Patton, Cade recognized for commitment to education
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Former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, a leader in higher education policy, and a longtime faculty member were recently recognized for their commitment to education and to the University of Pikeville.
Patton, who currently serves as UPIKE’s Chancellor, is the 2015 recipient of the William B. Sturgill Leadership Legacy Award, an honor presented to those whose vision, philanthropic spirit and dedication advances the university and improves the lives of others through education. The award was established in honor of the late William B. Sturgill, a business and civic leader who served as chairman of the university’s board of trustees during a time of great progress.
As governor, Patton was a national lead, particularly in education policy. He proposed and championed the successful passage of Kentucky’s Higher Education Reform Act in 1997, an effort that has been recognized as a model of progressive higher education policy. A member of the board of trustees for more than 35 years, Patton served as the university’s 19th president from 2009-2013. His tenure as president included a historic move from college to university status, implementation of the first master’s degree programs, an MBA and Master of Science in Sport Management, record enrollments and the opening of the Coal Building, a $40 million educational facility for the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. In January, the university announced the Patton College of Education, honoring Patton’s legacy of servant leadership on behalf of the university, the region and the commonwealth.
Nancy Cade, Ph.D., Davenport Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science and chair of the division of social sciences, received the William B. and Eloise W. Sturgill Distinguished Professorship award. Presented each year to a member of the faculty, the award recognizes a professor’s “love, spirit and commitment” to the University of Pikeville and their efforts to advance education in Eastern Kentucky.
Cade has been a member of the faculty for 28 years. In addition to teaching, her passion and energy have focused on supporting students participating in The Washington Center Seminars and Internships in Washington, D.C. Since 2004, Cade has served as a faculty leader for 19 Washington Center seminars with more than 60 UPIKE students attending.
The awards were presented during the University of Pikeville’s James F. Record Heritage Society Dinner which celebrates donors who have given $10,000 or more to the university.