From the lab to the field, Eastern Kentucky University leads groundbreaking discoveries in water quality, bee conservation, cancer treatment and much more. Faculty and student research at EKU showcases excellence while making an impact in communities across the region, state and beyond.
STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE
At Eastern Kentucky University, we set a vision to be excellent in all that we choose to do. If you look around campus, excellence is evident. It’s found in the curiosity of our students, the commitment of our faculty and staff, the unprecedented success of our alumni and the transformative discoveries happening every day.
Across campus, we’re building momentum through our research. From environmental science to behavioral health and advanced manufacturing, EKU research makes an impact far beyond our campus and the borders of the Commonwealth. Our faculty’s work improves lives and strengthens communities.
We are especially proud of the students who engage in research alongside faculty. Whether presenting at national conferences, collaborating on breakthrough projects or tackling real-world challenges, they carry forward a tradition of discovery that resonates throughout our university.
Looking ahead, we’re taking bold steps in service to our region and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine aims to expand access to high-quality healthcare, enhance rural communities and create new pathways to address Kentucky’s healthcare needs. Additionally, we seek to create a Center for Health Innovation, bringing together various healthcare programs and osteopathic medicine into a collaborative learning environment. Our plan embodies EKU’s mission as a School of Opportunity and reinforces a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Kentuckians.
As you explore this issue of the EKU Magazine, you’ll find stories embodying excellence. From our Best of Eastern award winners to impactful alumni and faculty researchers, these stories reflect the heart of EKU and its continual beat forward.
At EKU, we won’t stop short of anything but excellence.
One Eastern,
David T. McFaddin President, Eastern Kentucky University
EKU STORIES
A Scholarship for Every Kentucky Freshman
Breaking ground in college affordability, EKU launched a new scholarship model for Fall 2026—becoming the only university in the state to offer a scholarship for every Kentucky freshman. Awards range from $1,000 to $9,000 for every in-state, full-time, on-campus freshman. Among the most competitive in the state, EKU’s new scholarship model provides more aid to more Kentucky students than any other comprehensive, regional university.
A Global Vision
Jeri Isbell, ’79, donated $500,000 to establish the Isbell Global Scholars Program, enabling business students to study abroad and gain international experience. At the gift announcement in September, the Isbell Conference Room in the Business and Technology Center was named. With a career spanning IBM and Lexmark and advancing to chief human resources officer, Isbell now gives back to ensure the next generation of Colonels has even greater opportunities.
Seamless Switch: EKU + KCTCS Team Up
EKU and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) launched a transfer partnership that unlocks 23 pathways and opens doors to students at all 16 community colleges in the state. The partnership boosts credit transfer, trims time to degree and offers up to $4,000 per year in scholarships. Students gain advising, priority registration and tailored support at both EKU and their community college.
A Record-Breaking Fundraising Year
In 2024-25, EKU set a new record for the most money raised in a single year.
• $12,038,265 Raised
• 9,369 Donors
• 2,585 Donor-Funded Scholarships
• $2.5M+ Awarded in Donor-Funded Scholarship
EKU Climbs in Affordability Ranking
In Washington Monthly, EKU made the top 30% of schools ranked for “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars.” EKU climbed 21 spots from 2024 for “Best Bang for the Buck: South.” EKU also once again earned its spot in the U.S. News and World Report release of Best Colleges. For the third year in a row, EKU landed first among Kentucky’s public universities for Top Performers on Social Mobility.
Experience Turned Into Degrees
Learning opportunities happen everywhere. At EKU, those experiences are recognized and rewarded with Credit for Prior Learning—making degrees faster and more affordable. With 25 agreements covering approximately 50 courses and 157 credits, students can earn credit from military service, workplace training, certifications and exams. High school students can get a head start through dual enrollment, earning both high school and college credit
Alumni Coliseum Upgraded
EKU celebrated the re-opening of Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum in November after a $53 million renovation. Highlights include a new playing floor, a 300-seat conference center and the Central Bank Courtside Club. Upgrades include new locker rooms, fan shop, concession areas, player lounges, offices and meeting spaces. The revamped arena will host concerts, Big E Welcome events, graduations, athletic events and more.
Mom and Daughter Transfer Together
For Fall 2025, EKU welcomed about 1,200 transfer students. Amber Dennis, a social work major, and her daughter, Kaili Dennis, a psychology major, transferred to EKU together. Amber said she wants to show her children “that it’s never too late to go back to school. You can follow your dreams no matter when it is, and you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
Campus Parking Simplified
Circling parking lots in search of an open space is a continual obstacle for students at many colleges. EKU is working to remedy the issue by becoming the first university in Kentucky to launch a free smartphone app that uses real-time data to help students quickly locate available parking on campus. With EKU Park, the university is leading with innovative technology to enhance the campus experience.
Equipped for Success
An award of more than $109,000 from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education is helping to equip healthcare labs across campus. Exercise and sport science, occupational therapy, medical laboratory science and the Center for Retention, Progression and Graduation added essential equipment, such as a body composition analyzer, anatomical models and clinical chemistry analyzers, to support student learning and mirror the healthcare environment.
ADRIA THOMPSON, ’12 ’14
TRANSFORMING DEMENTIA CARE
INFLUENCING HOPE
We need to say the word dementia,” says Adria Thompson, ’12 ’14. “I want people with dementia to be accepted and to be seen in public spaces, not tucked away or treated as a burden to society.”
Thompson carries this message into every space she enters, from global stages to her classroom at Eastern Kentucky University to social media, where her voice reaches more than half-a-million followers worldwide.
