UPIKE Magazine Fall/Winter 2019

MAGAZINE Fall/Winter 2019

FOCUSED ON THE

FUTURE IN TH IS IS S U E HOMECOMING 2019

UPIKE FRESHMAN WINS GOLD IN INTERNATIONAL ARCHERY COMPETITION BECAUSE OF RON: UPIKE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES THE RETIREMENT OF RON DAMRON

As UPIKE’s football team played its home-game opener on September 14, another UPIKE team celebrated a major milestone. The UPIKE Band marched in its first home game performing pre-game and halftime shows. With new uniforms, talented students and an upbeat staff leading the vibrant program marches into the future.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MAGAZINE

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www.UPIKE.edu

Fall/Winter 2019 Volume 6, Number 1 MAGAZINE STAFF David Hutchens

Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations

EDITOR Katie Ray ART DIRECTOR Kate Hensley CONTRIBUTORS Misty Asbury ’11, Mark Baggett, Laura Damron MBA ’19, Edna Fugate, Michelle Goff, Sherrie Marrs, Kelly Rowe-Jones, Brooke Thacker ’04, Stacey Walters

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HOMECOMING 2019

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Larry Epling, Dusty Layne, Matthew Lester, Kandi Zadel

BECAUSE OF RON

CONTACTS

Story ideas and letters to the Editor: Email: editor@upike.edu.

Mail: Editor, UPIKE Magazine, Office of Advancement, University of Pikeville, 147 Sycamore St., Pikeville, KY 41501.

Address changes: Email: alumni@upike.edu.

Phone: (606) 218-5276 between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Class notes: Email: alumni@upike.edu.

Online: www.upike.edu/alumni/upike-magazine.

Mail: Office of Advancement, University of Pikeville, 147 Sycamore St., Pikeville, KY 41501

The University of Pikeville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of Pikeville.

It is the policy of the University of Pikeville that no student shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program sponsored by the university because of age, race, 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

GOING FOR GOLD

President’s Letter 2

UPIKE Timeline 19

Campus News 5

Kentucky College of Optometry 28

Faculty News 8 The Heart of a Bear 11

Like Father, Like Son 30

KYCOM Alumni Association 16

Class Notes 34

Alumni Association 32

Giving to UPIKE 18

ON THE COVER Bowen Smith, a senior from Aiken, S.C., gets ready to lead the Bears to victory on UPIKE Football’s senior night against Bethel University.

Smith will graduate in the spring with a business management degree.

Letter from the

PRESIDENT “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.”

- Abraham Maslow

Throughout our 130-year history, the University of Pikeville has encountered crossroads at pivotal moments in which it could’ve chosen the status quo but instead decided to grow. At the heart of challenging decisions is always this: our commitment to preparing students for successful, meaningful lives, and strengthening the region we serve through collaboration and innovation. When considering all that is at stake, how could we step in any direction other than forward?

UPIKE has changed in significant ways to provide greater opportunity for our students and to transform communities. The addition of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Kentucky College of Optometry is a glimpse into the university’s progressive spirit.

Currently our graduate programs are expanding to include a Master of Social Work (MSW). We saw the heavy demand for an increased number of professionals, trained in Appalachia, with the skills needed to help alleviate the widespread problem of opioid/substance abuse disorder. The new degree program contains a specialization in mental health and addictions and will help create healthier communities.

Transformation is also reflected outside the classroom in our co-curricular programming, student life and athletic teams. Archery is a newer sport on campus that, this year, welcomed a student-athlete who competed at the international level with Team USA in Madrid, Spain. Because we fully believe that transformation equates to growth, our students have more opportunities than ever before to thrive, discover, explore and succeed.

Amidst exciting developments on the hill, some things have remained the same.

They’re the same things our alumni carry in their hearts and minds today. Faculty and staff are still preparing students for lifelong success; they’re still igniting students’ passion for learning; they’re still bringing out the best in students; their minds and office doors are still open; and they’re still student-centric. Students are still more than a face in the classroom or on the field; they’re still building character and growing in faith; and they’re still forging their own unique paths. UPIKE is still “home” for our students; it’s still taking chances; and it’s still graduating remarkable alumni.

I encourage you to read about a UPIKE legend, Ron Damron, in this issue. Special people like Ron have lovingly woven the fabric that is UPIKE. The university that arose from humble beginnings in 1889 has come a long way and our vitality depends on the UPIKE Family’s continued commitment to our students. Some things change, but we’re always…

Striving to serve, Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. President 2

UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

A new gathering space was added to campus this summer. The President’s Firepit, located in front of the president's house, is used as an outdoor classroom, meeting space for student clubs and organizations or just a place to hang out. The multipurpose area allows students to connect, collaborate and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

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In the fall of 2019, UPIKE announced the addition of the College of Nursing and Human Services. The new college is home to both the Elliott School of Nursing and the School of Social Work.

Nursing and social work share many commonalities with both careers having missions driven for social change in a very physical discipline with extensive field work. Pairing the similar fields of study will continue to strengthen their common goals of improving the quality of life for the communities in which they serve.

“For many years now, the social work program has been growing and our graduates have been making a difference in communities across the nation,” said Associate Professor of Social Work and Chair of the School of Social Work Genesia Kilgore-Bowling, Ph.D. “The impact is undeniable and immeasurable, but we can do more.”

With both programs on a steady incline in recent years, the new college will soon offer a master’s degree in social work and will begin classes in fall 2020.

“We are growing,” said Dean of the College of Nursing and Human Services Karen Damron.

“The school of nursing just enrolled its second expanded class and currently has 108 students in the associate degree program. We have 17 full-time RNs completing their bachelor’s degree in our online RN to BSN program and the social work program is adding a new online master’s degree in fall 2020!”

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

Campus News UPIKE receives $750K HRSA grant to fund Master of Social Work program In August 2019, the University of Pikeville was awarded a $750,000 competitive Opioid Workforce Expansion Program grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This grant will assist the new Master of Social Work (MSW) program in recruiting and training new highly skilled social work professionals to improve the behavioral health workforce in Central Appalachia.

UPIKE’s MSW will contribute to the opioid workforce expansion program by increasing the number of professionals trained to transform integrated behavioral health and primary care teams, as well as to effectively prevent and treat substance abuse in communitybased practices. The grant will aid the MSW program with student recruitment, personnel attainment, professional development, stipends for students and other key functions.

“We are grateful that HRSA invested in our Master of Social Work program in such a significant way,” said UPIKE President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “This investment will benefit the entire region by expanding the number of social work professionals trained in Appalachia with the skills needed to address the problems we all face together.”

Goals of the grant-funded project include, but are not limited to, placing a significant percentage of students in training areas with high levels of opioid/substance abuse disorder and having 75 percent of graduates employed in high-need areas.

UPIKE’s MSW is a 12-month program and will welcome its inaugural class in the fall of 2020.

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $750,000 with no percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

UPIKE faculty member Genesia Kilgore-Bowling (pictured above at left) served as principle investigator on a competitive grant to implement a Master of Social Work program at the university. Kilgore-Bowling serves as Chair of the School of Social Work and MSW Program Director.

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KYCOM White Coat Ceremony

UPIKE-KYCOM formally welcomed the Class of 2023 during a traditional White Coat Ceremony on September 14. White coat ceremonies are rites of passage for beginning medical students. The ritual encourages a psychological contract that emphasizes professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine and focuses on the importance of both scientific excellence and compassionate care for the patient.

Click here for photos from KYCOM's White Coat Ceremony

KYCO Class of 2023

Gives Back

The class of 2023 has set a record level among students in the college. A remarkable 71 percent of KYCO’s newest students chose to make a financial gift to the university. The yearly gift from students at KYCO has evolved into a tradition of giving that helps to advance the UPIKE mission.

