statement sp2014

MOREHE A D S TAT E UNIV ERSIT Y A LUMNI M AGA ZINE VOL . X X X I, NO.2

STATEMENT

MUCHMORE

IN THIS ISSUE

■ Dr. Mayim Bialik (p. 8)

■ By Any Measure (p. 11)

■ Eagle Eye (p. 22)

■ Annual Donor Report (p. 34)

ON THERIGHTNOTE

MSU’s tradition of excellence in music

2 | w w w.moreheadstate.edu/statement

Fellow Eagles and Friends of MSU,

I am excited and privileged to serve as your Alumni Association president for the next two years. This wonderful institution has had a positive impact on my life and produced graduates who have gone on to leave indelible marks in Kentucky and beyond. To be able to lead our alumni and help contribute to MSU’s growing legacy is a real honor.

One of my top priorities as president is to increase alumni participation. I would love to see my fellow Eagle alums return to our Alma Mater and make their presence felt in our campus community by participating in various MSU functions, attending athletic events to support our student-athletes, and engaging with our current students, faculty and staff.

I would also encourage you to show your enthusiasm for Morehead State by giving to the MSU Foundation. Your financial contributions and generosity can help provide scholarships to promising young students and allow them the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

Your gifts will also go to support the construction of a brand new Alumni Welcome Center. This facility will serve as a primary destination for visitors, as well as a gathering place for Eagle alumni and friends. You will be able to reconnect and explore the University’s storied history through historical documents, displays and a museum dedicated to key events in MSU’s history, hall of fame members and other notable alumni.

Morehead State University has come a long way since its founding in 1887. With your help, we can go even further. Our brightest days are ahead of us and I look forward to serving you. I hope to see you at an event in the future.

Eric E. Howard (81)President, MSU Alumni Association

MSU’s Alumni Welcome Center #BuildTheBuzz

The construction of an Alumni Welcome Center will provide a grand

entrance to campus, give prospective students and visitors from the

community the chance to learn much more about Morehead State

University and welcome generations of returning and future alumni

home to their “Eagles’ Nest.”

www.moreheadstate.edu/alumniwelcomecenter

Summer 2014 | 3

STATEMENT www.moreheadstate.edu/statement

President, Morehead State University

Dr. Wayne D. Andrews

Chair, Board of Regents

Paul C. Goodpaster (89)

President, MSU Alumni Association Inc.

Eric E. Howard (81)

Chair, Board of Trustees, MSU Foundation Inc.

Steve Hicks (77)

Publisher

James Shaw

Editors

Mindy Clark Highley (91)

Jami Hornbuckle (96)

Tami B. Jones (82)

April Hobbs Nutter (97)

Art Director

Toni Hobbs (02)

Creative Services

Tim Holbrook (94), Photographer

Guy Huffman (02), Photographer

David Moore (09), Designer

Production Manager

Amy Riddle (00)

Contributors

Jason Blanton (03)

Allison Caudill (05)

Blake Hannon

Matt Schabert

Matt Segal

MOREHE A D S TAT E UNI V ERSI T Y A L UMNI M AG A Z INE VOL . X X X I , NO. 2

Morehead State University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, and armed forces service medal veterans, or disability in its educational programs, services, activities, employment policies, and admission of students to any program of study. In this regard the University conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. This includes: Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Kentucky Revised Statutes 207.130 to 207.240. Vocational educational programs at Morehead State University supported by federal funds include industrial education, vocational agriculture, business education, and the associate degree program in nursing. Any inquires should be addressed to: Affirmative Action Officer, Morehead State University, 301 Howell-McDowell, Morehead, KY 40351, 606-783-2097.

STATEMENT is published two times a year by Morehead State University through an off-campus printing contract with Jeffrey Fannin Enterprises, Morehead, Kentucky. STATEMENT is distributed to alumni, faculty, staff, benefactors, parents, and other friends of Morehead State University. Articles may be reprinted without permission. We appreciate notification of reprint use. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of Morehead State University. Inquires should be addressed to: STATEMENT, Office of Alumni & Constituent Relations, 358 University St., Morehead, KY, 40351, 800-783-ALUM, [email protected].

8 Dr. Mayim Bialik delivers “Big Bang” at MSU

11 By any measure: music has taken Jay Flippin on an amazing ride

16 Landis finds her swing with Columbus Jazz Orchestra

18 Palas owes success in music to MSU support

19 Eagle gets an “Idol” education

21 MSU graduates first students from new traditional music program

28 Eagle volleyball gets new facility for new era

30 Todd to lead Eagles as new women’s basketball coach

31 First Eagle mascot served both MSU and his country

34 Annual Donor Report

39 Collis receives unexpected honor - an endowed scholarship

4 AROUND MSU

22 EAGLE EYE

26 FAME & GLORY

43 CLASSNOTES

48 IN MEMORIAM

51 SAVE THE DATE

ON THE COVER This recording of Morehead State University’s Alma Mater and Fight Song, along with the Fight Song’s original sheet music, are not only historic University documents, they symbolize a musical legacy that goes back to the early years of MSU.

8

21

11

34


AROUND MSU

The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics establishedKentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins (82), Alliance Resource Partners

CEO Joe Craft and MSU President Wayne D. Andrews announced the establishment of the Craft Academy for Excellence in

Science and Mathematics, a dual-credit residential high school for academically exceptional Kentucky students at a press

conference this spring.

The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics is scheduled to open in August 2015. Students will live on

campus in a newly renovated residence hall designed for high school-aged students. The facility will have meeting and

social space and be staffed 24/7.

“I am excited to be a partner with Morehead State University in making this program available to exceptional young men

and women to develop their God given talents. My passion is to provide opportunity for people that want to help themselves

and develop professionally,” said Craft.

State lawmakers budgeted $2.3 million to establish the Academy. Craft has pledged $4 million during the next several years

in support of the Academy. This is the single largest cash gift in the history of the University.

The Craft Academy will meet the unique educational needs of academically gifted and talented high school juniors and

seniors in the Commonwealth. A college-level curriculum will allow students to finish high school while also completing

up to two years of university coursework. It will offer a residential college experience and environment that promotes

excellence, innovation and creativity while developing the full potential of the state’s brightest minds and most promising

future leaders.

“A lot of hard work is ahead of us before we open the Academy, but it provides an opportunity for MSU to develop and

deliver a program that will be transformational for the young men and women in our region and across Kentucky for

generations to come,” said Dr. Andrews.

For more information, please visit www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy.

House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, Alliance Resource Partners CEO Joe Craft and MSU President Wayne D. Andrews announced the establishment of the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.

Summer 2014 | 5

AROUND MSU

MBA ranked as a ‘Best Buy’ at GetEducated.comMorehead State University’s online Master of Business Administration program has been

independently reviewed and ranked by GetEducated.com as a “Best Buy” for students

seeking an online MBA degree.

The website surveyed 93 business schools to develop a fact-based, data-driven ranking of

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) online MBA degrees.

In the recent survey, MSU was ranked No. 18, which was the highest ranking for any

AACSB accredited program in Kentucky. The University received an overall grade of

“A-minus.” In public perception, MSU received an “A” while in affordability and student

satisfaction, MSU earned an “A-minus.”

“At Morehead State University, we place great importance on offering high-quality graduate programs with a strong

commitment to student access and affordability. Receiving this type of recognition from an organization like

GetEducated.com confirms we are meeting those goals,” said Dr. Bob Albert, College of Business and Public Affairs dean.

MSU receives renewal on NCAA academics grantThe NCAA has renewed Morehead State’s Accelerating Academic Success Program grant for the 2014 calendar year. MSU

is one of six institutions involved in a three-year pilot program aimed to increase student-athlete academic performance.

Morehead State is expected to receive $360,000 from the NCAA from 2013-15. The money is being used to enhance all

aspects of the athletic department’s academic unit. The University will also contribute $180,000, which pushes the total to

$540,000.

“We are very grateful to the NCAA and our university leadership for their generosity and commitment to our student-

athletes,” MSU Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services & Senior Woman Administrator Sara Larson said.

“Our recent academic improvement has been very obvious to those involved. This money is certainly taking our success to

another level.”

As part of the grant, Morehead State added a full-time academic learning coordinator to its athletic department staff. The

money has also helped maintain the EAGLE Center, which features 7,000 square feet of computer labs, learning labs, study

space and offices.

The grant program assists institutions in further developing systems and enhancements that help schools meet the

requirements of the NCAA’s Academic Performance Program, including increasing the graduation rate and academic

success of student-athletes.


AROUND MSU

MSU implements two new science programs Year after year, Morehead State is constantly growing, changing and improving its offerings to give students the best

college experience possible. Beginning Fall 2014, this change will include two very promising new programs.

With the approval of Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education, MSU will offer students the chance to earn two

new degrees: a Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.

Both of these programs have been years in the making and are the first academic programs of their kind in the

Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering continues to build upon MSU’s standout space science program.

Dr. Ben Malphrus, chair of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, said the degree is ideal for graduate students

studying electrical engineering and aerospace engineering, but also fields like physics, math and computer science.

It will have extensive research and development opportunities for students while providing a greater knowledge of the

overall design of aerospace technologies. He hopes that this program, coupled with Kentucky’s booming aerospace

industry, could lead MSU students to promising opportunities and help the Bluegrass State flourish.

“This is a program that will produce design-level and systems-level engineers for the space science industry,”

Dr. Malphrus said. “There’s quite a number of opportunities.”

The new Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience degree should appeal to a wide variety of students due to its

interdisciplinary approach, according to Dr. Ilsun White, professor of psychology.

“This is one of the fastest growing majors in the United States,” Dr. White said. “I think we’re very lucky to have it.”

Dr. White said the program will appeal to students interested in fields like neuroscience, chemistry, biochemistry,

psychology, health science, math and computer science. She said earning this degree could help graduates pursue jobs

in research and lab positions or take a step toward earning a Ph.D. in disciplines like biochemistry and pharmacy.

“These two programs will greatly enhance the academic offerings in space science and psychology and demonstrates

Morehead State’s commitment to developing new and innovative programs to prepare students for 21st century jobs,”

said Dr. Roger McNeil, College of Science and Technology dean.

Summer 2014 | 7

RAM to bring free health care to regionRemote Area Medical (RAM) is scheduled to be at the

Rowan County Middle School in Morehead Oct. 25-26,

to offer free vision and dental care, along with medical

screenings.

“We are happy to come to this area,” said Stan Brock,

president/founder. “We know that a lot of people need

help with vision and dental care. The big thing today

is to meet the people that we will be working with, see

the site, and map out where are we going to put the

equipment.”

Brock founded RAM in 1985. The non-profit organization

was originally designed to bring health care to Third

World countries, but now serves people in need across

the United States. RAM Kentucky was founded in

December 2008.

“Morehead State University has been involved with the

RAM clinics since they became involved in Kentucky,”

said Dr. J. Marshall, executive director of MSU’s Center

for Regional Engagement. “We are really proud of

having been asked to be part of one of the clinics here in

Morehead.”

Along with MSU, partners will include St. Claire Regional

Medical Center, Rowan County Schools, Maysville

Community and Technical College, University of Kentucky

Dental School, University of Louisville Dental School and

Gateway District Health Department.

More than 1,700 patients are expected for the Rowan

County event.

“This is a very organized event that really helps a lot of

people,” said Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, MSU president.

“People will come from a long distance to get free

health care. Our nursing students and faculty, Center for

Regional Engagement and other volunteers will take part

in the clinic.”

To learn more about the Morehead RAM clinic, visit

www.moreheadstate.edu/ram or call 606-783-5087.

MSU, UK and St. Claire to form Appalachian Health and Research CenterMorehead State University, St. Claire Regional Medical

Center and University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural

Health Policy signed a “memorandum of understanding”

Wednesday, April 30, to form the Appalachian Health

and Research Center (AHRC). Participating in the signing

ceremony were Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, MSU president;

Mark J. Neff, president and CEO of St. Claire Regional

Medical Center; and Dr. Brady Reynolds, Foundation for

a Healthy Kentucky Endowed Chair in Rural Health Policy

and co-director of the University of Kentucky Institute for

Rural Health Policy.