That drive to educate and advocate is rooted in her own path through EKU, where she discovered her calling. Thompson, from Corbin, Kentucky, said choosing EKU was easy because many of her family members were alumni, and she couldn’t pass up the scholarships. After initially struggling to pick a major, she decided on communication disorders after a career counseling class pointed her toward speech-language pathology. She thought back to her own positive experience in childhood
speech therapy, where she worked to master her R’s—and the pieces finally clicked. Getting involved in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association further confirmed she was in the right place.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Thompson stayed at EKU for her master’s in communication disorders, knowing it would open more doors. After she graduated, it didn’t take long to find her first role. She finished her interview at a nursing home and before she even reached her car, her phone rang with a job offer. Thompson spent the next eight years working in long-term care communities, building the foundation for dementia-focused work.
Thompson began specializing in dementia care the same time her grandmother was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease. Many of her family members brushed off the early signs as normal aging, but Thompson recognized something more. Her grandmother once answered the TV remote as if it were a
“THOSE MOMENTS MADE IT CLEAR THAT FAMILIES NEEDED MORE EDUCATION, STRONGER SUPPORT AND A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF DEMENTIA.”
- ADRIA THOMPSON
phone and another time, set the microwave for 20 minutes instead of 20 seconds.
“Those moments made it clear that families needed more education, stronger support and a deeper understanding of dementia,” said Thompson.
This realization fueled her desire to make a broader impact. Along with an occupational therapist, Thompson created a dementia program, training occupational, physical and speech therapists across 14 states to better serve people with dementia.
Expanding to bring dementia education directly to caregivers, Thompson founded Be Light Care Consulting in 2021. From one-on-one consultations and interactive workshops to online courses like Dementia 101 and insightful blog posts, Thompson turns complex information into clear and practical advice for caregivers. Her short videos have gone viral on social media, resulting in more than 600,000 followers.
Recently, a $100,000 grant from Maude’s Ventures is helping Thompson complete her Dementia Care App, which will put over 500 instructional videos into caregivers’ hands right when they need guidance the most.
Her work has taken her worldwide, from hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain with caregivers, researchers and people with dementia to visiting Hogeweyk, a specialized care facility in the Netherlands, designed to give people with dementia a sense of normal life within a safe environment.
Named Feedspot’s #1 Dementia Influencer of 2025 and one of the Top 10 Caregiving Influencers, Thompson is a TEDx speaker and active member of the American SpeechLanguage Hearing Association. She received the EKU Young Alumni Award in 2023 and the Health Innovator Award from Aging 2.0 in 2024.
Also a lecturer at EKU, Thompson strives to give her students the same support her professors gave her. She emphasizes hands-on learning by bringing students into the nursing skills lab, using AI simulations for cognitive-communication disorders and inviting individuals with lived experience to speak in her classes.
“I’m guided by a simple but powerful principle: everything must center around hope,” said Thompson. “Education is the key to empathy, and the more people understand dementia, the better they can see those living with it as equals.”
Since she began specializing in dementia care, she has witnessed a notable growth in awareness and understanding. Thompson also recognizes the ongoing challenges in healthcare, particularly the shortage of physicians specializing in geriatrics, a gap that makes education and advocacy even more critical for the growing population of older adults.
Through her advocacy, teaching and innovative work with Be Light Care, Thompson continues to push for a world where dementia is understood, conversations are open, and those living with the disease are included every step of the way.
“It is an honor that I get to be amongst some of the last few humans who get to touch their lives and support them,” said Thompson.
A CHAIN REACTION
MICHAEL BABICH, ’78
One thing led to another,” casually remarks Michael Babich, ’78, about his life and career path starting at EKU and culminating in cancer research.
As a high school student in Michigan with “mediocre grades,” Babich never imagined he’d end up in California working on innovative approaches to cancer treatment. Although, he said, “I always had this inkling in the back of my mind that I would do something medical.”
Later down the road, a literal sign that read ‘Cancer Can Be Beat,’ stuck with him. From that moment on, he felt pulled toward cancer research.
“EKU put me on the trajectory,” he says.
Babich came to EKU to play football, encouraged by his high school teacher and coach who had a connection. Once here, a locker room conversation with a teammate guided Babich toward ROTC—
where he truly found his fit. And as fate would have it, he met his wife, Lisa, ’77, at EKU through a mutual friend.
After graduating from EKU with a degree in biology and chemistry, Babich was commissioned to active duty at the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served as a medical platoon leader in the infantry, taking him around the world to the Arctic Circle and the jungles of Panama, while sharpening his focus on the medical field. Climbing to the rank of colonel, Babich managed hospitals with national and international missions for 30 years in the Army Reserve.
“Meeting people at the right time,” Babich claims, accelerated his trajectory. While still on active duty at Fort Campbell, he happened to bump into a former classmate from EKU. This chance encounter spurred his decision to pursue further education in immunopharmacology at the University of Kentucky (UK).
“WE’RE ON THE FRONT EDGE OF ADDRESSING CANCER FROM A MARKER-DRIVEN, RATHER THAN AN ORGAN-BASED, APPROACH.”
- MICHAEL BABICH
Admitting to not having been an A-student at the time, he chuckled, saying, “I didn’t have the grades, but maturity arrives a little late for some of us.”
With his two years of medical experience in the military, UK accepted him into the program on provisional status. From there, things came together for Babich, and he started getting grants and publishing papers.
After earning his doctorate, he became a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He later joined the University of Illinois, where he led curriculum for second-year medical students and ran his own research lab. There, he
discovered a target for one-third of all allergies. During a faculty search, a candidate connected that work to cancer research. “It’s all immunology,” Babich recalled the candidate stating.
This introduction redirected Babich toward cancer research with a start-up biotech company in California. Around this same time, in 2000, he was inducted into EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni, but more milestones followed.
In 2017, Babich co-founded LabyRx, bringing together his military, academic and business backgrounds. The company is developing a vaccine treatment for cancer in collaboration with the University of California, Davis. The vaccine utilizes what Babich calls a
“EVEN
WHEN
YOU DO GET THE
TOUCHDOWN... THE GAME’S
NOT OVER.” - MICHAEL BABICH
“functional marker,” meaning it stimulates the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
“It trains the body to make immune responses and antibodies against their own cancer cells,” he explained.
