This Week @ LWC -- Oct. 12-18

Hundley President's Home Dedicated

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The first family of Lindsey Wilson College still has the same address, but they now live at a different place.

That's because the LWC President's Home was officially renamed Friday morning the Emily Hundley President's Home.

The building, which recently underwent a renovation and expansion, was named in honor of longtime LWC supporter Emily Hundley of Louisville, Ky. Hundley paid for much of the building's expansion and renovation, which has allowed the college to host more events for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.

"I'm thrilled to be able to be a part of this place," said Hundley, who also received an honorary doctorate from the college in 2006.

Built in 1950, the Hundley President's Home has been home to six LWC presidents and their family members.

A Lebanon, Ky., native, Hundley's family has been involved with the college since its founding in 1903.

Her great-grandfather James Gould Phillips was an early benefactor of the college, and the college's Phillips Residence Hall was named in his honor. Hundley Hall, which served as the college's dining hall from 1925-1993, was named in honor of her father, the late J. Phillips Hundley.

"There may not be any family, not a single one in the 106-year history of this college, with deeper roots or longer ties to this college than Dr. Emily's family," LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. said at Friday's dedication ceremony.

This Week @ LWC -- Oct. 12-18

This Week @ LWC -- Oct. 5-11

Scenes from Cross Country

The Lindsey Wilson College women's and men's cross country teams competed in the 2009 Greater Louisville Classic, held Oct. 3 at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park outside of Louisville, Ky. Click here to see scenes from the meet. Click here to read about the men's meet; click here to read about the women's meet.

Scenes from Baseball vs. Berea

The LWC baseball team played a scrimmage doubleheader against Berea College Friday, Oct. 2. Click here to see pictures from Game 1.

This Week @ LWC -- Sept. 28-Oct. 4

This Week @ LWC -- Sept. 21-27

This Week @ LWC -- Sept. 14-20

This Week @ LWC -- Aug. Sept. 8-12

LWC Community Donates 43 Units of Blood

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College sophomore Erika Antle (left) is attended by Mary Graves of the Louisville chapter of the American Red Cross Tuesday afternoon in the Cralle Student Union Building. Antle helped the Lindsey Wilson community shatter the goal of Tuesday’s blood drive. The Red Cross hoped to collect 25 units of blood, but they left the A.P. White Campus with 43 units.

Tori Murden McClure DiscussesSpiritual Journey While Crossing the Atlantic

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Adventurer and author Tori Murden McClure of Louisville, Ky., spoke to an overflow crowd of more than 250 people Tuesday night at the Norma & Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship. McClure discussed her book, A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean, which chronicled the spiritual aspect of her journey to become the first woman and first American to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean.

This Week @ LWC -- Aug. 31-Sept. 7

'Three-Minute Thursday' LWC's Community Campuses

Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Financial Services Denise Fudges discusses LWC's 20 community campuses in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

Football Practice: Second Day

A brief glimpse of the second day of LWC football practice in the Chris Oliver era. Only 374 days left until football returns to LWC on Sept. 4, 2010.

This Week @ LWC -- Aug. 24-30

Minister from Benin Visits John B. Begley Chapel

A minister from the West African nation of Benin visited Lindsey Wilson College Friday, Aug. 21. Pastor of Daniel Fanou of Cotonou, Benin (left), Rev. Ann Soleman of Fairfax, Va., and Russell Tiller of Russell Springs, Ky., strolled the college's A.P. White Campus and toured the John B. Begley Chapel, partially pictured in the background. Fanou and Soleman were in Kentucky to attend an Aug. 16-20 revival held Tiller's church, Greater Hope Christian Fellowship Church of Russell Springs. Although he has made previous visits to the United States, this was Fanou's first visit to Kentucky. Tiller is a 2007 LWC graduate.

Freshmen Hear from 'This I Believe' Producer

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College freshmen heard Monday afternoon from award-winning journalist Dan Gediman. Gediman is executive producer of the critically acclaimed radio series This I Believe. He's also co-editor of the book by the same name.

In 2004, Gediman revived the classic radio series that was started by legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow. The program has been aired on NPR and also on Bob Edwards' satellite and public radio show.

This school year, Lindsey Wilson freshmen are reading This I Believe as part of a shared experience in the "Freshman Seminar" class.

Gediman, of Louisville, Ky., was on the A.P. White Campus to discuss the series' origins, explain why he revived it, and also play recordings from the past and current radio program. Gediman spoke in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship, but because of the large size of LWC's freshman class his talk was broadcast to an overflow audience in V.P. Henry auditorium.

For more information about This I Believe, go to thisibelieve.org.

Looking Back: Start of 1909 School Year

A rear view of the A.P. White Campus in the 1920s while the football team practices. The buildings are, from left: Phillips Hall, L.R. McDonald Administration Building and Chandler Hall. (Photo: LWC Archives; full photo available at: Digital Library of Appalachia)

As Lindsey Wilson College’s 2009 fall semester begins on Wednesday, it’s interesting to look back a century ago to see what the college looked like.

The following item appeared in the Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1909, edition of the Adair County News.

Readers will no doubt notice the spelling of the school name’s -- “Lindsay Wilson.” It was not until the early 1920s that “Lindsey Wilson” appeared consistently in publications and notices about the school.

Thanks to LWC alumnus Jim Garner ’73 for providing the news clipping.

The Lindsay Wilson school will open to-morrow and the prospects are good for fine attendance during the term. The management, Profs. Neilson & Moss, are better prepared than ever to accommodate pupils from a distance. There is more room for bedding and a furnace has been put in and the heat will be regular, making the building perfectly healthy. The ventilation is good, in fact pupils will be made as comfortable as they would be in their homes. Profs. Neilson & Moss are gentlemen of high character, and much learning, and their experience in teaching has gained for the Lindsay Wilson an enviable reputation. They will be assisted by a fine corps of instructors.