“Growing up, I have always been taught that your greatness is not what you have, but what you give,” said Alyssa Miller, KYCO class of 2023. “After only a few short weeks of being in Pikeville and a student at KYCO, I already feel like the university has given me so much. I was joyful to return a small financial initiative that will continue to help my class or future classmates be successful.”

The class of 64 students from 24 different states is forming a legacy of leadership that will continue to grow with each new class.

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

Opening Convocation with Jared Arnett

SOAR Executive Director “Do not make decisions out of fear of failure. If you are comfortable, you are not growing.”

These words of advice for young college students was delivered by keynote speaker Jared Arnett, founding executive director for Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR) and UPIKE alumnus, during the 2019 opening convocation ceremony.

Arnett focused his comments on the topics of opportunity, failure and the importance of a positive attitude when making decisions for the future.

Growing up in Salyersville, Ky., Arnett remembers beginning life as a college student and nervously stepping onto the campus of then Pikeville College, unaware that one day he would own his own business, be the CEO of the largest chamber of commerce in Eastern Kentucky, work for a governor, pastor a church or end up marrying the girl who sat beside him during his first college class.

Continuing to be pushed from his comfort zone, Arnett adds, “I have failed, it wasn’t fatal. I’ve had success, and it’s not final.”

B A I R D FA M I LY S E RV I C E AWA R D R E C I P I E N T

Eula Hall

Arnett values the opportunity he was given to attend Pikeville College (UPIKE) and recognizes those mentors who impacted and invested in him along the way. His faith taught him to believe that he plans his course, but God directs his steps.

Success for Arnett does not depend on titles, salaries or homes.

Success is about making a difference. Arnett’s ideology led him to pursue becoming a pastor, to preach the gospel of God’s love and to seek His purpose.

“Seeing people find hope in their hopeless situations and caring more about their neighbors than themselves is a success,” said Arnett. “My agenda has been to serve.”

Presently, Arnett is moving the blueprint for the future of Appalachia forward with SOAR to ensure the regionʼs plan for the future.

“To be a difference-maker, no matter how small or large, make it a priority to serve,” said Arnett. “Help those around you and you will find success.”

President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., honored Pike County native Eula Hall with the Baird Family Service Award. The award was instituted in 2019 to honor those who have devoted their lives to the service of others.

Hall has dedicated 70 years of her experience to meeting health and social needs, removing barriers to healthcare and giving people of Eastern Kentucky a voice.

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Faculty News Following a national search, Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D., has been named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of Pikeville.

She assumed her role on July 20 and succeeds Tom Hess, Ph.D., who returned to the classroom in August to continue his passion for teaching UPIKE chemistry students.

Dugan obtained her doctoral degree in political science from the University of California Riverside and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles. Her dissertation, which focused on agricultural policies and tobacco farming in Cuba, reflects a deep interest in social movements and democracy.

Dugan has written on shifts in international humanitarian law since September 2001 and presented her work at professional conferences, including with student coauthors as well as local civic groups.

With a passion for teaching, Dugan began a nearly 20-year career teaching courses in international law, human rights and global issues.

Serving as chair of global studies at Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Women’s College) from 1997-2016, Dugan worked with colleagues, alumni, students and donors to strengthen global and intercultural programming.

A proponent of applied learning, she led a student delegation to the National Model United Nations conference in New York each spring, where students grappled with many of the world’s most pressing issues, an experience she considers to be one of the highlights of her teaching career.

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spanning Virginia to Texas.

Her experiences demonstrate the importance of partnerships to foster innovation, inclusive excellence and professional networks.

She is eager to help advance collaboration to enhance arts and sciences programming, professional development and student success at UPIKE, including through the university’s membership in the Appalachian College Association.

Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Recognized for her teaching, research and mentoring, Dugan received Randolph College’s award for bringing outstanding distinction to the college in 2008 and for distinguished teaching in 2007.

She served as an American Council on Education Fellow from 2009 to 2010 and is a strong supporter of professional development for faculty and staff. Dedicated to shared governance at Randolph College, Dugan served on a range of committees, including the Academic Personnel Committee, the Faculty Representative Committee and the student-run Judiciary Committee.

Dugan served as director of faculty programs at the Associated Colleges of the South, a consortium of 16 private liberal arts colleges

UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

“I am overjoyed to have joined the UPIKE family,” said Dugan.

“The dedication of faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, the university leadership team and the Pikeville community combine to make this a truly wonderful opportunity. My husband and I look forward to making our home in Pikeville.

I couldn’t be more ready to serve CAS and play a part in the campus community.”

UPIKE looks forward to Dugan’s leadership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jennifer Dugan to the UPIKE family,” said Lori Werth, Ph.D., provost. “Dr. Dugan’s experience within the liberal arts, faculty development and her perspective on global studies have positioned her to lead the College of Arts and Sciences at UPIKE.”

Dugan is married to John Wood, an architect, and has two adult daughters and extended family who live in southwest Virginia and North Carolina.

After a chance search on LinkedIn connected Mary Johnson, Ph.D., with former colleague and Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) Dean Dana Shaffer, D.O., FACOFP, dist., FAOGME, she knew the opportunity to become associate dean at the institution was one she was confident in pursuing. The now proud KYCOM faculty member is grateful to be helping future physicians find their path at the missioncentered medical school.

“Dr. Mary Johnson brings years of medical education expertise to KYCOM,” said Shaffer. “As we continue to enhance our curriculum to provide KYCOM students with a world-class medical education, we are very fortunate to have someone with Dr. Johnson’s medical education credentials join the KYCOM team.”

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Johnson completed her undergraduate training at the University of Oklahoma in zoology. It was in her undergraduate studies that two professors propelled her into a future career in medical training.

“Dr. Mary Whitmore and Dr. Frank Seto were inspirations to me,” remembered Johnson. “Those two professors really got me started on the path to where I am today – teaching science to doctoral students. It’s a balance to keep advanced students interested, but also make sure they learn the material thoroughly.”

“I have served at several ‘mission schools,’” said Johnson. “KYCOM is the truest to the mission of any school that I have known. The mission to ‘bring students back to practice in the mountains’ is a worthy goal and KYCOM has a remarkable statistic of 41 percent of all students returning to Appalachia to practice medicine once their training is complete.”

In addition to KYCOM’s servicedriven mission, Johnson says what KYCOM does for its students with the advantage program should be replicated at other institutions.

Bundling books, medical supplies and professional memberships into one package for students is one of the many ways the program has set itself apart.

Mary Johnson, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine After graduation, Johnson worked in a rheumatology laboratory while studying for her master’s degree in immunology at the University of Oklahoma. She later received her doctorate in life sciences from Indiana State University.

Her first teaching position was with Indiana University School of Medicine, but it was during her first position in program administration where Johnson knew she’d found something special.

Upon beginning her new appointment, Johnson quickly noticed the warm and family-like community of the region shining through her UPIKE and KYCOM colleagues.

“KYCOM’s D.O. program has a wonderful lineup and I’m honored to be a part of it now,” said Johnson. “The faculty at KYCOM are highly committed to providing the best training possible for our students. I am happy to be a part of the program here in Eastern Kentucky.”

After serving at five medical schools throughout her career, Johnson says there’s something particularly rare found at KYCOM.

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Storytelling to find common ground As the Director of Experiential Learning, Professor of English and Faculty Chair for the Humanities Division, Dr. Hannah Freeman takes a special interest in incorporating innovative pedagogy into her classes.

After hearing of Narrative 4 (N4) from a colleague, she was determined to implement its principles of storytelling to break down barriers among students and teach empathy.

When creating a course for the fall of 2014, for both English majors and international students, she found an opportunity to adapt N4’s movement for UPIKE. In the course, Freeman says, students were asked to “make connections between the real-world and course content.”

Students from diverse backgrounds with seemingly minimal commonalities discussed moments of cultural assimilation and conflict, participating in reflective writing and discussions. Freeman used storytelling for her students to find common ground and feel empathy for one another.

