University of Pikeville

Office of Alumni Relations
147 Sycamore Street
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501
(606) 218-5268
Alumni@upike.edu

 

The UPIKE Alumni Association invites graduates to connect with one another and remain engaged with UPIKE by taking part in monthly events that are informative, interactive and inspirational. For more information on how you can become involved in the Alumni Association, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@upike.edu or at (606) 218-5268.


Officers of the Alumni Board of Directors

President – Kay Hammond ‘68

Vice President – Dalton Hatfield ‘18

Secretary – Teresa Justice ‘72

Treasurer – Andrew Scott ‘04

Phillip Birchfield ‘94

Michelle Jones ‘99

Whitney Justice ‘09

Collan McCoy ‘16

Howard Roberts ‘78

Jesse Rudd ‘00

Chad Sellers ‘01

Cheyenne Sowards ‘19

Chris Walker ‘18

Brooke Walters ‘03


Alumni Awards

2024 Alumni Award Recipients:

Pictured left to right – Terry Conley, Tiffany Fannin, Dr. James Browning, Lisa Pinson, Andrea Coughtry,

  • Distinguished Alumni – Terry Conley ‘89
  • Gary Thrash Outstanding Alumni – Tiffany Fannin ‘09
  • Rising Young Alumni – Andrea Coughtry ‘16
  • Honorary Alumni – Dr. James Browning
  • Volunteer of the Year – Lisa Pinson

To vote for this years alumni awards please click on the button below:


Award winners through the years

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to an alumnus/alumna of the University. He/she must have been out of college for at least seven years. Nomination information should include specific activities, awards and promotions that demonstrate 1) professional prominence and 2) contributions made for the betterment of society, both of which bring honor and distinction to the University of Pikeville.

2024 Recipient:

Terry Conley ‘89

 

 

Past Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award
1967 – William C. Hambley
1971 – Lillie Chaffin
1972 – Dr. Raymond Wells, Inez
1973 – John Waddell
1974 – Rediford Damron
1975 – Joe Sharpe
1977 – Charles B. Chrisman
1982 – Jewell Cline, Perry Cline
1983 – Walter P. Walters, Sr.
1984 – Carl Hatcher
1985 – Goldie Benedict
1986 – Jonathan Hiers
1987 – Franklin Day, Alice Kinder
1988 – John Paul Riddle, William C. Hambley
1989 – Georgia Muncy, Harold Edmonds, Ample Calhoun
1990 – Walter May, Lucille Saad Smith, Philip Vinciguerra (posthumously)
1991 – Charles E. Spears
1992 – John B. DuPuy
1993 – Otta Barton
1994 – Terry Dotson, Chester Goble, Irene Goble
1995 – William J. Baird, III
1996 – Jean Hale
1997 – Charles Robert Johnson, William Sullivan
1998 – Billie Jean Osborne
1999 – Doug Hinkle
2000 – Ron Terry, Frank Welch
2001 – Lois Esham, Benny Ray Bailey
2002 – Linda Scott-DeRosier
2003 – Willie Smith, Ruth Wheeler
2004 – Donnie Jones, Reed Anderson
2005 – Dr. Chauncey Rupe, Imogene June Johnson
2006 – Dr. Robert B. Sparks
2007 – Rhoda Jane Claytor, Jean Shockey
2008 – Roger Wagner
2009 – Gene Davis
2010 – Jed Weinberg
2011 Spring – Dr. Orville M. Clark Jr., Justice Will T. Scott
2011 Fall – Kitty Baird, Judith Hinkle
2012 – Wayne T. Rutherford
2013 – Della Dotson Griffey, David Lester
2014 – Dr. Raynor Mullins
2015 – Gene D. Davis, Judi Patton
2016 – Donnie Akers, Hubert Keen
2017 – Doug Branham
2018 – Marcy McClanahan Cassady
2019 – Kenneth Stiltner
2021- Thomas May Hereford III
2022 – Dr. Howard V. Roberts
2023 – Richard W. Newsom

 

The Rising Young Alumni Award is presented annually to an alumnus/alumna who is 40-years-old or younger. Basis for selection includes 1) career advancement, 2) service to others, 3) loyalty and commitment to the University, 4) strong personal character, and 5) proven leadership in his or her profession.

