Transatlantic History. Dr. Hawkins has extensive experience in higher education. She held various positions of authority at Texas Wesleyan University from 1989 to 2001; was president of the Texas Independent College Foundation from 2003 until 2010; and served as head of advancement for the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education from 2010 to March 2012. Her experience also includes ten years with Texas Commerce Bank, now Chase Bank, and two years as assistant director of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. She became 19th president of Union College on July 1, 2012.
THE INAUGURATION LOGO Latin for “Let our light shine,” Luceat lux nostra has been identified as the theme for Union’s 19th president’s inauguration. Inspired by this theme, the logo represents the start of a new day. The wings that frame the sun belong to Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn, who opens the gates of heaven each morning so the sun may rise. Each wing in the graphic is segmented into four parts representing the “pillars” identified to provide focus for inauguration events. The four pillars were chosen to highlight Union’s strengths, mission and identity.
LET OUR LIGHT SHINE
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 4
THE PILLARS OF INAUGURATION
APPALACHIA As one of the four pillars identified to provide focus for inauguration events, Appalachia is tied strongly to Union College’s strengths, mission and identity. The Union College Wilderness Club is an organization that connects Union to the community by leading expeditions through terrain that can only be found in this area.
j
In 1980, Dr. John Taylor came to Union College to teach history. While he was at it, he started a club that had the power to transform lives and inspire people to share his deep appreciation for Appalachia, particularly the Appalachian wilderness. The Appalachian Wilderness Club is still going strong today. It is now sponsored by Andy Messer, a colleague of Taylor’s and longtime club member, who credits the AWC with providing life-changing experiences. He describes the club as an organization that “shares the love of the Appalachian mountains, of wilderness and of real-life, honest-to-God adventure.” Messer, assistant professor of
recreation management at Union College, first became involved with the club in 1982. He said his passion for the outdoors grew from that very first caving trip he took with Taylor. “I had been something of an outdoor enthusiast all my life, but the real turning point came when I began to think of myself as a caver, as a direct result of going caving with the wilderness club,” Messer said. “That changed everything: my choice of career, my outlook on life, my preferred way of spending the weekend, absolutely everything.” Messer’s story of transformation isn’t the only one. The AWC has impacted many students throughout the years in much the same way. Emily Baker, a 2012 Union College graduate, said participating in the AWC introduced her to scenery you stumble upon every day. “Through the wilderness club you get the opportunity to see some amazing areas that you probably wouldn’t otherwise,” Baker said. “I have definitely gained a new appreciation for the
outdoors.” But the AWC provides another thing for students as well, and that’s the opportunity to meet and interact with the Barbourville community who share a common interest in the great outdoors. During Messer’s early years, a relationship was started between Union students and Barbourville citizens, all interested in caving. Together, they formed a chapter of the National Speleological Society called the Pine Mountain Grotto. Over the years, the PMG has become a way to connect students to local cavers, and local cavers to campus. “I would go so far as to say that the PMG/AWC connection is virtually the only connection some students have with Barbourville, and the only connection some community members have with the college,” Messer said. Baker, who continues to stay involved with the AWC, said this involvement with the Barbourville community not only introduced her to new friends, but to new mentors. “I have had the privilege to
meet other members of the Barbourville community who are also outdoor enthusiasts, allowing me to develop friendships along with developing my vertical skills,” Baker said. Additionally, the AWC has helped start a local kayaking group, El Rio Loco Paddling Club, and has formed other relationships between Union and local hikers, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, Messer said. These connections to not only Barbourville, but Appalachia as a whole are what Messer sees as the true importance of the AWC. “It’s all too easy for students who are from the region to assume they know everything they need to know about Appalachia, and it’s all too easy for students from outside the region to avoid engaging with the region in any meaningful way,” Messer said. “I think it is tremendously important to have some understanding of the place where you are, whether or not it is your native place, and knowing that place depends on attaining a degree of intimacy with it.”
Heritage Picnic:
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 5
Celebrating Appalachia
As part of the inauguration week events, a picnic was held to celebrate Appalachia, one of the four inauguration pillars. At the picnic a bluegrass band played live music and traditional Appalachian food was served. In conjunction with the picnic, a dedication ceremony was held for a threestage lake renovation project funded by the Student Government Association. Already complete are an outdoor recreation area (phase 1); a boat and fishing dock (phase 1); a pavillion, gas grills and a firepit (phase 1); and a fountain aeration system (phase 2). Ground has been broken for a full-size outdoor basketball court, which will complete phase 2. Plans for phase 3 include a walking track around the lake, a meditation area and an outdoor classroom area. The photo above shows one of the evening’s events. Click the larger photo to view a gallery of more images.
