The cover came first, and I'm not sorry

Which comes first? The cover art or the cover story? Most magazine editors will tell you that this is a no-brainer: The story always comes first because the images support and promote the content—not the other way around. But then again, most editors will also tell you that making blanket statements like this one can easily lead to a big ole plate-o-crow.

I’ve been served that meal several times, but not in regard to the question at hand. This is probably because, while I edit Union’s magazine, I was first its designer and still am. Designing is what brought me to Union. So while I know it goes against best practices to prioritize artwork over content, I really enjoy when it’s necessary to reverse the order. At least most of the time.

A priority flip was necessary for our latest edition of Union Alumni Magazine. Considering this issue introduced readers to Marcia Hawkins, our new president, I wasn’t thrilled about veering away from the norm. It felt too risky. Nevertheless, the cover was created long before the story was edited or even drafted for the first time.

Here’s why: Last spring, we scheduled a higher-ed photographer to help us update our marketing and admissions materials. As luck would have it, Dr. Hawkins was scheduled to visit campus that same day. But not so luckily, we made this discovery only three days before they each arrived. With a good bit of scrambling, we arranged a photo session that included Dr. Hawkins and a large group of students. And with an idea for a story that emphasized her enthusiasm for the liberal arts, we put something together, knowing there would be no do-over. It was imperative that the story match the art. Did it work? I guess you should be the judge. But we sure had fun producing it. See for yourself.

Missy Reid, '91

Instantly Newsworthy

When the presidential search began just months ago, I thought a lot about how Union’s communications office might approach publicity and secure earned news coverage. I’d never been through this type of transition before, so the situation posed a unique challenge that was accompanied by a good bit of stress. Developing a PR strategy for a nameless, faceless person basically yields a stock list of options, none of them inspiring. Let’s face it: colleges hire new leaders every day. There’s nothing special about that except to those connected to the institution. So I imagined scenarios that worked into an ideal plan that equaled instant newsworthiness across the state.

Then Dr. Marcia Hawkins was named, and my daydreaming game was no longer necessary. She instantly won my confidence, both as a president and a newsmaker. She has a story that people will want to hear, and I can’t wait to work with her to tell it. Her passion for the liberal arts is paralleled only by her belief in the American dream, and she masterfully streams both into a common thread of pure…well, newsworthiness. This woman proudly defends the liberal arts in a day when, sadly, it needs a bold spokesperson.

No one outside Union’s circle of friends has heard much about this. They will. But for now, people in neighboring cities and states are intrigued with Dr. Hawkins because of her gender. I sent several releases out announcing her appointment and was met with many replies of “Wow!” and one “Woo hoo!” I cannot wait until our Facebook Insights are updated so I can measure the virility of our status when we announced to fans: “Union's 19th president has been announced. HER name is Dr. Marcia Hawkins, and she is looking forward to meeting all of you!” But that won’t scratch the surface of the enthusiasm. I know personally of several people who included the same information in their own status updates. And when you sprinkle on top of that a boatload of tweets and retweets, we might find that accurately measuring reach will be difficult.

As it turns out, being a female president, while it isn’t all that unusual, still gives many people a reason to cheer. There’s a popular goal that says the percentage of female presidents should match the percentage of female students. Currently, according to the American Council on Education, 26.4% of all college presidents are female, up from 23% just a few years ago. But with the female student population at 57%, there’s much work yet to be done. Among Methodist related four-year institutions, female presidents represent 23%. Once Dr. Hawkins is inaugurated, Union College will increase that number by one percent. Wow and woo hoo!

A reporter asked me if Dr. Hawkins’s gender had been a deciding factor in naming her as Union’s 19th president. I explained that no, her qualifications and proven record put her over the top and distinguished her as the best candidate from a pool of about 130 nationwide. She just happens to be a woman. But what a bonus!

That’s what I call instant newsworthiness. And it’s not a dream.

Missy Reid, '91

She Embraces Fear

Fear. It is an emotion most graduates experience, whether it’s associated with leaving a comfort zone or facing the unknown. It’s also the emotion that will motivate valedictorian Heidi Marsh as she addresses the 2012 Union College graduating class.

Marsh plans to embrace her fears while telling fellow graduates that it is OK to be afraid, because sometimes that fear can help you.

The senior from Benham, Ky., who will receive a Bachelor of Arts in English with a 3.88 GPA, said that the fear of not knowing is something she has experienced her whole life. Now, as she faces yet another milestone in earning her college degree, she sees that fear again. This time, however, she sees it in a different light.

“Fear is a powerful thing, and we only have two choices: succumb to our fears and give up, or take them in stride and use them as fuel in life’s journey,” Marsh said.

This lesson is one she wants to communicate to fellow graduates, as well as the Union community.

“I’ve been thinking about my graduation speech,” Marsh said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about fear, because I’m really afraid, and I think everyone else is a little bit afraid too. Union as a whole may even be a little bit afraid, with all the different changes that are going on right now.”

After graduation, Marsh has big plans in mind. She will attend graduate school at either the University of Louisville or East Tennessee State University. While there, she will earn a master’s degree in English literature before pursuing a Ph.D. so she can one day teach at the college level.

As she looks forward to those plans, Marsh knows that while she may be scared to start a new chapter in her life, she has to take heed of her own message and use that fear to her advantage.

“At the end of the day, you only have yourself to answer to,” Marsh said. “I don’t know that I would feel satisfied knowing that I held myself back from doing something great because I was scared of what might happen as a result.”

Union students will be "Up 'til Dawn"

College students know about sleepless nights. They pull all-nighters to cram for finals, followed by more all-nighters to celebrate passing those finals. Rarely does the 18-22 crowd stay up around the clock due to worries associated with childhood cancer.

While it’s true that most college students aren’t burdened with this type of struggle, it’s also true that they are not oblivious to it. Many of them feel a responsibility to help alleviate anxiety for families affected by cancer. Kristina Kirk is one such student. She has organized a St. Jude’s fundraising event called “Up ‘til Dawn,” named in honor and recognition of the children and families who have been plagued with cancer-related sleepless nights. “Cancer doesn’t sleep, so neither should we,” Kirk says.

That’s what this episode of UQueue—our podcast for students—is all about. You’ll hear from Kirk, along with Chelsea Root, whose family has lived the horrors associated with childhood cancer and has benefitted from the generosity of St. Jude’s and those who support its mission.

After the initial fundraising goal of $1,000 was quickly surpassed, the new number is $10,000. Funds will be collected from now through April 27, the date of the “Up ‘til Dawn” celebration. To donate, contact Kristina Kirk at kristina.kirk@unionky.edu.