“The primary mission of the AHRC is to increase the

capacity for innovative collaborative research based

out of Morehead, which directly addresses health

issues faced by residents of Appalachian Kentucky

and beyond,” said Dr. Michael Henson, MSU associate

vice president for research and dean of the graduate

school. “AHRC will seek to improve local educational

opportunities related to health research and to facilitate

the translation of research findings into local health

policy.”


On Jan. 30, nearly 2,500 people attended a special event

at Morehead State University’s Academic-Athletic Center

(AAC). They came to see a famous actress from what

is currently one of the biggest shows on television, a

professor who earned a doctorate in neuroscience, an

author, the former spokesperson for the Holistic Moms

Network and a proud mother of two.

The featured guests were Dr. Mayim Bialik, Dr. Mayim

Bialik, Dr. Mayim Bialik, Dr. Mayim Bialik and Dr. Mayim

Bialik.

That’s because Dr. Bialik isn’t just one of those things,

she’s ALL of those things rolled into one. Granted, most

people know her as either Amy Farrah Fowler from

the CBS comedy “The Big Bang Theory” or as the title

character from the early ‘90s NBC sitcom “Blossom.”

As part of MSU’s Presidential Lecture Series, Bialik’s

speaking engagement and reflection on her life, career

and diverse background proved to be a highlight of

MSU’s academic year and left a lasting impression on

those who attended.

As the 2013-14 academic year got under way, thoughts

turned toward booking a speaker for the Presidential

Lecture Series, a component of the President’s

Performing Arts and Speakers Program (PASP). Each

event in the series is coordinated with and co-sponsored

by an academic college and the Division of Student Life.

The theme for the Spring 2014 series was “Intersections”

and was co-sponsored by the College of Science &

Technology. The University tried to find someone who

could talk about some aspect of science but whose

Dr. Mayim Bialikdelivers “Big Bang” at MSU

Summer 2014 | 9

appearance at MSU could get the students and the

community excited. That’s when Jami Hornbuckle (96),

assistant vice president of communications & marketing

at MSU, threw out a suggestion.

“When I was trying to think of someone to nominate

in the field of science that might appeal to a broad

audience that fit the theme, Mayim Bialik almost

immediately came to mind,” she said. “Once people

were drawn in, they’d discover she had a Ph.D. in

neuroscience and really was ‘much more’ than just a

celebrity.”

Both student-level and university-level committees soon

agreed that Bialik would draw a big crowd, and they

scheduled her appearance for Jan. 30 at the AAC. Word

started to spread through social media and media outlets

throughout Eastern and Central Kentucky were covering

the upcoming event. Andrew Abbott (14), president of

the Student Government Association, said that while

students may not know Bialik, they certainly know her

character.

“Students didn’t know her as Dr. Mayim Bialik, they knew

her as Amy Farrah Fowler,” Abbott said. “Once that got

around, there was a big buzz.”

In a press conference prior to the event, Bialik expressed

how she enjoys speaking for university communities and

hopes people get a sense of her life beyond

the characters she’s portrayed.

“There’s a specific and very broad interest in who I

am and what my story is,” Bialik said. “I like being an

academic and also getting here and having a lot of

people come because they know me from television.”

During her appearance at MSU, Bialik touched on her

success in television, her Jewish upbringing and faith,

and juggling a career while being the mother of two sons.

But Bialik also spoke about her decision to leave acting

after “Blossom” to earn her science degree at UCLA.

College may have been where she “fell in love with the

neuron,” but Bialik said she struggled with math and

science at a young age and had to seek out tutoring.

Those involved with bringing Bialik to MSU thought that

both her love of science and math, along with her early

struggles to learn it, provided invaluable lessons to the

audience.

“She was someone who was willing to say up front, ‘I

had trouble with science and math, but I kept at it,’” said

Dr. John Ernst, executive assistant to the president at

MSU. “Both of my kids took away, if I keep plugging away

at this math, I’ll be OK.”

Having them learn a lot more about me and the kind of choices people make, especially academically, I think really is a great opportunity.

“ “

Dr. Mayim Bialik

Summer 2014 | 10

“She talked openly about how she didn’t think science

was for her initially, and how chance encounters with the

right teacher using the right teaching strategies changed

everything for her,” said Dr. Laurie Couch, associate

professor of psychology at MSU. “After hearing her

speak about it, then it convinces even people who are

not typically drawn to study science that maybe they

could do it, too.”

In Bialik’s blog on the Jewish parenting website, Kveller,

she wrote at length about her enjoyable experience at

Morehead State, which she stated was the largest crowd

she’s ever had for one of her speaking engagements.

MSU couldn’t have been more pleased with how

things went. All of the hard work behind the scenes

and successful cooperation across campus turned

into a successful event, where Bialik received a warm

reception on a cold January night as she conveyed her

unique and affecting story.

“I don’t think we could have gotten a better speaker to fit

what we wanted,” Ernst said. “In many ways, she really

cast the American success story. That you can really get

there through some hard work. Hard work can still carry

you a long way.”

Bialik is best known for her lead role in the 1990s NBC

sitcom “Blossom,” as well as her portrayal of the young

Bette Midler in “Beaches.” She appears on CBS’s “The Big

Bang Theory” as Amy Farrah Fowler.

She received her B.S. degree in neuroscience and Hebrew

and Jewish Studies from UCLA in 2000 and earned a

Ph.D. in neuroscience in 2007 from UCLA, specializing

in obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescents with

Prader-Willi syndrome. She has served as the celebrity

spokesperson for the Holistic Moms Network, a national

nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting holistic and

green parenting and living.

Summer 2014 | 11

He’s toured and played with some of the most talented

musicians on the planet, written radio and TV jingles that

get stuck in your head, arranged hundreds of pieces for

various groups and written Emmy-winning compositions.

But if you ask retired Morehead State faculty member

Jay Flippin (70), all of the success he’s had comes down

to not just how well you play, but how many ways you

can play.

“I always thought, coming up, that good musicians

should do whatever you ask them to do,” Flippin, 68, said.

“If they want you to stand on your head and play ‘Dixie’

with your feet, you should be able to do it.”

He has amassed an array of achievements since first

deciding to introduce his fingers to the piano. Now, even

in retirement, Flippin continues playing, arranging and

teaching students about music. It continues to provide

him with happiness and sanctuary even as his current

circumstances present him with challenging times.

Flippin grew up in the small town of Stuart, Virginia,

which was “60 miles from anywhere.” He started off as

a church musician, playing organ for a local church at

age 10. He soon fell in love with jazz and learned R&B

piano, copying Ray Charles’ style by listening to records

his cousin gave him.

While he was in high school and attending college at

Mars Hill College in North Carolina to study classical

piano, Flippin made a living and helped finance his

college education as a working musician, playing

sometimes five nights a week in various bands at

watering holes and fraternity parties in the North

Carolina/Virginia area.

By Any MeasureMusic has taken Jay Flippin on an amazing ride


Flippin eventually completed a Bachelor of Music degree

in piano performance from Mars Hill, but before he

graduated, he got a call from the people representing

famed R&B singer Wilson Pickett, who was looking for

his own piano man.

“They called me and said, we’re getting ready to take a

tour and Wilson would like you to play,” Flippin recalls. “I

thought about it for five minutes then said, ‘well, if I can

get out of my final exams ... ”

Flippin toured with Pickett throughout the summer of 1968

before coming to Morehead State in 1969, where he went

on to earn a Master of Music in piano performance. This

was where Flippin began a teaching career that spanned

more than three decades.

He was an accompanist for choirs and essentially

founded the University’s jazz studies program. He also

taught music theory, jazz piano, jazz keyboard, glee club,

formed both jazz vocal and jazz fusion ensembles and

conducted four of MSU’s big bands.

Flippin’s musical life extended well beyond the

classroom. He’s played as a soloist or accompanist in

various ensembles in the U.S., Europe, South America

and Africa. He performed and toured with countless

musicians across a variety of genres, including the Count

Basie Orchestra, Ricky Skaggs, Rosemary Clooney,

The Platters and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. As a

composer, he’s penned radio and TV jingles, a few

of which were in national campaigns for companies

like American Airlines, Rotorooter and Kentucky Fried

Chicken.

“When you turn on the radio or the TV and hear

something you wrote, it really is a thrill ... at least the first

few times you hear it,” Flippin jokes.

Speaking of TV, Flippin has acquired dozens of regional

Emmy nominations for his compositions, including a

Daytime Emmy nomination for Best Original Song for the

soap opera “Passions” in 2002. He has a handful of gold

statuettes to his name, with his most recent win two

years ago for composing the score for the West Virginia

Public Television documentary, “Steve Cares: See Them

Dance.”

Flippin’s career may have taken him and his music

beyond the Bluegrass State, but he still finds time to

share his talents with the community and surrounding

areas. He has long served as the organist and minister

of music at First Baptist Church in Morehead and

accompanist and arranger for the Lexington Singers in

Lexington, where he’s done more than 500 pieces.

Despite having a career that most musicians could only

dream of having, he sees his most important offering

to the music world as the times he’s been able to teach

a student techniques and knowledge they can use to

achieve their own success.

“In the arts, you deal with these kids one-on-one every

week. They’re like your kids,” Flippin said. “The trick

is you have to love them. You can’t look at them as

problems to be solved. If you actually care whether they

do well or whether they learn anything, they respond to

it. And when they do, they remember it.”

Flippin formally retired from teaching at Morehead State

in 2001, but it didn’t take long for him to find his way back

into the classroom.

“I told my wife Nancy, I retired when I was 55 and I think

I retired 10 years too early,” Flippin said. “I just figured

out how to teach. You get better at it when you practice.”

Since his retirement, he’s continued to teach part-time at

MSU while also being a part-time instructor at Marshall

University and Kentucky Christian College. He still

continues his duties at First Baptist Church and with the

Lexington Singers while finding time to keep his playing

chops up gigging with the Lexington blues band, RC and

the Nightshades.

Flippin’s wide-ranging musical background has enabled

him to play almost any gig that comes his way, but even

he wasn’t fully prepared for the music he had to face this

past February.

Summer 2014 | 13

Rich Copley/Lexington Herald-Leader

Rich Copley/Lexington Herald-Leader

For a long time, Flippin had to deal with being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, but when he unexplainably lost upwards of

80 pounds over a six-month period, he made a call to his doctor. Eventually, they told him that he had an advanced form of

liver cancer and he would have to start undergoing chemotherapy immediately.

Thanks to his faith, Flippin is taking the news in stride. He jokes that the cancer won’t affect his hair loss, since he didn’t

have much to begin with. He still keeps a very full schedule, only dropping his part-time teaching post at Marshall so he can

have weekly chemotherapy.

“When they told me that the chemo would do some good, that I have a chance, I thought I owe it to myself to fight this,” he

said. “I plan to fight as hard as I can for as long as I can, but I accept it.”

When news of his cancer diagnosis got around, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. He’s received hundreds

of cards and thousands of phone calls from friends and family, along with current and former students all over the world.

And then, there are the emails, which he may actually spend the rest of his life trying to respond to.

“I try to answer at least 100 a day, and I’ve got 2,300 to go. And every 100 I answer, there’s 200 more,” he said. “I don’t have

any idea how many people are praying for me, but it must be about 100,000 people by now, and I can feel it.”

As Flippin continues to battle cancer, it’s only made him value the relationships he’s built over the years. He’s taught at MSU

since he was 23 years old, dealing with students more as a friend than a superior. He’s proud of being able to influence

young musicians in a positive way and proud of how Morehead State continues to produce quality performance artists.

But as time goes on, he’s only come to better appreciate his relationship with music and the amazing life it’s given him in

good times and in bad.

