Union College Celebrates Homecoming and Honors Outstanding Alumni

2006 Alumni Banquet Award Winners and Presenters

Hundreds of alumni and guests visited Barbourville and the Union College campus the weekend of October 20th to celebrate Homecoming 2006. The annual celebration featured a golf tournament, homecoming coronation, a tailgate barbecue, the dedication of the new student snack bar, several homecoming athletic events and a worship service on Sunday morning.

Saturday evening’s Alumni Banquet and Awards Ceremony was one of the event’s highlights. Three new alumni were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. James B. Walters, of Cincinnati, was inducted into the Business and Professional Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed new member Michael Sammons of Hazard, Kentucky, and Mary Alice Lay of Barbourville was inducted into the Educators’ Hall of Fame.

Mr. Walters worked for the federal government for 38 years, primarily with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He co-authored three books, was selected by national and international groups to serve as an investigator or trainer and was a Presidential appointee to two committees.

Ms. Lay was honored for her outstanding contribution to Union College and the community in the fields of education, home economics and nutrition. She was also praised for her industry and dedication in supporting a vast array of local and regional efforts over the years.

Mr. Sammons was chosen as this year’s Athletic inductee in honor of his illustrious basketball career. He was an Athlete of the Year at Union and earned KIAC All-Conference honors and NAIA District 32 All-District honors each season he played. Mike Sammons finished his college career as a member of the 1000 Point Club with the status of second all-time leading scorer.

Also presented at the Alumni Banquet were two Rising Star Awards and an Alumni Award for Distinguished Service. This year’s Rising Star recipients are Andrea R. (Myers) Stapleton and Frances H. (Black) Williams. Mrs. Stapleton is a successful scientist with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and an active volunteer in her community. Mrs. Williams has excelled in real estate and sales since graduation and has established the Edward H. Black Scholarship Fund in memory of her father.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Mrs. Jane Minton Blair in appreciation for her long-time support of Union College and the community. She was recognized for her accomplished work as a donor, volunteer and advocate for Union, Barbourville and the region.

Each fall, Union College welcomes alumni home to share memories, renew their connection to the college and community, and to thank them for the roles they play in shaping the college’s past, present and future. This year, alumni were particularly pleased to learn of Union’s continued success. President Edward de Rosset shared news of Union’s increased enrollment figures, the college’s positive financial picture and a plan to update facilities and infrastructure. Alumni vigorously applauded President de Rosset’s announcement that Union is dedicated to saving such treasured buildings as Centennial Hall and Soldiers and Sailors.

For more information about Homecoming activities or Union College, visit Union at www.unionky.edu.

October 27th, 2006

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