THE PILLARS OF INAUGURATION
SERVICE
As one of the four pillars identified to provide focus for inauguration events, service is tied strongly to Union College’s strengths, mission and identity. The Common Partners program is a servicebased group that connects Union to the community in providing good things for needy people.
j
Union College was founded as an act of service. In 1879, the community of Barbourville started the school as a service to the youth, providing them with a way to further their education and expand their opportunities at home. Since then, Union has continued its commitment to the region, most notably through the Common Partners program. Austin Sebald, director of Community Outreach at Union, said that the Common Partners program is defined as a servicebased organization, meaning its sole purpose is to help. “A service-based organization is a group that works together for the betterment of others,” Sebald said. “The individuals who help run the programs are selfless and willing to put others before themselves. Every aspect of the group is tied into service somehow.” But the Common Partners program does more than just provide service; it also provides a connection between the community and the students at Union. “Most of the service done through Common Partners is done within the Barbourville Community,” Sebald said. “Not only does it give the students a chance to broaden their horizons, but it gives the community a chance to see college students getting involved.” And students get involved through a wide variety of programs, which include Crafts on Wheels, an after school art program; Timeless Tales, a tutoring program for local children; Community Advocacy, which brings awareness for local, national and worldwide issues monthly; A Day Without Shoes event, which raises awareness for people who don’t have basic necessities such as shoes; recycling; the Pursuit of the Golden Can, which is a food-drive contest held annually; and the program’s largest event, the annual Repair Affair. Jessica Terry Bergman, former director of Common Partners who started the Repair Affair program, said that besides being the largest event, Repair Affair is also one of the most beneficial events Common Partners organizes.
“It’s a great program, because it takes existing structures and improves the living conditions of the people that live there, who are usually elderly or disabled and unable to do the repairs themselves,” Bergman said. “Being able to make such a huge impact in just one day is very compelling and rewarding to everyone involved.” Earlier this month, Common Partners hosted the event for the 16th time. They were able to work with several families and community and student volunteers to make the necessary repairs. Common Partners doesn’t limit itself only to hands-on type work, though. Sebald said he is hoping to incorporate more service learning for his students, by utilizing leadership in the Barbourville community. “Look to see a staff and student led drive to serve in positions within our town of Barbourville and southeastern Kentucky. Taking our service off campus is crucial for the success of our program,” Sebald said. “Stepping outside of personal interests and investing time in the surrounding community will make a student’s time in college that much more worthwhile.”
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 6
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 7
PROJECT GREEN LIGHT: Celebrating Service To celebrate the importance of service, Union organized Project Green Light. Through this project, Union collected donations of energy efficient light bulbs, and then students, community members and local churches distributed 10 them to previously identified families. Through the use of these lightbulbs, the families will cut down on electricity bills and will make a contribution to the environment. On the day of distribution, a celebration was held on campus, where sponsors gathered. Also that day, there was an environmental fair and clean up of the campus pond. A video of the recognition ceremony can be seen by clicking below.
Click to Play
THE PILLARS OF INAUGURATION
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 8
THE LIBERAL ARTS
As one of the four pillars identified to provide focus for inauguration events, the liberal arts is tied strongly to Union College’s strengths, mission and identity. Charles Reed Mitchell’s contributions to preserving the history of Knox County and the college have prompted most people to regard him as a celebrated local historian.