“From the time I was a little kid, if I came home from school and I was frustrated and I was angry and I was sad, I could sit

down at the piano and feel great,” Flippin said. “I don’t think any musician is going to be without recourse as long as they

can play or sing or even listen.”


ExteriorMusic Academic and Performing Arts BuildingMorehead State University Morehead, Kentucky 11.13.13

Exterior: Music Academic and Performing Arts Building

Whether it’s the institution’s rich heritage in music or recent success stories like Tony Award-winning actor Steve Kazee

(02), Morehead State University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance has a proven history of quality exemplified by the

talents of its students. MSU has now made a commitment to give these students and the community that appreciates them a

venue they deserve.

The newly proposed Music Academic and Performing Arts Building will be a state-of-the-art instructional and performance

space located on the corner of Main Street and University Boulevard on the site of what is currently the Laughlin Health

Building and Wetherby Gym.

The University is currently in the initial design phase with a projected estimated cost of $50 million. MSU President

Wayne D. Andrews said the University will attempt to raise $5 million through private donations before going to the state for

additional funds.

Dr. Don Grant, chair of the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, said this new facility is long overdue and once

completed will provide an optimal performance venue for students and faculty.

“Right now, we have a hundred yard football field and we’re playing on ten yards,” Grant said referring to Baird Music Hall,

which was originally built in 1954. “This building will get us across the goal line.”

New performing arts facility is much more than a dream

Summer 2014 | 15

The faculty, administration and facilities management staff have been working with RossTarrant Architects, Charles R.

Bonner – Acoustician, and Malcolm Holzman, FAIA, to design the building. RossTarrant Architects and Charles R. Bonner –

Acoustician were the project team most recently involved in the construction of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music.

The building’s location would also serve as a gateway to campus, showcase the institution’s love for the arts and increase

the department’s recruitment potential.

“What would happen if we had this building, we’d have the icing on the cake,” Grant said. “It will enhance the student’s

connection to the performing arts and increase their passion for Morehead State’s programs.”

Morehead State University has long been seen as a “light to the mountains,” and upon the completion of the Music

Academic and Performing Arts Building, that light will only shine brighter.

“The people who come and experience this facility will be awed.” Grant said. “In Eastern Kentucky, there is not anything

like this. That’s what we need.”

Interior Music Academic and Performing Arts BuildingMorehead State University Morehead, Kentucky 11.13.13

Interior Lobby

Concert Hall


Compared to other brass instruments, the trombone

certainly stands out from the bunch. Even the way it’s

played, with its slide jutting out into the air with each

changing note, is practically begging for attention. It

certainly had no trouble getting the attention of a young

Linda Landis (78).

“I thought that looked like a pretty cool thing to do, and

that’s all I wanted to play,” she said. “The trombone just

looked like fun.”

Landis grew up on a farm in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, and

started playing trombone in the fifth grade. She spent lots

of time sitting on the fence playing scales for the family’s

livestock.

“Dad was so afraid I’d scare the cows,” she said. “They

stood in the barn with those great big eyes and just

listened. They were my first live audience.”

As she continued to play trombone, her high school band

director took her class to MSU’s Band Clinic, where she

“wigged out” at the sight and sound of the MSU Jazz

Ensemble. It was Landis’s desire to play in that group that

led to her becoming an Eagle and ultimately earning a

bachelor’s degree in music education.

Landis’s dream to get a regular gig as a working musician

would require some patience. When performance

opportunities weren’t available after graduation, she

moved back to the Dayton area and worked in banking

as a commercial loans operation specialist for 19 years

while picking up whatever gigs she could.

As Landis continued looking for opportunities to perform,

she stumbled upon a newspaper ad from the Columbus

Jazz Orchestra, widely considered one of the best

jazz orchestras in the country. They were seeking a

lead trombonist in 2004, and Landis pounced on the

opportunity.

“I just wanted to be in that band so bad,” Landis said.

“I decided to go after it with a vengeance, and I won.”

Landis is now a full-time working musician, splitting

her time between the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and

performing and conducting with various groups in the

Dayton area. She still gives private brass and flute

lessons, which she’s done since 1971. Despite landing

her big gig later in life, she thinks MSU has played a vital

role in any success she’s had in her career.

“Morehead State was a really big influence on how

things worked out to me, as far as anything I’ve ever

done,” she said. “Everybody else is thinking about

retiring and I’m just getting started.”

Landis finds her swing with Columbus Jazz Orchestra

Summer 2014 | 17

Eagle student marches for an audience of millionsYou may have seen freshman and music education major Brandon Hildebrandt playing

saxophone in various MSU performances with the marching band. But in November, all you had

to do was turn on your television to see the Erlanger native perform as a member of Macy’s

Great American Marching Band during the 87th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Great American Marching Band is comprised of 245 high school students selected from all

50 states. Hildebrandt was a senior at Dixie Heights High School and a member of Kentucky’s

All-State Band when he learned his application for the band was accepted in September 2013.

The band opened up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with a rendition of the Macklemore

and Ryan Lewis hit “Can’t Hold Us,” and marched the remainder of the two-and-a-half hour

parade performing a medley of popular Christmas songs.

Hildebrandt said seeing how people reacted to the Macy’s Great American Marching Band’s performance only reaffirmed his

educational goals.

“To have so many people excited about a marching band walking down the street, it was eye opening and showed that music is

still an important part of the world and people appreciate it,” he said. “Music can change your life and I think everyone should

have that opportunity. And if I become a music teacher, I can give them that opportunity.”

Turner finds his voice conducting opera

Kids often gravitate toward the stars in music that are holding a microphone.

When Adam Turner (04) was five or six years old, he gravitated toward a

musical performer who was holding a baton.

“I just saw the conductor and said, ‘I want to do that when I grow up,’” Turner

said.

Turner’s passion for music led him to MSU, and what he learned from MSU

helped him fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a professional conductor.

The Louisville native initially wanted to study jazz piano at Morehead State

under instructor Jay Flippin. But Turner “fell in love with the human voice” and

participated in both concert and chamber choirs on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in

piano performance.

He later earned his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.,

and found his strengths in conducting opera. Turner’s music and conducting career led to a life largely spent on the road.

But in 2010, he found a home in the Virginia Opera in Richmond, Virginia, where he started as resident conductor and chorus

master before being promoted principal conductor and artistic adviser in 2014.

Turner is excited for this opportunity to live out his dream, but wherever his career takes him, he’ll always take a piece of

Morehead State with him – literally.

“It’s funny. Right now, I’m holding a Fuzzy Duck mug,” Turner said, mentioning Morehead’s local coffeehouse. “All those

teachers, I’m still in touch with many of them and even the ones that don’t teach there anymore, I still stay in touch with

them. I look back proudly at my Morehead days.”


Palas owes success in music to MSU support

What is it that makes an individual like a song?

Lisa Palas (72) certainly thinks a rhythm, melody, hook

or lyric can catch a listener’s ear, but as a successful

songwriter, she said its something much deeper.

“Emotion is what makes a person want to hear songs

over and over,” Palas said. “It’s what strikes an emotion.

It’s something that people can relate to.”

Palas, born in Cynthiana before moving to Richmond,

Kentucky, grew up in a musical family and began taking

classical piano lessons in the second grade. She started

trying to write her own songs at age 7 inspired by the

pop, rock, R&B and country she heard on the radio.

The reputation of MSU’s music department and the

welcoming campus atmosphere ultimately led to her

becoming an Eagle. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in

Music and later a master’s in higher education with an

emphasis in music in 1974.

After moving to Louisville, she became director for the

Kentucky State Fair Youth Talent Contest in the late

‘70s. She asked Debbie Hupp, a Louisville native and

Grammy Award-winning songwriter, to help judge the

contest, neglecting to mention her own songwriting

aspirations. But a song Palas wrote for Jack Daniels

whiskey eventually made its way to Hupp through a local

Louisville DJ.

“She calls me up and said, why didn’t you tell me you

wrote songs,” Palas recalled. “I told her why and she

said, ‘that’s what I thought ... and that’s why I’m going to

help you.’”

Hupp put her in touch with her publisher, and Palas

moved to Nashville in 1981. She found her way into the

Music City songwriting community, signing a deal with

country group Alabama’s publishing company. She

penned her biggest hit when she co-wrote Alabama’s

“There Is No Way,” which went to No. 1 on the Billboard

Hot Country Singles chart in 1985. She would later go on

to write hit songs for legendary country music performers

like Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Kris Kristofferson,

Conway Twitty and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Palas currently resides in Lakeland, Florida, where she

splits her time between modeling, acting and running her

own company, The Music Palas. She believes she’s had

some lucky breaks in her career, but she said everyone

she encountered at MSU gave her the motivation to fully

pursue her dreams.

“Sometimes, what one person says to you can make the

difference between not having confidence and having

the confidence to try,” Palas said. “I’m so grateful for

the encouragement I received, not just from the faculty

and staff in the music department but throughout the

University. That’s one of the things that’s really great

about MSU is that it nurtures people.”

Summer 2014 | 19

Eagle gets an ‘Idol’ education

As a vocal student, sophomore Zach Day is currently

getting the opportunity to receive instruction and

guidance from MSU’s esteemed music program. But

recently, Day got to receive some musical instruction and

guidance of a different sort ... from three of the biggest

stars in music ... on one of the biggest television shows in

the country.

Day made it past the audition rounds and was a

contestant on this season of the popular singing

competition “American Idol,” and got his chance to

showcase his personality and passion for millions of

viewers.

Growing up on a small farm in Stern, Day was inspired

to try singing after watching his aunt perform in local

choirs. He later went on to learn to play both piano and

guitar. But “American Idol” first came to his attention in

the fourth grade when he was listening to its successful

results.

“I remember hearing Kelly Clarkson on the radio and

somebody told me she won this show called ‘American

Idol,’” Day said. “I could remember sitting in front of the

TV ... being drawn to stuff like that at a very young age.”

Day first auditioned for season 10 of “Idol” when he was

16. His aunt took him to Nashville, but he didn’t make it

past the first round of auditions or get to perform in front

of the celebrity panel of judges. He said he took his initial

rejection in stride.

“In the moment, I was immediately like, OK, I’m going

to come back,” he said. “I wanted to come back, but I

wanted to make sure I was ready.”

Day spent his down time playing guitar and writing

songs, honing in on a style that mixed traditional R&B

with his country roots. He came to MSU in 2012 and, in

2013, he decided to audition for “Idol” once again.

Only this time, Day got to sing in front of Keith Urban,

Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr., in Detroit. Despite

being “terrified,” his rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “You

Know I’m No Good” got all three judges to agree he

should go on to Hollywood week.

Unfortunately, Day’s “Idol” dreams were dashed when he

didn’t advance to the next round, but he still considered it

a winning run. Between his “American Idol” experience

and his continued education at Morehead State, he

thinks he’ll be even more prepared when another

opportunity for him to shine comes his way.

“The professors here have taught me so much about my

voice. My voice is much bigger than I thought it was,”

Day said. “I’m trying to mesh all this help together. I’ve

learned a lot, so I’m excited about what’s to come.”


Many students have

attended classes at

Morehead State University

and were impacted by the

school’s experienced and

gifted faculty members. In

the case of Tyler Kline (13),

they put him on the path

to an avenue for creative

expression.

Kline grew up in

Mt. Sterling and started

playing music in his middle

school’s band. He played trumpet and the euphonium,

and Kline started to get private euphonium lessons from

MSU professor of music Dr. Stacy Baker.

“Right away, she had just this tremendous impact on

my life before I graduated high school,” Kline recalls.

“I wanted to study with her. I wanted her guidance. So

that’s how I ended up in Morehead.”

Kline came to MSU and went on to earn his Bachelor

of Arts in Music with a minor in general business and

participated in the University’s Undergraduate Research

Fellowship program under the mentorship of Dr. Deborah

Eastwood. Currently studying musical composition at the

University of Southern Florida, his piece “Sinfonietta”

was recently performed by The Lexington Philharmonic

this past April as part of its “New Music Experiment.”