Rather than targeting a single organ, the vaccine treats adenocarcinomas, a group of cancers linked to glands. “That happens to be 40% of all cancers and about 60% of cancer-related deaths,” he said. “We’re on the front edge of addressing cancer from a marker-driven, rather than an organ-based, approach.”
The LabyRx vaccine is now in phase two of three stages of development, testing efficacy through clinical trials. “We have very encouraging data,” he said.
Babich remains focused on getting the vaccine to market, even if that means positioning the product for acquisition by a larger pharmaceutical company. Having lost his father to cancer before entering this specific research adds urgency to his work. “People are dying every day,” he said.
Beyond his current treatment vaccine, Babich looks toward preventative care and his original passion for allergy research. He credits his persistent momentum to his days at EKU, where he learned on the field that “even when you do get the touchdown... the game’s not over.” For Babich, these experiences might one day “Beat Cancer.”
Best
Dr. Maisha L. Jack, '95
of Besteastern
The “Best of Eastern” alumni awards celebrate EKU Colonels who have created meaningful impact in their fields and communities. Their achievements reflect the heart of the Colonel spirit, grounded in service, opportunity and a drive to uplift others.
Explore the inspiring journeys of the 2025 “Best of Eastern” alumni, each leading a path of excellence guided by purpose and passion.
distinguished alumni Hall of
JUAN CARLOS CASTRO, ’00
Came to the U.S. from Ecuador
Led Bluegrass Community and Technical College through pivotal accreditation, then founded The JCC Group, providing accounting, tax, payroll and insurance services for businesses and nonprofits
Gives generously of his time, serving as an interpreter for the World Equestrian Games, helping launch Lexington’s Festival Latino and volunteering through the IRS’s VITA program
At EKU, served as regent, chaired committees and championed opportunities
Mentors helped him enter EKU’s MBA program, and he now encourages others with the same generosity
MATT EVANS, ’91
Studied finance and graduated magna cum laude
Began his career as a commissioned bank examiner with the FDIC
Co-founded Bankers Service Corporation, a respected auditing and consulting firm, where he serves as president and CEO
Created the Evans Banking and Financial Services Program at EKU, serves on the Business Advisory Council and chaired the EKU Foundation’s Audit Committee
Expanded his passion for service internationally, helping with dog rescue efforts and joining the board as treasurer for SOS Galgos, a Barcelonabased non-profit
RON HOUSE, ’69 ’70
Arrived at EKU in 1964 as a member of Coach Roy Kidd’s first football team, helping the Colonels win the 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl
Competed on the EKU Wrestling team, winning one tri-state and two Kentucky AAU wrestling championships
Served as vice president of Student Government
Became the then-youngest Division 1 wrestling coach at EKU
Built a career in insurance and financial advising, earning the 2016 National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Kentucky Medal of Honor
As a past president of the EKU Alumni Board, he remains one of EKU’s most loyal and enduring advocates
Professional achievement award 2025
LINDSEY CROSS, ’09 DR. MAISHA L. JACK, ’95
Studied history at EKU
Completed dual master’s degrees in history and security policy studies from George Washington University
Co-founded the Mary Roark Scholarship, supporting students in leadership at EKU
For the past 10 years, she has dedicated her career to the U.S. Government Accountability Office
Helps safeguard taxpayer interests and strengthen national security
Her advice to today’s students: try new things, be resilient and trust that there are many ways to build a meaningful life
Attended EKU on a basketball scholarship, graduated with a degree in child and family studies and a minor in special education
Earned a master’s and specialist degree from Central Michigan University and received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity International University of Ambassadors
Amazon #1 International BestSelling Author with published memoir, children’s series and co-authored devotional collaborations
Works for the Georgia Department of Education supporting school and district improvements in special education services
Honored with the Key to the City of Winchester in 2024 for her education and humanitarian efforts and commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Andy Beshear
AMY BAUMANN SAPSFORD, ’81 PAIGE WILLIAMS, ’87
Discovered a passion for nutrition at EKU after entering college undecided, setting the course for her career in dietetics
Completed her dietetics internship at Miami Valley Hospital, where she discovered her calling in neonatal intensive care
Spent seven years at Dayton Children’s and 31 years at Cincinnati Children’s, retiring in 2021
Developed foundational neonatal nutrition formulas, supplements and delivery methods for infants unable to nurse or take a bottle
Supported the building of a preschool in South Africa with Build The Future
Established the Amy Baumann Sapsford Dietetics Endowed Scholarship at EKU
Studied painting at EKU, mentored by Professor Ron Isaacs, and expanded her perspective through a transformative study abroad experience in Austria
Gained the confidence and inspiration at EKU to pursue teaching, blending creative practice with mentorship and education
Presented her artwork in exhibitions nationally and internationally, from Munich to New York
Advanced into academic leadership and now serves as dean of visual and performing arts at Endicott College, shaping curricula and supporting emerging artists
Established the Paige Williams Scholarship to support firstgeneration students in the arts
Distinguished service award 2025
KENTON BUCKNER, ’99 ’08
Graduated from EKU’s Police Administration program—and later the inaugural class of the online master’s in safety, security and emergency management
Began his career in Louisville, where he rose from patrol officer to assistant chief over 21 years
Led as chief of police in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later Syracuse, New York
Worked to strengthen trust between communities and police, championing accountability, progressive reform and public safety initiatives
Mentored numerous commanders who went on to become police chiefs across the nation—a testament to his transformational leadership
Continues shaping the future of public safety by guiding and selecting the next generation of leaders in his current role with a national executive search firm
MICHAEL NYGREN, ’70
Launched a career—and a lifetime— defined by service
Became an educator, teaching industrial arts in Maryland and Ohio
Transitioned into youth ministry and leadership development, dedicating his work to instilling values of respect, discipline, responsibility and service
Led initiatives such as The Clubhouse, Kids Kamp and Young Women of Distinction, empowering generations of students to grow in confidence, character and leadership
Directed nonprofit service projects across Appalachia, Mexico, Jamaica, New York City and Haiti