-- Adair County News,
Sept. 1, 1909

This Week @ LWC -- Aug. 17-22

'It Begins' -- Largest Freshman Class Welcomed

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Shortly after 8 a.m. CT Saturday, Lindsey Wilson College Dean of Students Chris Schmidt officially declared the start of the 2009 fall semester.

He posted a picture with the two-word tweet at @BigSchmidtDog: “It begins.”

Although freshmen resident students weren’t scheduled to move in to residence halls until 9 a.m. CT Saturday, dozens of students and their family members were already eager to unpack almost an hour before the official start time.

Fortunately, several dozen Lindsey Wilson staff and faculty were already on the A.P. White Campus to help the new students. For about four hours Saturday, several hundred freshman resident students were registered, directed and unpacked in the college’s residence halls.

Upperclass resident students return over the next several days. Fall classes begin Wednesday.

Official enrollment figures will not be available for several more days, but college officials already know that this fall’s freshman class is the largest in the college’s 106-year history. And with more than 825 students expected to settle in residence halls by Tuesday night, the college will also have its largest resident population in school history.

On Saturday morning, most new resident students enjoyed the kind of seamless move Jacob Shirley experienced. Shirley arrived in Columbia at around 9 a.m. CT, three hours after leaving his of Harrison, Ohio, home with his parents, Ron and Donna Shirley, and younger sister Emma.

Shirley said he didn’t pack for college until Friday, and he need but an hour on Saturday to unpack three bags of clothes, a box of school supplies, a basket of cleaning supplies, a laptop computer and a tent in his Richardson Hall room.

“It was pretty easy for me,” said Shirley, who is a member of LWC’s inaugural wrestling team and plans to major in pre-nursing. “Everything went just fine.”

Saturday’s move was also a relatively smooth one for freshman Ashley Upchurch of Monticello, Ky. She took about two hours to pack on Friday, and then arrived around 8:45 a.m. CT Saturday on campus with her parents, Ray and Carolyn, and twin younger sisters, Nikki and Taylor.

By noon CT Saturday, Upchurch’s belongings were unpacked in her Phillips Hall room, and she and her family were enjoying lunch in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Upchurch said she only forgot two items – a cable for her television and a toothbrush.

But her father, Ray, said moving was the easy part. Saying goodbye to his oldest child later in the day probably would prove to be more difficult for him and his wife.

Getting settled into a residence hall room was a little more involved for freshmen roommates Dorothy Karcher of Carrollton, Ky., and Emily Chesser of Chaplin, Ky.

The two met last March during tryouts for the LWC cheerleading squad. After making the squad, they decided to become roommates, decorating their Phillips Hall room in pink and black with a zebra theme. Although it took extra time to bring everything together – and also required a Saturday run to Wal-Mart – the pair had created a near-perfect residence hall room by the evening.

“It helps you and your roommate come together when you work on something like this,” Chesser said. “You have led separate lives, but then through this project you become friends and get closer.”

Early Saturday afternoon, the Lindsey Wilson community officially welcomed the Class of 2013 at the annual Kick-Off Ceremony, held in Biggers Sports Center.

“This entire campus has worked so hard to have you here today,” said LWC President William T. Luckey Jr., who is beginning his 12th year as the college’s eighth president.

Luckey told the students that they have “an incredible opportunity” at LWC.

“You have an opportunity to not only be the largest class in the history of this college but to also be the best class, if you find ways to help each other succeed,” he said.

New resident students then participated in Hooray, a community-building event in Biggers Sports Center. The day also included a picnic at the Emily Hundley President’s Home and an evening on the Campus Quadrangle, sponsored by the LWC Student Government Association.

Move-In Weekend continued with special events on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

But as LWC Alumni Director Randy Burns ’93 reminded the new resident students at Saturday’s Kick-Off Ceremony, they were embarking on more than a college career.

“You are only going to be a Lindsey Wilson student for a short period of time. … But you’re going to have the opportunity to be a Blue Raider for the rest of your life,” he said.

A Week Before Fall Semester Begins,A.P. White Campus a Busy Place

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College's 2009 fall semester does not officially begin until Aug. 17, but students were already on campus Monday morning to prepare for the new term. Some students were on campus early to begin practice with LWC's fall sports programs; others were on campus to beat the lines at the Campus Bookstore.

Freshmen resident students officially begin moving into the residence halls at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 15. College officials anticipate a record number of resident students.

Scenes from Aug. 10 ...

This Week @ LWC -- Aug. 10-14

Southeast Community Campus StudentsCelebrate Summer

Students, faculty and staff of LWC Southeast Community Campus gather Saturday afternoon in front of Godbey Appalachian Center on the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Cumberland Campus.

CUMBERLAND, Ky. -- Members of the LWC Southeast Community Campus celebrated Saturday, Aug. 8, as their summer session wound to a close. The summer session does not end until next weekend, but graduate and graduate students, faculty and staff held a potluck luncheon in Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College's Falkenstine Hall and then played counselor-education outside.

Students take classes at Southeast Kentucky CTC-Cumberland Campus on Friday evening and on Saturday.

Students brought a selection of covered dishes and desserts to the celebration. One of the more popular proved to be pizza casserole, baked by Brenda Smiddy, the mother of LWC graduate student Christopher Smiddy of Harlan, Ky.

Scenes from the Celebration ...

Swimming & Diving and Wrestling CoachesTour Holloway Health & Wellness Center

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- It’s been a busy summer for the east side of Lindsey Wilson College’s A.P. White Campus as the largest structure in college history is being built. Progress has continued all summer on the Bob and Doris Holloway Health & Wellness Center. When completed later this fall, the Holloway Health & Wellness Center will include more than 73,000 square feet -- which is almost 75 percent larger than the Jim & Helen Lee Fugitte Science Center. The two coaches whose student-athletes will make the most use of the Holloway Center recently toured the building to check on its progress.

