Campus renovations begin at Union

Rachel Dorroh • September 10, 2024
Front view of Baldwin Place, a brick home with white trim, brick front steps, and a brick front walk. The front door is decorated with a floral wreath, a floral garland lines the cast iron porch railing, and plants in urn-style flower pots are placed at the bottom of the steps.

Upgrades to Baldwin Place on College Street are the first of many facility renovations to come at Union Commonwealth University. Part of the five-year plan Unite 2030, campus updates will help to support “town & gown” relationships and raise revenue, Interim President Dr. DJ Washington said.

 

“As an alum, as a former trustee, and now as Interim President, I care deeply about this campus and this community,” Washington said. “Investing in campus housing and historic buildings will help us attract more students and also support our initiative to bring the community to campus more often.”

 

Historically, Baldwin Place has been the home of the president and has been open by invitation for special events such as Christmas tours, open houses, and visits from celebrities and politicians. During the Covid-19 pandemic, such events were put on hold to protect public health.

 

Washington wants to not only bring back these opportunities for community involvement, but also open the space for rentals. With fresh paint and repairs to the bathroom, he expects Baldwin to be accessible for such use in the near future. To support this initiative, Dr. Washington has opted to live in alternative campus housing and has pledged a portion of his salary over several years to fund renovations.

 

“Union has a lot to offer, and we want to share it with our neighbors,” Washington said. “It’s a win-win.” He explained that offering Baldwin as a rental facility is one way to use resources for the “common good.” Community members can enjoy the benefits while rental revenue can go back into the fund for campus renovations.

 

Most recently, Union Trustee and retired Barbourville Independent School teacher Jane Skidmore enjoyed the space for her wedding ceremony and reception.

 

“Baldwin was perfect for what we wanted,” Skidmore said. “It was an intimate space for our small, family wedding with a lovely mountain view.”

 

She and her new husband Dwight Short enjoyed having easy access to nearby parking and Union’s onsite food services, as well. “The catering and food service were outstanding,” Short said.

 

Mills Construction & Consulting, owned by Matt Mills, will complete the Baldwin renovations. Once these repairs are complete, Washington plans to focus attention on residence halls. More details will follow soon, he said.

  • A scene from the wedding reception area inside the sun porch: tables and chairs with place settings including sage green tablecloths, glassware, silverware, rouge cloth napkins, and flower arrangements

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  • A scene from the wedding site: The brick-lined patio and pillars are adorned with white and pink floral decorations. Behind this is a brick wall with flowers in front of it and a view of the mountains in the background.

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  • This wedding scene shows a small statue of Mack the Bulldog on a pillar near a table of hors d'oeuvres, floral arrangements on a brick wall, and rows of chairs covered in white cloth in the background.

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Scenes from recent wedding at Baldwin Place, photos courtesy of Jane Skidmore.

Summer Brings Improvements and Guests to Union’s Campus

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to share several exciting updates as work gets underway on key campus improvement projects this summer. These initiatives, made possible through successful fundraising efforts, reflect Union’s commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.

Eight Bell County Seniors Commit to UCU, Over $190,000 Awarded in Scholarships

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from Bell County High School who have committed to continue their academic journeys at Union. Together, these students have been awarded over $190,000 in scholarships, recognizing both academic excellence and athletic talent.

Union Offers Free Swim Days for Local Youth This June

By Maisie Nelson • June 2, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is inviting school-aged children to enjoy free swim days every Saturday in June, beginning June 7 at the Center for Health & Learning’s Stivers Aquatic Center. These open swim opportunities are a way to give back to the community and celebrate the start of summer with local families.
Miller standing beside the sign for Conway Boatman Chapel.

The Rev. David Miller retires after 21 years of ministry at UCU

By Rachel Dorroh • May 30, 2025
After 21 years as the chaplain of Union Commonwealth University (UCU), the Rev. David Miller is retiring this month. Since his first ministerial appointment in 1984, he has served as the pastor of several Kentucky congregations, has taken on leadership roles in multiple Kentucky organizations, and has led countless campus programs and groups dedicated to student development. He says supporting students to find their personal calling, however, has been the highlight of his career.

Union Celebrates Another Ten Honorees in its “50 Under 50” Recognition Program

By Maisie Nelson • May 27, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
Leadership Tri-County class of 2025 with Andra Butler and Tori Doyle standing at the far right end.

The essence of leadership at UCU

By David Saylor • May 22, 2025
Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.
Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick holding a mounted camera.

Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick to retire after 31 years at Union

By David Saylor • May 21, 2025
As Union Commonwealth University (UCU) sends off its new 2025 class of graduates, another farewell is underway. After 40 years of teaching, researching, and mentoring — 31 of them at Union — Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, Professor of Communication, will retire this May. During her time at UCU, Marley-Frederick has had a profound influence on the Union community. She led the communication program through years of growth and change, served a decade as a department chair, became a faculty trustee, produced ten years of yearbooks, won several teaching awards, and even ran a coffee shop in the basement of Centennial.
photo shows coaches painting in the athletic complex

UCU Coaches Rally for Summer Service and Giving

By Maisie Nelson • May 19, 2025
Although student-athletes may be away for the summer, Union Commonwealth University’s athletic staff is staying busy—committed to building stronger programs both on and off the field.

UCU Honors Knox Central Teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week

By Maisie Nelson • May 7, 2025
In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Union Commonwealth University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions provided 120 meal vouchers to teachers at Knox Central High School on Wednesday, May 7. The vouchers were redeemable at The Grub Hut food truck, which was set up on-site as a special thank-you to educators for their dedication and impact.
Students studying in Union's library.

Union partners with LMU & UK to expand pre-professional program

By Rachel Dorroh • May 6, 2025
The pre-professional program at Union Commonwealth University (UCU) is growing. New partnerships with Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and the University of Kentucky (UK) create clear pathways and unique advantages for students wishing to pursue osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, and engineering.
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