Earned national recognition for his efforts, including the Point of Light Award from President George H. W. Bush, the Presidential Voluntary Action Award from President Bill Clinton and commendation from Senator John Glenn
DAVID SILVER, ’90
Began volunteering as a teenager with the Penn Wynne Fire Department
Earned his master’s degree from EKU
Taught at Madison Central for decades, consistently showing up for students and shaping lives inside and outside of the classroom
Deployed more than 20 times across the country as a Red Cross volunteer, responding to wildfires and storms, opening shelters, delivering aid and supporting families in crisis
Became a constant presence at EKU athletic events, known for his unwavering support of students—two of whom he proudly calls his grandchildren
Lives by his motto: “Be Nice. Always,” making countless lives better because he stopped, stayed and cared
Discovered the confidence to build the life she dreamed of in EKU’s Bluegrass Writers Studio through mentorship, creative community, study abroad in Lisbon and immersive workshops
Earned her doctorate while balancing family life with her husband and three children, grounding her success in strong family values
Directs leadership and professional development programs in public schools
Teaches English and communications at Oglala Lakota College
Authored five poetry collections and two award-winning children’s books—each one a reflection of courage, creativity and hope
Set on the path to a career she loves through mentorship and opportunity at EKU
Introduced to the field of occupational safety through a pivotal conversation at the EKU Career Center—perfectly aligning her drive to protect and serve others
Advanced into the role of project safety manager with Turner Construction in Columbus, Ohio, working on complex, high-impact projects
Managed safety across nine simultaneous projects at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, protecting patients, families, healthcare staff and trade partners through proactive safety leadership
Recognized for fostering a positive safety culture and building trust on every job site
Earned her bachelor’s degree in social work, beginning a career dedicated to making her community a better, safer place for all families
Balanced work, graduate studies and raising a family to earn a license as a clinical social worker, completing a master’s in adult, juvenile and community leadership and Master of Social Work
Serves as violence prevention manager at CHI Saint Joseph London, strengthening families across the tri-county region
Acts as clinical manager for Cultivate Behavioral Health and holds multiple certifications focused on child protection, trauma prevention and family education
Recognized through the honor of Kentucky Colonel, completion of Leadership Tri-County and multiple accolades from EKU
Came to EKU from Germany on a track scholarship
Earned three degrees in her third language—bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in general psychology and in physical education—while gaining leadership experience as a student-athlete and as a student employee in the Noel Studio
Earned a Ph.D. in kinesiology from Oregon State University and moved directly into a tenuretrack role
Became program chair and assistant professor of exercise science at Columbia College in South Carolina, leading with a student-first, evidencebased approach and a steady commitment to mentorship
Researches physical education and health promotion in underserved communities, with her publications spanning peerreviewed journals
CHRIS GABEL, ’05 ’09
STAY CURIOUS:
HOW A BROADCAST DEGREE BECAME A CYBERSECURITY CAREER
When attending his first class as a broadcasting and electronic media major, Chris Gabel, ’05 ’09, had no idea his career would one day lead to advancing healthcare cybersecurity and even helping develop AI standards at a national level.
From Northern Kentucky, Gabel had applied to schools like Duke and the University of North Carolina and was accepted to Notre Dame, where his family had attended. But he was introduced to EKU by a friend, and when the scholarship offers arrived, EKU stood out. The offer included acceptance into the EKU Honors Program and financial support covering tuition, room and board. The decision ultimately allowed Gabel to pursue a quality college education without significant financial burden, a decision he said he is glad he made.
“When I got an acceptance letter from another school, I also got accepted into the honors program at EKU with a scholarship offer,” he said. “So, I decided, ‘I’m going to Eastern.’”
At EKU, Gabel quickly found a sense of community. He joined the club soccer team, became a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and worked a student job with the honors
program, maintaining websites. While his major focused on broadcasting and electronic media, those hands-on experiences quietly introduced him to the technical skills that would later shape his career.
After graduating in 2005, Gabel went to work for a company that produced video content for Thoroughbred racing. At the time, he envisioned a future in athletic communications or media relations. That plan changed, though, when the company began moving video content online.
Realizing he could make a better video conversion system than what the company had purchased, Gabel built a new video player over a single weekend. This triggered a pivotal shift in his career, merging his degree focused on video production with a skill in web programming and development.
Gabel later returned to EKU to earn a master’s degree, encouraged by his wife, Amy Jo, ’05 ’08, who was working at the university at the time. Employee tuition benefits made it possible to continue his education.
After completing his graduate degree, Gabel continued to expand his technical skillset while working at the University of Kentucky, where he developed websites for researchers to
promote their work and pursued advanced studies in instructional systems design.
When he and his family relocated to Nashville in 2013, an introduction to a recruiting firm led him to HCA Healthcare, where he still works today. Initially, Gabel started the job thinking he would focus on web development; however, he was soon being trained in cybersecurity.
Embracing the challenge, Gabel moved from contract roles into leadership, managing larger and more critical projects. One milestone came when a boss called him from the White House to brief him on security threats in healthcare. “After that, I was a representative for HCA on some government committees,” Gabel said.
Gabel’s career progression continued as he took on responsibility for site reliability engineering, leading teams that monitored and ensured the efficiency and security of important healthcare systems. His willingness to ask questions often opened new doors.
Today, Gabel serves as senior director of product and platform security, overseeing security for electronic health records, artificial intelligence products, operations platforms and cloud systems.
“I TELL PEOPLE I HAVE PROBABLY THE COOLEST JOB IN SECURITY. I GET TO WORK ON SOME OF THE MOST CUTTINGEDGE TECHNOLOGY THAT’S COMING THROUGH THE COMPANY.”