As Kline looks forward to other opportunities, the positive

influence of MSU’s faculty will always stay with him.

“They’re role models,” Kline said. “There’s a good

possibility that I’ll be in that position one day, and I have

them to look up to when I pass on those values to my

students.”

Kline’s composition performed by Lexington Philharmonic

MSU Foundation funds community symphony orchestra

Thanks to a generous donation from the MSU Foundation, MSU was

able to help give Eastern Kentucky it’s own community orchestra.

Dr. Donald Grant, chair of the Department of Music, Theatre and

Dance, and retired physician and Morehead resident Dr. Ewell Scott

came together to form the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra in August

2013. When it came down to financing the orchestra’s inaugural

performance, the MSU Foundation stepped up and donated a grant

of $4,000 to help fund the orchestra’s first concert on Dec. 7, 2013,

at the Morehead Conference Center.

“We thought that the concert would help our strings program, our

students and our faculty polish their skills, give them opportunities

to perform and it would be a good outreach opportunity to support

the community,” said Jim Shaw, vice president of university advancement.

Dr. Scott said the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra will take on the task of raising money to fund any future concerts.

He believes the campus, community and region can all see the value in what a symphony orchestra can offer.

“A live symphony concert is a special event, and there are not too many places in Eastern Kentucky you can see

that,” Dr. Scott said. “It’s a different experience. It’s an enjoyable, uplifting activity and when you listen to it, it’s

unlike anything else.” For more information, visit www.thecrso.com.

Summer 2014 | 21

MSU graduates first students from new traditional music program

There have been many musicians from Kentucky who have gone on to leave an indelible mark in the world of music by

spreading the state’s musical roots in bluegrass and other forms of traditional music across the globe.

Cody Pearman (14), Tyler Mullins (14) and Thomas Albert (14) are three talented musicians who have similar aspirations.

However, when they go on to pursue their musical careers, they will do so with something only the three of them currently

possess: a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music from Morehead State University.

This unique degree marks yet another milestone in the growth and evolution of the traditional music program at MSU.

Kentucky natives Pearman (from Vine Grove) Mullins (from Richwood) and Albert (from Morehead) were all minoring in

traditional music but originally had different majors. When the University announced the establishment of a four-year

degree in traditional music in 2012, they all jumped at the opportunity.

Throughout their time in the program, all three students became proficient in guitar, mandolin, banjo and upright bass,

learned about many aspects of the recording process and received expert guidance in performing on stage, which they

have been able to utilize in numerous shows both on campus and on the road.

“A lot of it has definitely been how to think as a musician, keeping the right frame of mind and how to connect with your

audience,” Mullins said. “To go to school for a program like this, you don’t have to stumble upon that knowledge. They

prepare you for that.”

Pearman, Mullins and Albert all plan to play professionally and/or go into private instruction after graduation.

Raymond McLain, director of KCTM, has seen all three graduates progress both in the classroom and on stage and is

confident their talents and what they’ve learned at MSU will help them succeed.

“I think they embody the life, the spirit and the excitement of this new program,” McLain said. “I think they are remarkable

young people. We’ve toured together and performed together. My feeling is they are more than just good entertainers. They

really have something more to offer.”

Learn more at www.moreheadstate.edu/kctm.

The fact that I am one of the first graduates is just a huge honor. I was excited to start learning traditional music and to actually have a degree in something I never thought I would be able to have a degree in.

“ “

Cody PearmanBachelor of Arts in Traditional Music graduate

2 2 | w w w.moreheadstate.edu/statement

EAGLE EYE

HOMECOMING

Eagles both past and present came out in droves for tailgating prior to the MSU football game.

David Blevins (89), Nathaniel Lee (77) and Gregory H. Wing (76), pictured with President Wayne D. Andrews, were recognized as the newest members of the MSU Alumni Hall of Fame.

President Wayne D. Andrews (far right) and MSU First Lady Sue Andrews (far left) stand with the 2013 Homecoming Queen Casey Sturgill (14) (Delta Zeta) and Homecoming King Jake McKay (Delta Tau Delta).

Eagle wide receiver Cryus Strahm of Carey, Ohio, goes up for a catch in a hard-fought match with the University of Dayton.

Summer 2014 | 2 3

COMMENCEMENTFALL 2013

Student Speaker Amy Lane Storner (13) of Lexington, and Dr. Andrews pose for a picture during MSU’s graduation ceremony.

L-R: Sen. Robin Webb (83) (D-Grayson), Sen. Walter Blevins (72) (D-Morehead), Lacey Blevins (13) and MSU President Wayne D. Andrews pose for a picture during MSU’s commencement event.

MSU’s past chair of the Board of Regents John Merchant (79) (far left) and Dr. Andrews (far right) presented honorary degrees to Linda and Jim Booth (70) (center, left to right) during the University’s commencement ceremony.

Dr. Andrews presents a degree to Dayton, Ohio, native and MSU graduate Chango Noaks (13).


EAGLE EYE

SPRING GALACARNIVAL!

MSU First Lady Sue Andrews and President Wayne D. Andrews donned festive masks to get in the spirit of Carnival during the 2014 Spring Gala.

Guests were treated to colorful decorations and a lavish dinner inspired by the flavors of Latin America.

WKYT news anchor Amber Philpott (03) served as host for the evening’s entertainment.

True to its Carnival theme, the show for the 2014 Spring Gala featured an energetic mix of Latin music and dancing performed by our talented students.

Summer 2014 | 25

COMMENCEMENTSPRING 2014

Buckner (Buck) Hinkle Jr. of Lexington (center) was presented an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Pictured with Paul Goodpaster (89), Board of Regents chair (left) and MSU President Wayne D. Andrews.

Faith Brown (14) of Liberty Township, Ohio, was the morning student speaker. During her time at MSU, Brown was named Outstanding Student of Spanish, Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Secondary Education, and Outstanding Undergraduate Student in the Department of International and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Sofia Pettersson (14) of Täby, Sweden, was the afternoon student speaker. She was named Outstanding Undergraduate Sport Management Student.

Lt. Col. Robert Mason (far left) chair of MSU’s Department of Military Science, administered the Oath of Office (from left), Jared Branson (14), Elizabeth Hampton (14), Tyler Mercer (14) and Matthew Frisby (14) making them Second Lieutenants in the United States Army.


FAME & GLORY

MSU student-athletes have winning academic yearFor Morehead State University athletics, the emphasis has

always been to put forth a championship effort in competition

and in the classroom. MSU student-athletes took that to heart

in 2013, setting a noteworthy example and even breaking an

academic record in the process.

The Eagles had a school-record 21 student-athletes earn an

Ohio Valley Conference Academic Medal of Honor in 2012-

13, with nearly 100 earning spots on the Commissioner’s

Honor Roll. Medal of Honor recipients all earned a 4.0 GPA and were rewarded for achieving the highest grade point

average in a conference-sponsored sport. Students on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll were required to earn at least a 3.25

GPA.

In the fall of 2013, MSU student-athletes recorded a 3.17 cumulative GPA, with 11 athletic programs managing at least a 3.0

GPA and 39 individuals registering a 4.0 GPA. In the spring of 2014, 12 teams tallied better than a 3.0 GPA and 32 individuals

recorded a 4.0 GPA.

“I am very proud of the academic achievements of all our student-athletes,” said Sara Larson, assistant athletic director

for student-athlete services and senior woman administrator. “The commitment they have in the classroom and on the

field is tremendous, and it is nice to see them recognized for all of their hard work. Academics are a priority in the athletic

department, not only for our administrative staff, but for our coaching staff and student-athletes as well.”

2012-13 OVC Medal of Honor Winners

• Baseball – Kellen Begeman, Aaron Goe

• Women’s Basketball – Mackenzie Arledge, Allie Turner

• Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field – Lindsay Marcum, Natalie Norman, Taylor Lowe

• Men’s Golf – Michael Fehrenbacher, Logan Hogge

• Women’s Golf – Sofia Pettersson, Linnea Scholin

• Soccer – Kimberly Borys, Karen Hilt, Elizabeth McSparin, Samantha Toepfer

• Men’s Tennis – Ji Hoon Heo

• Volleyball – Aryn Bohannon, Colbey Cameron, Laura McDermott, Leslie Schellhaas, Courtney Smith

2013-14 Teams with GPAs of 3.00 or better:

Baseball

Men’s Basketball

Men’s Cross Country/

Track & Field

Women’s Cross Country/

Track & Field

Men’s Golf

Women’s Golf

Soccer

Softball

Men’s Tennis

Women’s Tennis

Volleyball

Summer 2014 | 27

The Morehead State volleyball team is becoming accustomed to being No. 1, and this year’s team proved no different.

The 2013 Eagle netters won their fourth straight Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship and made their

second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years.

MSU concluded the season 27-8 overall and was 15-1 in the OVC, marking the eighth straight 20-win season for Head Coach

Jaime Gordon. MSU continued its nation-best conference-match regular season winning streak. Before the Eagles dropped

a 3-2 decision at Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 12, MSU held a 36-match winning streak in OVC contests. Morehead State is

also now 67-3 in league matches in the last three years, marking the best winning percentage in Division I for conference

matches.

The Eagles swept through the OVC Tournament Nov. 21-23, defeating SIU Edwardsville 3-0 for the title. MSU drew Big

Ten foe Illinois in the NCAA Tournament and fell 3-0 on Dec. 6. Leslie Schellhaas (14) was named OVC Tournament Most

Valuable Player, as well as becoming the first player in program history to be named OVC Defensive Player of the Year. In

addition, she earned an AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region nod and ended her career as the Eagles’ all-time leader in

digs. Senior outside hitter Aryn Bohannon also joined an exclusive list during the season, becoming just the 10th player in

program history to record at least 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.

“Coming into this season, we really had a lot of things to prove to everybody and to ourselves,” said Bohannon. “I’m very

blessed to have been a part of this team. There’s not going to ever be a team that’s like this.”

“I think this team is unique in the sense that we stick together through hard times and easy times, and I don’t think a lot

of teams can say that,” Schellhaas said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what this team and the future teams pull

together for Morehead State. There’s here’s a lot to be said for what is becoming of this program, and I think that’s very

exciting to look forward to.”

Volleyball notches another highly successful season

FAME & GLORY


The Morehead State University volleyball team has dominated the OVC by bumping, setting and spiking its way up the

national ranks while setting a gold standard at MSU for student-athletes with continued success on the court and in the

classroom.

To reward our Volleyball Eagles’ passion and dedication, MSU will be building a new facility that will help usher the team

into a new era of excellence.

The former location of the McClure Pool in the Academic-Athletic Center will be turned into a facility featuring a main

playing court, practice courts, a weight training room, student lounge, locker rooms, office space and expanded two-level

seating for fans.

Jaime Gordon, head coach of the Eagle Volleyball squad, said for the University to put this much time, effort and financial

resources into building a place the Eagle Volleyball team can call “home” is an overwhelming gesture.

“It’s unbelievably humbling. We’re so excited about what it could mean for our program but also for the athletic department

and the region,” Gordon said. “This could very well become the top volleyball school in the country and to have it in Eastern

Kentucky and Morehead State is pretty special.”

The new volleyball facility will encompass all of the team’s needs into one location, and Gordon said this would give MSU a

huge advantage as it seeks to maintain and build upon its success.

Eagle Volleyball gets new facility for new era

FAME & GLORY

This new home is a dream that will become a reality through the support of our faithful alumni and friends. Join us in

ensuring that future Eagles have a state-of-the-art facility in which to carry on the rich tradition of MSU Volleyball.

Several naming opportunities are still available. For more information on how you can contribute to the new facility,

contact the Office of Development at 877-690-GIVE or [email protected].

Summer 2014 | 29

“It gives us the opportunity to recruit on a national stage,” he said. “I think it shows the University’s commitment to athletics,

but specifically to volleyball. It’s a valued sport here.”