j If issued the task, we would be hard-pressed to find another person in the area whose life’s work is more comprehensively tied to the liberal arts than Charles Reed Mitchell. Literature, history and humanities are all subjects closely associated with this man, who helped establish the Knox Historical Museum in 1987. The Mitchell name is closely associated with almost anything concerning Knox County history. That includes one of the most complete records of history and genealogy in the area. At first, Mitchell says he stuck to what he was familiar with: the theater. His original contributions came in the form of the MitchellLocal Newsreels he acquired from his family businesses, the Mitchell Theater, the Magic Theater and the
Knox Drive-In Theater. Three years later, he became the president of the museum, a position he held until last year. Later, he used his experience as a former faculty member of the Union College English Department, and started writing for “The Knox Countian.” Within a few years, he found himself as editor of the quarterly newsletter, and then of a book project: “History and Families, Knox County, Kentucky, 1799-1994.” After more than 30 years of researching, writing, digging up history and sharing that history with the rest of Knox County, Mitchell has become quite the historian. So much so that he is considered the resident expert by many in the community when it comes to the local past. Despite his many accomplishments, he is one of the quiet people. In an interview, he doesn’t have much to say, but through his writing, his collections and masterful documentation, he speaks volumes—just never much about himself. For that, one must turn to his friends and colleagues, who are never at a loss for words of praise. “He deserves an honorary doctorate,” Edward D. de Rosset, Union College’s 17th president,
said without hesitation when asked about the importance of Mitchell’s work. According to de Rosset, Mitchell has done enough research about Knox County to merit the highest academic honors. “In his collection of films, there are frames that are part of Union’s history that only exists there,” de Rosset said. “His work is important—an incredible labor of love.” So how did he come to be so closely associated with Knox County history? According to Mitchell, the answer is really quite simple: friendship. When his friend David Cole set out to establish the Knox Historical Museum, Mitchell helped him out, even though he thought the museum would not be a lasting project. He told Cole at the start of the project, “I don’t know why you want to start a museum in Knox County. Nothing ever happened here.” But things did happen in Knox County—things that matter to citizens and their descendants. Mitchell’s discoveries and extensive documentation, while they may appear insignificant to broad, general audiences, are regarded as local treasures. He became the go-to man for family tree information for those whose
ancestors contributed to the modest history of Barbourville and Knox County. This includes Union College. “You want to know more about my grandfather’s house?” asked Dr. Ben Edwards, who recently donated to the college the desk that the school’s original articles of incorporation were written upon, an event that took place in the home of W.W. Sawyers, his great, great-grandfather. “I don’t know much more than the address. But ask Charlie Mitchell. He’ll know.” Edwards’ family has a long history with Union College and Knox County and the region. His great-grandfather, Elmer Decker, wrote a history of Knox County that is well respected, yet unpublished. A lack of funding prevented the publication from making it to a press. But Mitchell has managed to preserve much of it to share through bibliographical information presented in “The Knox Countian.” Decker’s original work is archived in Union College’s Weeks-Townsend Library.
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 9
THE PILLARS OF INAUGURATION
METHODISM As one of the four pillars identified to provide focus for inauguration events, Methodism is tied strongly to Union College’s strengths, mission and identity. Barbourville resident and wife of the late Doug Blair, chairman emeritus, has devoted much of her life to promoting the connection between Union College and the Methodist Church.
j
“Jane Blair is a small woman with a large presence. Everything she does is always hopeful and energetic. It must be intrinsic to her faith.” This is how Edward D. de Rosset, Union College’s 17th president, describes Blair, who has devoted a great deal of her life to serving both the college and the Barbourville First United Methodist Church and striving to keep them connected. “Two very dear things in my life,” Blair said, “are my church and my Union.” A quick glimpse into her life makes this an easy statement to believe. Blair is a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Barbourville; she is a Union College graduate; her late husband was a two-term chairman of the Union College board of trustees; her family was once named Barbourville District Methodist Family of the Year; she attends most events hosted by the college; she has provided support to countless students by giving her time and gifts; de Rosset refers to her as Union’s greatest ambassador.
The list goes on. “Every important thing that happened in my life, happened in that church,” Blair said. “And supporting Union College has always just been so natural to me all my life. I can’t imagine it not being so to anyone else; it enriches people’s lives to be associated with the college.” But why is she so interested in seeing the church and the college keep a strong partnership? Turning the clock back about 100 years might shed some light on this. In 1914, Blair’s family brought to Knox County an unprecedented entrepreneurial spirit by establishing Minton Hickory Farm, which manufactured walking canes, wheel spokes, skis and golf shafts, to name a few of their products. The farm put Barbourville on the map, as evidenced by golf great Bobby Jones visiting the area to personally inspect the shafts for his clubs. Blair’s family brought high-profile success to Knox County, so she is naturally concerned for the area’s ability to sustain that success. Union College is an integral part of our region’s success, and the Methodist Church plays a key supporting role. The partnership, according to Blair, is an important one. According to de Rosset, Blair’s steadfast support of both the college and the church is as strong today as it was in the 1970s and 80s when her late husband, Doug Blair, was chairman of the Union College board of trustees. During those years, she assumed a quiet
Before entering the Bulldog Ball, from left to right: Janey Skidmore, Edward D. de Rosset and Jane Blair.