Here's the link to the podcast for you to copy and paste in your browser. Enjoy!

http://thinkunionky.podbean.com/2012/04/03/up-til-dawn-uqueue-episode-four/


Missy Reid, ’91
Director of College Communications

Movies matter

Have you ever been super excited to go see a movie, get there, watch it and then leave the theater with a feeling of disappointment because it wasn’t all it was hyped up to be? There could be a way to fix this.

According to Michael Benton, the speaker at this year’s Willson-Gross lecture, you could have that feeling of disappointment not from the movie itself, but from the reactions you had to the movie based on when and where you viewed it.

It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. According to Benton, instructor of humanities at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Ky., the way you view a movie (where you are, who you’re with and what your mind-set may be) will affect the reaction you have to that movie.

Benton demonstrated this idea by comparing three different experiences he had, all while viewing the movie “Schindler’s List.” He said that through each viewing, his perception of the film changed, and he was able to draw three different experiences from one movie, all very unique in how they affected Benton and his conceptualization of what the film meant. But why did that conceptualization change?

Benton said that with each viewing of the movie, he was watching it in completely different settings, with completely different reasons for watching it. The first time was for entertainment in a crowded theater, the second time was for discussion and learning purposes at a friend’s house, and the third time was to demonstrate a concept he was teaching in a classroom.

Benton said that while all three of these experiences left him with completely different feelings, they were all important in forming one single conceptualization of the film.

“I find that watching a movie at home is much more voyeuristic in that one can simply watch without thoughts of others impeding on your experience,” Benton said. “On the other hand, a public theater involves one in a communal experience in which you interact with the narrative on the screen while experiencing the reactions of your fellow filmgoers.”

So the next time you watch a movie and say to yourself, “I was hoping for more,” maybe you should take Benton’s word, and watch the movie in a different setting. You could see the movie in a completely different light.

Students, let your voices be heard

As many of you read this blog post, you may also be drinking Starbucks coffee from Conversations, the campus coffee shop. Or maybe you’re on deck to play the winner of the current ping-pong match in the student center. Or you could be reading it on your iPhone while waiting for your appointment in the health center during their extended hours.

If you are doing any of those things, you are taking advantage of just one of the many assets Union College has gained as a result of Assessment Day.

So what is Assessment Day? For those that don’t know, according to Debbie D’Anna, vice president for Student Development, it’s a day when students will take different assessments dealing with a range of skills and topics. It’s also a day when students will be asked to provide feedback that often leads to facilities updates and policy changes.

“Some will take tests measuring critical thinking, science reasoning, math and English. Others will participate in health assessments and surveys to determine their level of satisfaction at Union,” D’Anna said. “Some students will participate in focus groups on topics of financial aid, first year experience, academic preparedness and student engagement.”

If you need more motivation to participate in Assessment Day (other than the fact that not going will delay your graduation date) just consider the counseling services that started in 2010, or the café which came to Union in 2008.

Other assets gained through Assessment Day include the commuters’ lounge, which was added just last year and extended Health Center hours, which started in 2010. Conversations coffee shop, which offers Starbucks products, also came as a result of feedback from students during these assessments.

Now we know that come April 3, sleeping in might be a very tempting option. Don’t hit that snooze button, though. Remember: Assessment Day is your chance to be heard and suggest changes and additions to Union’s campus.

This year’s event is on April 3 at 8:30 a.m. Depending on classifications, students will report to Centennial Hall, Sharp Academic Center or the Miller Science Center.

Union's 'twister' has been postponed

Local first responders and Union College were scheduled for emergency preparedness testing Friday, March 16. Teams in Laurel County were put to a real test, though, when an actual tornado touched down in East Bernstadt, doing significant damage to the community.

Since that happened, local first responders have been working alongside those in Laurel County., dealing with the aftermath. Because of this, the crisis simulation that was scheduled to take place on Union College’s campus has now been pushed back to a date that is not yet determined.

The simulation would have involved the Knox County Disaster and Emergency Services, Barbourville Police and Fire Departments, Knox County EMS, Knox County Health Department and Knox County Hospital, as well as Union College.

Members of these agencies were set to respond to a simulation on Union’s campus, where a tornado would hit the gym, do damage, and in the process produce many casualties. The responders would then have been evaluated on their level of preparedness.

Mike Gray, coordinator of student conduct and campus safety at Union College, was responsible for bringing this simulation to Union. He said the simulation still hasn’t been rescheduled, but should be in the near future.

“After first responders have their action meeting, then we will work to reschedule this. That meeting should be sometime this week,” Gray said.

Presidential search is winding down

The search is on for Union College’s 19th president, and the rate of progress suggests the new leader will be named as scheduled in late April.

The field is currently narrowed from an initial group of more than 130 prospects to a short list of very impressive candidates who would bring an effective brand of leadership to Union.

“I’m pleased and excited to report that Union College is in an extremely good situation,” said board chairman Paul Isaacs. “This pool of candidates represents a level of strength that makes the board of trustees’ decision on the next president very difficult because all the current candidates are extremely qualified, which will make the final decision particularly challenging. That’s a nice problem to face.”

Prior to beginning the search, a search committee—comprised of Union College faculty, staff, trustees and students—established a list of qualities and qualifications that they expect to see in the next president. This list was used as criteria in selecting the remaining candidates. A substantial number of reference calls were made to help aid the search.

The next step in the process is for the remaining candidates to participate in confidential interviews with the search committee. After these interviews, the list will be narrowed once again to the finalists who will be invited for another round of interviews on campus. The candidates, the college community and local citizens will have an opportunity to learn more about each other in this final round of meetings, which are planned for late March and early April.

Founded in 1879, Union College in Barbourville is a liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church.

Drug abuse talks should be eye-opening

Southeastern Kentucky has been noted for its growing drug abuse problem. But how big of a problem is it when you get down to the facts? Dr. Erich Goode, sociology professor emeritus at Stony Brook University, will be at Union to address this question.

Goode will lecture about his experiences researching drug use and what it looked like more than 40 years ago. He will be on Union’s campus Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. in Student Conference Center Rooms A, B and C of the Patridge Campus Center. The title of his lecture is “A Personal Journey: Forty Years of Studying Drug Use.”

Goode said that his lecture will open the eyes of some people, because the impressions they may have on drug use in Kentucky aren’t always aligned with the systematic data on this problem.

“Drug use is a major aspect of our society; it has both causes and important consequences, and members of the society should be aware of them, and the images that are projected in the press, and what the public understands at the grass-roots level, aren’t necessarily the way they are factually,” Goode said.

Citing Goode’s extensive research, Dr. Linda Silber, Union sociology professor, arranged this lecture. Silber said Goode has studied issues related to drug use for more than 40 years. Silber added that she selected Goode to speak not only because he is well versed in the issue and a personal friend of hers; he has also collaborated with her on a textbook focused on substance abuse. The title is “Drugs in American Society,” published in 2011.

Silber said that everyone is invited to attend, because this issue pertains to all ages and demographics—not just college students.