Aryn Bohannon, redshirt senior and outside hitter, has been with the team since she was a freshman and has witnessed the

team’s growth firsthand.

“We’re playing big teams and being competitive with these teams,” Bohannon said. “That’s a total reflection of our program

and how we’ve put so much hard work into it.”

A new volleyball facility will give some of MSU’s student-athletes a well-deserved gift, and Gordon thinks this will also be a

gift to the entire University, the fans and the region.

“What we’re doing is creating a team and group of women and student-athletes that fans want to follow and want to cheer

for,” Gordon said. “It’s going to be a great place for our fans and alumni and residents of this part of the state to really enjoy

a top-notch volleyball program in a top-notch environment.”

(Right) Middle Blocker Hannah Sigala goes up for a spike during a battle between the Eagles and Marshall University.

(Below) The entire MSU volleyball squad poses for a group photo after winning the 2013 OVC Championship.


When the Morehead State Women’s Basketball team began looking

for a new coach,” they didn’t have to travel too far to find the right

person for the job.

Greg Todd, who has served his entire head coaching career in

Kentucky, recently became the 10th head women’s basketball

coach in Morehead State University history.

“We are very excited to have Greg as our next head women’s

basketball coach,” said Brian Hutchinson, director of MSU

athletics. “He’s been a winner his entire coaching career, and he’s a high-quality person. Greg is

the ideal candidate for getting our program to the next level and helping us sustain that success for many years to come.”

Todd spent his previous eight seasons at Transylvania University in Lexington, where he led the Pioneers to four Heartland

Collegiate Athletic Conference championships and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.

Prior to that, he spent seven years as head coach at Lexington Catholic High School, where he claimed three state titles

and won 90 percent of his games. He began his head-coaching career at Berea High School, leading the program to seven

20-win campaigns.

“Everyone has been absolutely wonderful,” Todd said. “Morehead State is my dream job in many ways. I am thrilled to be

this University’s next head women’s basketball coach. We have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited about the challenges

ahead.”

In 22 seasons as a collegiate and high school head coach, Todd owns a record of 548-144 (.791 winning percentage).

A native of Berea, Todd graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Renee, have three children, Brooke,

Katie and Robert.

Todd to lead Eagles as new women’s basketball coach

I want a coaching and support staff filled with tireless workers who will give everything they have to make us better. I want to create a family atmosphere here. This program is not about me. It’s about our student-athletes. That’s why I’m in this business.

“ “Greg ToddHead Coach, Eagle Women’s Basketball

FAME & GLORY

Summer 2014 | 31

All-Girl Cheer Squad claims national championship

The Morehead State cheerleading team claimed the 2014 All-Girl

Division I National Championship and placed second in the Division I

coed competition at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College

Nationals.

The win by the all-girl squad was the 35th championship in the history

of the program. MSU narrowly missed its 24th coed championship in

school history after finishing as the runner-up to Delaware.

The Morehead State dance team also competed at the Universal

Dance Association College Nationals for the second time in 13 years.

Women’s Basketball senior Terrice Robinson scores 1,000th career point

Senior guard Terrice Robinson (14) scored a game-high 26 points, including her 1,000th

career point at MSU, in an 87-70 setback at Tennessee State on Jan. 25.

Robinson, who scored less than 200 points in her first two seasons, ranked third in the

Ohio Valley Conference with 524 points in 2012-13 and added 408 in 2013-14. She is the

21st member of the 1,000-point club in MSU women’s basketball history.

Eagle Soccer earns NSCAA academic honor

MSU soccer recently collected a team honor, as it was named among the 2012-13

College Team Academic Award Winners by the National Soccer Coaches Association of

America.

The award is earned by teams that achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or

above for an entire academic year.

“I am very proud of our young ladies for their accomplishments in the classroom,” Head

Coach Warren Lipka said. “They compete on and off the field and are the true meaning

of student-athletes.”

Mraz celebrates 25 years as “Voice of the Eagles”

Chuck Mraz, the play-by-play announcer for Morehead State football and men’s

basketball, celebrated his 25th year as “Voice of the Eagles” in 2013-14.

Mraz, whose full-time position is news director at Morehead State Public Radio (MSPR),

has broadcast more than 900 Eagle athletic events, which is the most of any announcer

in the athletic department’s history and ranks near the top of the chart for all current

Ohio Valley Conference announcers.

FAME & GLORY


Of all the students who have graduated from Morehead

State University, a few can say they served as the MSU

Eagles’ mascot. But before the University had a mascot,

someone had to be brave enough to put the costume on

and see what would happen.

That someone was Jeff Wilkinson (76), and his stint

as MSU’s first-ever mascot was not only a thrilling

experience, it helped shape his entire life.

Wilkinson grew up in Crosspoint, Indiana. A self-

proclaimed “jock,” he first heard about Morehead State

when his best friend, Chuck Lee (71) became an Eagle.

Wilkinson transferred from Vincennes University to MSU

in 1969 and wasted little time making a name for himself

on campus, starting the Sigma Pi Fraternity in 1970 and

becoming a walk-on for the school’s football team, where

he played linebacker.

A knee injury cut his playing days short, but he found a

way to get back on the field halfway through the football

team’s season in the fall of 1969 when MSU band director

Dr. Robert “Hawk” Hawkins approached Wilkinson and

asked him to suit up in an entirely different way.

“He had a concept of a war eagle and he bought this

very expensive, hand-made outfit to support the band,”

Wilkinson said. “I had to think about it because I’m

supposed to be a football player. I’m not supposed to be

someone who runs around in an eagle suit.”

Whatever trepidations Wilkinson had about becoming

MSU’s mascot didn’t last long. He became a staple at

kickoff and halftime and would lead the football team

on the field during home games. He was the University

mascot until 1971. Thanks to the encouragement of his

professors and a newfound appreciation for serving

others, he left MSU to join the Marines.

He served for three years and was able to come back to

MSU in 1974 to finish his degree in physical education

and recreation. What would follow was a military career

that lasted 30 years, including a period stationed in

Guantánamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba). He retired with

the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2000 in Carmel, Indiana.

He later went on to become superintendent of Indiana

Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home, earned his MBA

from Indiana Wesleyan University and recently worked

as a senior defense contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Currently living in Tuscon, Arizona, Wilkinson is proud

to have served his country, but he credits his unique

experience at MSU with giving him an invaluable lesson.

“It’s all about giving back to an organization or a person

that supports you,” he said. “Ultimately, it became my

ethos because that’s what the Marine Corps was about.

It was about selfless service. It’s making a contribution,

no matter where it might be, to the institution.”

First Eagle mascot served both MSU and his country

FAME & GLORY

Summer 2014 | 3 3

Fundraiser scores big for Eagle Football

FAME & GLORY

Before Phil Simms was an NFL Giant, he was a

Morehead State Eagle – and he hasn’t forgotten his

roots.

The former MSU standout was featured at the football

program’s fundraiser on Saturday, March 29, at MSU’s

Academic-Athletic Center. More than 300 people were

on hand for the event and the two-time Super Bowl

champion raised $136,700.

“Tonight was a milestone event,” Head Coach

Rob Tenyer (07) said. “We can’t thank Phil enough for his

generosity and support of Morehead State football.”

The festivities began with a meet-and-greet session.

The program featured dinner, a live auction and five

award presentations. Simms, Tenyer, President Wayne D.

Andrews and Director of Athletics

Brian Hutchinson (96) addressed the crowd.

The live auction featured a touchdown experience

versus Eastern Kentucky, Homecoming guest coach

opportunity, Simms autographed helmet and jersey, and

tickets to an NFL game with a behind-the-scenes tour

from Simms.

Former players from the past six decades were in

attendance. Postseason team awards bearing the names

of Simms, Dave Haverdick (70), John Christopher (83),

Jim Appel (91), Mike Appel (97) and Mike Gottfried (66)

were introduced and plaques were presented.

“I’ve communicated with Rob several times since he

took over as head coach (in 2013), and this is something

we both wanted to do,” Simms said. “I’m excited to do

what I can for Morehead State football. I want to help the

program moving forward.”

A graduate of Southern High School in Louisville, Simms

lettered for the Eagles from 1975-78. He tallied 5,545

passing yards, 32 touchdowns and was named Ohio

Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He was

inducted into the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame

in 1995.

Playing for the Giants from 1979-93, Simms shattered

19 franchise records. He led the Giants to Super Bowl

victories at the end of the 1986 and 1990 seasons and

was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1985 and 1993

campaigns. His jersey numbers have been retired both by

the Giants (#11) and by Morehead State (#12).

Simms currently works for CBS Sports on the network’s

lead NFL broadcast crew. He was visiting his alma mater

for the first time since 2011.

“The Morehead State campus looks great,” Simms said.

“This place looks better and better each time I come

back. It’s been awesome seeing so many great friends,

former players, former coaches, current players, current

coaches and supporters of Eagle Football.”


There’s no MSU without U! We need U to help us reach our alumni participation goal by June 30!

Are you an active alumnus?

Maintain your status as an active alumni by making a yearly contribution of at least $25 to the MSU Foundation Inc.

www.moreheadstate.edu/alumni

25%

50%

75%

100%

As an active alumnus, you’ll enjoy:

• 10% discount on MSU merchandise at the University Bookstore

• 10% discount on a membership to the Recreation & Wellness Center

• Discounts at Eagle Trace Golf Course

• Discount on season tickets for Eagle Football & Basketball

Summer 2014 | 35

If you don’t have access to the online version of the 2013 Donor Report, please contact the

Office of Development at 877-690-4483 to request a printed version.

Much more than a gift.We are enormously grateful to all those who believe in and support MSU. Every gift – whether $5 or $5 million – makes a significant difference to Morehead State University. Our momentum is phenomenal, and we owe this to the strong support of our alumni and friends. Thank you!

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY

2013 ANNUAL DONOR REPORTNow available online: www.moreheadstate.edu/donorreport

The 2013 Donor Report, which includes gifts made between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013, is now available.

Visit our website to see who made a difference last year.

We couldn’t do it without YOU!


The 1887 SocietyThe 1887 Lifetime Giving Society is Morehead State University’s most prestigious donor recognition

organization. Individuals become members of the 1887 Society based on their cumulative giving over time to

MSU through the MSU Foundation Inc. The1887 Society recognizes four levels of lifetime cumulative giving,

beginning with a total of $50,000.

Circle of ExcellenceGifts of $1,000 or more to any operating account are qualified for membership in this premier annual giving

society. Beginning in 2014, gifts to any fund, including departmental funds and scholarship and endowment

funds, also qualify for Circle of Excellence membership.

Alumni who attended the University in undergraduate programs 10 or fewer years ago are eligible to

participate in any of the Circle of Excellence levels for a contribution of half the stated level.

Membership in the Circle can be achieved through a one-time annual gift, quarterly or monthly installments.

The MSU Annual Fund ClubsDonors who contribute gifts between $250 and $999 are recognized at one of three levels.

• Benefactor’s Club: $750 - $999

• Patron’s Club: $500 - $749

• Supporter’s Club: $250 - $499

MSU strives to ensure our annual reports are accurate. Unfortunately, we inadvertently omitted a few donors in the 2012

report. We would like to recognize the following individuals for their support during 2012.

• Ernst and Sara Volgenau, new members of the 1887 Society with cumulative giving in the $50,000 – $99,999 category.

• William L. Bowers, 2012 member of the Circle of Excellence at the Bronze Level

• Shirley Parker, lifetime member of the MSU Fellows Society

Will your name be in the 2014 Annual Donor Report?Make a gift to MSU online by visiting www.moreheadstate.edu/giving.

What is included in the 2013 Annual Donor Report?www.moreheadstate.edu/donorreport

Summer 2014 | 37

The Visionary Society includes individuals who remember MSU through planned gifts such as bequests, gift annuities, trusts, life estates, life insurance, or another planned gift vehicle and therefore provide for the future beyond their years.