role of support, making things happen through her husband’s leadership. “When Doug Blair was alive, it was obvious she was his lady,” de Rosset said. “They worked so well as a couple. They were a dynamic pair, and the preservation of Union College as a healthy institution was right there for them.” After her husband’s death in 1999, Blair became more vocal in her support of the college and outwardly proactive. “I never had a strong idea of what kind of person she was until Doug died,” de Rosset said. “One of the great
things to discover about her is that she’s a friend to all people regardless of circumstances. And anywhere she goes, she has a handful of things to share—the arrows in the quiver—and Union is always a part of it.” Blair shares as many Christian good deeds as she does words about Union College. She has taken under her wing many students throughout the years who may have been far away from their homes and needed a surrogate family. She provided them with home-cooked meals, helped them adjust to life in a new place, supplied monetary support and much more. In fact, Blair recalled a time when rather than support an overseas missionary fund, she decided to put her money to use on a cause much closer to home. “They were calling for donations to missionaries at church,” Blair said. “But I decided to take the money I would have donated and give it to one of the international students attending Union. (The student) needed it as much as those missionaries did.” Blair pointed out that in recent years the relationship between the church and the college isn’t as strong as it used to be. “Our hay day was when all the faculty members were church members,” she said. Times might have changed, but for herself personally, the connection is as strong as it ever was, and she makes sure everyone she meets knows just how much she values each.
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 10
FACULTY INAUGURAL LECTURE:
CELEBRATING
LIBERAL ARTS
Click to Play
To celebrate the Liberal Arts pillar of Inauguration, a faculty inaugural lecture was held. Russell Sisson, Ph.D., professor of religion at Union College was the speaker. His lecture was entitled “Living and Learning by Reflected Light: Virtue, Educated Emotions and Indirect Communication,” and focused on using passages from history to look more into “what does virtue mean?” and “how has it been interpreted throughout history?” His full lecture can be seen by tapping the arrow above.
INAUGURAL CHAPEL SERVICE:
CELEBRATING METHODISM On the morning of Inauguration, a chapel service was held to honor the Methodism pillar of Inauguration. Bishop G. Lindsey Davis delivered the sermon that morning, and a combined choir of the First United Methodist Church of Barbourville and Union College’s Union Harmony performed. A recording of the full service can be seen by tapping the arrow below.
Click to Play
History
of the
PRESIDENCY
Abraham H. Harritt (1879-1882) Erected Union’s first building, the Administration Building. Thomas Clay Poynter (1882-1884) Introduced music instruction. Raised attendance to the highest the school had seen at that time. Hartford P. Grider (1884-1886) Attendance rose and the Union Literary Society also thrived. George H. Dains (1886) Served in place of Daniel Stevenson. Daniel Stevenson (1886-1897) Awarded the first degree from Union College in 1893 and began the Christian education. James P. Faulkner (1897-1905) Organized the first library. Started campaign for housing on campus. James W. Easley (1905-1910) Completed Speed Hall and built a new administration building and a men’s dormitory. James D. Black (1910-1912) Started extracurricular activities. The first band, Mandolin Club and Glee Club were formed. Percy L. Ports (1912-1915) Methodist Board tried to close the school, but the city committed to keep it open another year. Emery R. Overley and B.C. Lewis (Joint Management 1914-1915)
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 11
Ezra T. Franklin (1915-1928) Board of Trustees formed in 1922.Joined Association of Colleges and Universities of Kentucky. John Owen Gross (1929-1938) Built and dedicated the Founders Memorial Gateway and established Founders’ Week in October. Conway Boatman (1938-1959) Built and dedicated the Abigail E. Week Memorial Library, Pfeiffer Hall and the Conway Boatman Chapel. Mahlon A. Miller (1959-1982) Established the Development Office, and Alumni Association. Dedicated the Mahlon Miller Science Center. Jack Phillips (1983-1996) Added the Milton H. Townsend Annex to the library and reinstated football. David Joyce (1996-2003) Led the development of a facilities master plan resulting in a Mission Statement and Vision. Edward de Rosset (2003-2011) Worked with community to build a wellness center. Purchased old Knox County hospital for nursing program. Thomas McFarland (2011-2012) Stivers Aquatic and Wellness Center was dedicated. Old hospital renovations began.
