Eastern
A l u m n i M at t e r s
The Magazine of Eastern Kentucky University Dr. Michael T. Benson, President
AlumniMatters Dear Alumni and Friends, Aristotle said, “Change in all things is sweet.” The EKU International Alumni Association will soon benefit from a big change: by early summer the Association offices will relocate across Lancaster Avenue to Blanton House! We are delighted that this stunning 1886 residence of Central University’s last chancellor, Lindsey Hughes Blanton (1832-1914), will become our new home. Although the historic residence has officially been part of Campus Beautiful since 1912, because it served as the private residence of Eastern’s first family, many alumni and members of the campus community have not run their hand along the polished finish of its solid walnut grand staircase, witnessed the sweep of its high-ceilinged rooms, or warmed themselves at one of its three fireplaces. The Alumni Center at Blanton House will open the door of Lancaster Avenue’s last surviving Victorian to all members of the Eastern family. The first floor will be used for small dinners, receptions and other special events.The upstairs will house our offices.When you are on campus for Homecoming this October, please come by for a tour. Not only is Blanton House being readied to welcome you but also the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in the Keen Johnson Building is being renovated. Join us during Alumni Weekend on April 25-27 for the grand unveiling of this updated space which gives apt recognition to some of our most inspiring alumni from throughout the decades. Alumni Weekend will kick off with a Friday evening concert by legendary country and bluegrass music artist Ricky Skaggs at the EKU Center for the Arts. Purchase your tickets at ekucenter.com. Keen Johnson will be abuzz with activity Saturday, beginning with a continental breakfast for the reunion classes of ’44, ’49, ’54, ’59, ’64, ’69, ’74, ’79, and ’84. College of Education alumni will gather later in the day for a reunion, and, of course, the capstone event of the weekend is Saturday evening’s annual Alumni Awards Banquet. Make plans to join us for an exciting weekend with friends. Reunion class members, watch the mail for details of your class event. Information will also be available online at alumni.eku.edu. As always, I love hearing from alumni and friends. Contact me at jackie. collier@eku.edu or 859/622-1260. This brings my best to you,
Jackie Collier Executive Director of Alumni Relations
24 Eastern
michael.benson@eku.edu
Dr. E. Michael Eastman, Vice President
for Development and Alumni Relations michael.eastman@eku.edu
Alumni Relations Staff Jackie Collier, ’12, Executive Director of Alumni Relations 859/622-1260, jackie.collier@eku.edu Jennifer Ott, ’11, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations jennifer.ott@eku.edu Donna Lazzara, Administrative Assistant II donna.lazzara@eku.edu Barbara Howard, Senior Office Associate barbara.howard@eku.edu
Alumni Association Board 2013-14 Glenn Raglin, ’80, President Birmingham, Ala., glennraglin@yahoo.com Thomas M. Martin, ’93, ’01, Vice President/ President-Elect, MBA Chapter Danville, Ky., tmm144@gmail.com Dana Daughetee Fohl, ’07, Secretary Lexington, Ky., dana.daughetee@gmail.com Tonya Tarvin Crum, ’95, Past-President Nicholasville, Ky., tonyacrum@yahoo.com Stefanie Drury Ashley, ’96 Richmond, Ky., Stefanie@ArtfullyYoursStudio.com Felecia J. Ballard, ’95 Berea, Ky., felecia.ballard@eku.edu Joshua J. Bleidt, ’00 Nashville, Tenn., joshbleidt@aol.com Anthony Cole, ’93 Nicholasville, Ky., fyrguru@me.com Marc Collins, ’97, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter, Walton, Ky., mrc115@aol.com David “Doc” Fifer, ’07 Richmond, Ky., david@fifer.net Amy Jo Smith Gabel, ’06, ’09 Nolensville, Tenn., amyjogabel@gmail.com Michael Earl Hay, ’94, ’97 Richmond, Ky., michael.hay@eku.edu Isaac Kain, Student Alumni Ambassador President Donna Black Kenny, ’72, ’82 Berea, Ky., Donna.Kenny@eku.edu Andre Kinney, ’74 Lexington, Ky., andre.kinney@eku.edu Jeff Klein, ’07, ’11 Lexington, Ky., Jeffrey_Klein@yahoo.com Judy M. Layne-Wood, ’82, ’83 Yorktown, Va., hey_jude_layne_@yahoo.com Mary Lou Wilson McCarthy, ’86 Harlan, Ky., mlwm1977@yahoo.com Cynthia Miller, ’84, ‘86 Richmond, Ky., cynthia.miller@eku.edu Paul Motley, ’64, ’69 Richmond, Ky., paulmotley41@yahoo.com Charles Neal, ’98, Louisville (Ky.) Chapter, Jeffersonville, Ind., cf.neal@live.com Donald Pace, ’62, ’64 Winchester, Ky., donaldwpace@yahoo.com Kara Vass, ’09 Richmond, Ky., Kara.Vass@eku.edu Robert Vickers, ’65 Richmond, Ky., vickers.rc@gmail.com