If you have chosen to include MSU in your estate plans, we want to recognize you. Please contact the Office of Development at 1-877-690-4483 so we can add your name to the Visionary List!

What will your legacy be?

Creating A Legacy forFuture Generations . . .

Wayne (68) and Brenda Judy (68) both have great affection for Morehead State

University and all it has done for them.

The Judys are both natives of Gallatin County, Kentucky, and both graduated from

Gallatin County High School in 1964. They have been together since they were 16

years old and married during their sophomore year at MSU. Wayne earned his

B.S. in chemistry and Brenda earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education

before getting her master’s degree in elementary education from MSU in 1971.

“We were taken under the wing by everybody there,” Brenda said. “It was just a

welcome environment and it opened up the world to myself and my husband.”

“Everything went well for us and we really credit Morehead State with giving us

the foundation,” Wayne adds.

The couple is currently retired and living in Brandenton, Florida, but every time they return to MSU, it feels like coming home.

As members of the Visionary Society, the Judys provided the initial donation of $25,000 as seed money to start the Allen Lake

Professorship Endowment Fund and made arrangements to ensure they would help contribute to the University and future

generations of Eagles.

“Morehead State University meant the turning point in both our lives,” Brenda said. “MSU gave us a great foundation on which to

start and maintain our careers. Our experiences there, both academic and life, were so fundamental to our future lives that we chose

to provide initial funding honoring a favorite professor and have the University recognized prominently in our wills.”


Memorial and Honorary GiftsMemorial gifts are a special way to honor a friend, loved one, teacher or student who has passed away. Memorial funds are

often designated by friends and families for contributions in their loved ones honor. These gifts ensure a legacy for the one

who has passed that extends far into the future, also while supporting the University’s mission.

Similar to memorial gifts, honorary gifts are a generous and thoughtful way to recognize a person’s life and

accomplishments. Many gifts to the Foundation are made to honor a friend, commemorate an important holiday or life event,

or pay tribute to a special teacher. An honorary donation to the MSU Foundation is a popular alternative to traditional gifts

on birthdays, anniversaries and special events such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The MSU Foundation sends a special card to the family of the remembered or the honoree when a memorial or honorary gift

is made.

It’s a great time to make a gift to MSU!

J. B. Blakeman Memorial Scholarship

One of the most recent scholarships established in memory of an MSU alumnus is the J. B. Blakeman Memorial

Scholarship. This special scholarship was established in 2012 in memory of Jeffery Scott “J.B.” Blakeman (81). A graduate

of Morehead State University with an industrial technology degree, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and a

Chi Omega sorority big brother. He passed away September 2011 at the age of 52.

Upon his passing, the Blakeman family, in conjunction with the MSU chapters of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Chi Omega,

organized a charity golf outing. The money raised from the outing was contributed to the MSU Foundation to support annual

scholarships in his memory. These scholarships are awarded to active members of the Kentucky Zeta chapter of Sigma Phi

Epsilon who actively participate in a variety of community service initiatives. The 2014 recipients were announced in Atlanta

at the Carlson Leadership Academy hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The 2014 Blakeman Golf Outing will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at Eagle Trace Golf Course.For more information on the scholarship or the golf outing, contact MSU’s Office of Advancement at 606-783-2033.

From left, Taylor Blakeman Barney,

recipient Trey Swartz, Vicki Collins Blakeman (81),

recipient Dalcus Sparks, and Kennedy Blakeman.

Summer 2014 | 39

People have the ability to change the lives of others.

Some do this actively and intently. That being said, others

change people’s lives by simply living and setting an

example that has a positive and lasting effect on others.

In a way, John E. Collis (49) falls into both categories.

As a student, former employee, proud alumnus and

constant supporter of Morehead State University and the

community, he’s been a fundamental figure on campus.

When the John E. Collis Endowment Scholarship was

established, it was an unexpected honor for him, since

he didn’t initially know the people who established it or

their reasons for doing so.

“I must have done something that was of some help,”

Collis said. “It’s kind of embarrassing to say to them,

‘Thank you for doing this ... but what did I do?’”

Actually, Collis has done quite a bit in his long life. He

spent his childhood in Southern Ohio and split his days

growing up between going to school in the mornings and

going to work as the office manager of his dad’s firebrick

plant in the evenings.

He was a student-athlete and attended Ohio University

in 1940 to play football before enlisting in the Navy during

World War II, serving as a communications specialist

aboard naval planes on missions in Australia and the

South Pacific. After serving for nearly five years, he

came back to the states to attend flight school and met

his late wife, Dorothy “Dot” Canyus.

I felt very grateful to get it. Just to know that I’m getting money that’s helping me and knowing someone is acknowledging my achievements felt really great.

“ “

Abbie Chandler, Charleston, WVFirst recipient of the John E. Collis Scholarship Endowment

Collis receives unexpected honor - an endowed scholarship


The two of them came to MSU in 1946 when Collis

received a football scholarship. He went on to earn a

degree in business in 1949 and, upon graduation, he was

called to the president’s office and offered the job of

managing the University’s bookstore.

Collis accepted the position and held it for four

decades before retiring in 1988. As the years went

on, his responsibilities expanded to include managing

concessions for football and basketball games for

Breckinridge Training School, MSU and Rowan County

High School. He also ran the campus’s post office and

supplied caps and gowns to graduates. All in all, as long

as he was helping students, Collis was happy.

“I have enjoyed my job and the responsibility I’ve had for

all this period of time,” Collis said. “If you keep dealing

with the same age group, you never get old yourself and

there’s no better group of people to deal with than young

people.”

But Collis did a lot more than just “deal with” students

if you ask Dr. George Kerr (58) and his wife, Sally, who

established the John E. Collis Endowment Scholarship.

Sally first encountered Collis as a third grader at

Breckinridge Training School when she went into the

bookstore to buy materials for her music classes.

“We were always treated as if we were college

students. He seemed to make no difference,” Sally said.

“I admired him even as a child. I recognized this special

quality about him because he was always so pleasant.

For a long time with me, Mr. Collis was the bookstore.”

George had a similar experience when he was deciding

on which college to attend. Collis’s kindness and

helpful nature when he visited the bookstore was one

of the reasons he chose Morehead State, but George’s

encounters with Collis throughout college and witnessing

his dedication to serving the campus community stayed

with him.

“John really spends his life in service of Morehead

State,” George said. “Sally and I really wanted to give

back in a meaningful way.”

The John E. Collis

Endowment Scholarship

was established in 2013.

The $25,000 scholarship

was created through

donations from the Kerrs,

along with family, friends

and other alumni.

Collis still tries to show

his public support for

Morehead State whenever he can – especially at athletic

events. Since first attending MSU, he’s only missed five

football games and, at age 90, he still finds a place in the

stands to cheer on his fellow Eagles.

“I came here on a football scholarship, and it became my

desire to support the football team ... and not just support

it, but enjoy it,” Collis said.

Collis is no stranger to being honored for his time at

Morehead State. In 1989, the MSU Board of Regents

gave Collis the Founders Day Award for University

Service. But Collis admits there’s something particularly

rewarding and touching about the gesture of starting a

scholarship in his honor because long after he’s gone,

he’ll still be helping young people succeed.

“I don’t think anything is comparable to my responsibility

to students,” Collis said. “I don’t know of anything I

would have appreciated more than knowing there will

be somebody out there that benefits from a scholarship

that’s started in my name.”

For information on how to make a contribution to the

John E. Collis Endowment Scholarship fund, contact the

Office of Development at 606-783-2033, 877-690-GIVE or

[email protected].

Summer 2014 | 41

It’s hard to put a number on the amount of appreciation

Morehead State University’s students have for the many

private donors who show their passion for this great

institution.

However, MSU’s Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA)

thought the number “1,000” is a good place to start.

In coordination with the second annual Student

Engagement and Philanthropy Day held on Feb. 27,

SAA organized an event called “1,000 Thanks for 1,000

Donors” in order to show their gratitude for donors in a

unique way.

Student Engagement and Philanthropy Day was

started by the Council for Advancement and Support of

Education’s Affiliated Student Advancement Programs

(CASE ASAP). Chan Lawson (14), a former member of

SAA and MSU graduate, said they came up with an idea

for a memorable gesture.

“I personally think hand written thank you notes are very

meaningful,” Lawson said. “I believe that small personal

gestures make a big impact.”

Once they decided on hand-written thank you notes, a

goal of how many to write still needed to be determined.

Lawson said more attainable numbers were tossed

around until they settled on a more ambitious goal.

“We wanted to set our goal high to ensure we were

thanking as many donors as possible, but we also knew

we needed to be realistic,” he said. “We felt like 1,000

thank you notes was ambitious, yet attainable.”

On Feb. 27, SAA set up tables in the Adron Doran

University Center, spending a good portion of the early

morning and afternoon hours getting students to fill out

thank you cards until they reached their goal. Allison

Caudill, assistant director of donor relations at MSU,

said this project was an effective way to make students

aware of the impact private donations have on their MSU

experience.

“The concept was not only to thank donors but to also

educate the students on how private money makes a

difference here on campus,” Caudill said.

The SAA hope that with an event like “1,000 Thanks

for 1,000 Donors,” it will not only show appreciation

for private donors and educate students on private

donations, it will hopefully plant a seed so these students

will become future donors themselves.

MSU students show their appreciation 1,000 times over


Losing his eyesight at 10 years old due to a brain tumor

near his optic nerve didn’t stop Judge David Holton (84)

from achieving success. It didn’t prevent him from being

elected student body president at MSU during his college

tenure while earning a bachelor’s degree with a double

major in government and politics. It didn’t prevent him from

later earning his law degree at the University of Kentucky,

becoming a successful attorney and later a district court

judge in Louisville.

So, it’s certainly not going to stop him from calling a

football game.

With friend and attorney Thomas Patteson as his spotter,

Holton, 51, has been calling high school football games

for the past few years. The father of two boys, oldest

son, Brooks, and youngest son, Max, the boosters from

Manual-Pleasure-Ridge Park High School in Louisville

asked him to call the action for the junior-varsity games

during Brooks’ sophomore season. He did that for two

years before being asked to call the varsity games.

Now, he’s in the press box every Friday night calling

neighboring Western-Central High School’s football

action, and his extracurricular activity has become an

inspirational story. It’s resulted in coverage from various

news outlets in Kentucky and even a video feature on

TIME magazine’s website. Once the story went national,

Holton began receiving calls and notes from people as far

away as Hawaii, Washington and New York.

“I couldn’t believe all the publicity,” Holton said. “It’s crazy

the amount of attention this silly thing’s gotten. I’m just

calling a football game.”

Holton likes that his story has had a positive effect on

others, but what’s been most rewarding about his role as

announcer was getting to feel close to his boys as they

played the game.

“The best call you can make if you’re a dad is to call your

own son’s name making a tackle.” Holton said. “I was

never a coach for my sons when they played sports, and

the next best thing to being on the field coaching was

being in the press box announcing the game.”

Holton receives national attention as sports announcer

Summer 2014 | 4 3

CLASSNOTES

Joe Bayless (58) was recently inducted

into the Illinois High School Scholastic

Bowl Coaches Hall of Fame. While

teaching biology at Oblong High School in

Oblong, Illinois, he founded the school’s

scholastic bowl program in 1980. He went

on to coach for nine seasons and had an

overall record of 220-51, notching several

wins in large tournaments and qualifying

for the National Academic Championship

tournament three times.

Gail Salyer King Mortimer (62) has

taken a part-time position working for

the Magoffin Adult Learning Center as a

teacher of English as Second Language

(ESL) and family literacy. Mortimer is

a retired teacher who taught English,

French and journalism at Magoffin County

High School for 17 years. She was also the

school’s guidance counselor for 15 years.

She married her husband, Jim Mortimer,

earlier this year. Her late first husband,

John Michael King (62), passed away

from lung cancer in 2011. The couple had

two children, Jeanie and John Michael

Jr., and three grandchildren.