On Tuesday, July 21, LWC swimming and diving coach Bart Garlick stands in front of what will be the swimming area of the Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Immediately behind Garlick is the end of the competition swimming pool that will reach 16 feet deep. The entire pool area will hold about 297,000 gallons of water.

On Wednesday, July 22, afternoon, LWC wrestling coach Corey Ruff stands in the room where the wrestling team will practice. The first LWC wrestling team will begin competition in the winter.

Scottsville Campus Students Raise Fundsfor Center for Courageous Kids

Members of the Lindsey Wilson College-Scottsville Campus community present a facsimile check Friday to Center for Courageous Kids officials. From left: LWC instructor Kris Marowski; CCK volunteer recruiter Sarah Keltner; CCK Community Relations Director Tim Turner; LWC Scottsville Campus Director Dorinda Livesay; and LWC students Jeannie Martin of Adolphus, Ky., Janie Rollin of Westmoreland, Tenn., Kelly Brewer of Fountain Run, Ky., Lisa Sowers of Scottsville and Pam Smith of Scottsville.

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – When Lindsey Wilson College instructor Kristinna Marowski had her human services and counseling students do a practicum, they took it to heart.

And thanks to their hard work and imagination, they will help change a child’s life.

On Friday, July 31, the students presented a check for $775.25 to Center for Courageous Kids to sponsor a child for one week at the nearby camp. The students held a fund-raiser to sponsor a child for one week at Center for Courageous Kids, a world-class medical camp that operates solely on donations.

The students raised the money by holding bake sales plus a massive yard sale on July 25 at the LWC Scottsville Campus.

“A lot of my students have talked about how they have had family members touched by cancer, so they decided that they wanted to do something to help a child with an illness by sending one to the Center for Courageous Kids,” Marowski said. “There is just so much for children there – the Center for Courageous Kids makes the week a truly magical experience for a child.”

As part of her practicum, Lindsey Wilson student Lisa Sowers of Scottsville spent a week as a counselor at CCK. She was so impressed by what she saw at the camp that she spent her entire practicum at the center.

“It was just an amazing experience for me because the facilities there are just wondering,” Sowers said. “What’s great about the Center for Courageous Kids is that everything is focused on the children. It’s just wonderful.”

Center for Courageous Kids officials said they were touched by the Lindsey Wilson students’ generosity – and they hope it is the start of a beautiful friendship between the two institutions.

“The fact that Lindsey Wilson College has embraced CCK is a testament to their belief that their students can make a difference,” said Stormi Murtie, CCK communications director. “Their fund-raising efforts on our behalf will directly impact the brave children who attend our camp as well as provide a nice partnership between the college and the camp.

“We applaud Lindsey Wilson College for encouraging their students to embrace the idea that it is important to give back to your community. And hope the partnership between CCK and Lindsey Wilson College will continue for many years to come.”

Camp Children Create New City

Children of the Lindsey Wilson College Fun Factory stand in front of Boxville, a makeshift city they created the final week of the day camp. Located in the Cralle Student Union Building, Boxville was built out of large cardboard boxes, plastic foam and a lot of imagination. According to the city’s residents, Boxville is “a place of peace and where everyone is nice.” Pictured are six of the city’s residents – front row: Taybren Manners of Greensburg, Ky.; C.J. Bonifer of Greensburg; and Cole Schmidt of Columbia; and back row: Shelby Curry of Columbia; Luke Wolford of Columbus, Ind., and Emma Wolford of Columbus. The Fun Factory is supervised by LWC Assistant Professor of Recreation, Tourism, and Sports Management Tricia M. Day. The day camp – which was held over three weeks this summer – concluded on Friday, July 31.

This Week @ LWC -- July 27-31

More Than 160 Attend 2nd EDGE Weekend

Incoming LWC freshmen Brittney Chumbley of Columbia (left) and Amanda Gosser of Russell Springs, Ky. (center), listen Friday morning as Ashlie Haworth of Floyd Knobs, Ind., makes a point during an EDGE activity held in the Jim & Helen Lee Fugitte Science Center.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- More than 160 additional incoming freshmen experienced the EDGE on Friday and Saturday at Lindsey Wilson College.

The students participated in the college's second EDGE weekend of the year. EDGE -- an acronym for education, development, growth and experience -- gives incoming LWC freshmen and their family members information about the college's academic, social and residential life.

Combined with the more than 310 who attended LWC's first EDGE weekend, held in early June, the college expects more than 470 freshmen when 2009-10 classes begin next month. Residential freshmen return to the A.P. White Campus on Aug. 15, and then classes begin the week of Aug. 17.

Scenes from Second EDGE Weekend ...

'Three-Minute Thursday'Swimming & Diving Coach Bart Garlick

Director of Alumni Relations Randy Burns talks LWC swimming and diving coach Bart Garlick.

Methodist Women Discuss Marginalizationof Native Americans, Crisis in Sudan

Members of the School of Christian Mission for the Women's Division of The United Methodist Church gather July 17 for a plenary session in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship. Leading the singing is Sue Pafford of Elkton, Ky.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- For four days last week at Lindsey Wilson College, more than 100 Kentucky United Methodists explored the marginalization of Native Americans and the crisis in the Sudan.

The topics were discussed at the annual School of Christian Mission for the Women's Division of The United Methodist Church, held last Thursday through Sunday at LWC.

The annual four-day training school, held in conjunction with the Kentucky Redbird Mission, educates women and children about spiritual, political and geographical issues through a faith-based lens.

The theme of this year's school was "Together at the Table," which focused on creating a more inclusive world community.

"The purpose of the School of Missions is to raise awareness of the need for missions," said Pat Kees of Ashland, Ky., who served as the school's dean. "We also bring spiritual growth studies into the school to help enrich us."

This year's school attracted a total of 102 adults and children from the Kentucky and Red Bird conferences, which cover all of Kentucky except the area west of Paducah.