Although it was difficult for students to begin the process of sharing personal stories and experiences, by the end of the course several began friendships outside of the classroom.

Freeman’s essay on this course will appear in the summer/fall 2018 issue of College English Association Forum Journal, available in November 2019.

HANNAH FREEMAN Director of Experiential Learning and Professor of English

WELCOME New Faculty DON COMBS

Assistant Professor of Business

BANG HUANG

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

SAMANTHA MYERS Assistant Professor of Optometry

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

RYAN KERN

Assistant Professor of Optometry

IAN PIMIENTA

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

CLARKE LEICHTE Assistant Professor of Business

CARLA VANDERBILT Assistant Professor of Biology

The Heart of a Bear Whether they were providing eyeglasses in Mexico, helping with repairs for a church in Guatemala or volunteering with Remote Area Medical in Hazard, Ky., University of Pikeville students of all types spent their summer striving to serve.

A team of nine students and two faculty members from the UPIKE-Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) traveled nearly 2,000 miles to Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The group spent the week providing free eye care to many underserved patients.

KYCO student Nitya Murthy volunteered at a OneSight clinic in Mexico before embarking on her fourth-year externship. The group was able to help 3,624 patients in five days.

The UPIKE-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) also traveled thousands of miles to the Dominican Republic where they provided healthcare to more than 1,000 patients. In addition to medical care, each patient received a bag with children’s toys, toothbrushes, soap and other items that were donated by KYCOM, KYCO and community members.

Shauna Combs, a medical student who served on the trip, said it’s service opportunities like this that affirmed her decision to pursue her medical degree at KYCOM.

“This experience was an amazing culmination of my first year of medical school,” said Combs. “One of the reasons I chose to pursue osteopathic medicine and to train at KYCOM is their focus on the whole person and the ideal of always putting the humanity of the patient first. This mission trip embodied those principles to the fullest extent. I learned so much about medicine, culture, my fellow classmates and myself.”

UPIKE’s undergraduate students and faculty made the journey to Guatemala City, Guatemala, where they assisted a church to build a new roof, hosted a successful Bible school program and delivered food to homes throughout the community. For sophomore Abby Keeton, the experience left her with a heart of gratitude and memories that will last forever.

UPIKE’s first-year students began their semester with a similar focus during their annual service day.

Student groups, led by volunteers, served at more than 20 sites in three states.

With an abundance of service opportunities to participate in, students at UPIKE served in their communities and abroad in more ways than listed.

With a mission and vision centered on giving, the university strives to enrich the lives of its students so they graduate prepared to succeed with a heart eager to serve.

of Service 2019

100+ STUDENTS

participated in a summer service trip or project this year.

5 COUNTRIES were served this summer by students and faculty.

3,000+ PATIENTS received needed medical care.

1 BEAR FAMILY

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of Service The heart of a BEAR...

UPIKE undergraduate students visited Guatemala to help a local church with needed construction and a Bible school program.

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UPIKE MAGAZINE

During KYCOM’s annual mission trip, students provided healthcare to more than 1,000 people in the Batey Community of the Dominican Republic.

Before beginning her fourth-year externship, KYCO’s Nitya Murthy traveled to Mexico to volunteer at a OneSight clinic sponsored by Luxottica.

They helped 3,624 patients in five days.

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GOING FOR GOLD

BE BOLD ...

if you want to receive the success you are looking for, work hard. You must dig deeper than you believe you can to achieve your goals.

- Anna Scarbrough

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

U

niversity of Pikeville (UPIKE) freshman Anna Scarbrough recently took her archery skills to the international arena and competed on Team USA at the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid, Spain.

Scarbrough’s love for archery began during childhood, in Arnoldsville, Ga., after she joined the archery 4-H program. She spent countless hours practicing and developing her skills, which lead her to start competing at age 13.

“Once I got started, I immediately fell in love with the sport,” said Scarbrough. “I love the feeling of shooting the bow and having the arrow go exactly where I aimed it.”

Anna’s mother, Joy Scarbrough, has always taken her to tournaments and has gained an appreciation for the sport over the last six years. “I saw Anna’s potential in the sport at a very young age,” said Joy. “She is really good at it.”

Scarbrough’s drive and determination helped her to advance into higher levels of competition.

When visiting colleges and choosing where to enroll, UPIKE was the most suitable fit for Scarbrough, and she immediately joined the university’s archery team. “I am very excited to be a part of the archery team at UPIKE,” said Scarbrough.

“Everyone on the team is friendly and supportive.”

Head Coach Shane Hurt is pleased Scarbrough chose UPIKE to further her education as well as her archery career. Hurt said he immediately recognized her tremendous talent and outstanding work ethic.

“Anna is a terrific asset to UPIKE archery. She is very competitive and wants to win,” said Hurt. “I am looking forward to big things from her and the rest of our team in the future.”

This year, she has received first place in the Junior Olympic Archery Development, Outdoor National Championships and the Southern California Showdown event of the U.S. Team Trials for the World Archery Youth Championships. She also received third place in the

Outdoor World Youth Team Trials and the 2019 Gator Cup, among other awards.

Scarbrough was named to Team USA’s Women’s Compound Team for the World Archery Youth Championship in June 2019 and traveled to Madrid to compete. Team USA’s squad featured incredible depth and talent and competed against other young archers from around the globe.

Scarbrough was one of three female Americans who competed in the junior women’s category during the championships against archers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, India, Italy, Russia and Spain.

During the top-10 qualifiers, Scarbrough and her USA compound teammates, Savannah Vanderwier and Alexis Ruiz, were solid in first place, advancing them to the final round.

“It’s a situation where there is more pressure,” said Scarbrough.

“I find it easier having the support of a team while on stage competing.”

The USA trio caught the lines they needed against Russia in the final round, clinching the win for the gold medal.

“The World Youth Championships was an amazing experience,” added Scarbrough. “Madrid was beautiful, but the best parts are the friends and memories I have made along the way.”

Beyond her interest in archery, Scarbrough has an even broader path for her future. She plans to major in accounting while at UPIKE and aspires to combine her archery career with money management to begin an archery organization.

Scarbrough believes to be successful you must be persistent and see yourself as the person you want others to see.

“Be bold,” said Scarbrough. “If you want to receive the success you are looking for, work hard. You must dig deeper than you believe you can to achieve your goals.”

by stacey walters

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KYCOM

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) Alumni Association seeks to reach, inspire, serve, engage and build friendships with their medical alumni.

KYCOM’s alumni association had a busy fall semester, hosting several social gatherings and making memories with former classmates and their families. Many reconnected and traveled to the greater Cincinnati area and visited the Cincinnati Zoo, while others attended the 2019 fall meet at the national historic landmark, Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, Ky.

Numerous alumni and friends, including Dean of KYCOM Dr. Dana Shaffer, Provost Dr. Lori Werth, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Dr. Joshua Crum and Vice President of Advancement David Hutchens, gathered at these events and shared stories of both personal and professional accomplishments.

KYCOM graduates, Drs. Jeremy and Kelli Keller ’13, appreciate that the events are family-oriented for their three children Anne (5), Ella (3) and Jude (1).

“We really enjoyed the Cincinnati Zoo event,” said Keller.

“It was very nice to meet and visit with the new dean and meet other KYCOM graduates.”

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KYCOM alum, Leann Cooper ’14, appreciated the Keeneland event and is honored to be a KYCOM graduate.

“I’ve made lifelong friends while attending KYCOM and I am thankful for the opportunity to spend more time with them,” said Cooper. “Once a student, then a resident and now as attending, we always have and will continue to support each other. They are my family.”

The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine has graduated more than 1,400 osteopathic physicians since the inaugural class graduated in 2001.

Since taking on the position of dean in July 2018, Dr. Shaffer has worked with the university administration to build KYCOM alumni relations.