Bruce Rutherford (71), a retired Navy

Captain, was named a 2013 Lifetime

Achievement Award winner by the Armed

Services Blood Program. His long and

distinguished military career included

numerous long-lasting contributions to the

military blood banking community. In 1990,

he was selected as the seventh director of

the Navy Blood Program before becoming

the 12th director of the Armed Services

Blood Program in 1995.

Marianne Taylor Castillo (73) recently

published a book of Christian poetry

entitled, “From the Heart.” The book

is currently available for purchase on

Amazon.com.

Wendell S. Meyers (73) was recently

appointed as the director of tech prep for

Sinclair Community College in Dayton,

Ohio. Prior to that, Meyers had retired

from Centerville City Schools in 2010 and

later served in a tech prep position with

Edison State Community College in Piqua,

Ohio.

Earl “Mickey” McGuire (74) was

re-elected to a two-year term on the

Kentucky Bar Association’s Board of

Governors. The Prestonsburg attorney is

one of 12 people selected for leadership

positions with the KBA. The Board of

Governors oversees management of

the Bar, an independent agency of the

Kentucky Supreme Court with more than

17,400 members.

Yates finds success in serving cyclistsBilly Yates (95) was first introduced to cycling in the early ’90s as a student at Morehead State University. A friend offered to

let Yates ride his mountain bike, and it didn’t take long for him to become hooked.

“I immediately fell in love ... I’ve ridden bikes all my life, but I’d never ridden a good one. This was a good one, and it was like

totally night and day — a different experience,” Yates said.

Now the owner of a successful bike shop, Yates spends his days helping those who are already hooked on the roads or the

trails. But equally as important is serving the customer who is new to biking and trying things out for the first time, he said.

Meeting the needs of local bike riders has kept Pedal Power in Lexington in business for 40 years, as cycling’s popularity has

experienced the ebb and flow of changing times and hobbies.

Yates first came to Pedal Power in 1995, working for the original owner, Gary Collins. After five years, the opportunity to buy

the shop presented itself, and Yates said he and his wife decided to try running the business themselves.

Staff members at Pedal Power are trained to help customers select the right bikes for their needs and to maintain those

bikes for optimal performance. Ultimately, Yates said, the shop’s success depends on knowing the product and listening to

customers to better serve their needs.

“We feel if we take care of them, they’ll want to do business with us,” Yates said.

Pedal Power is located at 401 S. Upper St. in Lexington. For more information, visit www.pedalpowerbikeshop.com.


Wendell C. Perry (74) published his third

astrology book, “Father Sun, Mother

Moon: Astrology’s Dynamic Duo.” Perry is

retired from Fayette County District Court

as a deputy court clerk and currently

works part-time within the Lexington

Public Library System in Lexington,

Kentucky. He also blogs for his website

GoodGollyAstrology.com.

Donald Lillie (76) was promoted to

associate professor of theatre, cinema

and dance at Missouri Western State

University in 2013. This promotion included

an appointment to chairman of theatre,

cinema and dance in the university’s

new School of Fine Arts. Prior to working

at Missouri Western State University,

he opened an original play, “Marlowe,”

in London in 2010, the same year he

was presented in Stratford-upon-Avon,

England, for the Shakespeare Birthday

Celebration.

Dr. Kevin Scott “Cody” Regan (78) was

named CEO of Silon Entertainment Co., in

Phoenix, Arizona. The company works in

the entertainment industry, music industry

and with creative educational products.

Prior to this, he pioneered the field of

international arts administration and

management when he founded IAA CO.,

40 years ago.

Randall Lamb (80) was recently named to

the Board of Directors of the Bluecoats

Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio.

The corps consistently earns top placing

in the Drum Corps International World

Championships, where it placed 5th in

2013. He was a director of bands at

Newark High School in Ohio, where his

bands rated superior over 40 times in state

finals in both marching and concert band

events. The marching band also received

32 Grand Champion awards.

Since retiring in 2008, he serves as a judge

and performs as timpanist with the Heisey

Wind Ensemble and as drummer with

the HWE Big Band while also serving as

chairman of the 2014 Ohio All-State Band.

Dr. Frances Hardin-Fanning (81) received

the 2013 American Public Health

Association (APHA) New Investigator

Award for Public Health Nursing at the

APHA’s annual conference in Boston.

She also accepted the 2013 Spirit of

Philanthropy Award for the Delta Psi

Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International

Nursing Honor Society at the international

conference in Indianapolis. Dr. Hardin-

Fanning is currently an assistant

professor at the University of Kentucky

College of Nursing, where she teaches

undergraduate nursing research and

conducts independent studies with

graduate nursing and nutrition students.

Smith earns national recognition for role in affordable educationElmer R. Smith (71) came to Morehead State because he knew it offered a quality education at an affordable

cost. Now, Smith‘s current role in helping students get an affordable education has earned he and his

institution national recognition.

Smith is president of Interactive College of Technology (ICT), an accredited institution that offers both

associate degrees and diploma programs for high-demand careers. ICT was recently ranked 17th by the U.S.

Department of Education’s Top 20 Best Values in the Private-for-Profit, Two-Year College sector for lowest

tuition.

Smith, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from MSU, started off teaching in public schools, later

moving up the ranks working for private colleges before becoming president of ICT. Smith knows the cost of higher

education can be a substantial burden on college graduates, but he’s happy that his institution is doing its part to lighten the

financial load for students while giving them skills and knowledge that could propel them to future success.

“You never tire of seeing a student come in, apply themselves, work hard and achieve whatever their goal or objective is,”

Smith said. “It’s extremely rewarding to see that happen. That’s what sort of keeps you going every day.”

CLASSNOTES

Summer 2014 | 45

Carol Kulp-Shorten (81) was the

inspiration for her husband, David

Shorten, to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa

this past January in an effort to raise

money and awareness for the American

Diabetes Association. A dermatologist

in Louisville, she is diabetic and was

diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 43.

Leading up to the climb, Shorten was able

to raise more than $10,000 in donations.

David Wesley Williams (83) had his first

novel, “Long Gone Daddies,” published

by John F. Blair, Publisher, in March. The

novel tells the story of three generations

of musicians and the old family guitar.

It’s set in Memphis, where he currently

lives, and is steeped in the music of the

American South, from blues and soul to

country and early rock ‘n’ roll.

He had a 30-year newspaper career

with stops in his hometown of Maysville,

Kentucky; York, Pennsylvania; and

Memphis. As a sports writer, he has

won national awards and covered three

Olympics, the Kentucky Derby, national

championships and prize fights. He is

currently sports editor at Memphis’s

daily newspaper, The Commercial

Appeal. His fiction has been published

by Harper Perennial’s Fifty-Two Stories,

The Pinch, The Common and Night Train.

He blogs about music and writing at The

Soundcheck & The Fury and tweets fiction

on Twitter @damnshortstory.

Carlton Hughes (86) was awarded

the Shepherd’s Cup for Excellence in

Children’s Ministry at the 2013 FOCUS

Conference in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Shepherd’s Cup is the highest honor

for Children’s Ministries in the Church of

God (Cleveland, Tennessee) denomination.

Eligible nominees must have served at

least 10 years in ministry. Hughes has

served as children’s pastor at Lynch

Church of God in Harlan County for

more than 12 years and is a professor of

communication at Southeast Kentucky

Community and Technical College. He

and his wife, Kathy, have two sons, Noah

and Ethan, and reside in Cumberland,

Kentucky.

Deborah Dunaway (92) recently had

her first novel published. It is entitled,

“Bound by Blood and Brimstone,” by D.L.

Dunaway. The book is now available in

paperback and for download at Amazon.

com, BarnesAndNoble.com and several

other online sites.

Set in 1950s West Virginia, the coming-

of-age tale follows twin sisters as they

are terrorized by a school bully. When a

final confrontation turns tragic, the sisters

must keep a deadly secret or face life-

shattering consequences.

Dunaway is a native of Eastern Kentucky

and a single working mom who works with

troubled youth at a local community action

agency.

Fox honored with OAK Award

Virginia “Ginni” Fox (91) has received various honors from MSU and other

institutions for her accomplishments and her contributions to Kentucky’s

educational system. Fox received one more honor, this time from the

Commonwealth of Kentucky, when the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary

Education named her the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Alumnus of

Kentucky (OAK) Award.

“I am pleased that the CPE recognized a very deserving member of our Morehead State University family for this prestigious

award,” said MSU President Dr. Wayne D. Andrews. “Ginni’s career exemplifies how MSU graduates use their education to

build outstanding careers and improve the lives of the citizens throughout the region and the Commonwealth.”

Fox’s career in education has centered on a commitment to providing educational access to as many people as possible.

As director of Kentucky Educational Television (KET), she created GED on TV, which is now utilized in all 50 states and

is available online. As CEO of KET, she created KET 1 and KET 2, allowing the network to be the most prolific producer of

educational and local programming in the nation and one of the first public television networks to broadcast digitally. She

also served as secretary of education under Gov. Ernie Fletcher when he appointed her to his cabinet in 2003 and continued

to make great strides in the interconnectedness and overall improvement of P-20 education.

Photo credit: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

CLASSNOTES


Erin Kidd (96), a publisher at Lucky Lady

Press, has partnered with novelist Cherie

Kay (98), to release the romantic comedy

novel, “Browse.Click.Love.” It is available

in print at Amazon.com and as an e-book

for Kindle, Nook, iBook and Google Play.

This novel is Kidd’s first foray into the

publishing world and she and Kay already

have plans for a second book in the

“Novel Adventure” series.

Dale Marie Prenatt (02) of Cincinnati,

Ohio, and Brian Botts of Lexington,

Kentucky, are pleased to announce their

engagement. She is the only daughter of

Gail V. Amburgey of Frankfort, Kentucky,

and the late Russell L. Prenatt of Edinboro,

Pennsylvania. Her fiancé is the oldest son

of the late Jean Palmer and the late Albert

Botts of Lexington. She continues to

write and publish poetry and is presently

employed with Grailville Program &

Retreat Center. He is an avid amateur

photographer and is employed with Half

Price Books, Inc. The couple plans to

reside in the greater Cincinnati area. No

date has been set for the wedding.

Dr. Brandi Hunley Dyer (04) has recently

joined Family Allergy & Asthma as an

allergy, asthma and immunology specialist

after completing her fellowship in allergy/

immunology at Tulane University in New

Orleans, Louisiana. She will see patients

in Family Allergy & Asthma offices in

Lexington, Richmond, Somerset and

Corbin.

Shannon Hunt (04) has released her first

book, “A Back Pocket Full of Poems.”

The book can be found on Amazon.com,

BarnesAndNoble.com, Vook.com and

the Apple iBookstore. She began writing

at the age of seven and was further

fueled by writing classes taught by MSU

professor George Eklund. She has been

published in more than 10 anthologies

both in the U.S. and internationally.

Amy J. Staton (04) was named the

2013 Kentucky Veterinary Technician

of the Year by the Kentucky Veterinary

Technician Association (KVTA). Staton

also recently earned her Doctor in

Education in Educational Leadership

Tech in 2013 from Morehead State. Staton

is currently an instructor of veterinary

technology in the University’s Department

of Agricultural Sciences.

Fraley Nominated for Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program

Joseph Fraley (94) went from being an MSU student excited to learn all he could about the agriculture industry to being

the current farm manager of the University Farm. His breadth of knowledge and experience led to his nomination to the

Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP) Class X for 2012-14.

Founded by the University of Kentucky, KALP was created to bring together potential leaders from across the state to

address Kentucky’s agricultural needs. Fraley was one of 22 people nominated for the two-year program, which also

included a two-week trip to South Africa to collaborate with the country’s farmers and work to solve the region’s various

agricultural issues.

Fraley said he gained a great deal of insight from his involvement with KALP and the trip to South Africa left him with

something he will carry with him through his role in MSU’s agriculture program.

