UPIKE Magazine Fall/Winter 2022

Jolene Smith is a freshman information technology management major from Knox County, Ky. Smith is enjoying her first year at UPIKE. "I came from a small high school and UPIKE was an easy transition from high school to college," she said.

ON THE COVER

Juniors Jake Rainey and Aariana Sparks enjoy a fall afternoon on UPIKE's campus between classes. Rainey, a Banner, Ky., native, is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in accounting, is a member of the golf team and president of the FBLA. Sparks, a Harold, Ky., native, is majoring in biomedical science, cheers and is a member of the Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program.

color, creed, religion, handicap, sexual orientation or national origin. All other inquiries should be addressed to the University of Pikeville at 147 Sycamore Street, Pikeville, Kentucky 41501 or call 606-218-5250. *EOE

Letter from the PRESIDENT

Each year, as the trees across the fall begin their annual march from deepest green to golden, red and brown, I am struck by the persistent passage of time. As I compose this letter, I am surrounded by shouts of excitement coming from Benefactors Plaza. Hundreds of students are out under a cool sun, celebrating Founders’ Day with hamburgers, hot dogs and a ride on the mechanical bull. The bull is new this year, but given the joy it has brought to this day, it might just become a new tradition. Each fall, as we pause to celebrate the vision of those before us, we honor their legacy while taking part in traditions, both old and new. Through it all runs a thread of philanthropic generosity woven carefully by people who see the future in ways others may not.

One such family will forever be woven into UPIKE’s fabric and the lives of future generations after recently making a transformational gift of $25 million for the creation of a new dental school. This family, who wishes to remain anonymous, cares deeply for Central Appalachia. Their love for this region, complemented by their passion for UPIKE’s service-focused mission and our mutual desire to address significant healthcare disparities, led them to make the largest single gift in the institution’s 133-year history. We are grateful for our partnership with this exceptional family and the opportunity to steward a monumental investment in the future.

Please take a moment to explore the center spread of this issue, which describes the goals and plans for Kentucky’s third dental school. This in-depth article outlines the need for an additional dental school and the ways in which UPIKE is well-positioned to craft an innovative approach to dental education. In these pages, you will also be introduced to the founding dean of the University of Pikeville College of Dental Health, Dr. Pamela Sparks-Stein.

Giving changes lives, it changes the way institutions are able to serve, it can even alter the trajectory of an entire region. Access to dental education, access to oral care, and the creation of jobs will be born from this family’s vision and caring spirit lived out through philanthropy. The positive effects of their commitment will ripple beyond what any of us will live to see.

Here at the University of Pikeville, we are committed to investing the gifts we receive in the future of this region we all love.

President

Striving to serve, Burton J. Webb

Campus News

Celebrating the Next Generation of Physicians

A rite of passage for first-year medical students, the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine officially welcomed the class of 2026 at the 25th annual White Coat Ceremony. Pledging their dedication to the profession, each of the 144 students celebrated their commitment to providing compassionate and competent patient care.

“Failure is the essential prerequisite for success. Persistence in the face of failure only works when we learn from our previous failures. Don’t forget, fear and bravery are partners, you can’t be brave without first being afraid. Remember to dream big, you are unique, and your dreams are yours to dream. You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for. Work hard for what you want.”

- Keynote speaker Frederick Stine VI, D.O., MHA, FAAP, KYCOM ’17

CLICK HERE to view photos from KYCOM's White Coat Ceremony

Returning to the Classroom

Howard Roberts, Ed.D., graduated from then Pikeville College in 1978. He began his employment at the university as an accounting professor in 1984, and in 2013, he became the founding dean of the Coleman College of Business. He administered a period of significant and strategic growth during his tenure as dean by launching and expanding the online MBA program and taking the college to a higher level. After years of success as dean, Roberts decided to return to the classroom as a business professor.

Roberts’ vision and leadership bolstered CCOB’s reputation as one of Appalachia’s leading business colleges for its innovative product ideas, research and successful business endeavors. Fostering economic development and community outreach are critical to the college’s founding mission.

“It has been an honor and privilege of a lifetime to have been able to serve and lead as the dean of CCOB for such an extended period of time,” said Roberts. “I want to thank the faculty, staff and students for sharing this journey with me. I am excited to continue collaborating in my new role and energized to spend more time in

KYCO Continuing Education

the classroom. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Coleman College of Business.”

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce awarded Roberts with the 2022 Lon B. and Mary Evelyn Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award, named for two former UPIKE trustees. This award is given to an Eastern Kentuckian who has spent years of their life striving to make East Kentucky a better place; someone who has a strong love for the region and has made a significant impact, creating change and progress in the region.

“Being told that you are appreciated is one of the simplest and uplifting things you can hear. Lon B. and Mary Evelyn Rogers were wonderful citizens of this community whose lives were focused on helping others achieve their dreams,” said Roberts. “I am very grateful to be the recipient of this award.”

During this yearʼs homecoming week, Roberts was inducted as part of the CCOB Alumni Hall of Fameʼs inaugural class and received the UPIKE Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

Helping students meet their yearly requirements for license renewal, the Kentucky College of Optometry is building a solid tradition of broadening optometrists’ knowledge base to improve patient care by offering continuing education (CE) courses. Since earning accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education in 2020, KYCO has developed partnerships throughout the region with those who share the goal of encouraging lifelong learning and supporting professional development.

Promoting continued education is essential to optometric practice at the highest level. KYCO has provided more than 55 CE programs, including online and traditional classroom settings, which cover a broad array of clinically-relevant topics. Proceeds earned from the CE courses support the KYCO Continuing Education Endowed Scholarship Fund, allowing deserving students to further their education.

“We feel honored to share our own experiences, learn from our colleagues and bring shared best practices back home to the patients,” said KYCO Director of Continuing Education Eilene Kinzer, O.D. “This is why we host several educational meetings throughout several states each year.”

Opening Convocation

“What you dream and think of while on campus and what you unlock inside of yourself is the value that this place will create. Keep educating yourself, challenge yourself and the people around you, and dream big.”

Keynote speaker, Founder and CEO of AppHarvest Jonathan Webb, delivered these inspiring words for students during the 2022 Opening Convocation Ceremony. Webb encouraged students to challenge themselves and centered his message on working together in ways that epitomize the spirit of the university.

BAIRD FAMILY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Tiffany Craft ’10

UPIKE Professor of Business Howard Roberts, Ed.D., ’78 honored alumna and Mayor of Whitesburg Tiffany Craft ’10 with the Baird Family Service Award.

“Recently, torrential rains fell upon this region, soaking the ground, running down the hills and collecting in every angle of the town of Whitesburg, Ky. Bridges were washed away, houses toppled and vehicles bobbled in the muddy swells as she stood watching her beautiful town disappear before her eyes,” said Roberts. “She is made of grit, wrapped in persistence and filled with a well of energy born of the determination often found in Appalachian women. Her ability to coordinate relief efforts with long-term planning is nothing short of amazing.”

2022 Kentucky Student Employee of the Year

Sophomore and business management major Caylin “Abby” Allen was recognized as the 2022 Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators Kentucky Student Employee of the Year. The intent of this award is to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who maintain a job while pursuing higher education.

As a special collections assistant in the Allara Library for the past year, Allen’s primary focus has been assisting with data entry, archival research, management and organization of archival documents, archival display composition and construction. The variety of projects and the limited time to complete them require quick thinking and a willingness to find new methods when tasks become difficult.

Through her work, Allen has discovered a passion for history and research.

“I have found since beginning the job that I love researching other people’s history and the story behind pictures. Knowing the backstory of an old picture brings new life to it and makes it much more meaningful,” said Allen. “I am very grateful for the people who had enough confidence in me to not only hire me but also nominate me for this award. I am genuinely honored to be the one selected.”

SOARing into Nursing

Working to address the ongoing nationwide nursing crisis, this summer, the Elliott School of Nursing partnered with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) to host the firstever Appalachian Nursing Academy (ANA). The academy brought 17 students from various Kentucky counties into Pikeville for a two-week program to mentor, teach and explore the local nursing field.

ESON, with the help of some instructors from other nursing institutions, kicked off the academy with two days of nursing Olympics. Students were provided a study guide and team assignments one week before the academy began. In the flipped classroom setting, they revisited the content, so that students could practice skills and ask questions before each game. Then, each team competed in games, activities and an escape room based on content in their study set up in UPIKE’s state-of-the-art simulation center.

“The ANA is a wonderful opportunity and experience for high school students interested in a career in nursing. Built upon multiple partnerships within the community, the curriculum, activities and events were carefully designed and implemented to foster, affirm and encourage the chosen students toward nursing,” said Lab Coordinator and Simulation Director Ashlie Newsome, MSN, RN, CHSE. “After the very first day, students learned how to manually obtain vital signs, one of the most fundamental skills of a nurse. I hope we can host the ANA for many years to come. I think the instructors had just as much fun as the students.”

Assistant Provost Amanda Slone, Ph.D., ’06 and Assistant Director of Human Resources Melinda Goodson ’08, MBA ’21 represented UPIKE at the International Leadership Association’s Women in Leadership Conference at the University of Portsmouth in the seaside naval town of Portsmouth, England. The conference’s theme was “Reflection and Rejuvenation: Inspiring Women Leaders.” It included participants and speakers from all over the globe, from various industries and educational settings. Slone and Goodson presented a session titled “The Impact of Covid-19 on Women in Leadership: Fostering a Resilient Mindset.”

Before the conference began, the two found time to explore the sites in London, visiting many notable tourist attractions such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The House of Commons, Hyde Park, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tower of London. They also got the chance to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and on their last day, traveled to Wiltshire to visit Stonehenge.

England

Bears Abroad

By AMY CHarles

Associate Professor of Biology Darla French, Ph.D., and recently retired Professor of Biology Tim Whittier, Ph.D., traveled to Belize as part of a study-abroad course for UPIKE biology majors. In what made the university’s seventh trip to the Central American country, 13 students were able to learn firsthand about the natural history and culture of Belize. They studied sustainable ecotourism in one of the leading countries developing such programs.

In this week-long adventure, students spent their days snorkeling and scuba diving, learning about marine biology and exploring coral reef ecosystems. They participated in birdwatching, insect collecting and plant identification in tropical rainforests. The group also spent a memorable day visiting ancient Mayan ruins and learning about Mayan culture.

Provost Lori Werth, Ph.D., made the voyage to Japan as part of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program to explore partnerships, research opportunities and student exchange programs in Tokyo, Nagoya and Hiroshima. She visited six universities and several tourist destinations, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the Atomic Bomb Dome and a Tokyo Giants baseball game.

Werth conducted a research study in which she interviewed female leaders in Nagoya to discuss their leadership growth, development and collaboration. Results from the project focus on how a leader who follows her passion, leads with purpose, builds great teams and strives for continued excellence in her product or services can be successful as she leads within organizations. Werth is grateful to have spent time learning about Japanese culture, leadership and policy.

