UPIKE Newsroom

The University of Pikeville celebrated the 2019 inductees of the Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame and honored those individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to education and dedicated themselves to educating the youth of Central Appalachia.

This year’s inductees included Glenda Adkins of Pikeville, Gregory K. Allen of Jamestown, Ruth Gwendolyn Bevins of Bevins, Freddie Bowling of Pikeville, Lillie D. Chaffin (posthumously), Sandra P. Clevinger of Elkhorn City, Marcie Ward Hanson of Tomahawk, Mary McCloud of Stanville, Tonya Mullins of Wittensville, Annette Mullins Rouse of Hagerhill, Alan Siegel of Denver and Danny Sturgill of Virgie.

Glenda Adkins received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pikeville College (’89), her master’s degree as a reading specialist and Rank I and instructional leadership degree from Morehead State University. Adkins is also certified as a reading recovery teacher by Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative. She also served on a school-based decision-making council for 18 years, a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program mentor for first-year teachers and a cooperating teacher for student teachers. She is in her 30thyear of teaching and is currently serving students in fourth grade reading. Adkins serves on the Pikeville Independent Alumni Board and is a member of First Baptist Church where she teaches children’s choir, Bible school and Sunday school. She is also a member of her church choir and serves as a member of the church backpack program, which provides students in need with food for weekends and extended breaks. Adkins’ parents Chester (deceased) and Sylvia Bailey are both Pikeville College alumni and her father was a 2010 Distinguished Educator. Adkins and her husband, retired Pikeville City Police Chief, Jimmy, have three children, James, Tabitha and Madeline, along with four grandchildren, Harrison, Hayes, Bailey and Andie. 

Gregory K. Allen received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Pikeville College (’87), his master’s degree in science education from the University of Kentucky and his Rank I certification from Western Kentucky University. In addition to teaching chemistry, he also served as assistant principal, a youth pastor, dual-credit professor, a biology teacher as well as other roles. Allen is currently teaching chemistry at Russell County High School. He has been honored and recognized among his peers and community with numerous awards including the Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching Award, National Society of High School Teachers Award, Governor’s Scholar Program Outstanding Educator Award, Site-Based Council Teacher Delegate as well as others. Allen’s wife Dawn T. Allen, DMD, is also a Pikeville College alum (’87). Together, Allen and his wife have a son, Colby T. Allen and a daughter, Madison T. Allen.

Ruth Gwendolyn Bevins received her bachelor’s degree from Pikeville College (’75) and her master’s degree and Rank I from Morehead State University. In addition, Bevins is certified to teach elementary education, special education and gifted and talented. She is retired as the director of special education from Pikeville Independent Schools, where she also served as the director of the gifted and talented program. During her tenure, Bevins served as the director of the Homebound Program, an adjunct professor for Morehead State University, parent educator for Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, guidance counselor for the Upward Bound Program at UPIKE, teacher at the Late Mary Calvert School for the Handicapped and teacher and co-director for special education with the Pike County Board of Education. Bevins is and was very involved with education on the state and local level as a member of the Pike County Retired Teachers Association, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and a past member of the Governor’s State Advisory Panel for Special Education. As an active member of her community, Bevins has served as past president for the Pike County Association for Handicapped Citizens, past area eleven coordinator for the Special Olympics and a member and Sunday school teacher at the Feds Creek Church of Christ. She is also a Kentucky Colonel. Bevins and her husband George M. Bevins Jr. have two children, Kimberly Read and Earl Ray Casey, grandchildren Brittany Taylor, Eddie Rowe, Ethan Casey, Abrial Read and Sophie Read as well as great grandchildren, Hayden Taylor and Hayleigh Rowe. 

Freddie Bowling received his bachelor’s degree in education from Pikeville College (’94), his master’s degree, Rank 1 in elementary education and his school superintendent certification from Morehead State University. As the current assistant superintendent for the Pike County School District, Bowling is certified in elementary education, special education, school administration and as a superintendent. Bowling also has experience as a special education teacher and principal. During his time working with the Pike County School System, the district was named a “Distinguished School District,” performing in the 95 percentile. Bowling is a member of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and is a Kentucky Colonel. Bowling and his wife Melissa have two sons, Connor and Mason. 

Lillie D. Chaffin was active in the public-school system for 28 years serving at numerous elementary schools. Chaffin was also a librarian and gave lectures and writing workshops at Pikeville College, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and Morehead State University in addition to other institutions. Chaffin was also an active and well-respected writer featured in the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Child Life, Kentucky Poetry Journal and the Kentucky Poetry Review. Chaffin served as the Poetry Editor for the Pikeville College Literary Magazine, and co-editor and co-founder of “Reaching” a poetry publication in Lexington. Across her career, Chaffin was published in more than 300 different magazines, newspapers, textbooks and anthologies as well as publishing several books of her own. Chaffin received a Doctor of Letters degree from both Pikeville College and Eastern Kentucky University. She was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Poetry as well as many other prestigious awards. Chaffin (deceased) and her husband Thomas Wilburn Chaffin (deceased) were preceded in death by two children, Ronald Chaffin (1942-1945) and Rheta Ynelle Chaffin (1943-1945). They are survived by their son Thomas Randal Chaffin and grandchildren including Jacalyn Davidson, Jessica Nicole Chaffin, Christa Frye, George Thomas Chaffin as well as her great grandchildren, Donte Davidson, Brayden Frye, Keller Chaffin and Colson Chaffin.