“It opens your eyes up to how what I do may affect someone in another state, another county, even another country. Rather

than making the world bigger to me, it made it smaller,” he said. “We’re affecting the students and they are affecting a lot

more people when they go out into careers in agriculture.”

CLASSNOTES

Summer 2014 | 47

Is there a future Eagle in your family?

Share your baby announcement with us and we’ll mail a “Future Eagle” baby bib to celebrate your newest family member!

To request a bib, email [email protected] with “Future Eagle” as the subject line. You may also post pictures of your little one in the bib and share it with us on Facebook (search for “Official Morehead State Alumni & Friends” and become a fan). This is open to both parents and grandparents who are MSU alumni.

Future Eagle Hayden Frick, son of Nick Frick (02).

Horn finds career answers in questions of philosophy

Heidi McKenzie (11) is in the process of

starting her own clothing line specifically

designed for people in wheelchairs.

She is a former contestant in the Miss

Wheelchair America Pageant and

has become an advocate for those in

wheelchairs. She showcased some of

her first designs this past September at

the Lyric Theatre at the Lexington Fashion

Collaborative’s Future of Fashion Show.

Glenn L. Means (11) was one of three

young people from across the country

selected to participate in the 2013

Health For America fellowship program

in Washington, D.C. The program was

designed to get the input of recent college

graduates in order to reinvigorate the

United States healthcare system. In

addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in

psychology, Means also went on to earn

a master’s in public administration from

MSU in 2013.

Much more about you.Share your story. Email your classnote

to [email protected].

The study of philosophy isn’t about definitive answers as much as infinite questions. Those questions can lead a person

down a variety of paths, and in the case of Josh Horn (07), it was the subject of philosophy that made him change paths at

Morehead State and eventually led to his dream job.

Horn, a native of Inez, initially aspired to a career in criminal law and came to MSU to earn a bachelor’s degree in

government before applying to law school. But on the way to earning that degree, he took a philosophy class out of

curiosity. Curiosity eventually turned into fascination.

After switching majors, Horn graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and he went on to earn both his M.A. and

Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. After graduate school, Horn not only found a job; he may have found his ideal job

when he was hired last year as an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. As Horn

continues to develop as a professor, he often looks back to his time at MSU and instructors like Dr. Scott Davison,

Dr. Ric Caric, Dr. Pamela Ryan and Dr. Wendell O’Brien as examples of the instructor he’d like to become.

“When you’re first starting to get your feet wet, you go back and think of the kinds of professors you want to be like and the

ones that stuck with you,” Horn said. “They never forced their ideas on me, they helped me become who I am. I try to model

that on my students.”

CLASSNOTES


Steven E. Harris Sr.

John Michael King

Leonard Kocis

Johnny K. Maynard Jr.

Melissa D. Gilliam Sabon

William R. Stephens

Roger S. Young

Martha A. Wellman Hanson 1947

John R. Hartig 1949

Franklin H. Moricle 1951

Lorraine Brammell Criswell 1953

Ruth Phillips Parrish 1953

Albert H. Ratliff 1953

James R. Reynolds 1953

Jim B. Bowling 1955

Joyce A. Standiford Romano 1955

Sonia A. Ward Holbrook 1956

Betty L. Johnson 1958

Edith M. Burns Gunnell 1959

Opal B. Boggs Jett 1959

Gary V. Branson 1960

Sidney R. Cure 1960

Joyce A. Bentley Salyers 1960

Ruby L. Lewis Vencill 1960

Dorothy T. Hay 1961

Judith E. Lee Creech 1962

Gary N. Knight 1962

Faye (Donna) M. Thomas Sykes 1962

Robert I. Brown 1963

Virginia (Jenny) Klaren Buckner 1963

Gary R. Burton 1963

Katherine Orme Rogers 1963

Polly H. Tucker Fullington 1964

Jewell Mabry Hale 1964

John S. Mayo 1965

Kenneth A. Starnes 1966

Phyllis Pierce Wisecup 1966

Patricia A. Bolen Hogan 1967

Charles D. Salisbury 1967

Linda L. Love Allen 1968

James W. Weldon 1968

Alice E. Williams 1968

Steven A. Dunker 1969

Burdette (Bud) G. Greenman III 1969

James C. Porter 1969

William J. Donofrio 1970

Coleene B. Hampton 1970

David A. Law 1970

William L. Riley 1970

Patricia A. Watts 1970

James K. Walden 1971

Jacklynn K. Scott Darling 1972

Jack G. Maynard 1972

Clyde Porter 1972

Raymond L. Woolum 1973

Lisa B. Byron Amburgey 1974

Plummer Mason Jones III 1975

Dallas June Craft 1976

Anthony S. Caudill 1977

David E. Plemen 1977

Edith B. Bell Hall 1978

Edward T. Lundergan 1979

John H. Hitzel Jr. 1980

Christopher W. Hogg 1980

Joseph K. Slone 1980

Shelby Stamper Jr. 1981

Joy B. Brumagen Gilbert 1982

Barry G. Ellington 1985

John K. Williamson 1985

Katherine H. Coleman 1988

Darrin K. Hale 1989

Deanna P. Porter Arrington 1991

John G. Hardin 1991

Joyce B. Phillips Rutherford 1992

Brian K. Haggard 1993

Belinda D. Slone Mabry 1995

Adam S. Smith 1997

William B. Mineer 1998

Christopher Jared Maynard 2000

Larissa F. Crank 2003

Jeffrey A. Cantrell 2005

The Morehead State University family remembers ...

To make a gift in memory

of one or more of these

individuals, call the

Office of Development at

877-690-GIVE.

IN MEMORIAM

Summer 2014 | 4 9

Dr. Franklin Mayer Mangrum

Dr. Franklin Mayer Mangrum, 88, of Lexington, passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. He was born on

June 1, 1925, in Graves County, Kentucky.

Mangrum was a World War II veteran, having served during the last sixth months of the European

Campaign ending in May 1945. He graduated from Lowes High School in Graves County, Kentucky,

before earning his Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1949 and

his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago in 19578.

In 1957, Mangrum began his teaching career at Shimer College in Illinois before coming to

Morehead State College and establishing the school’s philosophy department in 1959. He was one

of the members of the faculty committee, which established the Honors Program in 1960. He served as a faculty advisor

to the philosophy club and was the first faculty representative to the MSU Board of Regents. After 36 years as a full-time

professor, he retired in 1995. After his retirement, he continued to teach part-time at MSU for four years before ending a 40-

year career at MSU in May 1999.

Gary Neal Knight

Gary Neal Knight (62), 79, of Paintsville, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, at his home. He was born in the town of Dunham in

Letcher County, on May 12, 1934. He was the son of the late Olen Albert and Willa Mae Knight.

Knight was a graduate of Paintsville High School. He was a member of the first University of Kentucky Allied Medical School

Physical Therapy class in 1973. He served as the first physical therapist at Highland Regional Hospital in Prestonsburg, and

at Mountain Manor Rest Homes from 1973 until he went into private practice in Prestonsburg in 1986. He was a teacher and

coach at Paintsville High School and a lifetime member of that school’s Hall of Fame. He inducted into the Paintsville Sports

Hall of Fame in 2013. He served as president of both the Big Sandy alumni chapters of Morehead State University and the

University of Kentucky for many years.

Edward Thomas Lundergan

Edward Thomas Lundergan (79) of Maysville, passed away on April 17, 2014, after a long,

hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma. He was 56.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science from Morehead State and later

obtained a Master of Science in Vocational Education/Agriculture from MSU in 1992. Lundergan

was manager at the University Farm for two decades from 1982 until his retirement in 2012.

During that time, he was an agriculture leader on and off campus. He was instrumental in

the improvement of the University’s renowned Black Angus herd and initiated fresh water

shrimp production while also serving as co-founder, advisor and co-manager of the Northeast

Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo. He received MSU’s Distinguished Staff Service Award in 2005.

IN MEMORIAM


Much more about you.

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY

Our graduate courses are not limited just to the main campus in Morehead. MSU offers you the flexibility to explore an array of graduate and post-graduate degree programs at our regional campus centers. Many programs are offered completely online or through a mix of face-to-face and interactive television (ITV) classes. Whatever your needs, you’re sure to find the right fit for you.

For more information, call 606-783-2039 or visitwww.moreheadstate.edu/gradschool.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity, educational institution.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Tumblr & Foursquare.

Summer 2014 | 51

SEPT. 5-7 Family Weekend

SEPT. 28Browning Orchard Festival

OCT. 2-4Homecoming

The time for MSU alumni to come home, come together and celebrate

Eagle pride is coming up sooner than you think. Make sure you join us for

Homecoming 2014!

Is the MSU Alumni Association hosting an event in your area?

Connect with us on social media for the latest event information!

To receive monthly updates onMSU news/events, sign up for

eSTATEMENT.

([email protected])

SAVE THE DATE

Connect with #EagleNation

msualumniandfriends @MSU_AlumniAssn Official Morehead State University Alumni

www.moreheadstate.edu/alumni

Much more Eagle pride.Kentucky residents, show your Eagle pride with a newly redesigned Morehead State license plate.

A portion of the fee will benefit the University.

For more information, visit mvl.ky.gov or call your local county clerk.

Delicious

Facebook

Slash Dot

Reddit

Newsvine

Yahoo

Microsoft

App Store

Qik

Tumblr

Behance

Friendster

RSS

Flickr

MySpace

Mixx

FriendFeed

SlideShare

Yahoo Buzz

MSN

Amazon

Vimeo

WordPerss

Design Float

Bebo

Email

Twitter

StumbleUpon

Skype

YouTube

Google

Netvibes

Apple

Last.fm

Viddler

Blogger

Deviant Art

Squidoo

Blackboard

Retweet

Digg

Technorati

LinkedIn

Google Talk

AOL

MobileMe

Mister Wong

Virb

Posterous

Design Bump

Share This

DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

PALMER DEVELOPMENT HOUSE

150 UNIVERSITY BLVD.

MOREHEAD, KY 40351

TM

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FLORENCE, KY

PERMIT NO. 313

For additional information, contact the MSU Alumni Association at 606-783-2080 or 800-783-ALUM.

Join us for the 2014 Marching Band Alumni Reunion.For more information, contact Dr. Susan Creasap at 606-783-2488 or [email protected].

HOMECOMING 2014OCT. 2-4

THURSDAY, OCT. 2

• ART EXHIBITION (Claypool-Young Art Gallery) 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• MSU HOMECOMING PARADE (Main Street) 6 p.m.

• NEARLY NAKED MILE (AAC) Registration 8:30 p.m. Presented by Student Alumni Ambassadors

FRIDAY, OCT. 3

• BLUE AND GOLD DAY

• ART EXHIBITION (Claypool-Young Art Gallery) 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• MEMORIAL BRICK CEREMONY (Little Bell Tower Memorial Plaza) 10:30 a.m.

• CLASS OF 1964 50TH REUNION LUNCHEON (Heritage Room, ADUC) Noon

• MSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOME RECEPTION (3rd Floor, ADUC) 5-7 p.m.

• *HOMECOMING BANQUET (Crager Room, ADUC) 7 p.m. ALUMNI & ATHLETIC HALLS OF FAME AND THE FOUNDERS AWARD FOR UNIVERSITY SERVICE

• HOMECOMING KICKOFF CELEBRATION (Buffalo Wild Wings) 7 p.m. Alumni Association and Joey Wagner (01) of J Wagner Group promoted event

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

• HOMECOMING TAILGATE (Eagle Rally Zone-beside Smith-Booth Hall) 11 a.m. DJ music provided by Joey Wagner (01) of J Wagner Group and Free Food

• *EAGLE FOOTBALL (Jayne Stadium) 1 p.m.

• *CROWNING OF THE HOMECOMING KING & QUEEN (Jayne Stadium) Halftime *Indicates ticket required.

statement sp2014

Documents