Japan

Representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky, President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., joined a delegation to the Netherlands as part of a high-tech agriculture initiative. Webb presented at GreenTech in Amsterdam and met with the Ministry of Agriculture and International Business at The Hague. He collaborated with a research team at Wageningen University, visited Greenport and the World HortiCenter and worked on research for a major feasibility study on controlled environment agriculture in Kentucky. Webb also observed trading at the International Flower Auction, where approximately 19 million flowers and two million plants of more than 12,000 varieties are sold every weekday.

The Netherlands has become an agricultural giant by showing the future of farming. Webb hopes to replicate the agricultural model in UPIKE’s AgTech Center of Excellence, creating a place for research and education for UPIKE students.

Netherlands

Chemistry student Amber Hill joined Chief Assistant Pike County Attorney Tommy Chamberlin ’96 on his fourth trip to Israel to conduct archeological work and research. Associates for Biblical Research began their work on the site in Tel Shiloh, a town about 20 miles north of Jerusalem, in 2017. This location of historical significance is the site of the biblical tabernacle. For 300 years, the people of Israel would go to worship and offer sacrifices to God at this site.

The excavation in Tel Shiloh focuses on exploring the site, uncovering any structures associated with the tabernacle and discovering further evidence of the biblical sacrificial system. Chamberlin and Hill worked within a dig square believed to be a pottery dump, where they pulled hundreds, if not thousands, of pottery shards from the ground daily. Excavation teams in their site, and the adjacent square, were working to uncover what is believed to be part of the city gate complex.

MOVING MOUN

University of Pikeville began its 133rd academic year on a record high, welcoming more than 450 new students to campus. This is the largest incoming class in the university’s history, with an impressive 40 percent increase from 2021. The university’s graduate and doctoral programs also saw their largest number of enrolled students, totaling 940.

“UPIKE Admissions is a talented team with years of experience and individuals who are passionate about serving. It is very exciting to see their efforts come to fruition,” said Dean of Admissions Gary Justice ʼ96, MBA ʼ13. “UPIKE truly is a family. We care about each and every student and want nothing more than to see them succeed.”

UPIKEʼs focus remains on making sure students thrive and complete their degrees. From free textbooks for all students to competitive scholarships like the Pikeville Promise that could cover a studentʼs full tuition and room and board, the university has remained true to its mission of eliminating barriers for students. As a result, first- to second-year retention at the university is at an all-time high of 67.8 percent.

“Everything we do is all about building the region by investing in our people,” said President Burton Webb, Ph.D. “We believe that Eastern Kentucky is full of gifted people who need a place to learn and live. UPIKE has been here for 133 years. That is four to six generations, depending on how you count. We are here because this is home. Letʼs build our home together.”

Director of Family and New Student Connections Stephanie Stiltner ʼ10 coordinated various activities during GROWL (Gathering for Registration, Orientation, Welcome and Leadership) sessions throughout the summer and UPIKE FIRST Week. Stiltner led students into their first year with

activities that allowed them to get to know each other and build essential connections on campus with faculty and staff.

“Itʼs important for students to not only connect with each other and the campus community but also to gain a sense of belonging to the UPIKE family,” said Stiltner.

During UPIKE FIRST Week, students were introduced to the universityʼs history. They took part in campus traditions, including “the climb,” a first-year rite of passage of ascending the iconic 99 steps together, symbolizing the beginning of their academic journey.

Serving others has been at the heart of UPIKE since its beginning, and staying true to those roots, incoming students participated in UPIKE FIRST Day of Service. First-year students served across the region, from landscaping on campus to cleaning a community park and organizing supplies at a local community donation center. The majority of student volunteers assisted families in neighboring communities affected by significant flooding earlier this year.

Toronto native and incoming freshman Adam Di Millo came to UPIKE to begin the journey toward his future. As a healthcare management major and goalkeeper for the soccer team, he says whether he is on the field or in the classroom, the faculty and his peers constantly push him to be his best.

TAINS

By KATIE RAY

UPIKE was able to offer me the major I wanted while allowing me to continue my passion for soccer. They gave me the opportunity to play my sport at the next level while I earn an education,” said Di Millo. “The students and athletes here really thrive on success which makes me want to work harder to be the best version of myself so I can give them the same energy.

Adam Di Millo First-year student

(From left) First-year students Ashton Crum and Sidney Ratliff participate in a painting service project in Williamson, W.Va.

EASING THE TRANSITION

Trailblazers Summer Bridge Program

After receiving a grant to create a summer bridge program for rising second-year students, the university established Trailblazers to continue students’ first-year momentum into their second year at UPIKE.

The week-long summer program immersed students in self-exploration, skill development, team-building and social activities. They gained networking experience with community partners and alumni from their chosen major or career pathway. Students also attended workshops on time management, academic preparedness and stress resiliency and completed a community service project. Following the summer program, participants engaged in monthly social activities to continue the sense of belonging and community achieved from the summer. The inaugural class celebrated its successes with an off-campus retreat centered around reflection, social support, team building and communication.

“I’m so grateful that we were not only able to plan and host the Trailblazers Summer Bridge Program but also for the students that completed it,” said Assistant Dean of Student Success Megan Childress ʼ11. “During the weeklong program, monthly activities, and final retreat, it was wonderful to witness the many conversations that led to self-discovery and students uncovering their passions.”

UPIKE FIRST Summer Bridge Program

Allowing new students to get a jump start on college life, the UPIKE FIRST Summer Bridge Program offered an early orientation to help smooth the transition to college. Students had access to accelerated academic coursework and early service, social, academic, career and personal development programs.

The four-week program included completing a course that provided comprehensive guidance for students transitioning into college life. Students learned about study skills, critical and creative thinking, career awareness, and campus resources designed to aid their success.

“For new students, becoming comfortable in your new environment can be pivotal,” said Director of Family and New Student Connections Stephanie Stiltner ʼ10. “This program allowed students to get acclimated to the college experience by utilizing student support resources and navigating the daily ins and outs of campus life.”

UPIKE launches new bridge programs to prepare students for success

When tragedy strikes in the mountains, we do what the Appalachians have done since the 1700s. We get busy and help our neighbors.

FLOODED WITH HELP AND HOPE

By AMY CHARLES

hen catastrophic floods hit Eastern Kentucky in late July, the University of Pikeville mobilized quickly to help with flood relief efforts across the region. While UPIKE’s campus was spared from damage, surrounding communities and counties were devastated by floodwaters.

Part of the fundamental leadership strategy of President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., is service. It is embedded into every aspect of his administration. In the days following the disaster, hundreds of members of the UPIKE Family could be found shoveling mud, carrying debris and serving food to those in need. Webb was among those pitching in to help.

“When tragedy strikes in the mountains, we do what the Appalachians have done since the 1700s. We get busy and help our neighbors,” said Webb. “The UPIKE Family is who we are because of where we are. Our calling is as it has always been, to serve.”

The UPIKE Family was actively involved in providing direct relief to its neighbors. When the call came in from a nearby county about an urgent need for water, the university immediately established a water drive. In two days, nearly 300 cases of bottled water were donated and delivered to areas in desperate need of clean drinking water. The university continued its commitment to the students and families of Eastern Kentucky by

partnering with other organizations assisting with flood clean-up. UPIKE quickly became a hub for regional relief efforts, housing nearly 50 American Red Cross responders in campus residence halls. The baseball field became a landing pad for National Guard Black Hawk helicopters to drop off much-needed medical supplies for delivery to hard-to-reach areas throughout the region.

Teams of UPIKE students, faculty and staff made trips to areas ravaged by flooding to lend a hand. Chaplain Rob Musick coordinated much of the university’s volunteer efforts.

“I am in awe of the way that our students, staff and faculty have given of themselves to help the community, and I am blown away by their compassion and willingness to serve,” said Musick. “As I watched them get covered in mud, work until dark and provide big donations, I was moved by the hunger to help. It is truly amazing to know that we are surrounded by a university family that cares deeply.”

Faculty and staff worked to identify and support students impacted by the flooding, helping to connect them with resources offered by the university and outside sources. Arrangements were made for students displaced by flooding to move to campus early for the fall semester. The UPIKE Student Mental Health Committee coordinated a stuffed animal drive for children of the region, to replace something of comfort they lost in the flood.

UPIKE’s annual day of service for incoming freshmen makes a statement about the value and impact of volunteer service. This year, two teams of students traveled to Hazard and Vicco to help clean up flooded homes. Students donned protective gear and worked to rip out damaged flooring, soggy drywall and wet insulation.

“I am honestly very, very proud of our students. I didn’t hear complaints from them as they worked tirelessly to help,” recalled Administrative Assistant for the School of Social Work Robin Keathley, who led the team in the Vicco location. “Yes, we got a little messy, but they shrugged it off and got right back to work.”

It was not just the undergraduate students and faculty getting their paws dirty to help clean up the community. The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and Kentucky College of Optometry played a large role in relief efforts in the days and weeks following the floods. The Monday following the flooding, KYCOM’s classes were canceled so that students could become intentionally active in service. On that day alone, 170 KYCOM students pitched in to aid in clean up efforts in the community.

For Dean of KYCOM Joe Kingery, D.O., KYCOM ’06, MBA ’18, FACOFP, FAAFP, second-year KYCOM student Kasey Williams was a stand-out.

“Kasey was phenomenal with organizing relief efforts for the flood victims and has shown himself to be a true leader. Not only did he coordinate students going to different places, working with local officials and clinic managers, but he was also in the mud helping clean up,”

said Kingery. “KYCOM students really stepped up to the challenges the community faced, and I am very proud of them. They helped exemplify what it means to be a physician — putting others in need first.”

Collectively, KYCOM students and faculty spent more than 770 hours in disaster relief efforts across approximately nine cities and counties. Williams worked with administration and staff at Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation in Whitesburg, Ky., organizing students to clean the flooded facility, preparing it to continue providing emergency healthcare treatments and necessities to the public. He and fellow classmates worked with the American Red Cross providing first aid and helping with vaccination efforts. Medical students also volunteered cooking and serving meals and assisting people in cleaning their properties.

“I am very thankful to be part of the UPIKE Family,” said Williams. “Our institution and its members are dedicated to helping the community, which is especially unique about this school.”

Chaplain Rob Musick directs first-year students on service day. Musick coordinated much of the university's volunter efforts.

Optometry students joined Dean of KYCO Micheal Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FNAP, and other faculty in community eye clinics in areas hit hardest to determine the best ways they could help those in need. They cleaned up homes and yards, organized donations and distributed items collected from the Amazon registry they established. Many volunteered with Mercy Chefs to help prepare food and serve meals to the Whitesburg community. They also gathered school supplies and filled 72 backpacks to help children impacted by the disaster.

“I am very proud of our KYCO students, staff and faculty for their volunteer efforts. Many KYCO students are not originally from the Appalachian region but recognized the need to help the people of Eastern Kentucky affected by the floods,” said Assistant Professor of Optometry Rachel Fitzgerald, O.D., FAAO. “Their donations and the hours they spent volunteering hopefully made a large difference to our local community, and I look forward to the difference they will make in the future.”