Sandra P. Clevinger received her bachelor’s degree from Pikeville College (’73) and her master’s from Morehead State University. Devoting 30 years as a teacher at Elkhorn City Elementary, Clevinger knew early on that she wanted to be an educator and had many mentors in the field. Clevinger participated in the Parent-Teacher Association, taught second and third grade and implemented a Follow Through Classroom which was a program that provided supplemental learning to students. After her retirement, Clevinger volunteered in the library at her elementary school. She teaches Sunday school and Discovery Club at the First Church of God. Clevinger is married to her husband Benny Clevinger, and together they have two daughters, Deann Skeens and Lisha Owens, and two sons-in-laws, David Skeens and David Owens. 

Marcie Ward Hanson received her bachelor’s degree in English education with a minor in journalism, radio and television broadcasting and her fifth-year certification in secondary education from Morehead State University. As an experienced educator, Hanson was a teacher for 26 years in Martin County. In addition to serving students as an educator, Hanson was also the men’s golf coach, yearbook advisor, newspaper editor, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Kentucky state data and mentor manager and coordinated both prom and homecoming. Professionally, Hanson was part of the Martin County Education Association, Kentucky Education Association, National Education Association, Dream Martin County and Martin County Historical Society. Over the course of her career, Hanson has been honored with many awards and honors including JAG 2019’s National Legacy Award, JAG Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Martin County Teacher of the Year and many others. Hanson’s parents Palma Ward and Donald Ward (deceased), were both educators in the Martin County School System. Hanson and her husband Andrew have been married for 21 years and have two children, Korey Chase and Carson Drew. 

Mary McCloud received her bachelor’s degree in early elementary education and learning and behavior disorders degree for K-12 from Pikeville College (’92), her master’s in early elementary education and Rank I as an education specialist in the areas of curriculum and instruction from Morehead State University. McCloud worked in the field of education as a teacher and literacy consultant. Skilled in educator mentoring, McCloud also provided support for school administrators and teachers in best practices and research-based strategies to improve literacy instruction. In addition to serving students and fellow teachers in the school system, McCloud served with the Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative as an achievement gap consultant with an emphasis in literacy. McCloud is active in her community and is a volunteer with the Prater Creek Food Pantry and attends Zebulon Grace Church. McCloud is married to her husband Albert McCloud, and together they have a son, Kelly McCloud, a daughter, Shannon Lawson, and a son-in-law, Mickey Lawson. 

Tonya G. Mullins received her bachelor’s degree in education, her master’s degree in education and certification as a literacy specialist with an emphasis on reading and writing from Morehead State University and her Rank I in educational supervision from Union College. In addition to serving as a teacher for many years, Mullins also has experience as an independent writing consultant and open response and assessment coach, where she provided professional development trainings and shared strategies and improvement plans for student-progress scores. Mullins also served with the Kentucky Department of Education/West Ed Agency on several committees, where she was able to lend her experience and expertise to help students across the commonwealth. In addition to serving on numerous professional committees, Mullins gave back to her community through coaching cheer, drama, academic teams and community problem solving teams, where she helped students develop human service projects.  

Annette Mullins Rouse graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Pikeville College (’93). Rouse served in education for 20 years with Central Elementary School and was the founding member of the school’s Annual Poetry Festival. As a long-time and beloved educator, Rouse has been recognized as a National Honor Roll Outstanding American Teacher, a Milken National Educator, and has been presented with the Nikon Teacher Award, the Pikeville College Rediford Damron Award for Teaching Excellence and is a Kentucky Colonel. Rouse was also a member of the Kentucky Teacher Advisory Committee. With a passion for the community, she is involved as a member of the Pleasant Home Southern Baptist Church where she teaches Bible school and participates in the Homeless Shelter Outreach Program in Eastern Kentucky. Rouse and her husband Thomas have a son, Thomas Bennett Rouse II, a daughter, Donna Rouse-McCormick, and two grandsons, Thomas Bodie Rouse and Joseph Thomas McCormick. 

Alan Siegel received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Morehead State University. With a music education career that spanned 37 years, Siegel served as both a band director and music teacher. He was also involved in Johnson County Schools as a bus driver for more than 11 years and served as academic coach at Johnson County Middle School for 10 years. Siegel is currently retired but is a lifetime member of the National Education Association and is also a member of the Kentucky Education Association. As an advocate for his community, Siegel has volunteered with his local Salvation Army unit and the Johnson County Animal Shelter. Siegel and his wife Sally have two sons, Shad and Jon. 

Danny Sturgill received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics/physical science from Alice Lloyd College, and his master’s degree in education from courses taken at Pikeville College and Morehead State University. Sturgill served students in the classroom for 24 years, teaching various courses in math, earth science, chemistry and physics. During his tenure, Sturgill was recognized as an Outstanding Chemistry Teacher by the University of Pikeville, Educator of the Year by Teen Inc., received The Bettinger Chemistry Award, the George Alden Award from Academic Excellence as well as numerous Governor’s Scholars Outstanding Educator Awards. Sturgill and his wife Lorene have three children, Brett Sturgill, Annetta Sturgill Robinson, Cody Sturgill and a stepdaughter, Anna Bevins. 

Photo caption: Pictured are members of the University of Pikeville Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame Class of 2019. From left to right, Marcie Hanson, Mary McCloud, Tonya Mullins, Sandra Clevinger, Freddie Bowling, Annette Rouse, Gregory Allen, Glenda Adkins, Danny Sturgill, Ruth Bevins and Thomas Randal Chaffin.

-UPIKE-