- CHRIS GABEL
“I tell people I have probably the coolest job in security. I get to work on some of the most cutting-edge technology that’s coming through the company,” he said. “We do a quarterly business review with our chief medical officer, and I get to see before anyone else which problems they’re trying to solve and how they’re trying to solve them with IT solutions. And then I have a team that gets to go in and fix it.”
Collaborating with government entities, he focuses on developing standards for securing AI in healthcare, where his work will soon be published.
Looking back, Gabel credits EKU with helping him develop the mindset that made his career evolution possible. While the technical skills mattered, curiosity mattered more.
“Stay curious. That’s what Eastern taught me,” he said. “It was OK to ask questions.”
That approach continues to guide how he leads and hires today. “I hire people who are curious and are open and honest with me when they don’t know things. There’s value in that,” he said.
Extending advice to current students, Gabel says, “Ask questions, admit when you don’t know something and work with professors who are willing to cultivate that curiosity.”
ADVANCING HEALTHCARE RESEARCH
Through innovative and collaborative projects, EKU advances healthcare discoveries while enriching the educational experience for students. From cancer treatment to suicide prevention, EKU research makes a positive difference in individual lives and communities across the state. Around campus and in the field, see the impact of healthcare research at EKU.
CANCER TREATMENT
EKU Professor Dr. Margaret Ndinguri and University of Kentucky Associate Professor Dr. Lindsay Cormier received a continuation patent for their innovative cancer research. Their work focuses on combining compounds that target cancer cells to improve cancer detection and the delivery of chemotherapy.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
Dr. Michelyn Bhandari, associate dean and professor of public health, leads the evaluation of the Kentucky Lung Cancer Screening Program, which aims to reduce lung cancer mortality and improve detection rates across the state. With preliminary results, the project’s researchers are already making informed suggestions for the program.
FITNESS TESTING
Dr. Mike Lane, professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise and Sport Science, researches supplementation, load carriage and long-term athletic performance. Using fitness tests similar to those required for police officers, Lane looks at how performance changes as task-specific load is added—providing insights that will benefit both athletes and first responders.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Dr. Smita Joshi, assistant professor of biology, investigates natural compounds that regulate platelets to balance bleeding and excessive clotting (thrombosis). She aims to develop cost-effective and safer preventative therapies while evaluating how supplements interact with conventional therapy. Her research seeks to improve cardiovascular health in Kentucky.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Dr. Travis Altheide, associate professor of medical laboratory science, and Dr. Jason Marion, professor of environmental health science, examine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Aiming to prevent drug-resistant infections, Altheide and Marion established methods to recover and study multidrugresistant bacteria found in waterways and wildlife.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
EKU Psychology Faculty Dr. Melinda Moore, Dr. Jerry Palmer, Dr. Michael McClellan and graduate students innovated a telehealth model to deliver rapid, suicide-focused treatment via an electronic format. Published in The Journal of Rural Mental Health, the research found that this virtual shift increased patient accessibility and lowered healthcare costs.
DYSLEXIA INTERVENTION
Dr. Kellie Ellis, chair of clinical therapeutic programs and professor of speech-language pathology, developed the “CODE” technique (Clear, Organized, self-Discovery, Engaging practice) for the treatment of childhood language disorders, primarily dyslexia. Ellis has implemented this approach in her Word Detective Camps, offering literacy support for children.
BUILDING FUTURES AND CHANGING LIVES THROUGH NUTRITION
AMY BAUMANN SAPSFORD, ’81
In neonatal intensive care units, some of the smallest patients face the biggest odds. For Amy Baumann Sapsford, ’81, helping those fragile newborns survive— and thrive—became a calling that would shape her career as a registered dietitian, her philanthropy and her life’s purpose.
Amy, from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, enrolled at EKU without a major in mind. That changed after she took a nutrition class that sparked a deep interest in the science of how food and health intersect. This crucial decision led to her pioneering efforts in designing specialized nutrition guidelines for critically ill infants in neonatal intensive care units—work that helped improve survival and long-term outcomes.
Her passion to promote life-changing health programs also prompted Amy and her husband, Simon, a structural engineer, to fund two dietetics scholarships at EKU and to cover the building costs for a preschool in rural South Africa that provides proper nutrition along with education.
While at EKU, Amy embraced the university’s emphasis on service and leadership. She joined Lambda Sigma and other honor societies, drawn to their shared mission of leadership, fellowship, scholarship and service—values that would continue to guide her long after graduation.
Amy’s post-graduation internship at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, shifted her focus toward pediatric care. While working in a neonatal intensive care unit, she developed specialized nutrition care plans for high-risk infants along with ways to deliver the nutrients to newborns who were unable to nurse or take a bottle.
In 1985, Amy partnered with other neonatal nutrition colleagues in Ohio to write the first definitive manual on neonatal nutrition care for high-risk infants. There was no blueprint like this before. The manual Amy first co-wrote has now been updated and reprinted several times.
“Even today, there are few courses on neonatal nutrition because it’s such a specialized field. But I used my baseline knowledge from college and my internship and applied it to newborns,” she said. “I got most of my experience through reading, conferences and networking.”
Since retiring in 2021, after a successful career at Dayton Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals, Amy has applied her expertise with the Gerber Foundation. She reviews research proposals and recommends funding those she believes might best enhance the quality of life for children from birth to age 3 in the areas of nutrition, care and development.
EKU recognized Amy’s extensive accomplishments during its 2025 Homecoming when she was awarded the Professional Achievement Award. It’s given to those who “have made significant contributions in their careers, showing lasting impact, strong leadership and respect from peers.”
Amy’s 90-year-old mother, Judy Baumann, was present for the award. For 16 continuous years, Amy’s parents had a child attending EKU, with six of their seven children, all first-generation students, graduating from the university—and later, sons-in-law and grandchildren, too.