As recovery efforts move forward, UPIKE continues to support students and alumni. The UPIKE Family Flood Support initiative was launched to assist those affected by flooding. Alumni and friends of the university interested in helping can designate their university donations to the Student Emergency Fund. Established in 2020, the fund was created to help students continue their education at UPIKE after being impacted by an emergency or disaster. Visit upike.edu/giving to explore more ways to give.

Any alumni of UPIKE or Pikeville College whose diploma may have been damaged by flood water can contact the registrar’s office to receive a replacement free of charge.

Alumni and friends of the university interested in helping can designate their university donations to the Student Emergency Fund. Established in 2020, the fund was created to help students continue their education at UPIKE after being impacted by an emergency or disaster.

Rebooting IT: The Tech-Forward Advantage

By KATIE RAY

As a result of expanding use of technology in the workplace, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster-thanaverage growth in the information technology (IT) sector. In Fall 2021, the University of Pikeville developed the information technology management (ITM) major after a thorough survey of student interest, analysis of state and national labor market forecasting data, and review of survey responses from industry and higher education leaders.

Students majoring in ITM develop the skills necessary to compete in the rapidly-changing field. UPIKE graduates will be equipped to support essential technology functions and provide business management leadership. The ITM program offers a career-ready credential that students can tailor to their professional goals, occupational opportunities and career shifts over time. Assistant Professor of ITM Praveen Guraja, M.S., Ph.D., worked rigorously to design and implement the program with several industry-relevant courses that prepare students for career success.

“Students in this program gain experience in many facets of the IT spectrum, including cybersecurity, machine learning, programming, network and information security, database management and IT project management,” said Dr. Guraja. “They graduate prepared to enter the workforce as programmers, system administrators, hardware support, network administrators, analysts or consultants. Along with the knowledge they gain through the curriculum, students also develop soft skills such as communication and critical thinking.”

The ITM program is growing with its largest class this semester of 49 students, and for sophomores Dalton Cure and Jaxen Smith, choosing this path at UPIKE has opened many doors.

“My favorite part of learning IT is the diversity of topics and careers it covers. IT is a field that can branch off into countless different career paths, and I enjoy the influx of options and learning opportunities,” said Cure. “With the ITM program, I am gaining knowledge in several of these fields and getting a great overview of IT as a whole. I get to decide what parts of IT I enjoy and what parts I don’t.” Smith echoed those sentiments.

“The decision to come to UPIKE and be part of the ITM program is probably one of the biggest and best I have made so far. I love our program here and believe it has a bright future,” said Smith. “Dr. Guraja cares deeply for his students and is always looking for opportunities to lift us up and get us job-ready before we graduate.”

Guraja believes internships are a crucial aspect of the ITM curriculum and wants students to take advantage

of experiential learning opportunities that adequately prepare them for their professional future.

“My more than 12 years of work experience in the IT industry and the research supporting the positive role that experiential learning plays in the career outcomes of college graduates has prompted me to include internships as an essential curricular option in the ITM program,” said Guraja. “Internships are not just résumé boosters for students approaching graduation. Their benefits aren’t limited to recent graduates either, they can be felt throughout the career.”

Cure and Smith took advantage of an internship with Prosper Appalachia this summer. Prosper Appalachia works with a hands-on approach to prepare the next generation’s workforce while connecting young adults with opportunities to find their passion. Interning as Appalachia Coding Camp Assistant Instructors for five weeks, Smith and Cure were trained by Awesome, Inc., to work through their curriculum.

“I learned a lot of valuable information throughout the internship. I gained knowledge in several programming languages and tools that I didn’t have before,” said Cure. “Some knowledge that I gained unexpectedly was what it took to be an educator. The depth of knowledge and patience it takes for educators to give children, teenagers and young adults an adequate education is something to be commended.”

Smith is passionate about these opportunities and is thankful the experience increased his confidence.

“I learned so much from my time with Prosper Appalachia. It was my first time acting independently, and I deeply valued that. I also met many great people who taught me important lessons,” said Smith. “The comfort zone is constantly fluctuating. It is never stagnant. It will expand if you do activities to force yourself further out. If you retreat into that comfort, it will shrink. This summer was something that emphasized this for me. I’m sure under the guidance of Dr. Guraja, this won’t be the last time I will try something new and learn a ton from it. I will continue to keep pushing.”

The Appalachian College Association (ACA) awards yearly scholarships to support ongoing educational

objectives. Ledford Scholars present their research from various fields of study, and UPIKE was delighted to announce Cure and Smith both received the 2022 ACA’s Ledford Research Scholarship.

Cures’ research focused around utilizing open-source software to make campus improvements.

“The goal of my project was to create a python program that would cut down on sending repetitive emails. The program sends emails on a time-based system, allowing members to allocate the time they would normally spend on these emails to something more efficient,” said Cure. “I’m very proud to have received this honor of being a Ledford Scholar. It wouldn’t have been possible without the mentorship by Dr. Guraja.”

In an attempt to better the campus and community, Smith aimed to design a program that could make parking more efficient for his research.

“I designed a program to detect if a parking space was occupied after the user marked the space. If the space is vacant, it turns green. If it is occupied, it turns red. I would like to accurately fulfill my initial vision for this project by developing database connectivity and connecting it to an app or SMS,” said Smith. “It was my honor and privilege to have my project selected and be designated a Ledford Scholar. I learned so much from this experience, and I recommend anyone with a passion for any project try it.”

Unsure of what branch of IT he wants to pursue a career in, Cure has decided to take it one class at a time and engage in future internship opportunities in his different fields of interest.

“I’m only one year into the program and have already had two amazing internships. I became an ACA Ledford Scholar and have gained knowledge in several fields of IT such as systems administration, database management, programming and even network security,” said Cure. “I look forward to the classes and opportunities that lie ahead of me in the ITM Program.”

Smith’s favorite part about learning IT is the feeling that there is always something to improve upon, and he is planning on a career related to cybersecurity. The ITM program is preparing him to take on those aspirations.

“There is a big market for security right now, and it’s expected to grow larger. As data becomes more and more prevalent, so too must security. Having a data leak as a big company usually means a large loss of money and loss of trust from your consumers,” said Smith. “Having the work experience from the internship in a field that values experience very highly is an incredible advantage. Dr. Guraja also ensures that we get as many relevant certificates as possible. These two factors should be a great help for my job hunt in the future.”

ITM is a growing sector affecting daily life in unseen ways. The world runs on information technology. From social media to point-of-sale transactions, marketing infrastructure and data storage are all vital components in harnessing the full potential of IT. Graduates with an ITM degree will be involved with mastering new technologies and solving complex problems.

“The craze to have things faster, easier and at the tip of our fingers has boosted the technological world to new heights. A degree in ITM can prepare students for a wide range of roles within almost any company or industry,” said Guraja. “Technology continues to expand rapidly, and it takes skill, experience and expertise to keep pace with business goals. Jaxen and Dalton are excellent examples of how this program can produce the skill set required for any occupation in the IT field. Many more from the ITM program are on their way to contributing to this region and beyond.”

Jaxen Smith (left) and Dalton Cure receive guidance from Dr. Praveen Guraja.

ACTIVE LEARNING INSPIRES ACTIVE LEARNERS

Charged with leading young minds and shaping future leaders, fourth-year Patton College of Education student Dylan Morris has loved teaching for as long as he can remember. As a teacher’s aide during his freshman year of high school in Bardstown, Ky., he witnessed the difficult situations that young students experienced and discovered there was no better feeling than being able to give support and watch them thrive.

said Morris.

When arriving on “the hill,” Morris immersed himself into student life as a member of the University of Pikeville’s men’s tennis team. Once he was faced with choosing a career path, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. “Children in today’s society deal with so many difficult situations, and I want to help educate this new generation and leave a positive impact on my students,” said Morris. “Since going through college, I have gotten to observe and work with so many students, and each time it reminds me of why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place.”

Morris hopes to ignite a love of learning and establish an opportunity for students to further themselves. He aims to teach upper elementary between third through fifth grades and has learned to build connections with students through his student teaching internship. This fall, Morris was one of four students across the commonwealth to receive the David Watts Future Teacher Excellence Award, given by the Southeast Region Association of Teacher Educators.

“This year, I am doing my fifth-grade student teaching, and I love it. After I graduate, I would love to have the opportunity to teach either in my hometown of Bardstown or stay in the Pikeville area,” Morris said. “I felt honored to be recognized at the conference with the future teacher award. It was very humbling and reassured me that

veteran teachers see the potential in the next generation of educators. It motivates me to continue to be the best teacher I can be.”

His professors at UPIKE do not lecture from textbooks or measure learning with multiple-choice tests. Instead, they model the strategies students would use as a teacher to create learning opportunities that enable students like Morris to apply knowledge in actual teaching situations. Associate Professor of Education Theresa Dawahare, M.Ed., helped provide a powerful set of lenses through which to view the classroom by creating active learning classrooms on campus.

“Students can use active learning classrooms to maximize active, collaborative learning, helping them to have an authentic classroom experience without being in an actual school,” said Dawahare. “We have found that our clinical students are better prepared and confident when entering the classroom. It is a dream come true.”

The vision for the classrooms was to have a space where PCOE pre-service teachers could learn how to plan centers and move around a classroom easily while teaching. They are equipped with a Dell 85-inch interactive touch monitor, a document camera, flexible seating, a reading center, a computer center and a teacher center where students can learn how to individualize instruction.

“Teachers not only help children to learn but also help with emotional and social issues to help them grow and develop as people,”

Morris has experienced firsthand the benefit of utilizing active learning classrooms.

“The active learning classrooms are not set up like a typical lecture hall. They have flexible seating arrangements, smartboards, and individual whiteboards for students to use the content and vocabulary on the walls around them,” said Morris. “These rooms allow students to take responsibility for their learning and also cater to any teaching style and strategy that the professor or students want to integrate into the classroom.”

Morris is an asset to his classmates, serving as a fourth-year tutor on campus and a third-year resident assistant (RA). He received the RA Unsung Hero Award in 2022 for always assisting other RAs with different programs and supplies.

“Dylan enjoys tutoring because it helps him master certain skills that he will use during teaching, such as breaking content down into simpler terms to help the student understand the content,” said Dawahare. “He is confident, always ready to engage in discussion and uses these roles to hone his teaching skills.”

This past year, Morris also served as the events coordinator for the Kentucky Education Association Student Program, hosting events for students in education and various volunteer work with the local food pantry, along with tutoring third graders at Pikeville Elementary School. He has participated in Student Government Association and is involved with Campus for Change and the Diversity Board on campus.

Ready to take on a career in teaching, Morris plans to apply the valuable life lessons he gained while studying at PCOE to his own classroom one day. One of his favorite quotes about education is from the revered Nelson Mandela, who states, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

The more Morris understands the education field, he realizes that his development will be an ongoing quest of a lifelong learning adventure to become a better teacher.

