Union College News Release 11-17-11: Union College Presents Alumni Awards

Union College Presents Alumni Awards

During the October homecoming festivities, Union College recognized several local distinguished alumni, including a faculty member who has served the college for 50 years.

Mary Alice Lay, who first came to Union in 1961 as home economics instructor, is now serving her 50th year with the college and was recognized for this milestone during the 2011 Homecoming Alumni Banquet. Her professional roles through the years have been of a diverse nature--including everything from serving on the board of trustees to directing the office of alumni affairs, a post she held while earning her Rank I certificate from Union in 1980. She has served on the faculty, chaired committees, advised and mentored students, and has been active in maintaining Union's connections with prestigious honors societies.

Union named Roger D. Matthews a 2011 inductee in the school's Business and Professional Hall of Fame. Matthews, a 1960 graduate, enjoyed a successful career with Goodwill Industries, serving in Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Virginia for 37 years. During this time, he built two new Goodwill headquarters, rescued two Goodwill missions from bankruptcy and was president/CEO of the world's largest Goodwill. Matthews and his wife, Bonnie, have two children: Dr. Kim Young, a clinical psychologist in Milwaukee, Wis., and Todd D. Matthews, a landscape architect in Seattle, Wash. The Hall of Fame is intended to honor Union College affiliates who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, been pioneers in their areas of expertise or provided leadership at state, regional or national levels.

Pete Greene, who graduated from Union in 1991, is a 2011 inductee into the college's Athletics Hall of Fame. Greene played tight end on the football team all four years of his college career. He was named team captain and set records at Union, including most receptions and yardage. He and his wife, Susan, live in Prestonsburg with their two sons, Tate and Owen. The Hall of Fame is intended to honor Union College affiliates who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, been pioneers in their areas of expertise or provided leadership at state, regional or national levels.

Clyde Evans, Ph.D., was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame. Evans graduated from Union in 1960 and later earned his doctoral degree from Southern Mississippi University. Through the years, he has worn several professional hats including having served in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was also provost for University of Rio Grande and served there as assistant professor of education and psychology. Evans and his wife, Rosemary, have four children, Mary Evans, Sarah Evans Moore, Nancy Evans Seeberg and Dylan Evans. The Educators Hall of Fame is intended to honor Union College affiliates who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, been pioneers in their areas of expertise, or provided leadership at state, regional or national levels.

Tacasha Bingham, Union's valedictorian in 2005, received the Rising Star Award for young alumni who show exception promise in their respective careers. In 2008, she graduated from Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville with a Juris Doctor in Law. With three years experience practicing law, Bingham is currently an attorney with one of Louisville's oldest law firms--Tilford, Dobbins, Alexander PLLC--where her primary areas of practice are family law and divorce, taxation, business, civil litigation, and estate planning and probate.

Charles Frazier, who graduated from Union in 1976 and earned his master's degree in 1980, received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Frazier, a lifelong Barbourville resident, has been community minded his entire life, having been raised by parents active in politics and volunteerism. At Union through the years, Frazier has been involved with several committees and councils, and served as president of the alumni association. He has also served chambers of commerce in Knox County, Corbin and Laurel County. He is a 40-year Daniel Boone Festival committee member and a 30-year chairman of the Cumberland Valley Regional Housing Authority. Frazier and his wife, Patty, have two children and two grandchildren, Waylon Bryce and Lillian Brooke. Their daughter, Leslie McPherson, and son, Eddie, are both Union College graduates.

Mark Moran, who attended Union in the late 70s and lives in Barbourville today, received the Distinguished Alumni Athletic Service Award. Without his help, Union College would not be able to boast one of the best NAIA baseball fields in the country. Through the years, Moran has made it a priority to help bring the grounds and equipment up to a level of excellence that is unsurpassed in this area and league. Mark and his wife, Debbie Campbell Moran, have two children. Their son, Corey Jr., attends Georgetown College, and their daughter, Kristen, is a student at University of the Cumberlands.

Those involved in the 1994 stage production "The Diviners," many of them local, were recognized as a Cast and Crew of Distinction. The group was challenged that winter by extreme weather that made rehearsals difficult to manage. Nevertheless, the players formed a special bond that is celebrated today. The cast and crew were led by Dr. Rebecca Pettys, who has directed Union College Theatre productions for more than 30 years.