“Over the past year, with the hiring of a professional school director of alumni relations, we are reconnecting with our alumni base through communications and alumni events,” said Shaffer. “Alumni can, and should be, not only proud of their alma mater, but a resource to support the college and especially the students enrolled in college today and into the future.”

The University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association seeks to reach, inspire, serve, engage and build friendships with their medical alumni.

Senior Director of Advancement Courtney Justice encourages individuals to stay involved with their medical alma mater and celebrate excellence, diversity and collegiality.

“As we continue to have events and make connections with our alumni, many of them have commented on how excited they are to be back in touch with their alma mater,” added Justice. “Sometimes, all it takes is a simple gesture to remind them how important they are, not only to KYCOM’s history, but also to our future.”

“One of the alumni association’s goals is to establish scholarships for incoming KYCOM students,” said Justice.

“Doing this will allow KYCOM to educate the best and brightest students who will one day become assets to our medical community.”

GET CONNECTED CONTACT

FOLLOW

UPDATE

If you’re interested in becoming more involved in the alumni association, contact Courtney Justice, Senior Director of Advancement, at (606) 218-5274 or CourtneyJustice@upike.edu.

Follow KYCOM Alumni Association on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events.

Update your information at upike.edu/alumni/ alumni-update/ so you won’t miss announcements about upcoming alumni events, CME opportunities and major announcements.

@kycom.alumni.association @kycomalumni

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I love my home, and I had always dreamed of working here and doing my best to give back to the community that has given me everything. For a long time that dream seemed as though it would never become a reality, but with the opportunities and scholarship support I found at UPIKE, my wishes became more than a dream. They became possible.

Maddie Smith / Belfry, Ky.

Your support helps UPIKE fulfill its purpose and change lives for the better.

Why should you consider giving to UPIKE? Your gift, along with the donations of others, equips students for their future while helping inspire a lifelong passion for learning and a desire to serve others. Your support is more than a temporary gift; it’s a legacy that invests in the future entrepreneurs, physicians, teachers and leaders of Central Appalachia and beyond.

Your Gift Matters UPIKE offers several convenient and secure ways to support our students and our mission. It takes gifts and support of all kinds to create a strong learning and living environment for students.

Each gift matters. Every gift makes a vital difference in students’ lives. You can easily make your contribution to UPIKE by choosing any of the following giving options.

• Online UPIKE accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. Visit www.upike.edu/giving for more information.

• Stock Gifts of appreciated stocks allow you to make a substantial contribution to the university. You will receive a tax deduction based on the average value of the stock on the date of the gift.

• Telephone Call (606) 218-5276 to make a gift over the phone.

• Mail Make all checks payable to University of Pikeville and list your designation in the memo line. Mail to 147 Sycamore St., Pikeville, Ky., 41501.

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34%

of gifts* came from alumni

70%

of gifts* were $100 or less

*Fiscal Year 2019 Click here to make a donation

1889 Pikeville College admitted its first college freshman class in 1916.

The University of Pikeville was established in 1889 as an outreach of the Presbyterian Church after an extensive survey of the religious and educational needs of Eastern Kentucky.

September 16, 1889, was the first day of class at Pikeville Collegiate Institute, located in a four-room brick building situated on three acres of land in Pikeville, Ky. It functioned as both school and church. The institute was not originally intended to confer degrees, but to give “good practical education to those persons who pursue its courses.” At that time, the institute offered schoolwork in primary, preparatory and “college” departments with enrollment of 125 students and tuition cost of $8.

1955

The final two years of college were added in 1955, and the first baccalaureate graduation was held in 1957, a year that also marked the closing of the Pikeville Collegiate Academy.

The Pikeville College Board of Trustees authorized creation of the institution’s first master’s degree program, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), in February 2011. At that time, the board acknowledged that the college, by definition of the programs it offered, was a university. On July 1, 2011, Pikeville College officially became the University of Pikeville, also known as UPIKE.

1909

In 1909, the structure of the school changed, and the articles of incorporation were amended to make Pikeville College a chartered college, empowered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to offer four years of college work and confer baccalaureate degrees. The school maintained its commitment to primary and secondary education in the region by sustaining the Pikeville Collegiate Academy for grades 1-12.

On September 8, 1997, Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine opened its doors as the 19th osteopathic medical school in the country. The school was the dream of Paintsville attorney G. Chad Perry III, a visionary whose generosity and perseverance paved the way for a new generation of doctors to provide primary care in medically underserved areas in Eastern Kentucky and Appalachia.

The first medical students at Pikeville College received their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees on May 12, 2001.

2001

The Coal Building, a $34 million educational facility housing the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, opened in fall 2012. As part of the plan for growth, the university was reorganized in fall 2013 into three colleges; the College of Arts and Sciences, the Coleman College of Business and the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM).

2016

The Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) enrolled its first class on August 1, 2016, as the 22nd college of optometry in the nation. The Health Professions Education Building opened in March 2017, a facility that houses KYCO and the College of Nursing and Human Services.

KYCO is the fourth college under the University of Pikeville banner and reflects the institution’s mission of service and strategic initiatives.

2013

UPIKE began a tradition known as The Climb in 2016. During The Climb each August, President Webb and Provost Lori Werth lead first-year students on a track up the iconic 99 steps on campus. As they climb the last step, students receive a warm welcome from alumni, faculty and other members of the UPIKE family. In May 2020, the first group of students will descend the 99 steps on graduation day, marking their transition from college to the next chapter of their lives.

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H O M E CO M I N G 2019

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Family, friends and alumni of UPIKE traveled from across the country to Click here for celebrate Homecoming 2019. The Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame, photos from Athletics Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards recognized individuals who Homecoming embody the UPIKE spirit of service and excellence. Current students celebrated the spirit of UPIKE with traditions such as the Founders’ Day Picnic on the Plaza and Lighting of the Campus. Homecoming Week concluded with a family bash and tailgate before the homecoming football game and a family worship service and brunch on Sunday.

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ALUMNI AWARDS The University of Pikeville’s 2019 Alumni Awards for distinguished, rising and honorary alumni were presented during the Homecoming football game.

Along with the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, the UPIKE Alumni Association enhances student life, fosters university pride and creates community engagement.

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD Perry Allen

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Ken Stiltner ’01

A 2001 graduate of Pikeville College, Ken Stiltner continued his education at East Carolina University where he earned his master’s degree in industrial/ organizational psychology.

Stiltner has spent the last 14 years with the Kellogg Company in various roles in human resources. He is currently the senior director of human resources and labor relations for Kellogg North American Supply Chain. He lives in Kalamazoo, Mich., with his wife Amanda Stiltner, also a Pikeville College alum, and son, Collin.

RISING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD Drs. Stacy and Jason Hunt

Drs. Stacy and Jason Hunt grew up in Pike County, Ky., and graduated from Pikeville College and Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM).

Stacy graduated from PCSOM in 2003 and completed her residency at the University of Kentucky East Kentucky Family Medicine Residency Program in Hazard, Ky. Prior to attending PCSOM, Jason worked as an admissions counselor for Pikeville College. He graduated from PCSOM in 2005 and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla.

They reside in Tampa, Fla. Stacy practices family medicine and Jason owns OrthoLinks, an orthopedic surgery/sports medicine practice. They have one daughter, Jayla, and one son, Jax. 22

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A native of Eastern Kentucky, Perry P. Allen has worked for U.S. Bank for 35 years. Since 2013, Allen has been a regional president of the bank, serving Central, Northern and Eastern Kentucky’s 36 banks and 230 employees in 17 counties, including Pike and Floyd.

Noting that he has been fortunate to develop relationships throughout the state, Allen’s active community involvement includes serving on boards for Leadership Kentucky, Bluegrass Council of Boy Scouts of America and the Pikeville Chamber of Commerce. He is also involved with REACH, a non-profit affordable housing provider.

