2009 KMLF Queen Megan McKay, seated, with Gov. Steve Beshear and ’08 Queen Kimberly Horne

Reigning Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival queen Kimberly Horne knew that Georgetown College stood a great chance of having a repeat winner when she learned in April that Megan McKay of Maysville had been chosen by the new student Activities Council to represent us.

Horne’s greatest concern was a possible “back-to-back” bias (this had only happened four times in the Pineville festival’s 79-year history…and not since 1993-94). “But, Megan possesses great confidence and always carries herself in a very graceful way,” said the senior from Paris. “I felt she would be the new queen after she presented her curtsey at the Cove at Pine Mountain State Park during the outdoor portion of the pageant. It honestly brought a tear to my eye.”

Indeed, that (May 23) evening, the special moment happened – Horne got to pass on the crown to her Kappa Delta sorority sister and watch as McKay was congratulated by Gov. Steve Beshear. “Megan really shined because she was eager to meet new people and truly take part in the experience,” said Horne, who lived in nearby Middlesboro as a youngster and knows how important KMLF is to southeastern Kentucky.

“You really feel the love and you can understand how the people come together – and how much this means to the community,” McKay said. “I’ve never been to anything like this where the people appreciate it so much when you are thankful to them for what they are doing.”

McKay and Horne both heard from a number of those townspeople and festival-goers that they had picked the ultimate winner from the photographs in the local newspaper. “(Some said)…but, when they met me in real life they definitely knew I’d be the winner,” McKay said. “That made me feel good because I wanted (the judges) to pick me for who and what I am.”

So, before the coronation ceremony, Megan McKay felt like she had already won something. “I told my mom that I’d met so many great people here that if they didn’t pick me I’d still come away with something special,” she recalled.

Jessica Shipp, office manager of the Pineville Sun, is one who “pre-judged” McKay as a potential winner from her photograph. “Megan literally bounced off the page with those eyes, her smile…she looked so vital,” said Shipp, who then met her “pick” in town early in the festival. “Sparkly, bubbly – she showed personality, people skills and charisma. You could tell she knew who she was and where she was going.”

Prudie Thomas, chairperson of the Arrangements Committee, also identified Megan McKay as a stand-out from the moment she saw the brunette beauty Wednesday night: “She, her mother, and escort Brad Pawsat were driving around Pineville while my committee was preparing for Thursday morning’s orientation.  We saw her in the parking lot and invited her to come on in!

Kappa Delta sorority sisters Megan McKay, left, and Kimberly Horne give the KD sign at KMLF.

“The one defining moment for me was when we were having lunch at a local establishment called the Flocoe. Megan asked me to introduce her to the owners whose family is VERY rich in KMLF tradition.  She graciously thanked them for the wonderful meal and handed them a hand written thank you note.  I had never seen a young lady do that in my 11 years of working with queen candidates!  I said to myself ‘this young lady is not only beautiful on the outside, but has the inner beauty of a queen’.”

A rising junior, 2009 KMLF Queen Megan knows that this experience – especially the networking and opportunity to use her considerable conversational skills – will pay dividends down the road. A Political Science major and Communications minor, and an Equine Scholar, she has her eye on law school in a couple of years.

For now – as the 2009 Miss Belle of the Bluegrass – Megan has her eyes on the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center, July 16-18. She’s trying to stay on top of the news by watching CNN and reading the Maysville Ledger-Independent, but her biggest challenge is perfecting her talent. She’s playing the Gershwin jazz standard “I Got Rhythm” on piano.

Megan is the daughter of Leo and Helen McKay of Maysville. Kimberly is the daughter of Bart and Pam Horne of Paris; their daughter Jaime, who will be a freshman at Georgetown this fall, is representing Kentucky in America’s Homecoming Queen National Pageant in Anaheim, CA, in late July.

Photos by Gary Ferguson-Pineville Sun

Lanny R. Copeland, M.D., ’66, has been named one of the nation’s 50 Most Powerful Physician Executives by Modern Healthcare. Dr. Copeland, who appeared at No. 15 on the list, is Chief Medical Officer at LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Brentwood, TN, where he oversees quality and patient safety and is responsible for integrating physician and administrative needs.

“We are proud that Lanny has been recognized nationally for his leadership in the healthcare industry,” said William F. Carpenter III, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifePoint Hospitals. “He is an exemplary physician and outstanding leader who brings tremendous experience and insight to our executive management team, medical staff and affiliated physicians across the nation.”

Prior to joining LifePoint in 2007, Dr. Copeland served as Vice President, Medical Affairs, for a large hospital company. Previously, Dr. Copeland served as Vice President, Primary Care Development, for Phoebe Putney Health Systems, Inc. in Albany, Georgia. Dr. Copeland’s background includes numerous academic appointments and professional memberships. He served as President of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1998-99, and Chair of their Board of Directors from 1999-2000. He also served as President of the American Board of Family Medicine and Professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Copeland practiced medicine for more than 20 years in private practices in Indiana and Georgia. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Georgetown College.

