The Gift of Opportunity

By AMY CHARLES, MBA ’23

The Dr. Norma Justice Edwards Endowment, established by Bryan Edwards, Ed.D., and Norma Edwards, Ed.D., ’51 is a scholarship fund at the University of Pikeville that supports a female student each year at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. Bryan and Norma Edwards’ commitment to giving back is not limited to the endowment fund. The two have long supported UPIKE and its mission. The university’s growth, particularly in the medical field, deeply resonates with them.

“We have been so impressed by President Webb and his vision for the university,” said Bryan. “He’s not just focused on the campus but on how the university can serve the entire region of Eastern Kentucky by bringing essential services, such as those that can be provided by the medical and optometry programs.”

Norma’s Eastern Kentucky roots and connection to UPIKE run deep. She was born in the old Pikeville Methodist Hospital building, which is now UPIKE’s Allara Library. As a child, she went to many concerts and events on “the hill” with her mother and attended the same Presbyterian Church as many of the staff and faculty. These early interactions created an atmosphere of familiarity with then Pikeville College and significantly influenced her decision to attend. She completed the two year program in pre-medicine before transferring to the University of Kentucky where she earned a degree in science education.

Norma met Bryan at graduate school in Louisville where they both earned their master’s degrees in religion. The two married in 1956 and moved to Georgia, where their professional paths diverged. Bryan began a 10-year career in ministry. Their daughter and son, Pamela and Stephen, were born during those years. When Bryan went to the University of Georgia in Athens to become a Baptist campus minister to students, both Norma and Bryan earned doctorates in Adult Education. Amazingly they were attending classes at the same time their daughter was getting her undergraduate degree. In 1982, Bryan took a position at Clayton State University, near Atlanta, as Dean of Continuing Education and later served as Vice President of Advancement.

Norma followed her passion for education and mental health counseling. She spent 25 years in leadership positions in the state-funded mental health system for Georgia, working in community, residential and hospital settings.

Together, they spent many years giving back to the communities around them. After their retirement, the couple began to focus more on Norma’s alma mater and its evolving role in the region. Norma always had an interest in medicine and recognized that through KYCOM, she had the opportunity to support women pursuing careers in healthcare.

“Growing up, there weren’t many female doctors. I considered becoming a physician, but it was a different time,” said Norma. “There were societal expectations that made it difficult. Now, I’m so glad to see so much progress in the roles available to women. I want to be a part of helping young women who have the courage to follow their dreams to become doctors.”

Looking ahead, both Norma and Bryan are excited about the continued success of UPIKE and its importance to the region. The endowment is not only a financial gift but also a reminder that the doors to success are open to those with the passion and perseverance to walk through them.

We are very proud of what UPIKE has become and the direction it’s headed. This scholarship is our way of giving back and ensuring that future generations of women can follow their dreams.