Allen lives in Lexington with his wife Robin. They have four daughters, one granddaughter and one grandson.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD Joel Thornbury

Joel Thornbury is a thirdgeneration pharmacist. He and his family have provided valuable access to medical care for Eastern Kentucky communities for more than 50 years. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and past president of both the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy and the Kentucky Pharmacists’ Association.

Actively involved in our community, Thornbury is a member of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also serves on many committees for the City of Pikeville. The Chamber selected him in 2011 as Small Businessman of the Year, and in 2015, he was selected Pharmacist of the Year in Kentucky. In his spare time, Thornbury enjoys running, golfing, cooking, inspiring others to achieve their goals and spending time with his family. He happily married his college sweetheart, Sandy, who is also a pharmacist, 26 years ago. They have two daughters, Phoebe, who is presently a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in elementary education and Jade, who is a freshman at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Kinesiology. He and his family are strong supporters both financially and through volunteerism of Bear Nation.

From left to right: Parents of Vance Cooksey, Jeff Jones, Krista Kouns, Tracy Miller, Anson Cunningham and Joshua "Scotty" Samarco.

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

2005 Football Team

The 2005 Pikeville College football team made history as the first team to make the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs. Led by quarterback Chip English and running back Calvin Joplin, the Bears used a high-scoring offense and defense that lived in opposing backfields to wear teams down.

Pikeville finished with a 7-2 regular season record, with the only two losses coming against two top-10 opponents by a combined three points.

Vance Cooksey ’11 BASKETBALL

A member of the 2011 NAIA National Championship team, Vance Cooksey proved himself as one of the best point guards to ever play at Pikeville. He was an NAIA All-American selection in 2011, and was in the top two in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) in points per game (18.7), assists per game (5.1) and steals per game (2.2). In addition to the national title, he also led the 2011 team to a then-program record 30-win season. He later went on to play professionally in the NBA D-League and multiple spots overseas.

Anson Cunningham ’12 F O OT B A L L Anson Cunningham had an illustrious four years at Pikeville from 2007-2010,

ending up tied for second in career tackles with 273. He was an All MidSouth Conference selection his senior season and was a three-time defensive Player of the Week. Cunningham arguably had his best game as a sophomore when he had 16 total tackles against Campbellsville.

Jeff Jones ’97 BASEBALL

Jeff Jones was one of the most feared offensive players in his time at Pikeville College. He was a two-time First Team All-KIAC member in 1996 and 1997 and was also named to the NAIA AllRegion team both years. Jones played multiple positions on the field and was the only KIAC player to finish in the top ten of every offensive category in 1996.

Krista Kouns ’09 SOFTBALL

Krista Kouns was a four-year starter at Pikeville College, splitting time between shortstop and third base. She earned All-MSC honors each of her four years, including First Team All-Conference honors her final three. Kouns was a force on offense, and surehanded on defense. She was in the top ten of the conference in batting average three out of four years and finished her career with 120 RBIs. Click here to watch the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Tracy Miller ’06 BOWLING

A member of the 2004 USBC Intercollegiate National Championship Team, Tracy Miller was an NCBCA AllAmerican her senior season and was the programʼs fourth All-American in its then infancy. Across her career, she had six top-five individual finishes and averaged a score of 186.

Joshua “Scotty” Samarco ’10 BASKETBALL

Joshua “Scotty” Samarco was a force in his two years at Pikeville College, including putting together one of the best individual seasons ever in 200809. Samarco was named an NAIA All-American in 2009 after scoring an MSC-leading 20.4 points per game, while shooting 47.8 percent from three and 88.7 percent from the free-throw stripe. He had one of the most memorable individual games in program history when he scored 41 points to upset rival Georgetown at home.

Inductees were honored at the Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony during UPIKE’s Homecoming Week. Honorary inductees Brad Marcum, Kenny Schmidt and Chris Smith were also recognized.

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Because of Ron

During a 29-year career at UPIKE, Ron Damron, who retired this summer, served the campus community as dean of students, athletic director, bowling coach, director of planned giving, mentor and friend. by michelle goff

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“I’m here today because of Ron Damron.”

Jody Johnson, D.O., (’96, KYCOM ’01) makes this pronouncement while on UPIKE’s campus to attend a meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Johnson, a board member since 2011, remembers the day more than a quarter century earlier when he went to Damron’s office to tell him he was leaving Pikeville College.

“I went to Ron and told him that, due to my family’s financial situation, I was going to have to transfer to another college. Ron said, ‘Let’s see what we can do.’ They restructured my scholarship so that the part for room and board could be applied toward tuition. That meant I could commute and stay in school.”

Johnson would remain at Pikeville and later become a member of the first class of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and a proud ambassador for his alma mater.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” Johnson says while gesturing to his surroundings, “I wouldn’t bleed orange, if not for Ron Damron.”

Johnson is not alone. During his impressive 29-year career at UPIKE, which included stints as dean of students, athletic director, men’s and women’s bowling coach and director of planned giving, Damron, who retired this summer, served as mentor, role model and friend to hundreds of students, coaches and staff members.

Damron was a vice president of Citizens Bank when Bill Owens, UPIKE president from 1985 to 1997, recruited him to come work at the college.

Damron had spent seven years teaching in Pike County schools and felt called to return to the education field. As for Owens, he describes Damron as “someone I could depend on. He seemed to have the personality needed for the job. The person in that position would be dealing with a variety of people and would need to be understanding and open-minded.”

According to those who worked and played for him, Damron definitely possesses those traits.

Britta Gibson, who served as assistant dean of student services from 2007 to 2013, says, “Ron was good about teaching me not to jump to conclusions. He would caution that maybe there was more to the story and he would give students – and employees – a chance to tell their story without judging them.”

“He took me under his wing,” says Fallon Tallman, who played on the women’s bowling team from 2012 to 2015. “We had tough conversations, and he was never judgmental.”

“He never gave up on students, but he also never gave up on coaches,” says UPIKE men’s basketball coach and athletic director Kelly Wells. “He tried to figure out how to resolve and change behavior instead of giving up on the person. I don’t think he has the give-up feature in him. “ Damron was no pushover, though.

“Ron believes in second chances, he believes in the good in everybody, but you can’t cross him,” notes John Biery, assistant vice president of student services from 2003 to 2008. “When he told the students something, they had to listen. If he said, ‘If you miss two more classes, you’re out,’ and you missed those classes, you were out. He was fair, though, and everything he did was for the college, the kids and the community.”

Damron supervised Harriet Blanton, director of UPIKE’s TRiO program ACE, for more than a decade.

“I found Ron to be super good at all aspects of the job. When you walked into the room with a problem, he knew how to solve it,” Blanton recalls.

“You usually walked away from his office with a solution or with the knowledge that a solution was on the way.”

“I’ve always said, if you want to get something done, call Ron Damron,” says Kyle Wilson, who has been UPIKE men’s bowling coach since 2005. “He would find a way to help me, to help the players, to help the students.”

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WINNING WITH CHARACTER Wilson and Damron’s 20-year friendship and professional relationship began when Damron started taking his daughter LaDeanna to bowling tournaments Wilson organized in Ohio.

“We got to know lots of good bowlers at all these tournaments we were going to, and we learned they were going to colleges that offered bowling,” Damron says. “I started asking parents, ‘If we start a bowling program, would you consider going to Pikeville?’ A lot of them said yes.”

Under the direction of then-president Hal Smith, the early 2000s saw the return of women’s golf and the addition of the football and bowling programs. During those early years, Damron coached the men’s and women’s teams. LaDeanna Damron, in 2004, was part of the program’s first national Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) United States Bowling Congress (USBC) championship.

“There was no difference between him as a coach and a dad,” LaDeanna Damron says of her father. “He’s very true to himself and the way he acted around me, the way he disciplined me, wasn’t different from the way he acted around the other players and how he disciplined them.

