Gina Liford Rotkvich '01, General Dentist at City Smiles Chicago. A University of Kentucky College of Dentistry graduate, Gina has served on the board of Kid’s First Dental and appeared twice on the cover of City Chicago Woman Magazine.
UCU Announces First Honorees in Inaugural “50 Under 50” Recognition Program
Maisie Nelson • April 29, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the first ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating the accomplishments of alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program highlights leaders across industries, from healthcare and education to business, finance, and public service.
“These individuals embody the spirit of Union Commonwealth University — leadership, service, innovation, and commitment to their careers and communities,” said Maisie Nelson '11, Vice President of University Relations. “We are proud to recognize their achievements and the ways they are making a difference locally, nationally, and globally.”
The first ten honorees are:
Paschal Glavinos Jr. '13, Partner at McMickle, Kurey, and Branch LLP. An accomplished attorney in Georgia, Paschal represents major clients in real estate and food service industries and is an active member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association.
Bart Elam '03, '08, '10, Math Teacher and Football Coach, Corbin Schools. Bart is also the founder of the Mountain Athlete Development Academy, mentoring youth in southeastern Kentucky.
Kristie Miller Gorman '05, '06, '08, Assistant Superintendent, Perry County Schools. Kristie began her career as Kentucky’s youngest school principal and continues to shape education across the Commonwealth.
Will Bland '12, Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Kentucky Army National Guard. A Major in the Guard, Will developed Kentucky's first suicide prevention program for service members and continues to serve soldiers both stateside and abroad. Will is also the host of his Goal Tending podcast.
Dr. Kasey Jordan Hoskins '13, Lead Social Worker at Mountain View PACE. Kasey recently earned her Doctorate of Social Work from Simmons University and is working on a book focusing on diversity and inclusion for grandparents raising grandchildren.
Matt Pursel '05, Dean of Students, St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Florida. Matt supports students from across the globe and remains deeply active in his community through multiple leadership roles.
Corey Chesnut '18, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, Hometown Bank. Corey’s influence extends through his leadership in the banking industry and service on several statewide boards, including the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board.
Nicole Swope Fariello '97, Co-Founder and Owner of Zeal 40 Creative Agency. A recognized leader in Cincinnati’s business community, Nicole has been named one of Ohio’s 500 Most Influential Business Executives.
Haley McCoy '07, Chief Business Development Officer at Thoroughbred Engineering and Union Commonwealth University Trustee. Haley has held influential roles across Kentucky’s economic development landscape, including founding involvement with SOAR, Inc.
The “50 Under 50” recognition program is part of Union’s ongoing effort to honor its outstanding alumni and inspire current and future students through their stories of perseverance, leadership, and impact.
A full list of this year's honorees will be released throughout the year. Profiles and highlights of each honoree can be found by clicking the button below.
This past fall, Lynn Smith was appointed as Executive Vice President of Union Commonwealth University. She draws on her nearly 25 years of service and three Union degrees to oversee operations including business & finance, information technology, and human resources, among other responsibilities.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