“Through the PCOE program, I have overcome my fear of public speaking and am confident in my ability to lead a classroom. They are preparing me to be the best teacher I can be,” said Morris. “Teachers are the future. Education is constantly changing, evolving and growing. The world needs more teachers.”

By STACEY WALTERS

Recognized for Excellence

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recently announced that the Patton College of Education is one of 32 providers from 16 states for leadership and commitment to excellence. As a result of providing evidence and data trends to achieve accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement, PCOE received the 2022 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement.

The Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement is named after the founding President of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). CAEP was created by consolidating the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and TEAC. A key advocate for educator preparation standards to unify the profession and instrumental in the merger that created CAEP, Murray also served as Chairman of the Board for TEAC and was an initial member of the CAEP Board of Directors.

CAEP accreditation serves the dual purposes of accountability and continuous improvement. Including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, 471 educator preparation providers in 45 states have been accredited under the CAEP Standards. The CAEP accreditation process evaluates providers’ performance and focuses particularly on whether candidates will be prepared, by completion, for the challenging responsibilities that educators face in America’s classrooms.

“Seeking CAEP accreditation has been an intensive, multi-year process, but continuous improvement of our education programs has always been our top priority,” said PCOE Director of Teacher Education and Associate Professor of Education Coletta Parsley, Ed.D. “Meeting the rigorous CAEP Standards for Educator Preparation has helped us obtain that goal and validates the high quality of our programs. Being a recipient of the 2022 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement demonstrates our deep commitment to excellence in educator preparation and the high standards that we have met. Therefore, our current and prospective students can have confidence in the quality of our teacher education programs in successfully preparing them for P-12 classrooms.”

bear mountain bear mountain

By STACEY WALTERS

The University of Pikeville agreed to purchase 220 acres of land, now known as Bear Mountain, with plans of housing all outdoor athletic facilities, including football, soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, archery, softball and baseball. In addition to the athletic programs, the space will offer the community a playground, room for tailgating, walking and biking trails, and an alumni center.

“With more than 500 student-athletes across campus that call UPIKE home, this project will benefit more than half of our undergraduate student population,” said President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “Bear Mountain is located only a mile and a half from campus, making it easily accessible for students, coaches and the community.”

Athletic Director Kelly Wells believes that UPIKE coaches build programs that provide the best experience possible for studentathletes. Having modern, elite facilities is an essential part of that process.

“This has the potential to be one of the most transformational and impactful opportunities UPIKE Athletics has ever envisioned. These projects will continue to give UPIKE student-athletes the tools to grow as leaders, teammates and competitors,” said Wells. “Our coaches, students, administrators, fans and stakeholders are extremely humbled and grateful to all involved in helping to make this once-ina-lifetime opportunity come to life.”

u P i K e SP ort SPL e X

On Friday, October 7, UPIKE athletics and administration, joined by officials from the City of Coal Run and the City of Pikeville, held a ribbon cutting for its newest facility, the UPIKE SportsPlex. The building in Coal Run was leased by the university last year and has been renovated with amenities for UPIKE’s bowling, golf, wrestling and archery programs.

Formerly occupied by Big Lots, the SportsPlex now features four distinct areas dedicated to the development and training of UPIKE programs. A 10-lane bowling center with an advanced scoring and metrics system, a golf area featuring a simulator, wrestling mats, strength training equipment and an archery shooting range fill the large building. The area also provides programs such as dance with valuable space for practice. The SportsPlex offers state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology to student-athletes in a personalized environment. It will also serve as a powerful recruitment tool to draw the best of the best to the mountains.

“You can’t find that anywhere. It’s close to campus, and the parking is great here. It’s a safe place for them to come and a very uplifting thing for the student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Kelly Wells. “When student-athletes come to any of these facilities, they can’t help but be really excited and enamored about what we have, and very few schools have the luxuries that we have, especially at our level and beyond.”

Wells also added that the partnerships between the university and the cities of Pikeville and Coal Run are necessary to provide more opportunities for current and prospective students. This new facility makes the teams that call it home even more competitive, allowing them to practice, prepare and gain an edge over their opponents.

HOMEC

OMING

CLICK HERE to view more photos from homecoming

ALUMNI

Nancy Cade, Ph.D.

HONORARY ALUMNI

Howard V. Roberts, Ed.D., ’78

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

John Biery ’88

GARY THRASH OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR

Chad Sellers ’10

RISING YOUNG ALUMNI

Robbie Royalty, M.D., ’00 *not pictured VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

2002 MEN’S TENNIS TEAM

One of the best units in Bears tennis history, the 2002 team made a historical run that pulled them all the way to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Tennis National Tournament. Headed up by two-time Mid-South Conference (MSC) Coach of the Year John Kitchen ’96, the team included seven athletes. Ranked second in the country, the Bears went 23-1 and claimed both the MSC regular season and tournament titles. The team collected seven All-MSC selections and two NAIA AllAmericans.

MEN’S TENNIS Eduardo Rincon

Part of the aforementioned MSC Championship men’s tennis team, Rincon led an incredible 2002 campaign to aid the Bears in their second consecutive NAIA Tournament appearance. Hailing from Duitama, Colombia, Rincon was named MSC Player of the Year, becoming just the second player in program history to do so. Rincon was named AllMSC Singles as well as Doubles alongside Sebastian Contador. His season culminated with NAIA and ITA First Team All-American honor.

MEN’S TENNIS Sebastian Contador

Another individual inductee from the 2002 men’s tennis roster, Contador played a vital role in the Bears storied season. Coming from Vina Del Mar, Chile, Contador claimed All-MSC honors in both singles and doubles. He wrapped up the season with an NAIA AllAmerican honor.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Suheil Lizana

Lizana is one of the most decorated players in UPIKE women’s tennis history, making history throughout the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Her extensive list of achievements

includes back-to-back MSC Player of the Year nods (2002, 2003). She also aided the 2002 team to an MSC regular season and tournament championship, the latter of which was claimed over Georgetown, as well as an NAIA National Tournament appearance. After the 2002 season, Lizana was named an NAIA All-American. She was crowned All-MSC in singles and doubles in 2002 and 2003 and named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2003.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Trevor Setty

Over the course of three seasons, Setty inked his name on the list of all-time greats in UPIKE basketball history. Currently at eighth on the Bears all-time scoring list with 1,812 points, Setty aided the Bears in 2011’s historic NAIA National Championship run, leading the team in three-point percentage (.415) while trailing only Vance Cooksey for the team lead in total points and points per game. Setty led the Bears in the championship game on March 22, 2011, dropping in a game-high seven threes, totaling 32 points and 17 rebounds in more than 40 minutes of action.

Following the championship game, Setty was crowned NAIA National Tournament MVP. The following season, the Maysville, Ky., native led the Bears, averaging 15.9 points per contest and was named All-MSC First Team and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. In his final season with the Bears, Setty collected his second All-MSC First Team nod, and was named NAIA Second Team All-American.

MEN’S BOWLING Zachary Fylling ’17 Men’s bowling is a historically successful program at UPIKE that has boasted some of the best athletes in the sport over the years. Undoubtedly, one of these is Fylling, who played four years for the Bears from 2012-

2016. In that time, Fylling was the recipient of various prestigious accolades. It all started in 2012-13 when his debut performance earned him MSC Freshman of the Year after the Bears finished runner-up in the MSC Championship. From there, Fylling would go on to earn All-MSC selections in four straight seasons, claiming back-to-back MSC Player of the Year titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16. During that time, the Bears won three straight regular-season MSC titles from 2013-2016 and three consecutive appearances in the NAIA invitational. Fylling was a two-time NAIA All-American, taking second team in 2015 and first team in 2016. He currently sits at third all-time in program history with an average of 207.566.

SPORTS MEDICINE Ewell Vernon

Sports medicine plays one of the most important roles in the success of a studentathlete and the athletic department as a whole. The profession demands a passion and commitment that few embody more than Vernon, who served as UPIKE’s Director of Sports Medicine during a period of unprecedented growth in then Pikeville College athletics.

In Vernon’s first year on the job, the university announced the addition of five new programs, and he tackled the task head on. From football to bowling, the university counted on Vernon and his team of student-workers to develop a vision and execute the non-stop care for student-athletes. While at UPIKE, he directed the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and, as long-time partner and Sports Information Director Rick Bentley says, “was a light to all he came in contact with.”

Transformative $25 Brings College of Dental

By AMY CHARLES

Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains in Pikeville exists a university whose 133-year educational legacy has grown to bring medicine to the mountains with its Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and has expanded quality vision care to rural areas with its Kentucky College of Optometry. Now, with a transformative $25 million gift from a generous, philanthropic family, the University of Pikeville College of Dental Health is on the horizon, aimed at providing greater access to oral healthcare in underserved areas across central Appalachia and beyond.

The Power of Philanthropy

A $25 million gift, the largest in the University of Pikeville’s 133-year history, will enable the founding of a dental school to enhance the health and well-being of the people of Appalachia.

As estimated by the Health Resources and Services Administration, there is a current shortage of 10,770 dentists in the U.S.

In 2021, according to the Health Policy Institute, 73% of U.S. dentists are private practice owners.

The national demand for dentists is projected to increase 9% to 206,850 by 2030.

“The foresight of a generous family giving to a university to establish a dental school is special,” said President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “This is another example of challenges being met and solved right here by those who call this area home. It’s also incredible that the university, this family and now a dental school will each have their roots right here in these mountains.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Terry L. Dotson ’72 echoes Webb’s comments and gratitude.

“This is needed,” said Dotson. “The founding of a dental program in these mountains will lead to better healthcare outcomes for a historically medically underserved population. This institution, its students, faculty and staff are a driving force for health education in the commonwealth. The dental school will complete the circle of medical services for the region and the immediate area. The economic impact with the addition of more professional students will grow businesses throughout the entire community and the region. This will be a project that will take the time and talents of many partners locally and statewide.”

The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, is passionate about UPIKE’s service-focused mission and recognizes the need for increased access to medical care.

“This donor has a deep love for Appalachia and a passion for improving healthcare in our region,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations David Hutchens. “Their generosity will reverberate for generations, impacting not only the graduates of the program but also profoundly benefitting the lives of the countless patients they will serve for generations to come. This is a transformative gift, an act of deep love and devotion for this region. We are humbled by this generosity, thrilled to have this opportunity and ecstatic about this vision.”

With this gift, they are providing dental education and securing the future of dental healthcare in Appalachia and rural America. UPIKE will forever be grateful for the astounding vision and faith expressed by the donor family.

$25 Million Gift

Dental Health to UPIKE

Expanding Healthcare in the Mountains

With a goal of expanding professional education programs, particularly in health professions, UPIKE had a feasibility study conducted to determine the need for a dental college in Eastern Kentucky. Consultants visited campus and met with UPIKE’s senior leadership, engaged a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and collected significant data related to dental workforce and oral health needs in Central Appalachia.