That’s why they think of him as a father figure.”

Kayla Bandy, a two-time USBC player of the year and member of the 2008 USBC collegiate national championship team, says, “One Thanksgiving, we were on our way to a tournament and he handed me his phone. He would say call this person and that person.

He was calling his alumni and wishing them Happy Thanksgiving. That’s who he is.”

The players also thought of Damron’s wife Shella as the team mom. Shella Damron went on the road with the team, dispensing snacks, prayers and Tylenol.

“Ron couldn’t have done it without his family,” Smith says. “Together, they created a family-like atmosphere with the bowling team.”

“His family are some of the most understanding people.

He would come to work early and then go to practice until nine o’clock, three nights a week. And then we had tournaments on weekends,” Tallman says.

“The teams would not have been as successful and I could not have done all that I’ve done without the support of my family. Shella was a trouper,” Damron adds.

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Whether he was coaching at a bowling tournament, advising an employee or fundraising for the university, Damron was committed to helping students achieve success in and out of the classroom.

USBC National Coach of the Year in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2015. What’s more, he coached each of his teams to the USBC national tournament (2001-2015) and every student-athlete who played for him for four years won a championship.

With characteristic humility, Damron praises others for the program’s success.

“The hardest part was always recruiting good people, but our first class set the tone,” he says. “(Winning) isn’t about coaching, though. You’ve got to know the sport, but the most important thing is having the buy in from the players. You have to mold everyone into one purpose.

Your students have to have good character. Winning was about a group that had the desire to be good. Sometimes, you’re put into a place where you’re successful no matter what you do.”

In 2008, Damron had no doubts his team would be successful.

“We drove a bus called Champion to the 2008 national tournament,” Bandy says while chuckling. “We didn’t know this, but Mr. D. had an ‘S’ made because he knew we would win. After we won, he called us together and added the ‘S’ to the word Champion on the bus.”

GIVING BACK Although he would remain women’s bowling coach until 2016, Damron stepped down as dean of students in 2014. At that time, he also shifted into a new role as director of planned giving.

David Hutchens, UPIKE vice president for advancement, says Damron was a natural fit for the job.

“Ron is an excellent listener and he has a way of putting people at ease. The first time you meet him, you feel like you’ve known him your entire life,” Hutchens says.

“Because of these attributes and Ron’s professionalism, planned giving set a giving record last year. The university – the students – will benefit from these fundraising efforts for years to come.”

In 2017, UPIKE hired Bobby Brown as women’s bowling coach. Brown immediately decided to honor Damron, who he knew from college bowling tournaments.

“When I got here, I wanted something to be tied to his name,” Brown says of the endowed undergraduate scholarship he started on Damron’s behalf. “Ron left the university, the athletic department and bowling with a part of him. He wore so many hats here and he always made those hats better. He’s about helping students, so it’s a way for us to keep Ron around forever while doing just that. Helping students.”

“I know so many students he took a chance on,” Gibson shares. “Maybe they weren’t going to go somewhere athletically, but he stayed on them and got them through college. He was great with parents, too. Families of first generation students who came to the office didn’t feel intimidated. He made them feel like they belonged. It was almost like they were coming home.”

A few years after graduating, Bandy worked for Damron as the director of residence life/coordinator of student activities. “We worked a lot of hours. Looking back, it was a testament to him. He expected us to go the extra mile and do the work for the students. They were like his own kids. He would expect people to do it for LaDeanna.”

Bandy, Gibson and others also describe Damron as a trusting supervisor who helped them grow professionally and personally.

“He has a way of bringing out the best in people, but sometimes you don’t realize it until later,” Blanton says.

“He taught me how to be a good human and he taught me to breathe, have patience and take a step back,” Bandy says.

“He let you do your job,” Wells recalls, “but he would ask, ‘Have you ever thought about doing it this way?’

You’d think it was your decision because he was leading you to the right decision. You couldn’t get him rattled or overwhelmed. I have the utmost respect for that.

You knew he was in control. That was one of the things I picked up from him. Try to stay calm and make an educated decision. He found the best version without making you feel you did something wrong. He’s what administering and coaching should look like.”

Wells continues, “He leaned on his faith. We can all learn from that.”

Noting her dad’s example of “the epitome of how a Christian should live,” LaDeanna Damron says, “The best lesson he’s taught me is that, no matter what you’re doing and where you’re at, be respectful so that no matter who finds out, you can be proud of the way you acted and what you did.”

Damron credits a higher power for his accomplishments at UPIKE. “I enjoyed every part of the university,” he says. “If I’ve been successful, it’s because God put me where I was supposed to be.”

Years after Jody Johnson had graduated first from college and then from medical school, he returned to UPIKE, this time as a member of the board of trustees. Spotting Damron at a meeting, he approached him, saying, “Let me tell you a story about you.”

Johnson then related the story of how Damron’s efforts led to him staying at Pikeville. “He didn’t remember because what he had done to help me was not an uncommon thing for him to have done. But it was uncommon for me. Ron wouldn’t take the credit, though.

He told me that he wasn’t the one who helped me, that the college [from donor support] helped me. But somebody had to say, ‘This kid is worth taking a chance on. Let’s find a way to keep him.’

“And that person was Ron Damron.”

The Ron R. Damron Endowed Scholarship was established by the UPIKE women’s bowling team in recognition of Ron’s service to students. Once fully funded, it will award bowling scholarships to UPIKE students. To give to this endowment, call the Office of Advancement at (606) 218-5276.

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GAINING CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

HOME AND ABROAD

The University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) upperclassmen are embarking on an extensive externship program. Students have three rotations per year: summer (13 weeks), fall (17 weeks) and spring (15 weeks). They started the fall rotation on Aug. 26 this year and will complete it Dec. 20.

“This is a unique class that took a risk on a brand-new school,” says Cliff Caudill, O.D., assistant dean of clinical affairs and associate professor of optometry. “They matriculated, knowing that it was a start-up and not established nor accredited yet, but our philosophy and program enabled us to get students who were ready to take the journey with us.”

Students had more than 26,000 patient encounters during the summer rotation at 51 different sites. These sites are all over the United States in various areas of interest including primary care, surgery, pediatrics and low vision.

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Students rotate within Veterans Administration facilities as well as I.H.S. (Indian Health Service) sites. UPIKE is currently in the process of setting up affiliations in Hawaii, Alaska and Germany.

“In our early clinical encounters, such as those in community health centers, patients are coming in who have more systemic problems in addition to eye problems, unlike other institutions where the focus is on younger, healthier patients,” said Caudill.

In their third year, students spend one day a week in clinics. By the fourth year, it is five days a week, significantly ramping up the volume of patients they see.

They go to a variety of public and private sites, including referral centers for secondary and tertiary care.

“We have hundreds of different sites,” said Caudill.

“So, there is a lot of variety for some area that they are

WELCOME CLASS OF 2023 Students in KYCO’s fourth incoming class are well on their way to setting the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.

The Class of 2023 is the product of some remarkable numbers. Sixty-four students selected were chosen from 772 total applicants.

Forty-three of the 64 students, nearly two-thirds of the entering class, consider themselves from rural backgrounds. This class includes 17 men and 47 women with an average age of 22.

Striving for excellence begins with inclusion in the student body. The students at KYCO represent many different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities, coming from 24 states across the country including: Kentucky (14), Tennessee (6), Indiana (4), Missouri (4), Ohio (4), Louisiana (3), Michigan (3), West Virginia (3); two each from Arkansas, Illinois, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia; one each from California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming. Within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, students represent the cities of Glasgow, Louisville, Neon, Pikeville, Clarkson, Hazard, Lexington, Winchester, Jenkins, London and Somerset. interested in, or which they may be weak in and want to do a specialty.” They may visit a one-to-two patient optometric practice in a rural area, or a referral center in an urban area for surgical care or go to a city such as Louisville or Lexington to get a taste of high volume, specialty ocular care.