The school focuses on a social-action issue and a geographic issue. This year's social-action issue was discrimination against Native Americans, and the geographical issue was a study of the Sudan crisis.

"We try to raise awareness about what The United Methodist Church is doing on these issues and what we as individuals can do," Kees said. "Our subjects are always geared toward something that helps bring people closer to God as well as enriching our own lives."

While adults attended educational sessions, the children participated in corresponding classes.

"In working with the children, I've tried to look at the Commandments that God has given us to love one another," Kees said. "We get into a discussion of, Who is your neighbor and how can you show that love when you are over here and they are over there? I've told the children that we can't live out God's commandments without doing something when we become aware of what is going on around us."

The adults also heard from several guest speakers, including Deng Kuer of Louisville, Ky. A native of Sudan, Kuer was one of that African nation's "Lost Boys."

Kuer told an audience Saturday afternoon in the John B. Begley Chapel how at the age of 7 his country's civil war forced him on a 14-year nomadic journey. His journey included stops in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya before arriving in Louisville.

Now a college graduate and U.S. citizen, the 29-year-old told the audience that he has high hopes for his country since the end of its 22-year civil war in 2005.

Kuer's talked inspired many of those in the audience, who said they planned to become more active in trying to assist the Sudanese in rebuilding their nation, which has been decimated by war, famine and drought.

"The more immersed you get into Methodist Women, it just makes you start looking inwardly of what God is commanding each one of us to do," said Kees, who has been involved with Methodist Women for 15 years. "I take it to heart, and it stretches to me until I have to take action. It makes me uncomfortable a lot of times, and it pushes me to live out my faith. … We leave this school physically exhausted but spiritually renewed."

Scenes from School of Missions ...

This Week @ LWC -- July 20-24

Jo Ann M. Wever Named Nursing Director

LWC Vice President of Academic Affairs Bettie Starr (left) hired Jo Ann M. Wever to direct the college's bachelor of science program in nursing.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Veteran health care professional and educator Jo Ann M. Wever has been named chair of the Lindsey Wilson College nursing division.

Wever comes to Lindsey Wilson with more than 40 years of experience in the medical profession. She will direct the new bachelor's of science program in nursing - which begins this fall with pre-nursing students -- and also teach several courses.

"I'm excited Jo Ann has joined the Lindsey Wilson community because she brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise that will benefit our students," said LWC Vice President of Academic Affairs Bettie Starr. "We were very fortunate to find Jo Ann Wever, who has years of experience as a practicing nurse and teaching students how to be nurses. She will start what I think will be an outstanding nursing program."

Wever said she is excited to help start a four-year nursing program. This will be the second nursing program she has started in Kentucky. Earlier this decade, she helped Campbellsville (Ky.) University establish a two-year nursing degree.

"I think Lindsey Wilson's nursing program can be the best in the state," Wever said. "This program has a lot of potential because it is fresh and not tied to a certain way of doing things. It also has a very experienced person leading it."

Wever said she has been impressed with Lindsey Wilson's commitment to nursing education.

"There is a great sense of collegiality here at Lindsey Wilson, and the college has a top-notch science building for students," she said.

Students will enroll their freshman year as pre-nursing majors and be part of a special learning community in which they work with their professors and academic advisers. Students who meet the program's rigorous academic criteria will be admitted to the nursing program at the end of their freshman year and begin the nursing program in fall 2010.

During their final three years at LWC, nursing majors will take mix of classes and also several practicums at health-care centers and hospitals throughout the region.

"I've been very encouraged by the support we have received from the directors of nursing where we will have clinical sites," Starr said. "There are a lot of resources in the region for our students."

Wever said the ideal candidate for the Lindsey Wilson nursing program will be a "hard-working, dedicated, detail-oriented and compassionate person."

Prospective students should prepare for the program in high school by taking plenty of courses in mathematics, science and English.

"Nursing is not for the faint of heart," she said. "It's a very challenging major, but it offers students who succeed a very rewarding career."

Alumni Council Holds Summer Meeting

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Members of the Lindsey Wilson College National Alumni Association board of directors held their summer meeting on July 15 at Mulligan's, the restaurant at the Pines at Lindsey Wilson. Board members discussed plans for the college's 2009 Homecoming Weekend, which will be Nov. 13-14. The LWC National Alumni Association president is Carrie Luker Farris, a 1968 Lindsey Wilson graduate who now lives in Versailles, Ky.

Members who attended the summer meeting were (sitting, from left): Amy Thompson-Wells '99 of Columbia; Jan Keneipp Woody '77 of Columbia; Jean Dohoney McLean '49 of Columbia; Jacqui Nix Cunningham '00 of Lexington, Ky.; and Sheena London'08 of Columbia; (standing, from left): Gary Franklin '94 of Hindman, Ky.; Denise Glass Fudge '82 of Columbia; Bonnie Long Greenawalt '53 of Campbellsville, Ky.; Danielle Hunter Oldham '04 of Columbia; Farris; Allysa Pruitt Gooden '08 of Columbia; Dr. Julius Stephenson '47 of Burkesville, Ky.; and LWC Director of Alumni Affairs Randy Burns '93 of Columbia.

Alumni Association CelebratesDr. Stephenson's Birthday

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The summer meeting of the Lindsey Wilson College National Alumni Association was a special one for one longtime member of the organization. Dr. Julius Stephenson celebrated his 89th birthday following the association's meeting, held Wednesday afternoon at Mulligan's, the restaurant at the Pines at Lindsey Wilson golf course. Stephenson, who is a 1947 LWC graduate, has maintained a longtime dental practice in nearby Burkesville, Ky. Joining Stephenson are LWC Alumni Director Randy Burns '93 (left) and LWC Alumni President Carrie L. Farris '68 of Versailles, Ky.

This Week @ LWC -- July 13-17

'Three-Minute Thursday' Master's of Christian Leadership

Director of Alumni Relations Randy Burns talks to Dean of the Chapel Terry Swan about the new graduate program in Christian leadership.

