4 minute read
Setting the Stage
By Stacey Walters
When Elathan Bowling ’25 first set foot on “the hill,” he envisioned a future in social work. But it didn’t take long for the stage to call his name. With a deep-rooted passion for theatre and music, he ultimately became the first student to graduate from the University of Pikeville with a performing arts degree since the program’s revival in 2023.
“Once the opportunity arose for me to major in theatre and music, I embraced it without hesitation,” said Bowling. “I’ve been performing with ensembles and doing shows since I was five. It’s all I’ve ever been passionate about.” Bowling’s UPIKE journey allowed him to immerse himself in performing arts while balancing academics, extracurricular activities and serving in leadership roles across campus. He cultivated a well-rounded skill set, embraced the competitive spirit of gaming by becoming involved with Esports and refined his vocal abilities by joining the choir.
“During my time at UPIKE, my involvement in choir and Esports expanded my skills and shaped my outlook on collaboration,” said Bowling. “Esports, like all other sports, is about how much time you put into it. I had never played PC games before college, but I committed to improving, just as I did with singing and playing instruments.”
UPIKE Associate Professor and Director of Choral and Commercial Vocal Music Studies Eric Rutherford, D.M.A., played an essential role in reviving the music major and believes that Bowling is the perfect example of the multifaceted and talented musician the university strives to create through the program.
“We are so proud of our first music major graduate. Elathan immersed himself in every area of music UPIKE has to offer, including choirs, bands and musical theatre,” said Rutherford. “He developed into an extremely talented musician. We will miss his leadership and talent in our groups.”
During his studies, Bowling also firmly committed to service at UPIKE and sought opportunities to give back. His dedication led him on a transformative mission trip to Guatemala, where he partnered with Catalyst Resource International to help build and furnish a home for a family in need.
“The mission trip allowed me to make a difference and experience a new culture. The greatest moment was seeing the family’s reaction during the house dedication,” said Bowling. “All art is about giving to the community, and this experience reminded me of the importance of giving back. People like me, who have opportunities, must be the motivators for change.”
Bowling consistently maintained an outstanding academic performance and approached learning beyond textbooks.
“I strive to learn as much as I can when it comes to academics. I did a lot of selfstudy and enjoyed conversing with my professors about topics I was interested in to learn as much as possible,” said Bowling. “I like to compare my growth to a muscle. You must be consistent with it daily, or you won’t see progress.”
Bowling also founded the student theatre group Pikey’s Acting Troupe, where he served as the director of several shows at The Appalachian Center for the Arts in downtown Pikeville. He established the troupe to expand opportunities for students to engage in theatre and showcase their talents across campus.
Bowling was recently accepted to the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, an acclaimed institution whose alumni include legendary performers such as Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Salma Hayek and Melanie Griffith. As he prepares to pursue his master’s degree, Bowling is eager to refine his craft among some of the industry’s most respected educators and artists. He remains passionate about using theatre and music as tools for empowerment and storytelling, and credits the strong educational foundation and transformative experiences at the university for preparing him to take this exciting next step in his journey.
“Performing arts challenges us to be better than what we know. College has been so influential for me that I want to provide the same inspiration to other students. UPIKE provided me with knowledge, experience and the skills to be the best student I could be. I hope to bring awareness to this wonderful school and what it has done for Appalachia.”