The Top 50 Most Powerful Physician Executives is selected from nominations made by readers of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician magazines, which received nearly 4,300 nominations and conducted a final vote based on those nominations. More than 27,600 voters submitted ballots to select the winners. The Top 50 is selected from those votes. The ranking was published in the May 11 issue of Modern Healthcare.

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. is a leading hospital company focused on providing healthcare services in non-urban communities in 17 states. Of the Company’s 47 continuing operations hospitals, 44 are in communities where LifePoint Hospitals is the sole community hospital provider. LifePoint Hospitals’ non-urban operating strategy offers continued operational improvement by focusing on five guiding principles: delivering compassionate, high quality patient care; supporting physicians; creating an outstanding environment for employees; providing unmatched community value; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with approximately 21,000 employees. More information about LifePoint Hospitals can be found on its website, www.lifepointhospitals.com.

Georgetown College joins Kentucky’s 19 other nonprofit, independent colleges and universities for Kentucky Private College Week, June 15-19, 2009.

Kentucky Private College week is designed to make it easy for students and parents to discover and get a feel of the “fit” of several campuses in a short period of time. During KyPCW each member of the Association of Independent Ky Colleges & Universities (AIKCU) hosts two visits daily that include a campus tour and information session about the admissions and financial aid process. Each session lasts about two hours to allow for travel time between campuses.

Students, families and others with an interested in the college selection process can find out more online at www.kentuckyprivatecolleges.org and download a KyPCW flyer.

Kentucky’s 20 independent colleges include Alice Lloyd College, Asbury College, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Brescia University, Campbellsville University, Centre College, Georgetown College, Kentucky Christian University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Lindsey Wilson College, Mid-Continent University, Midway College, Pikeville College, St. Catharine College, Spalding University, Thomas More College, Transylvania University, Union College, and University of the Cumberlands.

To arrange a visit to the Georgetown College campus, contact the Office of Admissions, 502-863-8009, toll free 800-788-9985, or e-mail admissions@georgetowncollege.edu

Mary Alice Birdwhistell received the President’s Honor Award from Dr. Crouch just prior to giving the Senior Speaker address; Commencement speaker Malcolm Wall, KET’s executive director, applauds at right.

Dr. Crouch made a slight adjustment in the Commencement program Saturday (May 16) – because he’s the president, he joked, and it’s his prerogative – plus it made dramatic sense to announce the President’s Honor Award winner before introducing the same young lady as Senior Speaker.

Mary Alice Birdwhistell said this dual honor is even more meaningful because she is part of the largest graduating class (290) in Georgetown College history. “I felt tears flowing down my face as President Crouch recalled different facets of my Georgetown experience before presenting it to me,” said the Lawrenceburg native. “While I’m so sad for the ‘Georgetown College’ chapter of my life to end, receiving this award was such a special way to cap off what have been some of the best years of my life.”

Several times Mary Alice spoke to the Alumni Gym audience about venturing from one’s “comfort zone” – on our spiritual journeys “Christ puts us in uncomfortable situations,” and “do things that make you uncomfortable and you’ll accomplish dreams you thought impossible.”

Certainly, she has been practicing what she preaches the past four years and refusing to let a physical disability hold her back. She has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare bone disorder that causes her bones to break very easily. “I’ve broken over 30 bones. Well, actually I just stopped counting!,” Mary Alice said with her characteristic, brave smile.

Then, with humility and gratitude – especially to Sigma Kappa sorority sisters and fellow students who carried books, or even her, during snowy or icy weather, she added, “The campus community, professors, staff, and students, have all been phenomenal in helping me to master college life with this disease; I wouldn’t have made it without them.” The feeling must have been mutual because Mary Alice Birdwhistell was named Sorority Woman of the Year.

Mary Alice has put her time where her mouth is as well, participating in three Alternative Spring Break mission trips and summer mission to the Alpha & Omega Home in Garca, Brazil. She was also president of Campus Ministry for one year, a member of the Chapel Leadership Team, and in Chorale for three years.

One might expect her to be a Religion major – especially with beloved uncle-professor Jack Birdwhistell in the department. But, the well-rounded redhead majored in English (accepting the W. B. Jones Award for Upperclass Prose on Academic Honors Day) and double-minored in Music and Psychology. A Parks Baptist Scholar, she graduated summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA (Dean’s List all eight semesters), and was in the Honors Program and a member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary society.

So wouldn’t you know Mary Alice would take this rich Georgetown College experience this fall to Waco, Texas and begin work at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary on full scholarship.

This summer she will put her faith and writing skills to use as a freelance writer with a new magazine, Kentucky Christian Life.

A Georgetown legacy in more ways than one, Mary Alice is the daughter of Mark Birdwhistell ’77 and Martha; and the sister of Matt ’04.

Other Highlights

Malcolm Wall, executive director of Kentucky Educational Television, drew laughs from the Class of ’09 when he referred to Reading Day “traditions,” how these seniors reportedly “arranged” nearly a week without classes due to the Ice Storm earlier this year, and how many of them had furthered their equine educations on a certain Friday each October and April…at Keeneland. Then, he seriously challenged them to “make this world better than we have.” And, he concluded with three, suddenly apt words that obviously impressed him – GC’s motto: Live.Learn.Believe.