Caudill emphasizes that the primary mission is to train optometrists in rural optometry to be part of the health care team beyond refractive care (for example, glasses for improving vision). The externships allow students to talk to patients about systemic problems.

“In rural settings, optometry may be one of the few contacts they have with the medical community. It is a medical model of optometry, providing more than just refractive care,” says Caudill, who has supervised clinical students for 13 years and came to KYCO for the opportunity to train students in advanced ocular therapeutics.

“The students from Kentucky are truly local students who grew up here and wanted to return and give back,” said Michael Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FNAP, dean of KYCO. “We have students from the Pikeville medical community following in the footsteps of their parents and other family members. One of our attractions to students from smaller hometown communities is it feels like home and they feel connections here.”

The class of 2023 shows every sign of being well prepared. As Bacigalupi puts it, “Our students continue to move the profession forward.”

by mark baggett

“Going out to where these patients are is the nature of our model. It is more of an outreach philosophy,” says Caudill.

“Our mission is to try to provide care for persons in the region and to train our students. Our students get a lot of patient encounters and it helps them learn what type of practice mode attracts them. Unlike most medical students, when optometrists get their licenses they don’t go to a required residency, they have to come out ready to practice.”

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Like Father, Like Son by mark baggett

Generations at the University of Pikeville reflect the university’s consistent mission, but also its everchanging future. UPIKE remains steadfast in the commitment of preparing students for the future while creating intellectual, cultural and economic opportunities for Appalachia.

Despite the remarkable progress Gary Justice has seen at UPIKE since he entered then-Pikeville College as a freshman in fall 1992, he says UPIKE’s mission remains the same as the one that attracted him. UPIKE recognizes the worth of each student, faculty member and staff member.

“I was a first-generation student and didn’t know where I was going to attend college.

Even though I was only a few minutes from campus, I didn’t know much about Pikeville College,” said Gary. “I chose it so that my father could see me play baseball, but also because of how at home I felt the first time I stepped on campus. It was a small school in a small community that cared about you. The professors wanted you to succeed.

You weren’t just a number to them. They were preparing me not just for my college experience, but for the rest of my life.”

Almost 30 years later, his feelings for UPIKE are echoed by his son, Kevin, a senior business administration major and baseball player, just like his dad. Kevin’s life intertwined with UPIKE from an early age, and Kevin thinks of it as a second home.

“I remember going to the basketball games with my father and brother Blake,” recalled Kevin. “We both loved to go with our dad, and the college just became a place where we really felt like a family.”

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Associate Professor of Business Brenda Maynard made a significant impact on Gary during his time on the hill, advising him to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales and helping him to develop the skill set to succeed.

He began working in pharmaceutical sales with Merck Pharmaceuticals (MP) after college. Gary continued his employment with MP for eight years. However, due to the company’s unfortunate downsizing in 2010, Justice found himself out of a job and unsure what the future held for himself and his family.

Asked to describe the success of UPIKE’s model, Gary says, “Two words, student-centric. Everything revolves around the student. It is truly centered on helping the individual student with what they want to achieve in life.”

He saw this first hand when he became UPIKE’s Director of Admissions in 2010.

“My sole job was to grow enrollment. I brought in a lot of my pharmaceutical sales experience, but instead of selling pharmaceuticals, I was selling UPIKE,” said Gary.

Gary set enrollment records at the university for five years in the admissions office and shortly finished his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at UPIKE in 2013. He graduated as the Outstanding Student in the MBA class of 2013 and is now an award-winning sales representative at Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical company.

Gary says the support from UPIKE has been an essential factor in his career success. “The offer from Amgen came out of the blue,” he said. “They made an offer I could not pass up. It was an opportunity to help patients and offices, and I could still support and raise money for UPIKE.” He received the 2018 Chairman’s Circle Award, finishing in the top two percent of sales in the entire country and also won Team Award/Team Excellence Award in 2017 and 2018.

Gary’s baseball legacy at UPIKE is equally impressive. He is a UPIKE Athletic Hall of Fame Member for his career from 1992-96, a two-time All-Conference selection and 1993 Pitcher of the Year, who upon graduation ranked in the top five for career wins, career-innings pitched, games started and innings pitched in one season.

“When I worked at the college,” he remembers, “We saw that a lot of the students, especially the athletes and others from out of state, missed their mother’s macaroni

and cheese. The school set up a ‘What’s Up Wednesday’ and had home-cooked food brought in. The university has always been genuinely dedicated to the students.”

Professors who mentor students beyond the classroom and who give hands-on career guidance is another UPIKE hallmark. Serving students extends to the staff and administration as well.

“They help find scholarships for you whatever your situation,” says Justice. “They will help you deal with stress and anxiety. People are in place to help you. They don’t wait for you to come to them, they come to you.”

In making his college choice, Kevin followed a familiar path at UPIKE, where generations of family members create a continuum of tradition. Kevin, who says he is known as “Gary’s son” on the baseball field, welcomed his father’s legacy.

“My dad has been a coach, official or unofficial, to me through T-ball, Little League, high school and here at UPIKE. He’s always been there for me in everything, and when the time came to go to college, I didn’t want to be away from him and my family. So, when offered a scholarship, I took it. I want to be able to live up to my father’s legacy here in Pikeville.”

Uniquely, Kevin has been on the fast track at UPIKE. He graduated from high school with two associate degrees in arts & sciences. At 16, graduating from high school with a 3.7 GPA, he enrolled as a full-time college student. He’s now 19, in his fourth year of college, “a sophomore on the baseball field, but a senior in the classroom.”

Gary is proud of UPIKE’s fundamental values, but he is equally proud of the progress of the institution. He has also seen significant growth in the university’s community involvement. Pikeville has always been part of UPIKE’s core, but he says, “UPIKE now is a community leader.”

Kevin’s career opportunities reflect UPIKE’s progress and expansion, but also its traditions. As much as he loves Pikeville, Kevin says he would like to explore and travel.

His double major in biology and business sets him up well to follow his father’s footsteps.

Gary marvels at the way UPIKE has helped mold his son’s character. “Kevin, in my eyes, is a remarkable young man. He’s a very caring young man, as shown by his Big Brother of the Year award. With his maturity and work ethic, he will be prepared for anything life throws at him.”

FALL/WINTER 2019 | UPIKE MAGAZINE

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A TIME TO

“My four years at UPIKE helped shape me into who I am today, both personally and professionally. These events allow me to reconnect with old friends and network with other alumni while continuing to foster UPIKE relations.”

- Tiffany Fannin ʼ09 Join the University of Pikeville Alumni Association at an upcoming event near you. Connect with fellow alumni in your area and learn about the exciting things happening at UPIKE. Contact Lisa Blackburn, Director of Alumni Relations, at (606) 218-5276 for more information on these events. To stay up-to-date on the latest alumni news, follow UPIKE Alumni on Facebook.

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

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S AVE TH E DATE I N 2 0 2 0 January 10

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Washington D.C. Northern Florida

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Ashland, Ky. Nashville, Tenn.

Greenville, S.C. Attorney Alumni Event Pikeville, Ky.

May 8

Branham-Justice UPIKE 32nd Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

Whitesburg, Ky. FALL/WINTER 2019 | UPIKE MAGAZINE

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Class Notes 1960s

Gene Davis ’63 just finished a two-year term as District President of the Big Sandy Kentucky Retired Teachers Association.

1990s

Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) has named Tim Hatfield ’92 the new community chief executive officer (CCEO) for the Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg, Ky. Twenty-one of his 23 years in healthcare have been spent in administrative positions with ARH. Most recently, Hatfield served as the CCEO for the Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center in South Williamson, Ky. In addition to Tug Valley ARH, he has also served as CCEO of Morgan County ARH Hospital and interim CEO for the former Man ARH Hospital.

