Barbourville Mayor David Thompson talks business with Union students

Rachel Dorroh • February 22, 2024

Barbourville Mayor David Thompson visited Union College Monday to share his experiences with entrepreneurship and project management. His talk was part of a series in Lynn Smith’s Business Essentials class featuring local leaders, business owners, and other community members.


Thompson shared many examples of business deals he has negotiated over the years, beginning with the convenience store he bought when he was still attending Knox Central High School. He also emphasized that the most important aspect of any business is building your reputation by being reliable and earning trust.

Barbourville Mayor David Thompson.

“Show people that your word is your word,” he said. “Do what you tell people you are going to do.”


After detailing his many business ventures – from video arcades, to auto sales, to construction – Thompson went on to provide a real-world example of how the students are connected to the local economy.


“The city has a 2% restaurant tax,” he said. “We call it a hamburger tax.”


He explained that when students eat at local restaurants, they are not only supporting local businesses, but also the City of Barbourville. He said that the restaurant tax comes to several hundred thousand dollars a year, funds tourism, and that the students are part of this economy.

“If you all weren’t here in college, if Union was vacant, most of these little restaurants would not be here,” Thompson said. “They wouldn’t survive because Union is a huge support for them.”


Smith’s class as a whole covers a broad scope of business topics including methods of business operation, types of business ownership, and the role of business organizations in contemporary society. She says the purpose of the local speakers series is “to educate students using real world business information presented by professionals from a variety of disciplines.” 


Smith’s primary role at Union is as Vice President of Human Resources.


Other speakers in the series include Corey Chesnut, Executive Vice President/Chief Banking Officer at Hometown Bank; Tiffany Fuson, Owner of The Beautique; Dr. Marcia Hawkins, President of Union College; Dr. Tammy Smith, Veterinarian at Knox County Veterinarian Services; Leary Morris, CPA with SIKICH; Charles Lovell, CEO of Barbourville ARH Hospital; and Don Jones, Attorney of Law Office of Donald L. Jones and member of Union College Board of Trustees.


“I hope some of you will decide to stay in Barbourville,” Thompson told the students at the end of his talk. He then invited them to come see him at City Hall if they ever need help with anything or have questions.


To learn more about Union’s Business Management program or the School of Professional Studies, contact Dr. Carolyn Payne at (606) 546-1401 or cpayne@unionky.edu.

Promotional poster for UCU Theatre's production of The Apiary by Kate Douglas.

UCU Theatre Presents “The Apiary” October 21–24

By David Saylor • October 19, 2026
Scientific curiosity and dark comedy take center stage in Union Commonwealth University (UCU) Theatre’s production of Kate Douglas’ “The Apiary,” a play that explores scientific progress, human connection, and what people are willing to sacrifice to protect something they love.
seniors at Clay County High school sitting in auditorium chairs with their golden ticket

Union Brings Tuition-Free Pathway to Clay County High School

By Maisie Nelson • October 13, 2026
Union announced Tuesday that eligible graduates of Clay County High School will have the opportunity to attend Union tuition-free beginning in fall 2027, expanding the university’s initiative to a third county in just over a year.
photo of Phill Sharp in a lab working

Union to Host Homecoming Screening of Documentary on Nobel Laureate Phil Sharp

By Maisie Nelson • October 5, 2026
Union Commonwealth University will celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of one of its most distinguished alumni during Homecoming Weekend with a special screening of Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m.
headshot of Childers wearing a floral shirt with a blurred background behind her

Childers Takes on Expanded Alumni Relations Role

By Maisie Nelson • October 1, 2026
Union Commonwealth University alumna Terra Childers ’04 is taking on an expanded role focused exclusively on alumni relations, helping the university strengthen relationships with graduates and create new ways for alumni to remain connected to their alma mater.
two hands holding a golden ticket that says Tuition Free Pathway

Union Expands Tuition-Free Pathway to Bell County

By Maisie Nelson • September 18, 2026
Following the success of its Tuition-Free Pathway in Knox County, Union Commonwealth University is expanding the initiative to Bell County, creating a new tuition-free pathway to Union for eligible graduates of the three Bell County high schools.
group photo of 25 students who make up the newest cohort of Presidential Fellows

Union Announces Second Cohort of Presidential Fellows

By Ford Edwards • September 17, 2026
Union Commonwealth University (UCU) has welcomed the second cohort of its Presidential Fellows Program, the leadership initiative designed to prepare students for success through mentorship, career development, and hands-on professional experience.

Union Extends Tuition-Free Pathway to Knox County Class of 2027

By Maisie Nelson • September 15, 2026
Building on the success of the Tuition-Free Pathway launched in Knox County last year, Union Commonwealth University is extending the initiative to the Class of 2027.
drone shot of football field during a game with crowd

Be Their Family: UCU Invites YOU to Family Day

September 11, 2026
On Family Day, students from around our region have parents and grandparents in the bleachers. However, our international students’ parents aren’t always able to make that trip. That's especially true of our men's and women's soccer rosters, where most players are from across the globe, and the games fall at the end of
4 students sitting on top of the campus spirit rock making a

Union Anticipates Largest Freshman Class in Institution History

By Maisie Nelson • August 6, 2026
Union Commonwealth University is preparing to welcome what is anticipated to be the largest freshman class in the institution's history as students return to campus for the Fall 2026 semester.
Photo of former First Lady Juanita Fhillips and President, Rev. Dr. Jack Phillips

Remembering Rev. Dr. Jack C. Phillips

By Maisie Nelson • July 27, 2026
Union Commonwealth University mourns the passing of former president, Rev. Dr. Jack Carter Phillips, who died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 91 in Brentwood, Tennessee.