“The talk is pitched at a general audience and should be interesting to the college community as well as the greater community as a whole,” Silber said.

Come on over and 'Discover U'

Even high school students who have grown up on the lawns of Union College will benefit from attending this month’s open house event.

Called “Discover U,” the event will bring more than just a standard campus tour. It will be a close encounter with facets of Union College that reach beyond the park-like setting.

Opportunities will be provided for prospective students to learn detailed information about what Union has to offer. Add to that a baseball game as a bonus, and the result is a fun, informative day.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, when Union will open its doors for high school juniors and seniors.

A welcome session kicks off the day. Following that, students will take departmental tours of Union’s campus. At each stop on the tour, a faculty member will greet students with information about that specific academic department.

Other stops include the financial aid office, the admissions office and other various places located across campus.

Following the tour, students will meet for lunch. The day will officially end at noon; however, students are invited to stay and take in a baseball doubleheader against Point University, which starts at 1 p.m.

To register for the open house, go to the Union College homepage, www.unionky.edu. There is in a “Discovery U” icon on this page that links to the registration form. While there is no deadline for registering, officials strongly recommend that prospective students submit the form in advance. This will help ensure group sizes will be kept small enough to remain personal.

For more information, contact Jamirae Hammons at 606-546-1606.

A simulated crisis will test preparedness

Meet the Tornado Team
Several local agencies will respond to a simulated tornado at Union College on March 16. This crisis drill is designed to improve emergency preparedness in Knox County. Some participants include, left to right, Steve Owens, Pat Clouse, Mike Broughton and Bill Swafford of the Barbourville Police Department; Doug Dozier of the Barbourville Fire Department; President Thomas McFarland, Mike Gray and James Jamerson of Union College; Beth Smith, Brenda Graham and Beth Smith of Knox County Hospital.

The clock strikes 9 on the Union College campus one Friday morning. There is a mass gathering in the gym for some sort of typical college event. Activities pause as the floor rumbles a warning. Then walls begin to collapse, the roof rips off, and people collide with flying debris. What now?

That is exactly what will be tested on March 16 when Union College will host a simulation to test the effectiveness of the college and local agencies as they respond to a crisis. The simulation is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and will end within two hours.

The event, called “A Blustery Day in Barbourville,” will be a mock tornado that does structural damage to the gym and other areas of campus, and leaves some students hurt and others killed. Local agencies, including Union College, Knox County Disaster and Emergency Services, Barbourville Police and Fire Departments, Knox County EMS, Knox County Health Department and Knox County Hospital, will respond as they would in the event of a real emergency.

Mike Gray, coordinator of Student Conduct and Campus Safety at Union College, said that this simulation will provide Union College and other local agencies a chance to test and evaluate their response procedures in the event of a real crisis.

“After updating our emergency management plan, we decided the time was right to start testing things out,” Gray said. “Our local first responders need facilities and volunteers to train and test their skills, and that is what we as an institution can provide them, while at the same time ensuring that we are providing the highest level of service to our community members as possible.”

Rita Miracle, disaster preparedness coordinator at the Knox County Health Department, is the organizer of the simulation. She said local agencies are required to do a full-scale simulation every five years. This drill enables local first responders to remain in compliance, while also giving the college an opportunity to test its emergency preparedness.

“We have always had a plan, but events over the last few years have really pushed colleges and universities to be prepared in the event of an emergency, regardless of type, which could occur on their campus,” Gray said.

The simulation is not just being done to test each agency independently. It also provides a chance to see how well the different agencies work together.
Mike Mitchell, emergency management director at the Knox County Health Department, predicts that the agencies will do fine.

“All our services work together well,” Mitchell said. “We’re very capable and have the necessary personnel and resources to respond in the event of a crisis.”

About 30 Union students will participate as victims and will each be given a tag prior to the event. These tags will reveal each student’s simulated condition so responders can address problems appropriately. Five students will receive tags that mark them as fatalities. The others will be categorized into three groups: those that need immediate attention, those that are immobilized with non immediate life-threatening injuries, and those that suffer only minor injuries, also known as “the walking wounded,” according to Miracle.

Following the event, each agency will receive an evaluation as reported by external field experts. Evaluators will list what went well and will identify areas of concern. These reports and the simulation itself will help agencies better themselves, so that in the event of a real crisis, they will be able to perform effectively.

Spring break photos are great, but...

...is that really an appropriate first impression? That you've been on the dean's list four consecutive semesters might paint a better picture, don't you think?

You’ve graduated and started the process of applying for jobs, and a potential employer Googles you. Pictures of you on spring break pop up, straight from your Facebook profile. The next hit down is a colorful tweet that seemed like a good idea at the time. The list goes on, and by the time the employer is finished looking, he hasn’t noticed anything that shows you as someone to be taken seriously. The end result? You not only don’t get the job, you don’t get an interview, either.

It’s a horror story many graduating students have experienced, and it’s not because they aren’t good students. It’s because most often, students’ profiles on social media sites portray them personally— not professionally. So how do you avoid it? We can’t work miracles, but we’ve found something that can help.

ReadMedia and its student profile site, www.readabout.me, is a service Union now uses. It builds profiles for you that display the achievements you have earned. Each time one of your achievements is published, you get that story published to your profile, along with a badge that illustrates that achievement at a glance.

So how does that work? Say you make the dean’s list at Union College. A release is written about it and sent to your hometown newspaper. Mom and Dad are so proud. Grandma has it laminated and puts it on the fridge. This story is automatically posted to your “Read About Me” profile. You receive an email telling you the story is up and that you can now share it with friends and family by clicking a social media icon.

The next step is yours if you choose to take it. Once an email is sent telling you that you had a story posted to your profile, you need to go claim your profile. There are two ways—both very easy—to do this. The first is simply by opening the email you receive and following the directions. There should be a link that takes you to your profile and lets you verify your identity. The other way is by visiting the site www.readabout.me and doing it there. Do a search for your name, and once you find it, click the link next to it that asks, “Is this you?” You will then enter your email, and if it matches the one that is in the system, you will be sent an email that will walk you through how to customize your profile and link it to your Facebook.

The customization options let you upload your own picture and add achievements that may not be covered, such as internships.

Your professional profile, once you develop it some, will start popping up as one of the highest hits when your name is Googled. It’s a much better place to send future employers. So make sure to log on and claim your profile. It will move those embarrassing Facebook photos a little further down in the results when your name is put into a search engine.

She's finally taking a seat

Just weeks before her final curtain call, Dr. Rebecca Pettys, professor of theater at Union College, can finally boast the completion of a project that has slowly taken shape over the past three decades.

Rector Little Theatre now has new seats.