Remarkably, Amy graduated debt-free thanks to the Myrtle Mitchell scholarship she received for three years, along with income from her summer jobs. Now, Amy and Simon are giving back. In 2022, they established a scholarship for a senior student planning to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, and they’ve added a second scholarship for a junior dietetics student that is renewable for their final year.
“It’s not based on financial need because who couldn’t use extra help in paying college costs?” Amy said. “But I did stress the importance of the students reflecting the values of Lambda Sigma.”
The Sapsfords, who live in Campbell County, have three adult children. As 2025 approached, marking the 40th anniversary of their infant son Dean’s death from sudden infant death syndrome, they searched for a way to honor him. They’d heard about a Build The Future-led mission in South Africa that constructed preschools in rural areas. After checking it out for themselves and finding it the perfect fit, Amy and Simon funded preschool #6, Dean’s School, which was completed in May 2025.
“There are two classrooms to prepare the students for elementary school, a kitchen, playground, garden and fruit trees,” said Amy. “The students get two snacks and a nutritious lunch each day, so they’re feeding the body as well as the mind.”
Dean’s School is the only preschool with a medical clinic next to it. Amy’s dream is to involve EKU students in the clinic and preschool, along with others preparing for careers in early childhood, education and various medical fields.
Amy, who also serves as an Alumni Ambassador for EKU’s College of Education and Applied Sciences, hopes that her family’s philanthropy will have a ripple effect.
“After we are gone, we hope the lives we’re touching now will change the lives of others for the better, and that will continue forward,” Amy says.
“AFTER WE ARE GONE, WE HOPE THE LIVES WE’RE TOUCHING NOW WILL CHANGE THE LIVES OF OTHERS FOR THE BETTER, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE FORWARD.”
- AMY BAUMANN SAPSFORD
The Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball team capped its historic regular season with a 100-43 victory over Bellarmine on February 27 inside Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum. With the win, EKU finished the regular season 24-7 overall and 15-3 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, tying the program record for single-season victories and securing a conference regular season championship for the first time since 2005.
GREG COUCH, ’96
Like many Kentuckians, Greg Couch grew up playing basketball. He also competed on the Leslie County High School track and field team. But football was his favorite sport. In the 1980s, Couch watched as Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowls. This fueled his dreams as a young, aspiring quarterback.
Couch developed into an all-state quarterback for the Leslie County Eagles. Following his junior season, Roy Kidd and assistant coach Joe Blankenship traveled to Hyden and offered Couch a scholarship to play football at Eastern Kentucky University.
Couch had never set foot on EKU’s campus, but he committed on the spot.
“It was one of the best memories I have as a young man, getting to play for Coach Kidd,” he said. “Even at the time I was playing, he was a legend in the game. I always felt honored to get to play for him.”
In the four years Couch played, EKU claimed two Ohio Valley Conference Championships and went 29-3 versus OVC competition. In 1996, Couch set EKU’s then-single season record for passing yards.
Despite all the wins and the accolades, Couch’s best memories at EKU came off the field — alongside his teammates.
“We loved watching Monday Night Football at Madison Garden,” he said. “And we had a dedicated football dorm—O’Donnell Hall.
Coach Kidd required us all to be in there, instead of getting apartments. That’s really where you get to know each other, in the dorms. I just have a lot of good memories, and a lot of laughs, in that dorm.”
Couch majored in special education while at EKU and planned to be a college football coach once his playing days were over. However, playing football took him around the world, where he landed on a different path.
After graduating from EKU, Couch went on to play professional football in Munich, Germany, then in Edmonton, Canada.
In 1999, his younger brother, Tim, was the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns. Couch moved to Cleveland to work with Tim and his agents, leading him to what he does now.
Today, Couch is the founder and CEO of Meridian Wealth Management. The firm manages around $5 billion in assets and has offices in 11 cities across the country.
A proud native of Eastern Kentucky, Couch has been able to give back to his home region by serving on the board of Appalachian Regional Healthcare.
“It’s a great honor to serve on the board of ARH,” Couch said. “They’re really the economic engine of Eastern Kentucky, with 14 hospitals and more than 6,000 employees.”
One of those hospitals—Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital—is located in Couch’s hometown of Hyden.
Currently residing in Lexington, Couch still visits EKU to watch the next generation of EKU Football. For it was at EKU that Couch fulfilled his football dreams and set the foundation for a successful career and the opportunity to give back to his home region.
“IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST MEMORIES I HAVE AS A YOUNG MAN, GETTING TO PLAY FOR COACH KIDD. EVEN AT THE TIME I WAS PLAYING, HE WAS A LEGEND IN THE GAME. I ALWAYS FELT HONORED TO GET TO PLAY FOR HIM.” - GREG COUCH
A NOTE FROM YOUR ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni,
It has been a pleasure working for the past 27 years as a part of the nation’s largest pediatric Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Department integral to a top-tier hospital. Cincinnati Children’s strives to be the “Leader in Improving Child Health,” with excellence seen daily in care, research and education.
The OT/PT Department has over 300 therapists, many of whom have their clinical doctorate degree or Ph.D. Over half of these clinicians regularly participate in and lead research studies. Evidence-based care is the expectation and sharing outcomes of this work is the norm on a regional, national and international level. Luckily, the EKU Occupational Therapy program provided a strong foundation in research and education for me and many others.
During junior year of the bachelor’s program in the early 1990s, my classmates and I completed our first extensive research paper. I remember the process of pulling the information together, outlining the project and having it all come together in a meaningful way. It was exciting to receive an “A” and for our professor to make note that I should consider presenting this work at the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association annual conference. It provided a boost of confidence and a great opportunity from which to grow.
This is just one example of many thousands of practical experiences provided by EKU. Perhaps this reminds you of similar opportunities you were given whether inside or outside of the classroom that somehow informed your life and career. I hope you will reflect on the meaningful impact of your time at EKU and consider connecting or reconnecting with your alma mater.