This Week @ LWC -- July 6-10

First & Farmers Donates $10,000to Lindsey Wilson Fund

LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. is presented Wednesday morning with a $10,000 check for the Lindsey Wilson Fund by First & Farmers National Bank President Ann Martin. At right is First & Farmers Assistant Vice President Martin Marsha Bennett.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- First & Farmers National Bank of Columbia knows the value of Lindsey Wilson College to the Columbia-Adair County economy.

That’s why the bank on Wednesday contributed $10,000 to the Lindsey Wilson Fund. The donation will be used to provide scholarship aid for Columbia-Adair County residents to attend LWC. During the 2008-09 school year, more than 300 Columbia-Adair County residents attended Lindsey Wilson.

“First & Farmers supports Lindsey Wilson because Lindsey Wilson is one of Adair County’s most important assets,” said First & Farmers National Bank President Ann Martin. “We appreciate everything Lindsey Wilson does for this community and its people.”

Martin knows from experience the difference LWC makes in people’s lives. She is a 1975 graduate of the college; and her son Ross is a 2005 LWC graduate who is enrolled dental school at the University of Louisville.

And First & Farmers has hired its share of LWC graduates.

“We know firsthand the value of Lindsey Wilson because we have hired a lot of their graduates,” Martin said. “An educated workforce is a key component of a community’s economic-development strategy, and we are thankful Lindsey Wilson is committed to meeting this region’s educational needs.”

LWC officials say they are grateful for the support from First & Farmers National Bank.

“These are challenging times for higher education, but one reason Lindsey Wilson continues to grow and expand is because we have wonderful support from our local community,” said Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr. “Because of partners such as First & Farmers National Bank, Lindsey Wilson can continue serve the vital role of meeting our region’s educational needs.”

More ...
Click here to learn more about the Lindsey Wilson Fund.

LWC Students Help Area SchoolchildrenSpend 'Summer with Shakespeare'

A total of 30 area schoolchildren are participating in Colonel William Casey Elementary School’s “Summer with Shakespeare.” The free program is supported by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and the LWC Bonner Leader program.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- More than two dozen area schoolchildren have spent the last four weeks at summer camp at Colonel William Casey Elementary School. But rather than learning how to improve their jump shot or hit a ball, the 30 students from kindergarten through grade five have studied William Shakespeare at “Summer with Shakespeare” camp.

At 1 p.m. CT on Thursday, the students will show what they have learned about the Bard when they perform a children’s version of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the school.

The free program -- which is overseen by Camp Casey Director Dana Harmon -- is supported by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and the LWC Bonner Leader program.

“The ‘Summer with Shakespeare’ camp provides an opportunity for students to experience a form of learning that is not prevalent in this area,” Harmon said. “They have grown creatively, learned about teamwork and have also been physically active.”

During their five daily hours at the camp, the children have learned what it takes to produce a play, said Bradley Diuguid of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. In addition to learning their parts in the play, the students have also worked on posters, costumes and scenery. They’ve also studied the history of the late-16th and early 17th centuries, the period when Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The camp has also included numerous physical activities.

“While they are here they are not only playing a lot of games, doing a lot of physical activities, learning a lot of new vocabulary and increasing their reading, but they are also learning some things historically about Shakespeare’s world and his time period,” Diuguid said.

Assisting Diuguid are three Lindsey Wilson Bonner leaders: Mary Beth Jewell of Canmer, Ky., Patsy Richards of Hustonville, Ky., and Carissa Smith of Louisville, Ky.

“It’s been a learning experience to work with kids of different ages and see them learn about Shakespeare,” Jewell said.

One of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the story of four young Athenian lovers, a group of amateur actors, the Duke of Athens, the Queen of the Amazons and fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest.

“I think it’s great to work with Shakespeare with kids this age because they are so willing to try new things and they have so much energy,” Diuguid said. “The thing I like about the theater and about performance is they give students a chance to be on their feet and be active, show off to each other, and to try new things.”

Diuguid said he has been especially impressed with the children’s willingness to learn new things.

“They are totally willing to dive into it and give it a try,” he said.

Diuguid noted that the 30 area children participating in “Summer with Shakespeare” are getting something he didn’t have growing up in rural upstate New York. Diuguid recently earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts and English from State University of New York at New Paltz; this fall he will enroll in Harvard University’s graduate program in arts education.

“But I wasn’t exposed to much Shakespeare until I was in high school,” he said. “What’s great about this program is that it introduces Shakespeare to children at a young age. … I hope the main thing they take away is a deeper appreciation for Shakespeare and theater arts in general. I hope that they say in the future, ‘This is something that I have done and that I can do.’ I hope they hold on to that imagination.”

Lissette Trejo, 9, who will be a fifth-grader this fall at John Adair Intermediate School, said the camp has sparked her imagination and opened up for her the possibilities of theater.

“I like everything a lot -- it’s all OK,” said Lissette, who plays a fairy in the play. “I’ve learned what to do and how to act in plays. I’m excited about that.”

More ...
Click here to read A Midsummer Night’s Dream online.

This Week @ LWC -- June 29-July 2

Students from Southern Appalachian RegionVisit A.P. White Campus

Students and their family members from Lindsey Wilson College's Southern Appalachian Region community campuses are joined by LWC faculty and staff Saturday morning in front of the John B. Begley Chapel.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A total of 55 students from Lindsey Wilson College's Southern Appalachian Region community campuses visited the A.P. White Campus on Saturday. The students, many of whom were accompanied by family members and friends, met with faculty and administrators from the School of Professional Counseling, visited with LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. during lunch, and toured the John B. Begley Chapel.

LWC's Southern Appalachian Region includes the college's community campuses in Big Stone Gap, Va., Cumberland, Ky., Hazard, Ky., and Richlands, Va. Students at those community campuses can earn a bachelor's degree in human services and counseling or a master's degree in counseling and human development, thanks to an innovative partnership with Hazard Community and Technical College, Mountain Empire Community College, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and Southwest Community College.