After contributing to a fund since she began working for Union College in 1984, Pettys’s farewell performance will be the first time audiences will face the stage from new seats—an event that will mark both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

Union’s spring production will be Pettys’s only director’s chair experience with the updated theater. However, this doesn’t dampen her excitement. “I’m just glad it’s here. This project wasn’t for me, it was for the future,” she said.

The improvements were much needed, as the old seats, which had begun to suffer from metal fatigue, were literally “breaking underneath people,” Pettys said.

The project isn’t complete just yet, though. Engraved arm plates for chairs are still to be added. These will identify names of donors, whose contributions supplemented the expense. The arm plates will also identify four people Pettys chose to honor because they each “really made a difference in the theater program at Union College,” she said.

Dr. Dan Covington, Union College biology professor, is among Pettys’s four honorees. Covington has been a frequent performer through the years and is acting in the upcoming play. The chair in his honor will identify him as “performer.”

Pettys also chose to recognize Melissa Garrett, Union College librarian, who has volunteered countless hours as a crew member helping most notably with costumes. Garrett’s plate will identify her as “costumer.”

Dr. Andelys Wood, professor of English at Union, has supported the theater program through consistent financial contributions through the years. Pettys has chosen to honor Wood with a plate identifying her as “friend.”

The fourth honorary seat will go Edward D. de Rosset, former president of Union College, whose help with the theater program stems back to Dr. Pettys’s first year. The bulk of the theater program’s archived images are due to de Rosset’s keen eye and many volunteered hours. De Rosset will be identified as “photographer.”

There is also a chair reserved for Pettys herself. Her seat is “the best one in the house,” she said. Against the wall, on the back row, with only the center aisle separating her from the stage, it gives her an unobstructed view of the action. Her chair will be flanked by the four honorary seats to one side, and a chair she purchased in honor of her late husband, Dr. Robert Pettys, on the other.

The replaced seats have served Rector Little Theatre well.  Local movie theater owner Charles Reed Mitchell donated the seats in 1983, the year before Dr. Pettys came to Union College, she said.

Performances for James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” will be March 22-24 and 30-31. Pettys will both direct and act in the play.

The gift of life is the best incentive

Meet Union College freshman Austin Riggs and his brother, Owen, whose life was saved by the 13 blood transfusions he received as an infant. Need another reason to donate blood? In the release below, you'll find a few more details about the Riggs family and how we learned about their story. Plus you'll find contact information to help you find a donation center if you missed this week's drive on campus.

Some people require a gentle nudge, or even an incentive, before pushing up their sleeves to greet the blood donation needle, while others are so eager to give, they jump to the front of the line.

Union College hosted a blood drive earlier this week, and freshman Austin Riggs knows all about the different levels of enthusiasm that such an event can generate. He makes it his business to know because donations saved his brother’s life.

This annual blood drive inspired a Facebook post on the Union College fan page, which asked if anyone would be willing to share personal experiences related to the benefits of donating blood. Almost immediately, Austin’s mother, Union alumna and Barbourville native Debbie Owens Riggs, issued a reply:

“My youngest child had a life threatening illness and needed 13 blood transfusions. Donating blood is a top priority with our family.”

Austin’s younger brother Owen, now in middle school, was born with a hole in his heart. In order to survive as a newborn, Owen received transfusions over the course of a month, until he was ready for open-heart surgery. Following this struggle, Owen was named Kentucky Children’s Miracle Network Champion.

The Riggs testimony lends credence to the notion that it’s not important why you give, just that you do.

Sometimes people will give blood because a tangible gift is involved. Union’s Student Government Association answered this call with movie passes to the first 40 students who donated. Additionally, Kentucky Blood Center, which organized the event, offered $10 Wal-Mart cards for donors.

Regardless of what lures people in the door, people should know that their donations—no matter how large or small—are significant. People like Austin are very grateful and are eager to tell donors what an impact they have made.

“When you donate blood, you’re not just giving it away, you’re saving a life,” he said.

While it is rarely ill-advised to donate blood, there are certain situations that call for careful scheduling. Athletes, for example, should abstain from donating just prior to engaging in competitive games. As a case in point, Union hosted a swim meet just two days after the blood drive, which removed several students from the donation pool.

While it is unfortunate that the timing doesn’t work out for everyone when a blood drive rolls around, people should keep in mind that donations can be made by visiting a donation center. 
 
Union’s blood drive ran from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday. Forty-five people donated, and out of that, professionals were able to collect 37 good units, or pints, of blood.  The average red blood cell transfusion requires about 3.4 pints, so Union College was able to donate enough blood for approximately 10 transfusions.

For more information about scheduling a blood donation, contact the Kentucky Blood Center at www.kybloodcenter.org.

Three Decades of Drama

Since the mid-1980s, Dr. Rebecca Ansary Pettys has directed 49 productions in Union's Rector Little Theatre. She'll add one more just before retiring this spring. As her last opening night draws near, let's glance back at the plays she has directed from 1984 through her final production, which opens in late March.

1984
Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon

1985
Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton
The Boor by Anton Chekov
The Good Doctor by Neil Simon

1986
A Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni
Plaza Suite by Neil Simon
The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman

1987
Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe
The Odd Couple by Neil Simon

1988
Iphigeneia at Aulis by Euripedes
The Crucible by Arthur Miller

1989
A Killin’ by Patricia Ramsey
The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams

1990
See How They Run by Philip King
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

1991
White Lies, Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer
The Apple Tree by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Noel and Reb by Paul Power

1992
A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt

1993
The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

1994
The Diviners by Jim Leonard, Jr.

1995
A Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni

1996
The Crucible by Arthur Miller

1997
Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig

1998
Rashomon by Fay and Michael Kanin
Iphigeneia at Aulis by Euripedes

1999
California Suite by Neil Simon

2000
Hot l Baltimore by Lanford Wilson

2001
An Evening of Culture by Mark Landon Smith

2002
Antigone by Jean Anouilh
Talking With… by Jane Martin

2003
Tartuffe: Born Again by Freyda Thomas
The Good Doctor by Neil Simon

2004
Hecuba by Euripedes

2005
An Act of the Imagination by Bernard Slade
The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder

2006
The Curious Savage by John Patrick

2007
A Case of Libel by Henry Denker

2008
Charley’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas
Doll House by Henrik Ibsen

2009
Comic Potential by Alan Ayckborn
Play On! by Rick Abbot

2010
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman

2011
Twelve Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose

2012
The Lion in Winter by James Goldman

Check out why everyone is checking in

... with Foursquare and other handy apps

In a world of social media, it can be easy to get lost. Turns out there’s an app for that.

While not new to the smartphone app scene, Foursquare—for whatever reason—isn’t very popular in our neck of the woods. But we think you should give it a shot. There may be more in it for you than you realize.