Professor Ed Smith, center, beamed after receiving the prestigious Cawthorne Award for Excellence in Teaching from President Crouch and Provost Rosemary Allen.

Dr. Edward Smith ’88 of our Theatre & Performance Studies department was named recipient of the annual Don and Chris Kerr Cawthorne Excellence in Teaching Award. Also, as editor and producer of “Surviving Guthrie” – that had its premiere a year ago at Lexington’s Kentucky Theatre – he continues to use Georgetown’s first feature film as a teaching tool and bring attention to this new major and the school by entering it in film festivals.

Senior Class President Michael Clemons – yes, the one and same Fulbright Scholar and (male) Mid-South Conference Student-Athlete of the Year – proudly announced the largest class “gift” in Dr. Crouch’s 18 years here –  $8,025. Even better is that the money is ear-marked for a scholarship for a deserving, incoming student.

Jane Hope Snyder Oldham Fields ’39, posed with her sons (both on staff at GC) and grand-children before receiving an honorary doctorate degree. From left: Ben Oldham ’65, Distinguished Service Professor; Jane Hope; Shannon Oldham Sampson ’95 (Ben’s daughter) and daughter Lauren Clay Sampson, who turns 4 June 1; and Robin Oldham ‘69, Assistant to the President and part of Institutional Advancement.

Honorary Degrees: Jane Hope Snyder Oldham Fields ’39, who helped organize the Rucker Hall anniversary celebration in 2006, and Milton Neal – the Fireside Room in the Ensor Learning Resource Center is named for him and his late wife, Katherine – received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees; Dr. William D. Figg, Dr. Susan Goodin, and Dr. Jack Reed – all wonderful supporters of the College who began their undergraduate careers at GC, but finished elsewhere – received honorary Baccalaureate degrees.

William M. Dixon ’59 – who was part of the 50th Class Reunion dinner and breakfast during the weekend – had the honor of presiding over the Induction of the Class of 2009 into the Alumni Association; and, Dr. Austin French, who retired this summer as Professor of Math and Computer Science, gave the Benediction.

Baccalaureate Highlights

Sheila Klopfer, left, received the faculty Christian Service award from Maribeth Hambrick ’49, a former GC trustee and current Marshall Center for Christian Ministry board member.

Friday night, Dr. Sheila Bailey of Dallas, TX, delivered the Baccalaureate Sermon “Farther In and Deeper Down” in John L. Hill Chapel. Obviously entranced by this campus and its direction even before becoming one of our newest trustees, she is a big part of Georgetown’s unique partnership with Bishop College – and a big fan of the Bishop Legacy Scholars concept.

The Marshall Center for Christian Ministry recognized the following for their exemplary service this school year:

George Walker Redding Faculty Award: Dr. Sheila Klopfer, assistant professor of Religion and Director of Ministry Student Formation

Kenneth Claiborne Fendley Staff Award – Dr. Gretchen Lohman, Associate Dean for Academic Enhancement

Ashley Clayton ’09, left, received the senior student Christian Service award from MCCM board member Lisa Brown, the director of student and multicultural affairs at University of Kentucky’s School of Journalism and Telecommunications.

Norman and Martha Yocum Lytle Graduating Senior Award – Ashley Clayton, a member of Campus Ministry, she was known for her social justice work and service with UrbanPromise Ministries in Camden, NJ; she also headed up a project on campus that brought in 10,000 books for Invisible Children. A Psychology major and Art/Philosophy double minor from Burlington, KY., she will begin work on an M.A. in Community Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Services at the University of New Haven (CT) this fall.

Reality shows are hot and the hard reality is – the producers of the HBO “Hard Knocks” series are coming to Georgetown College to feature the Cincinnati Bengals in training camp this summer.

HBO, NFL Films and the Bengals made the announcement at a noon news conference at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 14.

“This will be great exposure for the College and the community of Georgetown,” said Athletic Director Eric Ward, who will oversee the College’s part of training camp July 30-Aug. 19. “Certainly their presence will make it much more challenging for us – but, we look forward to ‘Hard Knocks’ and having the eyes of pro football fans all over the country upon us.”

The five-show series – an up-close-and-personal look at practice, meetings, training, living quarters and dining in the Thomas & King Conference Center – begins airing Aug. 12 and ends Sept. 9, the Wednesday before the opening weekend of the 2009 NFL regular season.

The 24-person HBO crew — technicians, producers, videographers and announcers — will be much in evidence at Toyota Stadium and at the conference center. And, according to Ward, the thousands of fans expected to converge on camp this summer are likely to be part of the show.

“Training camp is a fan-based experience,” Ward said. “They show up for the opportunities to interact with players and coaches, and get autographs…and ‘Hard Knocks’ will add to that wonderful experience.”

(Dates of Bengals training camp are subject to change, so visit www.bengalscamp.com often this summer.)