"The students and their families were truly overwhelmed with excitement and appreciation," said Tommie Ann Saragas, Southern Appalachian Region regional enrollment director. "For many of them, the day solidified the importance of the journey they chose to embark upon with LWC -- toward becoming their best selves. ... The opportunity to grow and provide an example to future generations, the realization that they are agents of change in their respective communities, and the honest appreciation for the quality education they are receiving was evident on their faces and through the words they shared throughout the day.

"Lindsey Wilson's buildings are beautiful, and they provided the backdrop for hundreds of photos. But the Lindsey Wilson College I am so proud of is a compilation of the people inside the brick and mortar."

The students also raised money for the Mary Kloth Memorial Scholarship, a special scholarship named in memory of the late Mary A. Kloth, a counseling professor who served in the college's Southern Appalachian Region until her death in early 2008. Through sales of a commemorative t-shirt, the students raised more than $300 that will be added to the scholarship's endowment. LWC's Mary A. Kloth Center for Professional Counseling Services in Hazard is also named in her memory.

The students who made the visit to the A.P. White Campus were:

Hazard (Ky.) Campus:
Billie Adams
Sheila Cornett
Debra Godsey
Whitney Lowe
Freda Wiseman

Mountain Empire (Va.) Campus:
Sasha Calton
Whitney Estep
Shellie Harris
Summer Hibbits
Aimee Jones
Karen Jones
Whitney Mullins
Teresa Powers
Yvonne Rhodes
India Stanley
Dawn Wells
Amalia "Christy" Collins
Barbara Collins
Christian Davis
Jennifer Davis
Maria Dizney
Mary Alice Fields
Tim Heinen
Laureen Hill
Lori Long
Lisa Pritchard
Roy Simpson
Tabitha Smith
Vanessa Spradlin
Connie Stallard
Anthony Webb
Elaine Zander

Southeast (Ky.) Campus:
Eva Daniels
Jennifer Holland
Jessica Napier
Becky Halcomb
Andrea Massey
Cristy Wilkinson

Southwest (Va.) Campus:
Angie Kulchar
Michael Hatfield
Cindy Davis
Travis Davis
Connie Elkins
Joan Endicott
Ron Helton
Aaron Hymes
Sandra Kiser
Annette Leonard
Jill Lester
Brooke Rasnake
Stefanie Rasnake
Ann Ratliff-Hylton
Teresa Viers
Patty Whited
Rebecca Widener

Scenes from the Visit

'Three-Minute Thursday'Band Director Tim Allen

Director of Alumni Relations Randy Burns is on vacation this week so News Writer Travis Smith fills in by chatting with LWC band director Tim Allen.

Group to Perform Monday Night at Carnegie Hall

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A group of Lindsey Wilson College students, faculty and staff will participate in the equivalent of the choral Final Four next week in Carnegie Hall.

The eight LWC students, alumna and faculty member will be part of a performance of Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" on Monday night in New York City's Carnegie Hall. The performance - which will merge more than 175 vocalists - will be accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble.

"The honor of being selected to perform at Carnegie Hall is to the classical musician what winning the Final Four is to a college basketball team," said LWC Associate Professor of Music and Religion and Director of Choral Programs Gerald Chafin (left). "I'm incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our choral students to perform at this level of musicianship."

Chafin will take six Lindsey Wilson students to next Monday night's concert: Molly Atkinson of Louisville, Ky.; Jenny Burdine Pine Knot, Ky.; Allison Chafin of Columbia; Katelin Frederick of Hustonville, Ky.; Tyler McCubbins of Magnolia, Ky.; and Josh Stephens of Stearns, Ky.

Also performing will be alumna Sara Hargis. Currently an LWC admissions counselor, Hargis was a member of the Lindsey Wilson Singers and she participated in the college's inaugural Carnegie Hall appearance.

Monday night will be the third time Lindsey Wilson students have performed at Carnegie Hall concert -- the other two were in 2002 and '06.

"It is a great deal of work to prepare for this concert, but students discover that it is worth the effort," Chafin. "It's an experience they will cherish and remember for the rest of their lives."

Students, who were selected for the program last fall, have spent the last seven months learning Vivaldi's popular vocal work. When they get to New York City, they will spend three more days of intensive rehearsals.

"In addition to the workouts, we'll enjoy getting to know the approximately 175 other singers who are participating in the collaborative project," Chafin said.

Hargis recalled her 2002 performance on the stage of legendary Carnegie Hall, calling it a "surreal moment."

"Walking onto the stage at Carnegie Hall for the first time was such a surreal moment," she said.

Atkinson said she has heard a lot about the special feeling singers get when they walk onto the historic Carnegie Hall stage.

"Everybody I have talked to that has gone on this trip says it's one thing to see a performance on the stage of Carnegie Hall, but it's a whole different thing when you step out on the stage and look into the crowd," said Atkinson, who will be a Christian ministries senior in 2009-10. "They say it's breathtaking to step out and look into the crowd."

For McCubbins, Monday night's concert will be the perfect end to his college career. Last month, he received a bachelor's degree in biology from Lindsey Wilson.

"When I found out about the opportunity, I knew it was a chance of a lifetime to sing on the stage in Carnegie Hall, so I didn't want to pass it up," he said.

Monday night's performance will be especially meaningful to the Chafin family as Chafin's daughter, Allison, will be among those performing.

"A special honor for me is the opportunity to share the Carnegie stage with my daughter, Allison," Chafin said. "I'm certain it will be a priceless moment for us."

Lindsey Wilson already has a connection with Shulamit Hoffmann, the conductor of Monday night's concert. During the trip's planning stages last spring, the Lindsey Wilson Singers performed at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, Hoffmann's home church in San Francisco.