For those of you who don’t know, Foursquare is a social media app that helps a person figure out what is around them, how to get there, who else among their friends is there and even offers reviews about certain places if other Foursquare users are talking about it. It can be very useful if you are in a town you know nothing about, or if you do get lost and need to figure out points of reference around you.

Foursquare has turned into more than just a locator, however. Businesses are also using Foursquare as a promotional tool to help get word out about what they offer. Some places even offer users a discount if they check in at that place of business. And sometimes they’ll even give you a prize. We’re talking tangible goodies. Google “random acts of kindness foursquare” and see for yourself. Union can’t jump on board with this type of promotion unless students are on board with the app, right?

Foursquare can be linked to Facebook and Twitter, accounts you’re probably already using for checking in. But since Foursquare offers such an expanded information bank regarding businesses and entertainment all over the globe (not to mention a prize or two), why not use it?

As long as you’re shopping, you should also check out these other smartphone apps that could come in handy on campus.

iSource MLA/APA
When you’re writing a paper, you’ve got to make sure everything is cited correctly. This app lets you check to make sure you are doing just that. There are versions available for both MLA and APA styles.

Flash My Brain
Have a big test coming up? Sometimes you will want to study at places where your notes or computer aren’t accessible. In that case, use your phone. This app lets you make flashcards on your phone, so that you can study wherever you are.

iStudiez Pro
This app lets you organize any dates you don’t want to forget. Whether it is an upcoming exam, a due date on an important paper, a rival basketball game or event on campus that you are looking forward to, this app will keep track of it. It will even send you reminders to make sure you don’t miss it.

iTalk Recorder
Have a professor that talks faster than you can take notes? Or maybe you need to remember something important, but have nothing to write it down with. This app lets you record whatever you need to remember. Just press the record button to start and stop, and you’ll be good to go.

Notes Plus
Sometimes you get to class and realize you forgot to stick your notebook in your backpack. Or maybe you just don’t want to carry a notebook or computer to class to take notes. With this app, you can take notes on your phone. It will keep those notes in an easily accessible place and keep them organized so that you can always find what you need.

Facebook
Almost every student has Facebook. Here at Union, we want you to not only feel connected to your friends, but to your school as well. Through Facebook, you can do just that. Make sure to share your photos with us and join in our conversations. With Facebook on your phone, you can do that from anywhere on campus.

Twitter
We know you’re aware of the various apps available for accessing Twitter. No doubt you’re using one (probably right this minute, between paragraphs as you read this). But are you using it to follow Union College? We use it for a variety of reasons, one of them being to announce delays and closures, so wintertime is a great to time to start. Also, we’d like you to follow us so we can follow you. It’s a great way for college decision-makers to learn about what you like and don’t like about Union College.

TuneIn Radio
Need something to do while walking across campus, waiting on class to start, working out or eating lunch? This app lets you tune in to different radio stations. You can find local radio, music, talk and sports channels to listen to. Or you can brows by music genre so you can always find something to listen to that interests you.

Groupon
Every college kid loves a good deal. That’s why you should be sure to check out this app. It sends you local deals on merchandise, and shows you online deals based on your interests. This app could also be helpful when planning a spring break trip, because it will send you deals for travel and vacations.

I ran a marathon last weekend

Ok, it was a half-marathon. And even though my headline suggests otherwise, I'm not bragging about it. If an ego trip was my objective for this blog, I wouldn't dare mention this race, for which I was ill-prepared and suffered from chest congestion, joint pain, ice (yes, I said ice) in my hair, and fatigue of the body and mind. No, I’m not here to toot my own horn. I’m here to convince you to participate in a race with me in late April—the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, to be exact.

My tactics of persuasion are seriously flawed, you might be thinking. Perhaps. But consider this: As miserable as my experience appears to have been, it was actually amazing—so singular, in fact, that it’s difficult to describe in such a way that could actually do it justice. So I’m ditching persuasion (for the most part) and reaching for my handy-dandy bulleted list. Before I reveal this list, you should have some background information so you better understand the significance of this post.

A group of Union College alumni, staff and students joined together last year for the Derby Festival Marathon. We called ourselves the “Derby Dogs,” and our matching shirts got us noticed along the course and prompted many shouts of encouragement. Some of us ran, others walked. Some of us ran the entire 26.2, while others completed half that distance. Others set personal distance goals and quietly pulled ourselves from the field of runners when either we met the goal or our bodies told us it was time to rest. A few of us waited at the finish line and cheered as each person crossed it. We all “ran our race,” even if we did so figuratively, and had a bonding experience in the process.

Being part of this group was amazing. But being part of a group that together witnessed several highly unusual things—things we wouldn’t see in our daily routines—put extra glue to the bond. These are the types of things that can make it a great day, even when you’re combating jet lag with ice in your hair. I’m talking about things like I saw last weekend. Here comes that list I've been bragging about.

Along the 13.1 mile course, I witnessed:

• a man wearing Carhartt pants while he was running. We’re talking LONG pants.
• a pregnant woman with a “Baby on Board” road sign pinned to her shirt. I must admit that these signs rub me the wrong way when I see them hanging in a vehicle. But it was charming to see this young woman wearing it. She walked at a brisk pace and was met with cheers when I encountered her.
• a man running dressed as Batman. There were many super heroes represented, actually, but only Batman passed me that I noticed.
• a man running dressed as a University of Kentucky cheerleader. This was fun, especially since UK played Vanderbilt that night, but we were in Birmingham for the race. My worlds felt more connected after seeing this guy, as odd as that sounds.
• a wheelchair-bound spectator holding a sign that read “Worst Parade Ever.” This isn’t an uncommon sign to see along the course of a race, but this particular one struck a chord with me because of the man holding it.
• two male spectators wearing very elaborate donkey masks and sitting next to a sign that read “Save Your Ass.” I looked it up, and the SYA Foundation is a fairly recently established nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread awareness about colorectal cancer detection.
• several men wearing only shorts and running shoes. Keep in mind it was about 20 degrees when the race started.
• a host of women wearing shirts that read “Black Girls Run.” This is associated with an organized effort to, according to their blog, “tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African-American community and provide encouragement and resources to both new and veteran runners.” Check them out for more info: http://www.blackgirlsrun.com/about/
• girls wearing hooped skirts and bonnets in true southern-belle style who volunteered to take up tickets for special drawings for give-aways.
• a bellman at the host hotel, serenading passersby with Whitney Houston’s “How Will I know.” And let me say, he was totally audible. No holding back. But the enthusiasm of his delivery evoked in me an urge to celebrate with him the life of a truly great vocalist. Because of this experience, I will never forget where I was when Whitney Houston’s death was announced.
• the most amazing finisher’s medal ever. This is the closest I’ll ever come to owning a real Mercedes hood ornament. The local Mercedes dealership was a major sponsor.