I am grateful for my time at EKU and hope you are as well. For many alumni, EKU truly was the School of Opportunity!
Sincerely,
Allison Allgier
Allison Allgier, ’92
IN THIS ISSUE
CLASS NOTES
PROFILES
Saad Sharba, ’99
Devon Moody, ’15
Chris Butcher, ’18 ’19 ’25
CLASS NOTES
Dr. John “Lucky” Meisenheimer ’79, was named a 2025 Premier Doctor by his peers.
Charles Daniel “Danny” Hope, ’81, former EKU and Purdue football coach, joined University of Central Florida as co-offensive line coach, returning to the football field for the first time since 2019, in part, to honor the work of his late protégé, Shawn Clark.
Lu S. Young, ’81 ’84, vice chair of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE), has been elected to the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Board of Directors.
Vickie Combs, ’82, retired from Hazard Community and Technical College as chief human resources officer after more than four decades of dedicated service to the institution.
Marc Whitt, ’82 ’85, named 2025 Winner in the Marketing - Communications and Public Relations Category by Goody Business Book Awards for his third book, Takeaways: Ideas, Strategies and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional.
Margaret Hill, ’83, interim dean at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, has been appointed permanently as the first female in the top leadership position of the school.
Marcia Dunaway, ’85 ’89, former director of pupil personnel and superintendent for 10 years, now serves as counselor/job coach for Trimble County Schools.
Christina Sagrecy, ’85 ’03, has been hired as an assistant principal at Washington County High School for the 2025-26 school year.
Russ Mast, ’87 ’88, retired after nearly 10 years of dedicated service to Morehead State University and a 38-year career in higher education.
Cyndi Chaney, ’91, has been appointed executive director of the Shelby County Community Theatre.
Mark Vrtiska, ’91, won a 2025 Early Career Faculty Award in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to his career at UNL, he worked at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for 21 years.
AN ENGINE OF CHANGE
SAAD SHARBA, ’99
Saad Sharba, ’99, envisions the future of fire safety as senior manager of emergency management and corporate safety at NEOM.
From Saudi Arabia, Sharba first came to EKU to study abroad. After meeting students and visiting a class, he decided to stay for EKU’s fire engineering program, where he discovered vast opportunities and a global network. Shortly after receiving his diploma from EKU, Sharba landed a position as a fire and safety officer at a major hospital in Saudi Arabia.
He continued to climb the ladder, working at a petrochemical company as a fire safety engineer. He spent 15 years with the oil company Aramco, rising from fire engineer to fire marshal, overseeing 11 stations and 300 members in the department.
“Now, I need to give back to my profession and the globe. I want to be an engine of change when it comes to the fire protection industry,” he said.
Col. Natalie Lewellen, ’96, a distinguished officer with the Kentucky National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia.
Marcus Bradley, ’99 ’06, published “Imagining All The People: Poetry Inspired by the Characters in the Lyrics of The Beatles,” in September 2025. Bradley’s poetry has been printed in a variety of publications in the U.S. and Australia.
Holly Christopher, ’99, was announced as assistant vice president, commercial loan officer for Farmers National Bank.
Amy Snow, ’99, co-founder and executive director of the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving children, youth and families impacted by incarceration, received the 2025 Ruby Layson Award at Frankfort Interfaith Council’s picnic.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, ’01, highly regarded across the comics industry for his work at major studios featuring The Hulk, Batman & Robin, Superman and many more, has signed a multi-year contract to write comics exclusively for Marvel, effective January 2026.
Michael Kasitz, ’01 ’10, has been named executive director of Leadership Clarksville.
Joshua Kincaid, ’03, was promoted to superintendent of Menifee County.
Drew Alexander, ’04, joined Cumberland Valley National Bank & Trust as assistant vice president, commercial lender in its Richmond market.
Jane Davis, ’04 ’12, Knox County native, was among 456 contestants competing on season two of the Netflix reality series “Squid Game.”
Faneshia Jones, ’05 ’09, has been hired as assistant principal for the Kentucky School for the Deaf.
Miranda (Eckerle) Rauch, ’05, has been named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2026 Women’s Silver Anniversary Team, based on outstanding accomplishments as a basketball player throughout her career in high school and college.
Alonzo Hird, ’06, was inducted into Santa Fe College Athletics Hall of Fame. Hird helped Saints basketball to a state tournament in 2003, then signed with EKU shortly after. Hird played professionally in Germany, Slovakia and Australia.
Robert Harris, ’10, has been named director of strength and conditioning for the men’s basketball program at Syracuse University.
Evans Kiptoo, ’11 ’12, has joined the track and field coaching staff at Middle Tennessee State University.
Kaitlyn Kelly, ’13, a fifth-grade teacher at Coventry Oak Elementary, is among the 2025-26 class of ambassadors for the Kentucky Department of Education.
Marjorie McDonald, ’13, director for safety and occupational health with the U.S. Army, was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient by the Montana Tech Alumni Association.
Cari Tretina, ’13, was appointed executive director for Henrico Economic Development in Virginia.
Tim Duffer, ’14, emergency management professional with more than 30 years of experience, is the new director of public safety for Henry County in Virginia.
Ryan Poynter, ’15 ’21, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Cowan Center at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Chris Zollner, ’15, was announced as assistant vice president, commercial loan officer for Farmers National Bank.
Sara E. Meyer, ’16, was recognized by Influential Women as senior quality engineer at Brady Corporation.
Patrick Elzinga, ’17, senior program manager at Vizient Inc., received the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award from Lake Michigan College, where he earned an associate degree.
Brittany Walker, ’17, is the new principal of Ashland Elementary in Fayette County.
Dan Shearer, ’18, is the new manager of the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts.
Whitney Arion, ’19, has been named head coach of the Bellarmine University Softball team. Arion comes to Bellarmine after spending last season at EKU as director of player development/video analysis.