The study indicated there continues to be a strong demand by residents of the commonwealth and non-residents to attend Kentucky dental schools, as the need for oral health services in Kentucky and the surrounding areas remains very high.

With a higher number of oral cancer cases and less access to dental care, the impact of a third college of dentistry in Kentucky would likely mean earlier detection, better outcomes and increased preventative care for a population whose medical needs have historically been left unmet.

The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates a current shortage of 10,770 dentists in the United States. Often suffering from a lack of oral health providers, in 2019, 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties only had one practicing dentist for the entire county, demonstrating the need for more dentists in rural areas and underserved communities.

Despite statewide initiatives to improve the overall oral health status in Kentucky, there remain populations with poor oral health outcomes. The hope of UPIKE’s new College of Dental Health is to educate more providers to address the oral health disparities in the region.

A Vision Comes to Life

UPIKE is the leading higher education institute of Central Appalachia with a commitment to excellence in each endeavor. The university believes that by educating tomorrow’s leaders in the health professions, the landscape of healthcare in these mountains will thrive.

The vision for the College of Dental Health is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and collaboration, to be a leader in interprofessional education and to graduate dental students who practice in disadvantaged areas. Accomplishing all of this within a unique structure and culture of wellness that values and promotes the physical and mental well-being of every student, faculty and staff member is a top priority.

The future of dentistry is digital. UPIKE embraces innovation and promises to educate dentistry students on cutting-edge methods, providing them with robust clinical opportunities and meaningful interprofessional experiences. Learning to work with providers in other disciplines is fundamental to dentistry and demonstrates quality, personalized care to patients.

Faculty and students at the College of Dental Health will be ambassadors for oral health. Students will receive evidence-based training in communication, health promotion and health literacy, working to break down barriers to oral care access.

Dental school students will flourish under dedicated and knowledgeable faculty who will provide a supportive environment to learn patient-centered care while utilizing advanced technology. The future of the dental college will include residency programs such as pediatrics, oral surgery and advanced general dentistry, which are residencies that are most needed in the Appalachian region.

After conducting a national candidate search, Pamela Sparks-Stein, DMD, MPH, was selected as the founding dean of the University of Pikeville College of Dental Health. Sparks-Stein has spent her life learning and working in Kentucky. Her wealth of experience and expertise makes her the perfect person to lead this new venture.

“Among several strong candidates, Dr. Sparks-Stein stood out for her incredible alignment to the mission of the university,” affirmed Webb. “Her compassion and empathy will help her create the kind of dental school where the health of the public is paramount and quality care for those who need it most is an absolute necessity.”

Board certified, Sparks-Stein comes to UPIKE from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, where she received her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and Master of Public Health and served as division chief of dental public health.

“Dr. Sparks-Stein has extensive dental education experience with a focus in rural and public health,” said Werth. “Her leadership experiences over the last 25 years have prepared her well for this important position.”

Prior to her roles in education, Sparks-Stein served in private practice in the commonwealth for 13 years where she formed her passion for dental education and public health.

“I am a public health dentist, and my heart has a passion for helping vulnerable populations,” said SparksStein. “My years of working with grants and projects in Eastern Kentucky have shown me there are so many wonderful collaborators who are willing to help, making it a great place to forge partnerships that will allow us to make a true impact.”

The compassion Sparks-Stein has for underserved areas and her connection to UPIKE began with her father, Robert Sparks, DMD, ’62, who graduated from then Pikeville College. She says the college helped her father obtain a rural health scholarship to attend dental school after graduation. In 2004 he joined UPIKE’s Board of Trustees and remained in that position until his passing in 2016.

“There is a personal connection to this opportunity for me. My father wanted a dental school at UPIKE so badly because he knew there were many people who could benefit from it,” explained Sparks-Stein. “Helping to build and grow something he dreamed about is a wonderful way to honor my dad.”

Sparks-Stein is eager to begin the next chapter of her career at the university, making a difference in the overall oral health of Kentuckians by educating the dentists of tomorrow.

“I honestly believe the Lord has led me here. My whole academic and professional career has prepared me for this role,” said Sparks-Stein. “I’m thrilled to be part of the UPIKE family, and I cannot wait to get started. When I stepped on campus, I had the sense that this is where I belong.”

“Make hay while the sun shines” is an old saying that suggests to make the most of every opportunity. The sun clearly shines brightly on small business attorney and serial entrepreneur Andrea Sager, J.D.,’14 as she takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way.

LEGALPRENUER

By STACEY WALTERS

Photography by Tuvisual Production

Like many first-year students at UPIKE, she began her journey after receiving an athletic scholarship. Sager joined the women’s bowling team, where she met her best friend Kayla Bandy ’08. Bandy and Sager’s friendship continued well beyond their time in Pikeville. Little did they know that they would work together years later and contribute their professional success to the foundation built during Sager’s undergraduate years at UPIKE.

Without initially choosing a major, Sager opted to explore the university’s various programs, making the best of being away from her hometown of Pasadena, Texas. Sager quickly grasped the positive effects and importance of

studying in a small community like Pikeville and found her place at the Coleman College of Business. “Being at a small institution in the heart of Appalachia was a big adjustment for me, but I was determined not to give up,” said Sager. “My time at UPIKE not only benefited me academically but allowed me to grow as an individual as well.”

Becoming a top-ranked graduate and commissioned as an active duty officer, Sager was a member of the UPIKE ROTC program, which helped lay the groundwork for her passion for practicing law. With persistence and dedication, she earned her Juris Doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law in Northern Kentucky.

After spending seven months practicing law at one of the largest firms in Cincinnati, she discovered in 2017 that “Big Law” was not the place for her. Initially, her colleagues told her small businesses were not “quality clients.” As a former business owner of a clothing boutique herself, she knew that was not true. Being fired from that firm was the defining moment for Sager.

“I like to say that I manifested getting fired because I wanted to start my own firm but couldn’t exactly push myself to do it, and it turned out to be the biggest blessing of all,” said Sager.

Sager received the support and encouragement she needed to ignite her entrepreneurial fire. She started her own firm, Andrea Sager Law PLLC, in April 2018, quickly growing her business to earning seven figures by the second full year.

“There are so many business owners that need help and don’t know where to get it, and I thought, why not me?” stated Sager. “I can be that resource for them.”

In 2019, Sager made a bold move and launched the Legalpreneur Membership. The membership includes all access to an attorney and legal resources, valued at more than $25,000, offering countless services to fit the client’s needs. The subscription model breaks the mold and creates convenient

Sager is building an empire and revolutionizing the legal industry as the founder and CEO of Legalpreneur, Inc. The company is filling the gap between small businesses and affordable legal services, supplying business owners with full accessibility to an attorney while providing a way to protect and grow their businesses with a solid legal foundation.

access to legal services, setting her company apart from many others.

In just a few years, her company’s growth skyrocketed. Legalpreneur has become the go-to attorney for small business entrepreneurs, protecting everything from their brand names and Instagram handles to their courses and contracts and expanding as far as Canada and the United Kingdom.

As Sager’s business began to grow, she hired her best friend, former assistant bowling coach and member of the UPIKE Athletic Hall of Fame, Bandy, to serve as an essential part of her team as the chief operating officer of Legalpreneur.

“Kayla makes things happen and has been very integral to our growth, and there is no way we would be where we are today without her,” said Sager. When the opportunity to join Sager’s team arose, Bandy felt it was too good to be true.

“At the time, I was working my dream job as the head coach of an NCAA Division I bowling program. When COVID hit, the university I was coaching for decided they would not be competing for the season. At the same time, Andrea needed help managing the growth of her business. I could pivot to work from home helping Legalpreneur and focus on my professional career as a bowler,” said Bandy. “We have the same relentless mindset to accomplish big things. We hold each other accountable for growth milestones and want the other to succeed just as much as we want ourselves individually to succeed.”

Constantly pushing herself to take it one step further, Sager began tapping into the creative industry in 2020 and produced the hit podcast The Legalpreneur. In October, she hosted a successful two-day event, the Dream Bigger conference in Phoenix, Ariz., to inspire Legalpreneur community members to focus on their growth and implement a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Adding to her long list of accomplishments, Sager is publishing her first book, “Legalprenuer - The Business Owner’s Guide to Legally Protecting Your Business,” expected to hit shelves in January of 2023.

Sager never let roadblocks hinder her path to success, and through it all, has never forgotten her college roots. The endless opportunities she has experienced have opened her her eyes to a world of possibilities, and she believes the definition of success is loving what you do.

“Nothing is worth doing if it’s not fun,” said Sager. “Yes, being an entrepreneur is a thrilling adventure, yet it’s more sustainable when we truly enjoy it and you get to have your best friend by your side. Most people are afraid of failure, but you’re already failing if you’re not dreaming big enough or going after those dreams.”

PLANTING SEEDS

By AMY CHARLES

The University of Pikeville continues to lead the way in innovation, bringing new opportunities for students through the emerging indoor farming industry. UPIKE’s latest endeavor on the agricultural front is the AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence.

President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., visited the Netherlands this past summer as part of a delegation representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He believes one way to foster research and encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture is to create a place where they can learn about controlled environment agriculture (CEA) techniques in Eastern Kentucky.

“Several members of my leadership team and I have traveled to the Netherlands to investigate their approach to food production,” said Webb. “There, all of the support businesses for the CEA sector tend to cluster around research centers called Green Ports. We plan to replicate that kind of complex ecosystem here in Kentucky. If we do it well, significant economic development will be the result.”

CEA is just one part of the larger AgTech market in the U.S., and it has the potential to become a multibilliondollar industry, which could be transformative for the region. Replicating the Netherlands’ agricultural model, this project aims to promote job growth by bringing an advanced, new industry to the area while enhancing educational opportunities for UPIKE students.

“High-tech agriculture and CEA are industries exploding throughout the region,” said Webb. “The UPIKE AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence puts Pikeville on the high-tech CEA map and will enable us to grow with this innovative industry.”

The facility will include a greenhouse, classroom space, laboratory and offices to lead high-tech agriculture research efforts that aid the industry’s continued development and long-term viability while supporting increasing regional demand for food production. Once completed, the project will contribute to entrepreneurial and business development strategies for Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, as well as the education of the next generation of the agricultural industry workforce.

OF INNOVATION

Expansion of the university, along with announcements of large donations and grants, is born from the vision of UPIKE’s leadership, together with the diligence of Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations David Hutchens and his dedicated team. Hutchens anticipates a ripple effect from the full realization of the project to provide a boost to the job market and help diversify the economy.

“Completing the UPIKE AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence will be a catalyst in promoting growth for a new industry in the region that is beyond our imagination,” said Hutchens. “This endeavor will attract new partners to the area with an end result of muchneeded job creation. We are excited to be at the forefront of such an exciting opportunity for the region.”

The university has secured grant funding to cover the construction of the new facility. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $4.4 million competitive grant the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded to the university.