Yes, my joints are achy today, and I’m mad at myself for not training with more discipline. But I ran my race and, in the process, experienced a lot in a short amount of time. The only way to enhance the experience, in my view, is to enjoy it with a group of people. I’d love for that to happen again this year at the Derby Festival Marathon.

Thank you for considering it.

If you’re interested in gathering with the Derby Dogs for this year’s Derby Festival Marathon, please contact me. If you’re not up for the whole shebang, I know some folks who want to participate in a relay team and are currently looking for teammates. The race is April 28.

Missy Reid, '91
mreid@unionky.edu
606-546-1610

Valentine's Day and Love Songs

Before deciding what to do on Valentine’s Day, consider these two details about the concert Union College is presenting that night: Musical selections were made famous by acclaimed composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Gershwin brothers; and Broadway hits from shows like “Wicked” and “West Side Story” will be performed.

The program is designed to deliver familiar, romance-themed music, which is a platform that has pleased audiences for the past five years. Dr. Virginia Gay Gandy, conductor for the performance, came up with the idea of presenting a Valentine’s Day Concert in 2008.

“It was well received and popular, so it has become a Union College tradition since that time,” she said. “We are very much looking forward to presenting the fifth annual Valentine Concert.”

Three choirs will perform: UC Singers, Union Harmony and UC Regional Chorus. Additionally, there will be a men’s ensemble, a women’s ensemble and several soloists. A few selections include Think of Me from “Phantom of the Opera,” My Funny Valentine from “Babes in Arms,” A Bushel and a Peck from “Guys & Dolls,” and many others.

On the violin, Laura Jones will perform Victor Young’s When I Fall in Love, a traditional piece featured at each Valentine concert.

The concert is this Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Conway Boatman Chapel. Admission—just like true love—is free. We hope you join us.

A link to Dr. Gandy’s blog is below. She offers insightful commentary regarding choral music and keeps a current calendar of cultural events in the area. We encourage you to take a peek.

http://theartofchoralmusic.blogspot.com

Union announces Fall 2011 Dean's List and Presidential Laureates

Union College has released its fall 2011 Dean’s List and list of Presidential Laureates. Seventeen students earned entry into the list of Presidential Laureates for fall 2011. One hundred and twelve undergraduates made the fall 2011 Dean’s List. Presidential Laureates are Union College undergraduates who achieve a 3.75 grade point average for two successive semesters, with at least 15 hours of graded work and without grades of C or below in either semester. The Dean’s List is comprised of undergraduates who have completed at least 15 hours of graded work with a 3.33 grade point average, no grades of incomplete for the semester, and no grades of C or below for the semester.

Presidential Laureates:

• Jacob Reed Scalf, Barbourville, Ky.
• Heidi Nola Ann Marsh, Benham, Ky.
• Holly B. Wilson, Barbourville, Ky.
• Jennifer Hope Burke, Ewing, Va.
• Jessica Holly Burke, Ewing, Va.
• James Justin Hyde, Hopkinsville, Ky.
• Aaron Scott McCollum, Berea, Ky.
• Stephanie Lynn Cagle, Independence, Ky.
• Olivia A. Brock, Florence, Ky.
• Nicole Lynn Jeck, Berea, Ky.
• Kara J. Pile, Fairdale, Ky.
• Sarah Catherine Mills, Barbourville, Ky.
• Andrew Lewis Long, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Samson Jordan Warren, Hinkle, Ky.
• Rachel Ann Scalf, Barbourville, Ky.
• Caleb Hugh Spurlock, Riverside, Ohio
• Marah Catherine A. Rice, Scottsville, Ky.

Dean’s List:

• Andrew J. Abner, Barbourville, Ky.
• William Chad Abner, Woollum, Ky.
• Megan Rae Abraham, Wallins, Ky.
• Christopher G. Adams, Milford, N.J.
• Ximena Aguilar, Chapultepec, Mexico
• Lauren Elizabeth Alexander, Lafayette, La.
• Candice R. Asher, Middlesboro, Ky.
• Michael William Baird, Pendleton, Ky.
• Jennifer M. Baker, Pineville, Ky.
• Julie Lynn Beal, Barbourville, Ky.
• Samantha Lucille Bergman, Lebanon, Ohio
• Roberto Freitas Bertholo, Bandeirantes BR
• Christina Marie Brandenburg, Williamsburg, Ky.
• Olivia A. Brock, Florence, Ky.
• Morgan Ann Brown, Waynesburg, Ky.
• Jennifer Hope Burke, Ewing, Va.
• Jessica Holly Burke, Ewing, Va.
• Stephanie Debra Burton, Steege St AU
• Stephanie Lynn Cagle, Independence, Ky.
• Casey Noelle Camargo, Lexington, Ky.
• Travis Mark Cole, Powder Springs GA
• Jonathan David Combs, Hazard, Ky.
• Kathryn Ellen Crawford, Flemingsburg, Ky.
• Michael John Davenport, Delaware, Ohio
• Vera Ashley Dick, Science Hill, Ky.
• Zachary John Dillman, Harrison, Ohio
• Zachery Robert Eagler, Florence, Ky.
• Cynthia Ann Ellison, Pineville, Ky.
• Maria Esswein, Perryville, Mo.
• Amy Denise Estep, East Bernstadt, Ky
• Alexandra Layne Estes, Barbourville Ky.
• Kaylyn R. Evans, Flat Lick, Ky.
• Molly K. Fittro, Seaside, Calif.
• Rebekah Marie Griffith, Heidrick, Ky.
• Amanda D. Hale, London, Ky.
• Kelli Wynne Hensley, Berea, Ky.
• Patty Sue Hensley, Pathfork, Ky.
• Jimmy Tyler Hibbard, Somerset, Ky.
• Edwin Cecil Hobson, Dayton, Ohio
• Leslie Ann Howard, Pineville, Ky.
• Kelly LeAnne Hutson, Bristol, Tenn.
• James Justin Hyde, Hopkinsville, Ky.
• Juleda N. Hyde, Manchester, Ky.
• Carla Lynn Jackson, Corbin, Ky.
• Nicole Lynn Jeck, Berea, Ky.
• Jennifer Shea Johnson, Rockfield, Ky.
• Sofie Bloch Jorgensen, Ostparken, DK
• Austin Blake King, Leburn, Ky.
• Chelsea Nicole Kirschman, Ponte Vedra, Fla.
• Lauren Catherine Knecht, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Cassy Christian Kost, Owensboro, Ky.
• Cassandra Quinn Lawson, Lexington, Ky.
• Andrew Lewis Long, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Amanda Jo Loveless, Somerset, Ky.
• Heidi Nola Ann Marsh, Benham, Ky.
• Tyler Dylan Martin, Corbin, Ky.
• Richard Thomas Mathes, Corbin, Ky.
• Aaron Scott McCollum, Berea, Ky.
• Leigha Marie Nicole McFerron, Mt Vernon, Ky.
• Byron Alexander McIntosh, London, Ky.
• Amanda Paige Merida, Flat Lick, Ky.
• Kayla Elizabeth Messer, Barbourville, Ky.
• Stacey Lynn Miller, London, Ky.
• Jacob Michael Mills, Cannon, Ky.
• Melissa Louise Mills, Barbourville, Ky.
• Sarah Catherine Mills, Barbourville, Ky.
• Whitney Laurel Mills, Flat Lick, Ky.
• Kelsey Leanne Morgan, Viper, Ky.
• Kevin M. Niehaus, Independence, Ky.
• Katie Danielle Nusz, Shepherdsville, Ky.
• Vitoria L. A. Oliveira, Bairro, BR
• Christopher Cody Partin, Fourmile, Ky.
• Daniel Ray Phipps, Barbourville, Ky.
• Derrick Scott Phipps, Barbourville, Ky.
• Kara J. Pile, Fairdale, Ky.
• Michael Derrick Poff, Barbourville, Ky.
• Donald Wayne Popham, Louisville, Ky.
• Kasey Denise Powell, Mt. Vernon, Ky.
• Jolena Angeline Ramey, Lily, Ky.
• Marah Catherine A. Rice, Scottsville, Ky.
• Marissa Mae Richardson, Barbourville, Ky.
• Samantha Sayre, Berea, Ky.
• Jacob Reed Scalf, Barbourville, Ky.
• Leigha Kelly Scalf, Middlesboro, Ky.
• Rachel Ann Scalf, Barbourville, Ky.
• Abigail Leanne Sears, London, Ky.
• Austin Michael Sebald, Burlington, Ky.
• Ashley N. Shipley, Jonesborough, Tenn.
• Amanda Poliane Silva, BR
• Caleb Hugh Spurlock, Riverside, Ohio
• Jacob Gilio Spurlock, Riverside, Ohio
• Lauren Esta-Marie Stage, Barbourville, Ky.
• James S. Stewart, Flat Lick, Ky.
• Tasha Nicole Stewart, Heidrick, Ky.
• Vance Patrick Sullivan, Verona, Ky.
• Emily Aaron Tackett, Jackson, Ky.
• Cody Cameron Thompson, Bimble, Ky.
• Brittany Danielle Turner, Somerset, Ky.
• Cassie Renee Tye, Barbourville, Ky.
• Jennifer Marie Vanover, Whitley City, Ky.
• Samson Jordan Warren, Hinkle, Ky.
• Krystal Ann Webb, Paris, Ky.
• Helen Weber, Marburg, Germany
• Kayla D. Wilburn, Barbourville, Ky.
• Leigh-Ella Michelle Williams, Langley, Ky.
• Kari Anne Williamson, Barbourville, Ky.
• Kevin Robert Williamson, Barbourville, Ky.
• Holly B. Wilson, Barbourville, Ky.
• Courtney Montana Woods, Mayfield, Ky.
• Charles Tyler Young, Manchester, Ky.
• Glenna Nicole Young, Lexington, Ky.
• Brittany Marie Zins, Cincinnati, Ohio

