Swafford Awarded Baptist Health Corbin Academic Scholarship

Maisie Nelson • September 9, 2022

Scholarships recognize and reward academic accomplishments of healthcare students.

photo of Swafford

Each year the Medical Staff at Baptist Health Corbin award scholarships to recognize and reward the academic accomplishments of healthcare students. Anthony Powers, President, stated, "These scholarships are awarded to students from the Tri-County area in order to keep our greatest resources close to home." Recipients must be from the Tri-County area and enrolled and working on a healthcare-related degree. 


Of the 18 scholarships, four are in medicine, eight in nursing, three in pharmacy, one in physical therapy, one in speech-language pathology, and one in Doctor of Nursing Practice. 


Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing student Ryleigh Swafford '24 was awarded a $1,500 medical staff academic scholarship in nursing. 


Swafford of Artemus, Kentucky, comes from a Union Bulldogs family. Ryleigh's parents, Rodney ('04) and Melissa Swafford ('94), graduated from Union, in addition to her two older sisters, Allison ('17) and Sarah ('22). Ryleigh hopes to one day become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. 


"Mental health is so important and is not talked about enough, so I want to be an advocate and help those who struggle with their own mental health," says Swafford.


To learn more about the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing visit, www.unionky.ed/nursing.



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.
Middlesboro pool patrons enjoy donated equipment

UCU donates over $6,000 in equipment to Middlesboro City Pool

By Ford Edwards • June 9, 2026
Union Commonwealth University donates over 6,000 in equipment to Middlesboro City Pool
Eli Sizemore and Cameron Winebarger standing with their poster on traveling to Montana.

Union Concludes Two‑Year Circles of Purpose Grant Program

By David Saylor • May 19, 2026
This April, Union Commonwealth University’s Circles of Purpose grant program came to a close, completing a two‑year journey of vocational exploration made possible through funding from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a program of the Council of Independent Colleges.