"It was a pleasure for our students to meet her and begin talking about the Carnegie Hall concert," Chafin said. "We're looking forward to Monday night."

Chafin noted that on the previous two trips to New York, the students experienced several surprises that made the experiences even more meaningful. For example, during the 2002 trip, students visited the site of the former World Trade Center less than a year after it had been demolished by terrorists.

Hargis remembered singing "Be Still My Soul" at Ground Zero in 2002 as the last beam from the World Trade Center was removed from the site.

"That was a moment that touched my heart in a way that nothing else had before," she said.

Readers can follow the Lindsey Wilson Singers' trip to New York and Monday night concert at Carnegie Hall on Twitter. Beginning on Friday, June 26, Hargis will update the Singers' Twitter page with pictures, comments and sounds. To follow her on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/lwcsingers.

Russell County High School Graduate ReceivesRussell County-LWC Partnership Scholarship

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A recent graduate of Russell County High School is the recipient of a special scholarship to Lindsey Wilson College.

Jessica McGowan, a 2009 Russell County High School graduate, is the recipient of the Russell County-Lindsey Wilson College Partnership Scholarship.

McGowan is also the recipient of a Lindsey Wilson endowed scholarship. She plans to major in nursing at Lindsey Wilson. This fall, Lindsey Wilson is adding a bachelor of science degree in nursing, the only four-year nursing program in Southcentral Kentucky.

The Russell County-Lindsey Wilson College Partnership Scholarship is a scholarship reserved for a Russell County resident to attend Lindsey Wilson, recognizing the long relationship the college shares with the county. One of the college's early benefactors was a Russell County resident.

Making a Year-End Gift to LWC

Now is the time to make a gift to support the Lindsey Wilson Fund, which ensures that future generations of young people will benefit from the LWC mission. Click here to make a gift to LWC.

This Week @ LWC -- June 22-26

'Three-Minute Thursday'Wrestling Coach Corey Ruff Pins Randy Burns

This week, Director of Alumni Relations Randy Burns chats with new wrestling coach Corey Ruff -- and learns the basics of the sport.

Four Honored at Retirement Reception

The LWC community honored four colleagues Tuesday afternoon at a retirement reception. From left: Controller Curtis Slinker, Director of Institutional of Research Steve Sargent, Associate Professor of English Carolyn Keefe and Dining Services Cashier Gladys Baker.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The Lindsey Wilson College community honored Tuesday afternoon four colleagues who are retiring when the 2008-09 fiscal year ends on June 30.

Combined, the four have given more than 60 years of service to the college and have worked with thousands of LWC students. In appreciation for their service to students, a reception was held for the four faculty and staff members in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Each retiree was presented with a commemorative Lindsey Wilson rocking chair.

The four honorees were:

■ Gladys Baker, who served for more than 13 years in LWC dining services. She was well-known by the college’s residential students because as the Cranmer Dining & Conference Center’s cashier, she was the first person to greet guests when they entered the building for breakfast and lunch.

■ Carolyn Keefe, who served 12 school years as associate professor of English.

■ Steve Sargent, who was associate professor of psychology since the 1999-2000 school year and the college’s director of institutional of research since 2003.

■ Curtis Slinker, who served for more than 24 years. From 1981-86, Slinker was an instructor in the college’s business division, secretary to the financial aid director and then financial aid director. From 1990 until his retirement, Slinker was assistant controller, then he was promoted to the college’s controller.

Fun Factory Open to First- Through Fifth-Graders

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College's recreation, tourism and sport management program will offer three one-week day camps through the end of July.

The Fun Factory will be held June 22-26, July 13-17 and July 27-31 for the region's rising first- through fifth-graders. The day camp is held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT Monday-Friday at Lindsey Wilson's A.P. White Campus.

The Fun Factory is supervised by Lindsey Wilson Assistant Professor of Recreation, Tourism, and Sports Management Tricia M. Day. This is the second year LWC's recreation, tourism and sport management program has offered the program.

"The Fun Factory provides rising first- through fifth-grade students a structured environment in which they not only have a good time but also learn some things as well," Day said.

The Fun Factory includes crafts and games, a daily one-hour lesson in the Lindsey Wilson Katie Murrell Library and supervised swimming at the Columbia City Pool. Campers are required to bring a sack lunch each day.

On Wednesday, campers will take a field trip to an area attraction.

"We want campers to have a good time, and we also hope to teach them that there is a world of recreation beyond video games and television," Day said.

The cost of the camp is $85, plus a one-time $15 registration fee. All payments cover the cost of running the camp.

For more information about the Fun Factory, contact Day at dayt@lindsey.edu or (270) 384-8066 or co-director Rebecca Schmidt at (270) 384-8017 or schmidtr@lindsey.edu.

Community Trust Bank Donates$2,500 to Lindsey Wilson Fund

LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. (center) receives a $2,500 gift for the Lindsey Wilson Fund from Community Trust Columbia Bank Branch Manager Lee Ann Collins. At left is Community Trust South Central Kentucky Region President Ricky D. Sparkman.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College has received a $2,500 donation from Community Trust Bank.

The donation will be used to support the Lindsey Wilson Fund, according to Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr.

The Lindsey Wilson Fund is used to offset the difference between the college’s tuition and the cost of educating students at the college.

Community Trust officials said they made the gift to Lindsey Wilson “because of what this college means to our region.”

“Community Trust Bank appreciates Lindsey Wilson College and what it does for Adair County and our region,” said Community Trust South Central Kentucky Region President Ricky D. Sparkman. “Higher education is a good investment in our region’s future.”

Presenting the gift to Luckey on Monday morning were Sparkman and Lee Ann Collins, who is manager of the Community Trust Columbia branch.

A native of Adair County, Collins knows firsthand the value of Lindsey Wilson -- she grew up on Young Street next to the college’s A.P. White Campus, and also attended the college’s former training school before graduating from Adair County High School in 1982. Collins is the daughter of Sue Sandusky and the late Sammy Sandusky.