Union scheduled to receive $2 million for online upgrades

Union College’s online courses are poised for a $2 million boost.

The college recently received a Title III Strengthening Institutions grant, known as Expanding Higher Education Opportunity. This federal Department of Education grant will increase Union’s capacity to develop and deliver online and hybrid curricula.

The grant runs until September 2015, and will provide just under $2 million, if all five years are fully funded. With this, the college will convert more than 40 courses for online hybrid delivery with the assistance of a new faculty studio, where instructors will be provided the tools they need to effectively design web-based courses. The college will also provide a number of online student services, including orientation, tutoring, financial aid, advising and degree auditing.

Additionally, the college hopes to broaden access to postsecondary opportunities for residents of Appalachia.

Jerry Jackson, vice president for enrollment at Union College, said that these online developments will help with that.

“We realize that the best way for us to increase enrollment without major changes to our infrastructure in the short term is to strengthen our online presence,” Jackson said. “Online gives us the opportunity to grow without the worry of classroom space or additional residence halls.”

A new technological infrastructure will support these initiatives and will also increase the college’s capacity to support online programming and web-based enrollment increases.

The program is headed by Tara L. Cooper, Title III director. The program has additional staff, including an online learning specialist/activities coordinator, online student services specialist, academic technology specialist and an administrative assistant.

Timeliness isn't exactly a priority with this one

For your viewing enjoyment, in case you missed it, is the Union Alumni Magazine, Summer 2011 edition. We didn't have our Issuu account set up then, and it never made it on our Web site. Now that we're forging ahead with a new Web site, we've decided not to populate the existing one any content we can provide in other ways. More on the new site later. It's exciting business.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Missy Reid, '91
Editor

Open publication - Free publishing - More aaron thompson

Timeline is right on time

If you're like me, you might have been reluctant to jump on board with Facebook's new Timeline. Maybe you still haven't applied it and don't see a good reason to take the plunge. The privacy issues have been off-putting for many folks, but for me, it's much less thought provoking. I'm just sick of change. Facebook wears me out with it. Just when I establish some habits associated with knowing where to look and click, they pull the rug out from under me. So I rebelled against Timeline. Until last night.

Last night is when I read a great blog post about what other institutions of higher ed, as well as some corporate marketers (Volkswagen, for one), are doing to fill up that nice billboard of space that frames the profile pic and spans across the top of the screen. This "cover photo," as it's been coined, is the most striking visual characteristic of the new Timeline, and it's prime real estate. Colleges and corporations alike are trying to capitalize on this space by making cover art available to anyone who wants it, so Facebook account holders can—if they so choose—do some marketing for them. If you think about it, this is probably a hard sell to most vehicle owners. I don't know what Volkswagen would have to do for me before I'd agree to advertise for them with my social media accounts. But colleges and universities are different. Graduates generally feel good about their alma mater. Likewise, current students are generally proud of where they attend. We really hope that's the case at Union College and want to offer students, fans and alumni an opportunity to use cover photos that illustrate that school pride.

So here they are, at least the few that I've created so far. I'm unveiling them here and will be busy trying to come up with an easy way for you to access them. But until we get them on the Web and have them available for download, you can certainly drop me an email and I'll shoot a Timeline Cover Photo your way. Just so you know, the "Class of..." images are available in whatever class year you need.

Stay social, everyone!

Missy Reid, '91
mreid@unionky.edu

Bring on the Hellcats

This should be a fun concert. I'm personally looking forward to it. Read the release below for details.--Missy Reid

The Hellcats of West Point are scheduled to perform at Union College in early February, bringing their high-energy, patriotic brand of music to Conway Boatman Chapel.

On Friday, Feb. 3, the Hellcats Bugle Corps, an ensemble from the West Point Band of The United States Military Academy in New York, will take stage at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Patriotic classics are expected to make up the bulk of their repertoire.