He also previously served as Assistant Vice President for Pikeville Medical Center. For the past 14 years, he has been the lead with physician recruitment efforts for the ARH system. Hatfield and his wife, Joni, have two children, Haley, (15) and Carson (11).

Andrea Humphries ’97 was hired as the new assistant principal at Betsy Layne Elementary School in Kentucky. She has spent most of her 21 years as an educator in a high school English classroom where she taught all levels of English. Humphries says she is so thankful for the opportunity to work with the students and families of the Betsy Layne community. She and her husband Jason live in Pikeville with their 12-yearold sons, Cooper, Corbin and Cole.

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

Carrie Hamilton Lepore ’06 has joined Coldwell Banker McMahan, a regional real estate company serving Kentucky and Southern Indiana, in Georgetown, Ky.

2000s

Philip Leipprandt Jr., D.O., KYCOM ’07 was recently named Pikeville Medical Center’s (PMC) new chief of staff to the Board of Directors. He joined PMC in 2013 to its Gastroenterology Physician Practice. He will continue to practice medicine as he assists the board in overseeing the operations of PMC. Leipprandt completed his internship in internal medicine at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Fla. He completed his residency and fellowship in internal medicine at Largo Medical Center. He says it is his goal to provide fair, effective and reliable leadership. He specializes in capsule endoscopy, a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of the digestive tract, as opposed to the more invasive traditional endoscopy. He treats a wide variety of gastrointestinal diseases. Leipprandt resides in Pikeville with his wife Tabatha, a Pikeville native.

Jeremy Ratliff ’09 and Kristin Leah Bowens were married on October 17 at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort located on the Great Exuma Island of the Bahamas. Kristin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Radford University in 2009 and earned a Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2011.

Kristin works as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) at Appalachian Regional Healthcare. Jeremy graduated from Pikeville College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in communication. He is a Senior Dealer Success Consultant for AutoTrader & Cox Automotive. The couple resides in South Williamson, Ky.

Gregory Harris, D.O., KYCOM ’10 currently serves as the chair of the Bureau of Emerging Leaders and the New Physician in Practice Member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board of Trustees. He is an AOA board-certified osteopathic internist, hematologist and oncologist at the Harbin Clinic in Rome, Ga. Outside of the AOA, he is an active member of the osteopathic medical profession. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Osteopathic Association and the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology. He completed his residency training and his fellowship in hematology/ oncology at Michigan State University Genesys Regional Medical Center, where he served as chief resident and chief fellow. During his tenure at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Dr. Harris conducted several research studies.

2010s

Natalie Adams, D.O., KYCOM ’11 has completed a one-year family practice residency at The Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Ky., and a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, Va., where she received the Champion of Caring Award. Most recently, Adams has practiced obstetrics/gynecology at Pikeville Medical Center and served as an obstetrics/gynecology lecturer at UPIKE-KYCOM. Adams is currently practicing as an obstetrician/gynecologist at Highpoint Health and Highpoint Health Physician Partners in southeastern Indiana.

Aaron Lawrence, D.O., KYCOM ’11 completed his residency in emergency medicine at Central Michigan University in Saginaw, Mich., and has now joined Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Ark., as an emergency room physician.

Robert Monty Cline II, D.O.,’12 KYCOM ’16 completed his residency at Pikeville Medical Center’s (PMC) Family Medicine Residency Program and has joined PMC as a hospitalist. Cline and his wife have three children. They enjoy spending time as a family, working on their new home and gardening. In his spare time, he enjoys his long-time hobby of building computers and computer coding. He says working at PMC allows him to have a hand in developing the area for his children and to give back to a community that has always been in his heart.

Former UPIKE bowler Astrid Valiente Viñas ’13 won a bronze medal for the Dominican Republic in the Pan American Games. Viñas graduated from UPIKE with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication

and is married to Fidel Marchena ’12, who also graduated from UPIKE with a Bachelor of Business Administrations with an emphasis in accounting.

William A. Davis II, D.O., KYCOM ’13 completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Davis completed his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Louisville and is an active member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine. He has recently joined Baptist Health Medical Group as a Sports Medicine physician in its New Albany-based orthopedics practice. Although Dr. Davis specializes in sports medicine, he places a particular emphasis on concussion treatment, something new to healthcare in southern Indiana and a true benefit to student-athletes in the area.

Alice Higdon Wilham, D.O., KYCOM ’13 is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Surgeons, the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. She currently practices at Mercy Health – Paducah General Surgery in Paducah, Ky. She performed Lourdes Hospital’s first robotics general surgery case at the end of 2018. She has since performed more than 30 robotic general surgeries, from cholecystectomies to hernia repairs.

Amber Moss, D.O., KYCOM ’15 joined the Sedgwick County Health Center medical staff in Julesburg, Colo.

She is board certified and completed her residency at the University of Wyoming. She was a junior faculty of obstetrics/gynecology prior to moving to Julesburg. Dr. Moss and her husband have three children and together they enjoy hiking, biking and traveling.

Kerry Bellew, D.O., KYCOM ’16 completed his family medicine residency at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He has now joined the growing group of family medicine providers at Adena Chillicothe Family Physicians in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Kerry Gusler, D.O., KYCOM ’16 joined Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Medical Group’s Hodgenville Family Medicine team. As a Hodgenville native, he completed a residency program at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Ky. Prior to medical school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Louisville. He says it is a privilege to join the HMH Medical Groupʼs Hodgenville Family Medicine team and FALL/WINTER 2019 | UPIKE MAGAZINE

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help care for friends and family in his hometown. He and his wife have four children and 10 grandchildren. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys working on a family farm.

Jesse James Coleman ’16 complied with all requirements for the Commonwealth Kentucky State Board of Accountancy as a Certified Public Accountant in July. He currently works at Collins and Slone CPA accounting firm in Pikeville.

Lauren E. Strady, D.O., KYCOM ’16 has joined the University of Maryland Shore Medical Group in Baltimore, Md. She completed her residency in general pediatrics at Michigan State University Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Mich., earlier this year.

She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians.

Tamara Yacobucci, D.O., KYCOM ’16 has joined Highland Health Providers in Hillsboro, Ohio, as a pediatrician. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Yacobucci loves to travel, read, craft, bake and spend quality time with her husband Nick and her family and friends.

We want to hear the latest on your business ventures, career moves, honors, awards and family news.

Email your news, along with a high-resolution photo, to alumni@upike.edu.

Submit by April 2020, for the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of UPIKE Magazine.

Baby Bears Amber Davis ’11 and her husband Randy Davis ’96 were married in June 2010. They recently welcomed their newest addition, daughter Camree Fayth Davis, on October 18.

Ambers teaches kindergarten and Randy teaches middle school studies at Dorton Elementary School in Dorton, Ky., where the couple resides with their three other children Cali (6), Caroline (5) and Carrigan (2).

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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2019

Amanda Fields ’05 and her wife, Sabrina, welcomed their baby girl, Emma Shayne Fields, on July 7.

Fields graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication, a minor in religion and also played softball all four years. She currently works as a Marine Logistics Planner for Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport, Tenn., where the couple resides with their two other children, Bryson (12) and Trinity (18).

Listen to

Appalachia Rising Podcast presented by UPIKE

Join UPIKE President Dr. Burton Webb as he talks to leaders in Appalachia who are impacting the narrative of the region and creating positive change.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, IHeartRadio, Spotify and upike.edu/appalachiarising.

Click here to listen now!

FEATURED GUESTS INCLUDE

Jonathan Webb Founder & CEO AppHarvest

Jared Arnett

Executive Director SOAR

Janice Way

President Leadership Kentucky

Donovan Blackburn CEO/Vice President Pikeville Medical Center

147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, KY 41501

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