Chance Michael Bodine, ’20 ’22, and Taylor Nicole Hodges were
FINDING A CALLING IN THE CLASSROOM
DEVON MOODY, ’15
Originally in the horse industry, Devon Moody, ’15, felt drawn to teaching because it combined her love of literature and writing with a desire to make a difference. After moving from California to Kentucky in 2012, her path to the classroom began at EKU in the Master of Arts in Teaching program.
Moody now teaches English at Montgomery County High School and also serves as a dual credit instructor. In recognition of her impact, she received the 2025 Extra Yard for Teachers Award at an EKU football game
“Devon’s classroom is a place filled with joy,” said EKU Director of Professional Education Services Brandy Blackburn. “She is skilled at finding creative ways to foster a love for learning, and the love her students have for her is clear. She is a clear example of what all great educators should aspire to be.”
THREE DEGREES, ONE HOME AT EKU
CHRIS BUTCHER, ’18 ’19 ’25
Chris Butcher’s journey to becoming a three-time EKU graduate all started with some candy. After another university sent him custom M&Ms, Butcher jokingly posted on social media, asking what EKU would do in response. To his surprise, the Colonel mascot showed up at his high school in London, Kentucky, with “enough candy to open a store,” Butcher explained. That gesture showed him how deeply EKU cared and sealed his decision on attending EKU for not one degree, but three.
Over the years, EKU became his anchor through challenges including military training, his father’s illness and the pressure of graduate studies.
“I wasn’t just a number, I was family,” said Butcher.
Now with a doctoral degree in educational leadership, Dr. Butcher serves in EKU’s Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, helping educators refine their craft—a role he says reflects the community that lifted him.
married Oct. 4, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral. Bodine works for Bethlehem High School in Bardstown.
Mollie Paulick, ’20 ’21, has been promoted to associate head coach for pitching by EKU Softball Head Coach Jane Worthington.
Stephanie Lombardo, ’21, was hired as assistant coach of the University of Minnesota Softball team. Lombardo is a former University of Wisconsin standout and minor league baseball coach.
Sammi Miller, ’21 ’22, was hired as assistant coach for EKU Softball. As a player at EKU, Miller finished her career with a .388 batting average, 214 hits, 156 runs scored and 61 stolen bases.
Adrian Paul Bryant, ’22, has joined the Herald-Leader to cover Lexington city hall and Fayette County government.
Abby Hooven, ’22, sports editor for Henry County Local and regional sports director for Paxton Media Group has been selected to serve as District 6 Kentucky Press Association Board member.
Tatiana Gargac, ’23, graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s basic training academy. She will begin her career with the Richmond Police Department.
Zahrea Gill, ’23, was named assistant athletic trainer for Miami University’s Human Performance and Wellness Department.
Shannon Stone, ’23, has been named the assistant coach for Coastal Carolina University Beach Volleyball.
Abdelhakim Abouzouhir, ’24, was announced as director of operations and assistant coach for Mizzou Track and Field and Cross Country.
Alice Recanati, ’24 ’25, former EKU Women’s Basketball standout, has signed a professional contract with Herner TC of the Toyota DBBL in Germany.
Felicia Aiyeotan, ’25, joined the University of Lynchburg Women’s Basketball coaching staff.
Matt Morrissey, ’25, former EKU quarterback, signed a future contract for the 2026 season with the Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Paityn Walker, ’25, was announced as the new head beach volleyball coach at Southwest Baptist University.
STEVE CAWOOD
1943-2025
Stephen C. “Steve” Cawood, of Pineville, Kentucky, passed away on Oct. 17, 2025.
An Eastern Kentucky lawyer, Cawood championed coal miners, clean water and better schools. He also worked to alleviate Appalachian poverty as a volunteer and activist.
Cawood’s legal legacy includes representing striking miners, co-founding the Appalachian Research and Defense (AppalReD) Fund providing legal services to low-income people across the region and securing protections for regional watersheds.
Cawood served as a state legislator, was an early member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and chaired the Pineville school board. A railroad buff, he donated his legal services to preserve the Louisville & Nashville Railroad archives.
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE (NEWSOME) DUNNAVILLE 1970—2026
Buffy Sainte-Marie (Newsome) Dunnaville, of Middlesboro, Kentucky, passed away on Feb. 11, 2026.
A beloved figure in the Middlesboro Independent School District, Dunnaville worked tirelessly to prepare middle and high school students for college as the program manager for the Middlesboro High School GEAR UP program. She gave back heavily to her hometown, helping to organize an alumni career fair at the high school, ensuring students had visible role models, and the community’s annual Juneteenth celebrations.
Dunnaville also served as the pastor of the White Memorial AME Zion Church in Middlesboro.
PATRICK NNOROMELE
1954-2025
Dr. Patrick Chukwuemeka Nnoromele passed away on July 13, 2025.
Born in Nigeria, Nnoromele studied theology and became a radio pastor. Moving to the United States to further his studies, he later earned a Ph.D. in philosophy and religion from the University of Utah. Nnoromele served as university chaplain and professor of philosophy at EKU.
Throughout his life, he gave back to his communities, spearheading a clean water project for his home village and supporting theological education in Nigeria. In Kentucky, he participated in the Golden Key International Honour Society and the Kentucky Philosophical Association. Nnoromele also taught for the Governor’s Scholars Program for 25 years.
OLEN COLLIS BRAKE, JR
1948—2025
Olen Collis Brake, Jr., ’75, of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away on Oct. 15, 2025.
After graduating from EKU, Brake served more than 25 years as a case manager supervisor at Maryland Correctional Institute, dedicating his career to correctional case management until his retirement in 2012.
He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and Nebraska University Football. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years and loved classic movies from the early 1900s. He also loved to travel.
Brake is remembered as a fun-loving individual who valued time spent with family and friends.