For more than 220 years, the group has played a role in the rich musical tradition associated with The United States Military Academy. From sounding Reveille to playing the traditional West Point gridiron songs for the annual Army vs. Navy football game, this group has served many functions and has delighted diverse crowds.

Union College is among an impressive list of venues and audiences the Hellcats have visited. In 2002, the group performed with the New York Pops Orchestra in Carnegie Hall and for the Fourth of July with the Boston Pops Orchestra. They have also performed at Disney World and the Pentagon, while members have been featured on television programs such as The Today Show, Fox and Friends, 60 Minutes and Dateline NBC.

Read a flip book and avoid paper cuts

Open publication - Free publishing - More mob

Until now, we've never published Union Alumni Magazine in any format other than a printed version and a scrollable pdf for our web site. This flip book isn't exactly cutting edge (they've been around for awhile), but it's something new for us and our readers. We hope you enjoy it. Read it here, or download it and read it later. Promoting it will be the tough part, especially considering we can't promote it in the magazine until late June. Oh, well. That gives us plenty of time to figure out the complexities.

Enjoy!

And the survey says...

The Union College Alumni Magazine comes out but twice a year, so it's a savored piece of reading for most of our audience...at least we'd like to think so. But to know for certain, we occasionally survey our readership to see what their opinions are. This helps us make good editorial decisions, those that are based on what readers want and not what Union staff members want.

And believe me—we pay attention. The last time the survey was issued was in 2009. Results showed us that our readers were interested in alumni in their professions. Consequently, we developed the "Union People" section which profiles two alums in their careers. Also noted was that our readers like content associated with Union's history and traditions. So the "At Last" section was born, which highlights meaningful events and iconic parts of Union's landscape.

The survey link was emailed out yesterday and we've already heard back from many respondents. As editor, I've been chomping at the bit to see some data. In truth, I've checked the results already three times today, which is ridiculously premature. But I'm anxious to get started with strategies to continue our momentum for improvement. So please, if you received a link for the survey, please help us out and complete it. It only takes about 15 minutes.

If you received the magazine but didn't get the link for the survey, please let me know. Hey, that's my job!

Missy Reid, '91
Editor, Union Alumni Magazine
mreid@unionky.edu

606-546-1610
Cell: 606-215-0031

He's a rock star

Phillip A. Sharp is a Union College alum. He's also a Nobel Prize winner. And an MIT institute professor. He's a total rock star.

We aren't just saying that because Geoffrey Beene and GQ teamed up in 2010 and named him a Rock Star of Science in their campaign to show the public how cool and important scientific research is. We're saying it because he just established two $6,000 scholarships, renewable for up to four years, awarded to seniors of Pendleton County High School (another alma mater). A main goal in this investment? To encourage students to study math, science and engineering.

He made science cool in 2010. Now he's making it affordable. Kudos.

To read Sharp's Rock Stars of Science bio and view the photos (he posed with rock band Heart for the magazine spread), click on the link below. We think you'll agree that it's very cool. 

http://www.rockstarsofscience.org/2010_rockdocs_sharp.htm

Who could forget the Titans?

Coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington in the blockbuster hit Remember the Titans, will be on the Union College campus next week during our annual spring convocation service. But students aren't the only ones who will benefit from this inspirational speaker. We've heard from high school coaches and students, family and friends of faculty and staff, civic leaders and many others who want to be a part of this event. Interest is sparked to such a level, we're afraid our chapel won't hold the entire crowd. And our response? It starts at 9:30. See you then! But we may see you in Robsion Arena instead of Conway Boatman so we can accommodate more people. (Stay tuned for the final decision regarding venue.)


Below is a media release issued last week regarding the program. 

Jan. 6, 2011—Coach Herman Boone, who quickly gained national notoriety following the success of the film Remember the Titans, will be keynote speaker at Union College’s upcoming annual Spring Convocation. 

Boone’s story of coaching football in a newly integrated school in the early 1970s was chronicled in the 2000 box office hit, which starred Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington. On Jan. 19, he will bring messages associated with this experience to the Union College community. The event is at 9:30 a.m. in Conway Boatman Chapel. Although seating will be limited, the public is invited to attend at no charge.


Now retired from coaching, Boone continues to motivate and inspire audiences like Union College students, who vow as part of their freshman induction ceremony to uphold the values that Boone speaks about. Debbie D’Anna, dean of student life, expects Boone’s speech to make a profound impact on the student body, while reinforcing their acceptance of the college’s core values.


Boone will bring lessons in diversity, respect, teamwork, community involvement and the importance of character. He will also offer commentary about his experiences associated with Remember the Titans.


Boone’s famous story occurred in Alexandria, Va., in 1971, when three area schools integrated to form T.C. Williams High School. It was from this union that the Titan football team was created. Racial strain added to the stress of combining teams that had formerly been rivals. Tensions quickly escalated when Boone was named head coach, passing over the local favorite who remained on the staff as an assistant coach. Boone’s appointment angered many people, who viewed the decision as a gesture of goodwill to the black community rather than being based on merit.

Remarkably, the two coaches were able to put aside their prejudices, and in doing so unified their players to form a team whose common vision was to respect each other and win football games.  At the same time, through the game of football, the coaches were able to help their small Virginian community put aside intolerance and join together to support their children.  The Titans became one of the best teams in Virginia, compiling a 13-0 record. They went on to win the state championship.

Union College is a four-year liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church.




  

Dr. Rebecca Pettys of Union College started a fund more than two decades ago to replace the seats in Rector Little Theatre. The project is now coming to fruition, just months before her retirement and in time for her final production. Here, Mama P, as she is affectionately known, briefly describes the project. You'll also catch a rare glimpse of the inside of Rector Little Theatre without seats.

Grand Opening Set for Stivers Aquatic and Wellness Center

A state-of-the-art wellness center in Barbourville is set to celebrate its grand opening in mid-December.

Officials and administrators for Phase I of the Stivers Aquatic and Wellness Center will welcome the public to the facility on Monday, Dec. 19 at 2:00 p.m.

The center is named for Kentucky Sen. Robert Stivers, who was instrumental in securing funding for the first phase of the center. Sen. Stivers is scheduled to speak at the grand opening, as well as U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Steve Beshear.

Phase I of the Stivers Center is approximately 39,000 square feet and houses a 50-meter competition/recreational pool, a large warm water therapy pool, exercise room, two party/meeting rooms, locker rooms and office space. The second phase will house a multipurpose gymnasium with an elevated walking track.

The Stivers Center is the product of a 12-year effort, begun when a group of civic minded individuals came together to form Knox Partners, a consortium consisting of Union College, KCEOC Community Action Partnership, the City of Barbourville and Knox County Fiscal Court.