“It’s been incredible to watch this college grow over the years,” Collins said.

And Luckey said Lindsey Wilson appreciates Community Trust’s support.

“Lindsey Wilson is extremely fortunate to enjoy such strong relations with the region’s business community,” Luckey said. “One reason for Lindsey Wilson’s phenomenal growth over the last 25 years is because we enjoy a strong partnership with area businesses.”

This Week @ LWC -- June 15-19

Center for Rural Development ProgramAllows Students to ‘Explore’ College Life

A total of 29 students from the region participated in the Rogers Explorers program, held Jun 10-12 at Lindsey Wilson. (Click on photo for a larger version.)

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A lot of rising ninth-grade students may be tempted to take it easy after they graduate from the eighth grade. But less than a month after 29 area students graduated from the eighth grade, they spent three days this week at Lindsey Wilson College learning about biology, communication, energy and leadership.

The 29 students were part of the Rogers Explorers program, which was held June 10-12 at Lindsey Wilson. Sponsored by the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., in conjunction with Lindsey Wilson, the Rogers Explorers is an intensive three-day, two-program that exposes rising ninth-grade students to courses in communication, mathematics and science.

Two Rogers Explorers programs were held this summer -- one at Lindsey Wilson, the other at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. A total of 59 students from the Center for Rural Development’s 42-county service area participated in the program at the two colleges. The Rogers Explorers program is one of three summer programs the Center offers to youth in its service area.

“One of the biggest benefits of this program is that it gets students to think about postsecondary education even before they have entered secondary education,” said Jessica D. Melton, Center for Rural Development assistant director of education and training. “Being on a college campus, being in a college classroom and being with college professors all have a positive influence on them. … It’s different than going to a basketball campus – they are experiencing the academic elements of a college campus.”

During the day, the 29 Rogers Scholars at Lindsey Wilson were taught by the college’s faculty in subjects that included genetics, physics and communication skills. When not in class, they enjoyed several social events, and they also participated in community-service projects in Adair and Russell counties.

“It’s very important to have a community-service component in the program because we want the students to understand the importance of serving others and helping their communities through service,” Melton said.

One of the activities the Rogers Explorers especially enjoyed was a videoconference meeting with officials at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

That activity impressed Alison Feese of Columbia, who will be an Adair County High School freshman this fall. Like many of the Rogers Explorers, Feese was surprised to learn that NASA had job opportunities for just about every interest.

“It was really interesting to see all the stuff they do,” Feese said.

The videoconference meeting with NASA “gives them that dream-big potential,” Melton said.

At Friday evening’s closing ceremony, held in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship, Center for Rural Development President and CEO Lonnie Lawson told the students and their family members that the three days spent at Lindsey Wilson were but a beginning in their education journey.

“You must take an active role in your education” Lawson said. “Only you can really get to where you need to be in education.”

Lawson also praised the Rogers Explorers for combining academic pursuits with community-service activities.

“This is really what the heart of the mission for the Center for Rural Development is all about – it’s about improving the quality of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” he said. “And we can only do that if we keep our best and brightest here at home, educate them here at home, get them involved in community decisions, get them involved in community service.”

And if the evaluation of Noah Richards of Columbia is any indication, the Rogers Explorers program held at Lindsey Wilson was a tremendous success.

“My three days here have been the best three days I’ve had my whole life,” said Richards, who will be a freshman this fall at Adair County High School. “I can’t wait to go home and use the skills we have learned.”

AUDIO: Rogers Explorer Noah Richard reflects On his three days

AUDIO: Rogers Explorer Heather Jackson Of Adair County on her career plans


SCENES: FROM ROGERS EXPLORERS


SCENES: ROGERS EXPLORERS GRADUATION

Alumnae Reunite on Campus for the Big 4-0

LWC alumnae gather Friday morning on the A.P. White Campus to celebrate their 40th birthdays and reminisce about their time at the college. From left: Sarah Barbee Espinosa of Lexington, Ky., Kara Alexander of Florence, Ky., Kelli Stemm Float of Danville, Lara Day Adams of Kuttawa, Ky., and Stacy Norman Read of Glasgow, Ky. (Click on photo for a larger version.)

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Five Lindsey Wilson College alumnae celebrated a milestone Friday at their alma mater. The five alumnae gathered on the Lindsey Wilson A.P. White Campus to celebrate their 40th birthdays. They returned to Lindsey Wilson because they met one another while students at the college.

To prepare for their big day on campus, the five alumnae held a scavenger hunt that included several Lindsey Wilson items.

“This is where our friendship began, so we thought this would be sentimental and nice,” said Kelli Stemm Float of Danville, Ky.

Float – who won the scavenger hunt – was joined by fellow alumnae: Sarah Barbee Espinosa of Lexington, Ky.; Kara Alexander of Florence, Ky.; Lara Day Adams of Kuttawa, Ky.; and Stacy Norman Read of Glasgow, Ky.

Alexander, Float, Adams and Read were all cheerleaders while at the college, and Espinosa was a student ambassador at the college. Adams made history when she graduated with LWC’s first bachelor’s degree in liberal studies.

On Friday, the five alumnae met with LWC President William T. Luckey Jr., who recruited several of the women to the college when he ran LWC’s admissions program through most of the 1980s.

The alumnae also received a campus tour from Director of Alumni Relations Randy Burns. And it’s a good thing they received a tour because their alma mater has added more than two dozen buildings since they were students at the A.P. White Campus.

“We wouldn’t have been able to find anything because I think there are only two classroom buildings that I recognize from when we were here,” Float said.

Although the five alumnae have led different lives since their Lindsey Wilson student days, the one thing they still agree on was that Associate Professor of Chemistry Robert Shuffett was one of their best professors.

“His integrity was what we remember most,” Float said. “He was the whole package because he wanted to teach us about life as well as chemistry. He was invested in us, and he wanted to see us succeed.”