In partnership with the City of Pikeville, the EDA grant involves a lease agreement between UPIKE and the city, allowing the university to use nearly 14 acres of land at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park in Pikeville for the construction of the building. Bringing together the public and private sectors to create economic development only furthers the relationship Webb has forged with the city to strengthen the regional economy.

Additionally, the Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded UPIKE a $1.5 million grant that will be used toward the construction of the center. While the entire structure is expected to be finished by fall of 2024, more funds are desired to complete the project.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence can contact UPIKE’s Office of Advancement at (606) 218-5268 or advancement@upike.edu

The Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park will be home to UPIKE's AgTech Innovation Center of Excellence

A Focus on

Pediatric Eye Care

By STACEY WALTERS

Kentucky College of Optometry graduate and Dayton Children’s Hospital Pediatric Optometrist Amber Dawson, O.D., KYCO ’20, is helping raise awareness of the importance of children’s vision to ensure they have a successful future.

“Undetected vision problems can interfere with children’s learning and education, and intervention is more likely to be successful when initiated early,” said Dawson. “The most important tool for children to learn is their vision.”

Dawson always knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. She chose optometry as her specialty to be a voice for children who do not know how to explain if they have vision issues.

“I can advocate for children and tell the parents if they need eyeglasses or vision therapy,” said Dawson. “They aren’t thriving because they can’t see, and I can easily change that.”

Dawson, a Lexington, Ky., native, embarked on her journey with optometry in 2016 by becoming a part of the inaugural class at KYCO and immersing herself into Appalachia’s sense of community.

“Attending KYCO was like gaining a second family or having a home away from home,” said Dawson. “Being in the first graduating class, we all spent a lot of time together and became very close. It was comforting that everyone was always willing to give a helping hand.”

Dawson found that she was ultimately interested in pediatrics during her second year at KYCO and began offering tutoring to classmates in those classes.

“I excelled in all the classes related to pediatrics. I enjoy working with kids. Kids are entertaining and keep you on your toes,” said Dawson. “Common pediatric problems are so different from adults. After finishing the peds clinic during my third year, I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

The high level of clinical care and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology at KYCO gave Dawson an advantage in her career.

“Pediatric technology comes in the form of equipment to help train kids in vision therapy,” said Dawson. “The computerized tools we were trained to use at KYCO allowed us to track progress, diagnose and treat disorders that prevent kids from learning to the best of their ability in school. It is rewarding to see where they started and how much they continue to improve.”

Sharing the same passion for treating children, Assistant Dean and Professor of Optometry Josephine Ibironke, O.D., MPH, FAAO, inspired Dawson to stay dedicated and push forward.

“Her evolution has been a gift to watch,” said Ibironke. “I am proud she is pursuing her dream of caring for children, and I look forward to seeing her continued contribution to pediatric eye care.”

After graduating from KYCO, Dawson completed a pediatric residency with a concentration in special needs and traumatic brain injury at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Once she completed her residency, she moved to Dayton, Ohio, and began working as a pediatric optometrist.

She offers her expertise in special needs, including autism, down syndrome and functional vision assessments specializing in amblyopia strabismus and binocular vision conditions.

“The hospital has a strong sense of community with access to healthcare for pediatrics,” said Dawson. “This is especially true of my special needs population where finding services to be treated is difficult as these patients are considered to be more challenging.”

Dawson’s future aspiration in her career is to continue to educate parents on the importance of early intervention with comprehensive eye exams.

“I would like to pursue my passion and grow a practice known for caring for special needs patients,” said Dawson. “I hope to get involved with the Special Olympics and implement proper vision screenings and awareness for families with special needs. As long as I work in pediatrics, I’ll be happy with whatever my career brings.”

Dean of KYCO Michael Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FNAP, is proud to see how Dawson’s meaningful work in pediatrics and special populations has grown into an outstanding career.

“Our KYCO graduates are becoming established, and it is wonderful to see how they are making a difference while providing quality eye care in Appalachia and beyond,” said Bacigalupi. “Dr. Dawson has always been focused on what is best for her patients, and we are pleased to see the great things she is accomplishing in her career.”

FALL/WINTER

Photography by Jennifer McCray, Dayton Children's Hospital

Inspiring the Future of Optometry REACHING OUT:

The Kentucky College of Optometry has developed several off-campus community outreach programs in which students provide vision care services to rural underserved patient populations as part of their standard clinical training. The goal is to provide valuable clinical training for students and serve segments of the local population with limited healthcare access.

PROVIDING VISION SCREENINGS

KYCO has provided vision screenings in Pike County since 2017, screening more than 2,600 children. Students can assess children’s visual acuity, color vision, ocular alignment and ocular health. Extending their reach this year, they visited 19 schools in Pike and Floyd counties. Through the screenings, approximately 28 percent of elementary school students were referred for a comprehensive eye exam based on the findings.

“These vision screenings will hopefully detect any visual issues that may negatively impact a child’s performance in school and sports,” said Assistant Professor of Optometry and Director of Community Outreach Rachel Fitzgerald, O.D., FAAO. “We have identified a sizable number of elementary school students with untreated visual conditions such as an eye turn, lazy eye, high refractive error and ocular disease.”

Third-year KYCO student Maddie Dillon wants to give every child the best opportunity to achieve all they can.

By screening the area’s youth, KYCO is doing its part to ensure that a child’s vision never gets in the way of chasing any and every dream they have.

“Appalachia is undoubtedly one of the most underserved areas in America today. However, I’m blessed to watch each day as KYCO strives to change that. These screenings impact Appalachian children in ways that wouldn’t be possible without the university’s dedication to its mission,” said Dillon. “Children with visual hindrances often don’t realize the rest of the world doesn’t see like they do until it is called to their attention. These screenings allow KYCO’s students and faculty an exceptional opportunity to look for potential vision issues that may impact these children’s futures.”

KYCO students further provide vision screenings to adult patients in the community in their second-year clinical internship courses. With those screenings, students provide information on the importance of vision care and

From left Maddie Dillon, Rachel Fitzgerald, O.D., FAAO and Caroline Pasi

identify significant problems with visual acuity, ocular alignment, visual field, intraocular pressure and ocular health.

Serving approximately 100-150 patients per day, KYCO partners with various Lions Clubs in Kentucky and Tennessee to provide eye exams and vision screenings to people of Appalachia. In a joint effort with the Pikeville Lions Club, founded by KYCO faculty and students, vision screenings are held annually outside the Health Professions Education Building during Hillbilly Days, one of the state’s largest festivals.

EXTENDING THE REACH

Since 2018, KYCO has held one-week international clinics through their Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) and Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) chapters. SVOSH has conducted clinics in Mexico and El Salvador, partnering with local groups to ensure sustainability. FCO has partnered with the Ret Pray Love Foundation to provide volunteer clinics in Puerto Rico and also has conducted a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Through these clinics, thousands of patients who could not obtain eye care received glasses and sunglasses to help them function better in their lives. Many patients were referred for medical conditions discovered at these clinics. Students and faculty have also traveled to China twice to build partnerships with foreign providers and assist in examining patients at risk for myopia.

The SVOSH chapter has partnered with Remote Area Medical to provide eye care services to the underserved of Appalachia, concentrating efforts in Eastern Kentucky, Western Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia. Providing eye exams and glasses for those who need them, more than 200 patients are served at each clinic, and SVOSH coordinates several of these trips yearly.

GIVING EDUCATIONAL TALKS

Another aspect of KYCO’s community outreach that evolved in 2019 includes providing educational talks at numerous local elementary schools. During these twohour lessons, Fitzgerald and several third-year KYCO students lead groups of fourth- through sixth-grade students through a lesson about eye anatomy, depth perception, contact lenses and even what it is like to be in optometry school. KYCO hopes to inspire children from a young age to consider possible opportunities after high school and even a career in medicine or optometry.

“We split the students into different classes, and then the optometry students rotate between classrooms with different activities. We have demonstrations with prisms, glasses and optical illusions. Students even get to touch and feel a contact lens,” explained Fitzgerald. “With these talks, we hope to spark their interest in science and maybe even a career in the medical field.”

Third-year KYCO student Caroline Pasi enjoys leading the children in hands-on activities, hoping to inspire a generation of future optometrists.

“One activity we do is to let the kids learn how the pupil changes size under different lighting conditions by briefly shining light into each other’s eyes. The kids are fascinated with what we show them and are always eager to learn more. Dr. Fitzgerald does a great job of planning activities that make the kids want to engage,” said Pasi. “These kids are getting a unique perspective and a memorable experience. Most children remember the optometrist as an adult in a white coat who uses eye drops and gives you glasses, but these kids get to play games with us and are really excited about learning about the eye. We are students just like they are, which I think makes a career in optometry feel more tangible.”

Dillon enjoys working with children from local schools, even the school she attended.

“To a lot of these students, we are their first introduction into what an optometrist is and what we as ‘eye doctors’ can do,” said Dillon. “For so many children in our area, they may be the first in their family to even have the opportunity to attend college. Having a clear goal in mind and something definitive to work toward each day might be the very factor that ensures the next generation of eye care professionals attend undergraduate schooling and the doctorate program of their dreams.”

Fitzgerald hopes to increase young students’ awareness of the importance of eye care and vision while providing insight into becoming an optometry student.

“The elementary school students are always engaged and excited to learn more about the eyes and optometry. I believe this program is a great addition to any science curriculum but also teaches them about possible career paths,” said Fitzgerald, “especially given the fact that they can consider staying local for their education postgraduation with a nearby optometry school like KYCO.”

Assistant Dean and Professor of Optometry Josephine Ibironke, O.D., MPH, FAAO, says KYCO is touching communities throughout the region, reaching more people sooner than they would have been able to reach before.

“A part of our mission is to develop leaders in optometry, and we are doing so by providing students various supervised opportunities to serve in our community,” said Ibironke. “Our outreach at KYCO reflects our commitment to seeking out those that need care and serving the underserved.”

By Katie Ray

Caring is a

For Noah Hamilton, CRNA, ’15, his journey to the success

said Hamilton. “Now, I handle anywhere from two to 10 patients per day, developing plans uniquely for them to get them through the surgical process and improve their quality of life.”

Kentucky’s nursing shortage has continued over the past two years due to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving thousands of job vacancies in healthcare and making nursing a desirable vocation. Hamilton completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree and is now a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Ky. He is flourishing in an impressive career and proving a nursing education can be a stepping stone to multiple career paths.

“There are plenty of opportunities in nursing that people don’t see until they dive into their education. Nurses, in general, typically find some niche that is perfect for them, whether it be outpatient surgery services, home health, dialysis, case management or caring for patients at the bedside as an RN for the entirety of their career,” explained Hamilton. “You can take it even further and become a midlevel provider as a family nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist, or get your Ph.D. and become a nursing educator.”

attending undergraduate classes in Lexington, Ky., Hamilton realized he truly felt fulfilled caring for others and knew he needed to pursue his nursing degree. Upon applying, he was accepted to several schools but chose to come to the University of Pikeville to continue his education, returning home to his native Pike County. “Coming to UPIKE for my nursing education was honestly the best decision I could have ever made. I had options to go to other schools, but UPIKE gave me the advantage I needed,” said Hamilton. “Smaller class sizes for nursing students leads to more individualized time with instructors to hone those basic nursing skills. This prepared me for my career as an RN and equipped me to take my education further.”