Marcia Hawkins (2012-Present) The brief time Dr. Hawkins has served as president has been marked by several significant events and progressive decision making. Early on, she made student retention a top priority by approving an attractive scholarship model and offering a free final semester to this year’s freshmen, dubbed the “Inaugural Class.” She has also developed a plan for incoming freshmen that focuses specifically on college preparedness. In the fall, the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing was dedicated. The program will be housed in the new Nursing and Health Sciences building, scheduled to open in August. To date, Dr. Hawkins’ most popular announcement among students is her commitment to install stadium lights for all athletics fields. The “Let’s Turn the Lights On” campaign is familiar to students, many of whom have donated to the project. The tennis program, which was suspended after the 2011 season, has been reinstated for both men and women for the 2013-14 academic year. Students are now being recruited for a new marching band, also to begin next fall.
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 13
The Power of
NINETEEN
Number 19 is significant. Believed to be the most read book of the Old Testament, Psalms is the 19th one. The United States Constitution’s 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. Famed NFL quarterback Johnny Unitas, “The Golden Arm,” wore jersey number 19. And on April 26, Union College will inaugurate its 19th president, Dr. Marcia Hawkins, as the first woman to serve in this capacity. Inspired by all the wonderful things associated with this number, we’ve compiled a list of 19 awesome ways Union College and the city of Barbourville have worked together through the years.
1
Union College is founded by the city of Barbourville in 1879 when the citizens see a need to educate their youth beyond what they are learning in grade school.
2
In 1913, the Methodist Board tried to close the school, but the city of Barbourville vowed to keep it open and raised the necessary funds to do so, until the Board resumed funding a year later.
3
Every summer, Union hosts the “Kids College Art Camp” where local children can come and learn about different types of art, including painting, drama, music and more.
4
Union professor, Dr. Gay Gandy, directs the Union Regional Chorus, which is a combination choir of Union college students, faculty and staff, and local community members.
5
Union annually hosts the “Redbud Festival,” each April. The “Redbud Festival and Heritage Living Event,” showcases the blooming of the redbud tree in southeast Kentucky.
6
In 1948, Union professor Karl Bleyl helped created the Daniel Boone Festival to help showcase the upsides of a frontier life. It coincided with the signing of the Cane Treaty, which allowed Cherokee Indians to freely harvest the cane in the area. It has been a yearly festival ever since, and takes place in downtown Barbourville.
7
Through the Arts & Culture Committee on campus, Union offers concerts that are always free and open to the public. Past concerts have included the West Point Hellcats, the African Showboyz and red-carpet artist Stephane Wrembel.
8
For almost as long as Union College has had a pool, they have allowed the public to use it, whether through swim lessons or a county swim team.
9
At the beginning of each year, Barbourville community members join together with Union faculty and staff to welcome incoming freshman. Through the annual CIRCLES program, they pledge to help support the students through their time at Union.
10
Through Knox Partners, a collaboration between Union College, KCEOC Community Action Partnership, the City of Barbourville and Knox County Fiscal Court, the Stivers Aquatic and Wellness Center was completed in December of 2011. This facility provides residents and students alike a place to exercise and swim.
11
The Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing recently opened at Union College. It is the first in this area to open up, and according to both college and state officials it provide the Knox County community and surrounding areas with bachelor prepared nurses. The school is housed in the old Barbourville Hospital, which was purchased from the city of Barbourville.
12
The Bulldog Buddies, which was revived in 2011 is a big brother/big sister program where Union students are paired with younger students in the local school systems. When it restarted, it merged with an existing program presented by Forward in the Fifth and the Center for Rural Development in Knox County.
13
The Knox County History Museum was started by David Cole, Union professor William Sherman Oxendine and Union adjunct professor Charles Reed Mitchell. The museum is still in operation today, and according to Mitchell, is one of the largest museums for a small community such as Barbourville.
14
Each year there are at least two plays put on through Union theatre. These plays offer not only a chance for the community to watch, but also to participate in them. Many of the plays feature Union students acting alongside community members.
15
The tennis courts located on Union’s Campus came about as a partnership between the city of Barbourville and Union. This partnership allowed the school to receive funding to renovate the existing tennis courts and build two more. The courts have been used by both the school and the community since the renovation.
