Cassandra Ammerman receives 4-year tuition scholarship from President Edward D. de Rosset

From a bright and industrial farm boy in the rolling hills of Northern, Kentucky, to an eager-to-learn student at a small private college in the mountains of Southeastern, Kentucky; nationally recognized scientist and educator, Dr. Phillip Sharp, acknowledges and appreciates his Kentucky roots.

With a National Medal of Honor and the 1993 Nobel Prize in Medicine to his credit, Dr. Sharp and his wife Ann Holcombe Sharp are no strangers to the limelight. Recently the two attended the National Medal of Honor awards ceremony at the White House. President George W. Bush presided over the ceremony where Dr. Sharp was one of eight prestigious scientists awarded the National Medal of Honor in Science.

Not only has he been rewarded for his scientific research, Dr. Sharp has also been steadily rising up the career ladder, within academia, since he began working as an educator in the mid 1970s.

Barbourville native and Union College alum Jason Smith spoke about the importance of Union College to the community, the region and to the students who attend. Smith teaches chemistry at Pendleton County High School. Pictured is Smith with Union’s president, Edward D. de Rosset.

He has held numerous positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. He turned down the opportunity to serve as president of the institution fearing the position would take him away from his students and research. Currently, Dr. Sharp is director of the McGovern Institute for brain research at MIT.

However, no matter how the accolades present themselves or how many awards are received, both Dr. and Mrs. Sharp remember their educational and hometown roots and are proud to claim them.

Dr. Sharp is a graduate of Pendleton County High School, class of ’62 and a Union College, class of ’66 graduate. Union is where Sharp met his wife Ann--a New Jersey native, who is also an educator.

Dr. and Mrs. Sharp’s alma mater, Union College, recently honored the couple by awarding a four-year tuition scholarship to Pendleton County High senior Cassandra Ammerman. Ammerman, whose mother is Sharp’s first cousin, plans to follow in the footsteps of this great scientist—she wants to become a math teacher.

“It is a great honor for Union College to recognize us by offering this scholarship to a graduate of Pendleton County High School. I have long appreciated the education I received in high school and at Union College. This started my great adventure in science and education,” Dr. Sharp said in a letter read by Union College President Edward D. de Rosset.

The senior class of Pendleton County High School with (front center, left to right) Mrs. Kathrin Sharp and Mr. Joseph Sharp, President Edward D. de Rosset, Joanna Layton, and Sandra Milburn.

Ammerman received the scholarship at a ceremony held in her high school gymnasium, with her family, peers and Dr. Sharp’s parents and family present to witness the event.

“I’m so honored to receive this scholarship. It is especially meaningful to me knowing that Dr. Sharp received a degree in the same subject I’m interested in, mathematics. I will make the most of my education and I will make all of you proud,” Ammerman said as she received the citation from Union.

It seems Dr. Sharp’s legacy has created a complete circle. Another bright student from the rolling hills of Northern, Kentucky will attend Union College in the mountains of Southeastern, Kentucky.

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