Upon earning his nursing degree from UPIKE, Hamilton returned to Lexington where he spent three years working as an RN in a critical care pulmonary unit, all while continuing his education to obtain his bachelor’s degree in nursing. Deepening his commitment to his patients, Hamilton demonstrated a desire to go further in his education.

“Working in the medicine/pulmonary ICU, our team took care of some of the sickest adult patients in the state. I was able to learn more about the depth of their disease processes and I knew I wanted to have more autonomy with my patients. This led me to become a CRNA because I wanted the ability to do more for patients on my own,”

Many professors impacted Hamilton during his time as a Bear. He describes them as highly qualified, wonderfully kind people who want to help students succeed. Among these influential professors is Dean of the College of Nursing and Human Services Karen Damron, Ph.D., RN. He recalls her being creative when it came to ensuring every student gained an understanding of the concepts she was teaching and very open to helping students succeed in their educational journey.

“Dr. Karen Damron was an instrumental part of my undergraduate education in nursing. For me personally, her method for teaching pharmacology helped me solidify information that would push me further into my current career as a CRNA. As a nurse anesthetist, advanced pharmacology plays a huge role in my everyday practice, and I feel that her means of educating is what catapulted me into my journey of becoming proficient in this area of my professional practice.”

Damron remembers Hamilton fondly as a student she knew would do great things with his education.

“When I had Noah as a student, I could tell he was going to succeed in spectacular fashion. He was a leader amongst his peers, always prepared, eager to learn, and reliable,” said Damron. “He is someone that exemplifies what we hope to instill in all our students, and we are so proud to call him one of our alumni.”

By AMY CHARLES

A LEGACY OF IMPACT: HONORING

The University of Pikeville lost an advocate and one of its most generous philanthropists with the passing of the late Leonard Lawson. Entrepreneur, visionary business leader and well-known champion for education, Lawson was a charitable UPIKE benefactor holding a legacy throughout Appalachia that impacted thousands. The son of a coal miner and one of eight siblings, Bell County native Lawson became a Red Bird Mission School graduate in 1958. He once said he would have had limited opportunities were it not for the education he received by walking several miles each day to the school from the three-room house he shared with his family.

Lawson rose from his humble roots to prominence as a successful businessman in 1970 by establishing road asphalt companies that operated under the umbrella of Mountain Enterprises.

In 1983, Lawson became a significant donor to Red Bird Mission School by financing the construction of a new school building. The building bears a sign honoring him and his wife, Bonnie. The two met while attending high school at Red Bird and respectfully did not seek recognition for their part in financing the school. It was important to Lawson that the school prospered and continued to reach students in some of the poorest parts of the commonwealth.

Upon his business success, Lawson’s long and impactful relationship with the university began, providing support and building improvements and opportunities.

Shortly before Christmas in 1997, the Lawson family and Mountain Enterprises donated $1 million to then Pikeville College to provide renovations to the women’s residence dorms. Derriana Hall was the first building on the upper campus and was completed in 1908.

The $1 million gift also helped provide for the addition of the fourth floor to the Armington Science Center, creating much-needed classroom and office space for the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. These two projects made a tremendous difference in the students’ lives and the region.

In 2000, upon the completion of the renovations, Derriana, along with Condit Hall, was dedicated in honor of the generosity of the Lawson family. Bearing the name Lawson Family Residential Center, it houses up to 75 undergraduate students.

Influenced by his father, Lawson’s son Steve became a part of the university’s history, donating a seven-ton piece of Kentucky limestone that rests against the backdrop of Derriana Hall, creating a gathering place for students on campus called “the rock” in honor of his parents.

“It gives me great pride to be able to help any institution that helps young people do better in life.”

- Leonard Lawson

Leonard Lawson

By STACEY WALTERS

Roughly 500 million years old and sculpted by Louisville artist Kimberly Knepshielf Hillerich, “the rock” was carved to give students a place to sit, recline, rest upon or examine its geological history.

Steve believes UPIKE is a special place and a driving force for the citizens of Eastern Kentucky.

“Growing up, I always heard my father talk passionately about his desire to help the people of Eastern Kentucky. Given his respect and admiration for UPIKE, he decided that giving to the university would be a way to help students and their families throughout the region,” said Steve. “I am humbled that my family played a small part in allowing the university to help those families.”

Former Kentucky Governor and UPIKE Chancellor Paul E. Patton says that Lawson never lost sight of what his success could mean to others.

“Leonard was a generous person. He didn’t give to expect anything in return and was not eager for recognition. It was his way to express his appreciation for this region,” said Patton. “He was raised in the mountains, prospered in the mountains and loved the mountain people.”

Patton added that one of the ways you can move the region ahead is to help educate the people and provide them with the support to flourish.

“If there is one thing I know from the Lawson family’s philanthropy and Leonard’s legacy, it is the great pride and joy he received from giving students opportunities,” said Patton. “He left a lasting impact on this community and in the hearts and minds of his friends and family.”

Colleague, friend and President of Utilities Management Group Greg May agrees that Lawson’s love for the people of Appalachia was unmeasurable.

“Leonard loved the mountain people and was a true pillar of this community. He was an inspiration to many who were positively impacted by his generosity,” said May. “His decades of championing UPIKE have been nothing short of transformative, and he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

Lawson and his wife were married 63 years and enriched the Pikeville community for decades. An avid fisherman, dedicated son, father, and grandfather, Lawson will be remembered by many for his vision, tenacity, integrity and philanthropy.

Putting the Mission into Motion

Frederick Stine VI, D.O., MHA, FAAP, KYCOM ’17, better known as Fritz to those close to him, returned to Pikeville to fulfill the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine’s guiding mission of medicine in the mountains. As a pediatrician at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), co-medical director of the new Mettu Children’s Hospital and adjunct clinical professor of pediatrics at KYCOM, he continues to make an impact at KYCOM years after graduation.

Serving in student government as class president and representing KYCOM at the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, Stine is proud to continue to be part of the KYCOM Alumni Board, serving as vice president alongside other physicians who care about the future of KYCOM.

“I believe in paying it forward. KYCOM believed in me and gave me a chance, so I really want to help reach out to alumni and remind them this institution is continuing its mission and delivering on its promise to bring medicine to the mountains, and we need their help,” Stine explained. Stine has always been drawn to the idea of using what is around you to make things better for everybody. His goals in the future include helping to grow the children’s hospital and solidifying his role at KYCOM to play a more significant part in students’ lives through education. His relationship with fellow alum and Dean of KYCOM Joe Kingery, D.O., KYCOM ’06, MBA ’18, FACOFP, FAAFP, is helping Stine achieve this goal.

“Dr. Kingery and I have a beautiful relationship that continues to grow and deepen. He started out as my mentor, and now I am more than proud to call him a friend,” said Stine. “We are working together when it comes to clinical education for students, and that is where I hope to grow my connection to KYCOM.”

According to Kingery, Stine is loved by the medical students, and they respond to his energy and eagerness to give back. He believes Stine embodies KYCOM’s mission, returning to practice pediatrics in a rural area.

By AMY CHARLES

“Dr. Stine is a great example of an exceptional student who came to the mountains to train, went away for residency, and returned to practice medicine in the mountains,” said Kingery. “His passion for teaching is outstanding, and he is a very valuable partner of KYCOM.”

In addition to his responsibilities with the alumni board and as adjunct faculty for KYCOM, Stine has found many other ways to realize his dream of being more involved with students. He is active with KYCOM’s pediatrics club, was the keynote speaker at the most recent White Coat Ceremony, and was a guest lecturer at the medical school’s CME weekend.

PMC is becoming increasingly active in the education of medical students, and Stine is helping them revolutionize their approach. He has taken on the role of director of pediatrics rotation for the clinical experience at the hospital and is also part of the Friday lecture series for rotating students.

Stine received his Master of Health Administration at Western Kentucky University and completed his residency at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, where he was also chief resident. He stayed in the Tar Heel State to practice pediatrics before making his way back to the commonwealth with his wife, Dr. Margaret Nelson, and son, Sev. Nelson, who encouraged Stine to return to Pikeville to put his skills to work helping the children of Appalachia, has her Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology. She is also employed at PMC as their first research analyst, working with medical students to create more original research.

“PMC was getting ready to build the children’s hospital, and I really wanted to

be a part of that to make sure we are keeping with the promise of the medical school, but also keeping with the promise of the hospital to provide the best possible healthcare to the people of Appalachia,” said Stine. “My wife and I are excited to be back in an area we love and can grow our family.”

In addition to his leadership roles, Stine has received several awards and distinctions, including Student Doctor of the Year, the Dean’s Award and the Dr. John A. Strosnider Leadership Award. Stine also completed a year-long fellowship with North Carolina Medical Society that provided a critical framework for healthcare management based on economics, leadership and development.

The impression KYCOM made in Stine’s life reaches far beyond his medical education. He credits the school with crafting an environment that helped him to develop his inner empathy as a person who cares for and relates to people, which he believes makes him a better doctor.

“I hope to be a great resource for future students. I wouldn’t be the physician or the advocate I am today if it weren’t for KYCOM,” said Stine. “Not only did KYCOM train me to be a great physician in the clinic, but also supported me at every turn, and prepared me to be a lifelong learner.”

TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

- Terry L. Dotson ’72

For 35 years, through his service on the University of Pikeville’s Board of Trustees, Terry L. Dotson ’72 has been giving back to the school that gave him so much.

A Johns Creek High School graduate, Dotson spent his formative years in a five-room log cabin in Feds Creek. His dad Herman owned a motorcycle shop. His mom Olive taught school and ran a small grocery store.

“Growing up, I didn’t do anything well, but I played a good trumpet,” explained Dotson. “In 1968, Vietnam was going on. I didn’t want to go, so I went to Pikeville College, where I received a $300 scholarship and studied music.”

Although he says he was not a great student, Dotson advanced through college and was elected president of the student government association his senior year. By that time, Dotson, who had started working at his father’s motorcycle shop at age 13, was working three jobs to support himself, his wife, and their two children. Before graduation, he began a pursuit that he has continued to this day – fundraising for the college. In doing so, he also set the trajectory of his life.

“I called on the company I now own to sell them a $50 ad for a gymnasium wall to raise money for the spring formal,” recalled Dotson. “The owner asked me ‘Terry, what are you going to do after graduation?’ I graduated May 9, 1972, and went to work for them in Bluefield, W.Va., on June 15.”

“Whatever I have, I wouldn’t have without the University of Pikeville.”

Dotson started working at Bluefield Mack, the sister company of East Kentucky Mack. The companies later became known as Worldwide Equipment. His first job was running errands, but he worked his way up to salesman and eventually became the company’s owner. He now serves as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. When he started working there, the company owned four stores.