16
Each year there are various sports camps offered by the teams and coaches at Union College. These camps allow local youth to learn more about the sport, while interacting with college coaches and players.
17
The Barbourville City Park, which included the water park is located on land that is leased to the city by Union College. The park offers many things to the area, including duck-filled lakes, fishing, paddle boat riding, walking tracks, baseball fields, the water park, complete with slides and a lazy river, and more.
18
Union’s Conway Boatman Chapel, located on campus, is a popular site for many community events, as well as college events throughout the year. There are local choir concerts, weddings, pageants and many other events held there annually.
19
In 2012, Denise Wainscott was appointed to a position of dual employment with the city and the college as the director of tourism and special assistant to the president for external relations.
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 13
SPEECHES OF
INAUGURATION
During the Inauguration ceremony, there were several distinguished guests and speakers. Each of their speeches can be heard by clicking the play buttons located by each name.
Dr. Andelys Wood, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
Rev. Dr. G. Lindsey Davis ’70, Resident Bishop, Kentucky Annual Conference and the Red Bird Missionary Conference
Dr. Gerald D. Lord, Associate General Secretary, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
The Honorable David Thompson, Mayor, City of Barbourville
The Honorable J.M. Hall, Knox County Judge-Executive
Mr. Colmon Elridge, III, Executive Assistant to the Governor
Ms. Shannon Rickett, On behalf of the Honorable Harold Rogers, U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Robert Stivers, President of the Kentucky Senate
Dr. Gary S. Cox, President of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universitites
Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, Professor of Communication
Ms. Lynn Smith ’10, Coordinator of Personnel Services
Mr. Richie Mathes ’14, President, Student Government Association
Mr. John Dodd ’89, President, Union College Alumni Association
The Honorable Paul F. Isaacs ’66, Chairman of the Board
Dr. Marcia Hawkins, 19th President of Union College
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 14
The Bulldog Ball
Students reinvent their spring formal
“The Bulldog Ball, A Black Tie Event” was nothing new for Union College students. They’ve attended it annually for several years. This year, however, it was in disguise. More commonly known as the “Spring Formal,” the dance, sponsored by the Student Government Association, is traditionally a way for students to celebrate the near-completion of a successful academic year. The inauguration of Union’s 19th president just added another reason to celebrate and inspired them to reinvent their annual event. While the ball was still very much student-focused, a few things were modified. For one, the date of the ball was intentionally scheduled for the night of President Marcia Hawkins’ induction ceremony, making it an official
inauguration event. Also, the guest list was been expanded, and the formal aspect emphasized. Caitlin Scheidt, SGA vice president of academic affairs and an organizer of the ball, said SGA chose to sponsor this event because it would serve not only as a celebration of the inauguration, but also of the hard work that students have put in all year. Additionally, it could provide students with unexpected benefits. “One major difference between the (Bulldog) ball and spring formals we’ve had in the past is that not only students were invited, but also faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and community members,” Scheidt said. “This gave students a chance to mingle with some of the most successful people that have ties with Union. The relationships formed at this event could last
Click Here to View More Pictures
a lifetime and prove useful to students in the future.” Erin Porter, also a committee member, said that while the atmosphere may have been different, it was still be an end-of-theyear gathering students enjoyed. “It was a lot more of a prestigious environment, with formal attire and more distinguished guests,” Porter said. “But it was still a social event - one every student in attendance enjoyed.” The formal nature of the event was enhanced by key donations, including some from Community members, such as furnishings, lights, accessories and expertise for decorating and planning. Pioneer Food Service also catered the event free of charge.
The
Inauguration Goes Viral
At the Inauguration, there was a team of students who documented their experiences and thoughts of the ceremony and events leading up to it through the social media platform Twitter. Using the hashtag #UnionPres19, those not at the ceremony could follow live. Nicknamed “Team Twitter” these students helped digitally document a part of Union’s history. Click the photo to the left to view all the tweets from the day.
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 15
#UnionPres19
Inauguration Day
UNION COLLEGE INAUGURATION | 16
At A Glance
  The day of Inauguration was a busy one indeed. From the before-hand gathering, to the afterwards reception, there were so many great memories. The above slideshow of pictures is just a handful of those taken from that day. For a full gallery of photos, please visit our Facebook gallery by clicking any text.