2024 Recipients – 

Andrea Coughtry ‘16

 


Past Recipients of the Rising Young Alumni Award

2011 Spring – Melanie Fields Horton, Larry Forester
2011 Fall – Rosemary Gilliam Holbrook, Brad Hall, Jessie Rudd II
2012 – Anna Ignatenko Garcia, David Short
2013 – Brandt Johnson, D.O.
2014 – Nick Jamerson
2015 – Jamey Hager, D.O., Robbie Royalty, M.D.
2016 – Justin Hall
2017 – Kyle Sineath
2018 – Charity Burke Walters
2019 – Drs. Jason and Stacy Hunt
2021 – Kansas “Kandi” Meredith Justice
2022 – Chad Sellers
2023 – Jordan Gibson

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented annually only if there is clearly a deserving and available candidate; and is normally limited to one recipient each year. Individual(s) must be a non-alumnus/alumna of the community-at-large. Nomination: Cite specific examples of 1) loyalty, 2) interest, and 3) service in the spirit of the University that are above and beyond the normal responsibilities of the individual. Honorary alumni have all the rights and privileges of traditional alumni of the University and become honorary members of the class graduating in the spring of the academic year in which the award is given.

2024 Recipient:

Dr. James Browning

 


Past Recipients of the Honorary Alumni Award

1980 – Creg Damron, Ed Elder, Bob Tarbeck
1981 – Mary Evelyn Rogers
1982 – Dr. Lee Scott, Ruth Scott
1983 – Paul Patton
1984 – Wilfred S. Martin
1985 – Ruth Chrisman
1986 – Alma Culton, Maurice Bailey
1987 – Vivian Day, Jim Andy Caudill
1988 – C.V. Snapp
1989 – Eddie Grigsby, Leon Huffman
1990 – Jackie Owens
1991 – Terry Fitzer
1992 – Lt. Gov. Paul E. Patton
1993 – Ed Love
1994 – Burlin Coleman
1995 – Djien & Leonor So
1996 – Paul Gearheart
1997 – William H. Owens
1998 – Father Ralph Beiting
1999 – Chad Perry
2002 – Dale and Martha McNeely
2003 – Karen Smith
2004 – Glenn Brown
2005 – Dr. Rakesh and Dr. Seema Sachdeva
2006 – Johnnie LeMaster
2007 – John Strosnider, JoAnn Strosnider
2008 – Margaret Arnett, Dr. Wallace Campbell, Jane Campbell
2009 – NA
2010 – Danny VanHoose
2011 Spring – Bruce Walters II, Kelly Wells
2011 Fall – Frank Justice, Mattie Justice
2012 – Leslie Combs
2013 – Wayne Martin
2014 – Donovan Blackburn and the Pikeville City Commission
2015 – Andrew Joyce, Rusty Justice
2016 – Boyd Buser
2017 – Kelly Wells
2018 – Tim Collins
2019 – Perry Allen
2022 – Dr. Nancy Cade
2023- Burnin White

 

 

The Gary Thrash Outstanding Ambassador Award is presented annually in named recognition of alumnus and longtime Alumni Association Board of Directors member Gary Thrash, for his commitment and dedication to the University and its students. The award is presented to those whose service to the University and the alumni association exemplifies Thrash’s dedication to the mission of the University of Pikeville.

2024 Recipient – 

Tiffany Fannin ‘09

 

Past Recipients of the Gary Thrash Outstanding Ambassador Award
2011 Spring – Gary Thrash
2011 Fall – Frank Welch
2012 – Kay Hammond
2013 – Bennie Bartley
2014 – Gene Lovel
2015 – Betty Porter
2016 – Tommy Chamberlin
2017 – Kathi Belcher Fletcher
2018 – Not Awarded
2019 – Danny C. Adams
2020 – Not Awarded
2021 – Tiffany Michelle Craft
2022- John L. Biery
2023 – Not Awarded

The Volunteer of the Year award is presented in recognition of servant leadership, outstanding volunteerism and selfless commitment to the University of Pikeville.

2024 Recipient –

Lisa Pinson

 


Past Recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award

2016 – Amy Williamson
2017 – Sue Stanley
2019 – Joel Thornbury
2022 – Dr. Robby Royalty
2023 – Charles Dwain Anderson