Today, Worldwide Equipment, one of the largest truck dealerships in the world, operates in seven states and has 22 full-service dealerships, 17 leasing locations, four satellite parts stores, one customer fabrication shop and more than 1,000 employees.

Dotson credits many professional and philanthropic mentors with helping him throughout his career.

“Everybody has somebody who helped them. I had a lot of somebodies,” he said.

The late West Virginia coal operator James “Buck” Harless was one such mentor.

“I met him in a restaurant in Gilbert, W.Va.,” said Dotson. “I drove a couple hours, from Bluefield to Gilbert, to be there every morning so I could accidentally meet him. I made my first big sale to him. I gave him the quotes for five trucks. He asked if I had any more. I told him I had five more. He said I’ll take those, too. That was the conversation. I was 23.”

Just as important are the lessons Harless imparted to him about philanthropy.

“Buck was born an orphan and died a billionaire and gave away more money than anyone I ever knew,” said Dotson. “He told me ‘I was an orphan, my aunt raised me. God has given me a huge opportunity. He’s given me a means. When presented with the opportunity to help, if the opportunity is reasonable, I think I should help.’”

Dotson also recalled the philanthropic message from a then Pikeville College commencement speaker.

“His name was Charles F. Trivette ’31. He was a coal operator who gave money to the college. As I listened to his speech, I thought, ‘I wish I could do that.’ It changed my thinking,” said Dotson.

By the mid-1980s, Dotson had become involved with his alma mater and in 1987 he joined the board of trustees. Busy with his growing family – he and his wife Judy would have four children – and a growing company, when then-college President Bill Owens called and asked him to head up a capital campaign, Dotson declined.

“I told him I didn’t have time,” said Dotson. “After I hung up the phone, my son, who was 3 or 4 at the time, brought a book to me and said, ‘Daddy, read to me.’ It was the Bible. The page was open to Luke 12:48. ‘Unto much is given, much is required.’ I called Bill and said, ‘I’ll do it.’”

“I’ve seen the hand of God more than once,” he added, noting the many times a higher power looked out for the university.

Dotson also credits all the people who have contributed to UPIKE’s success.

“A university is made up of buildings, but it’s people that make the university. It’s not the people at the top or the bottom. It’s a collective,” he said.

Although he describes UPIKE as “the single most valuable asset east of I-75,” he encourages more alumni to become involved with their university. “We should leave things better than we found them. We all stand on the shoulders of others.”

“We’re there to educate and give people the opportunity to be successful. A lot of people go to college to get a degree in strange things like music,” he said with a smile, “and don’t go into that particular field. But they learn other things at college. They learn how to get along with people. The education piece is what you get a degree in. College is a melting pot. It’s where people mix.”

“The kid who becomes a teacher is just as important as the kid who becomes a doctor,” he added.

To illustrate this point, Dotson shared a conversation he had with Bill McCloud, former associate professor of music at then Pikeville College.

“I said to him, ‘Why do you work so hard? You don’t make a lot of money.’ He said, ‘Terry, I’ll never die.’” McCloud went on to explain how the lessons he imparted to students would last forever in their works and deeds and in what they imparted to others.

Dotson characterizes his association with UPIKE as “one of the greatest experiences of his life.” During his tenure as chairman, the school has established the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Kentucky College of Optometry and the Coleman College of Business and recently announced the launch of a dental college and the acquisition of 220 acres of property that will house its outdoor athletic facilities.

Just as he did all those years ago when he sold that $50 ad, Dotson is still fundraising for UPIKE. He recently donated a building valued at $3 million to the university and encourages others to make investments in the school and its students.

“I want people to know that if you give to the university, the money will be invested properly,” he said.

The same could be said for human investments like Dotson.

By MICHELLE GOFF

“Every time I visit campus, every time I sign a diploma, every time I see the vibrance of the students, I know I’ve helped make a difference,” said Dotson.

Chairman Dotson with his wife Judy

Class Notes

1980s 2000s

Glenda Adkins ’89 has been announced as the principal of Pikeville Elementary School.

Assistant Coach Bill Bevins ’03 has been named interim head boys basketball coach at Madison Southern High School in Berea, Ky.

Christina English ’03 is the new owner of Rivers and Roads Coffee, a mobile coffee shop in Kingsport, Tenn.

Daniel Price ’06 has been named Simmons College of Kentucky women’s basketball coach.

Whitney Tisdale, Ed.D., ’07 has started a new position as assistant dean of student services at East Tennessee University College of Nursing in Johnson City, Tenn.

Heather English ’08 joined the varsity girls coaching staff at Albertville High School as a varsity assistant in Albertville, Ala.

Employed at UPIKE for 22 years, the last 11 years working in the office of admissions, Barbara Moore ’09, MBA ’17 has been promoted to admissions office manager.

2010s

Randa Newman ’10 booked her first Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists film, The W.A.S.P., a short film about the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military.

Misty Asbury ’11, MBA ’20 has been named director of UPIKE’s Disability Resource Center.

Cumberland Gap High School Head Basketball Coach Ryan Whitaker ’12, MBA ’14 was named athletic director and will now serve as both.

Della Abshire ’13, ’15, MBA ’17 has been promoted to the assistant director of admissions communications at UPIKE. She has been with UPIKE for 24 years in the office of admissions.

Eleventh grade English and senior seminar teacher Sally Adams ’13 was named the new Lady Jackets basketball coach at Middlesboro High School.

Board-certified dermatologist Brooke McGehee Hensley, D.O., FAAD, KYCOM ’13 joined Pikeville Medical Center’s team of providers, bringing dermatology services to the hospital for the first time.

Debra Hess MBA ’14 has been promoted to the position of vice president, CRA/fair lending officer at Community Trust Bank.

Elisha Justice ’14 was inducted into the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame.

Stefan Morales ’15, MBA ’21 and his wife, Alize, welcomed their son, Stefan Alexander Morales Jr., on July 12, weighing 7 pounds 12 ounces. Previously working in admissions, Stefan is now the coordinator of diversity and international affairs at UPIKE and Alize is currently enrolled at UPIKE studying psychology and social work.

Ashonda Underwood, LSW, ’19 published her first book, You Can Say No. The book illustrates different scenarios that show children when it is ok to say “no” to an adult, specifically when it comes to their bodies.

2020s

Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame.

Since 2010, UPIKE has carried on the yearly tradition of celebrating those educators whose contributions to learning have inspired generations of students, providing them with unwavering support in their life-long commitment to the field of education.

2022 inductees (from left):

Amy Kincer of Whitesburg

Betty McGuire ’70 of Pikeville

Thom Cochran of Paintsville

Sylvia Bailey ’59 of Pikeville

Gregory L. Stone ’76, ’84 of Pikeville

Raquel Stone Goodman ’99 of Pikeville

Saundra Curry accepted the award on behalf of her late father, Ronald Keith Curry

Jeremy Goodson ’20, MBA ’21 has been promoted to director of the Center for Academic Excellence at UPIKE.

Taylor Garris ’21 is working as a second grade teacher at Pikeville Elementary school.

Dylan Osborne ’21 has been named head eSports coach at Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.

Jaxon Blaine ’22 has accepted a position as fourth grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary School.

Kevin Justice ’22 joined the Lean Management Team with the Dayton Phoenix group in Dayton, Ohio.

Lander Vision welcomed Kortny Lancaster, O.D., KYCO ’22 to their team.

HAPPILY

Courtney Bowman ’21 and Corey Bailey were married on July 23. Courtney is a math teacher at Lexington Catholic High School and Corey works at Conduent. The couple resides in Lexington. Ky.

Bobby Hurley ’15 and Haylee Stevens were married on June 6, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Max Hall ’18 and Emily Baker ’21 were married on Sept. 4, 2021.

Luke Humphrey ’21 and Adriane Mason ’20 were married on June 26, at Barn at Belle Hill in Crittenden, Ky. Luke is currently in nursing school and Adriane teaches third grade at St. Pius X Catholic School. The couple resides in Erlanger, Ky.

Adam Dillion ’19 and Maddie Smith ’20 were married on Aug. 13. Adam works at UPS and Maddie is a third-year KYCO student. The couple resides in Chattaroy, W.Va.

Blake Butcher ’22 and Karlea Maynard ’22 were married on July 9. Karlea is an undergraduate recruiter for the admissions office at UPIKE and Blake works for the Kentucky Cabinet of Energy in Prestonsburg. Both have plans to attend KYCO next fall.

Rachael White, O.D., KYCO ’21 and Acel Thatcher were married on Aug. 16, at the Vatican City, where they were able to meet the Pope. Rachael is an optometrist in Lexington, Ky., and Acel is a corporate pilot.

Nate Mattingly ’22 and Markie Jarrell were married on Aug. 27. Nate is currently pursuing his RN-BSN at UPIKE while working as an ER nurse at Pikeville Medical Center.

Markie is a pharmacy tech and has plans to attend the Elliott School of Nursing next year.

EVER AFTER

Photo by Eady Beth Photography

A B Y B E A

Josh “Scotty” Samarco ’10 and his wife Jasmine welcomed their daughter, Adeline Marie, on Aug. 19, weighing 6 pounds 1 ounce.

Will Ward ’14 and his wife Patience welcomed their daughter Hazlee Brae, on Sept. 8, weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. Will also was named Pike County Central High School’s head baseball coach.

Ryan Jones ’11 and his wife Kelly Rowe-Jones welcomed their first son, Felix Garrett, on June 6, weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces. Ryan is the founder of Do Good Brands, and co-owner of Lincoln Road Roastery. Kelly is the director of public affairs at UPIKE.

Gabriel Penn ’14, MBA ’15 and his wife Whitney welcomed their son, Bevin Alexander, on May 10, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces.

Bradley Allen ’08 and his wife, Allie ’10, welcomed their daughter Addyson Victoria, on Aug. 26, weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces.

Bradley was recently named vice principal of Pikeville High School. Allie is an administrator and counselor for a drug reha bilitation center.

Chris Epling ’02 and his wife Samantha welcomed their son, Paxton Ryan, on Aug. 2, weighing 9 pounds 6 ounces. Chris, who owns Epling Illustrations, is an adjunct professor at UPIKE and Samantha is a vet tech at Animal Wellness Center in Pikeville.

Jeff Grieme ’10 and his wife Kayla welcomed their daughter, Kennedy Annalynn, on July 2, weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces. Jeff is a territory manager at Corken Steel and Kayla teaches second grade at River Ridge Elementary School.

STAY CONN ECTED

UPIKE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Hanging out on the bridge. Climbing “the 99.” Studying for block exams. You made lasting memories and met lifelong friends on “the hill.” The Office of Alumni Relations wants to help you stay connected to those friends and to the college you love.

To stay up-to-date on the latest alumni news, follow UPIKE Alumni on Facebook.

Contact Director of Alumni Relations Lisa Blackburn at (606) 218-5276 for information on alumni events.

CLICK HERE for more information about current alumni events