Latest news with #MoreheadStateUniversity
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local students chosen as Rogers Scholars
SOMERSET Several students from the region have been chosen to participate in the 2025 Rogers Explorers Program. They are: Boyd County: Kaden Perkins, Kennedy 'Sloane' Hicks; Elliott County: Samuel 'Sam' Maggard' Floyd County: Adalyn Hall, Brennan Fleenor, Jonah Watts, Mason Case, Piper Frye; Johnson County: Addison 'Addie' Hicks, Aria Burke, Ava King, Harper Cantrell, Kendyl Baker, Leah Hall, Ved Patel; Lawrence County: Aubrey Brady, Destiny 'Dezi' Robinson, Laila Dolen, Lauren Sammons; Pike County: Amelia Dillon; David Legault; Jaxson Baldwin; Lindsay Norman; Ryesen 'Lillee' McCoy, Tyler Chen; Rowan County: Braden Furman, Jake Lucas, Kate Roberts, Reagan Eldridge. One hundred and eighty-five students — incoming high school freshmen — from southern and eastern Kentucky have been selected to participate in the 2025 Rogers Explorers Program. Rogers Explorers is an intensive three-day, two-night summer leadership program presented by The Center for Rural Development in partnership with the University of Pikeville, Union Commonwealth University, Morehead State University, University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College and Eastern Kentucky University. The program is open to eighth-grade students in the center's 45-county primary service area who have a strong interest in developing their skills in leadership, team building, community service and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Sessions will be at the University of Pikeville, June 3-5; Union Commonwealth University, June 9-11; Morehead State University, June 24-26; University of the Cumberlands, June 30 through July 2; Lindsey Wilson College, July 8-10; and Eastern Kentucky University, July 22-24. For more information, call (606) 677-6000, visit or email youth@
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Morehead State honors graduates at Spring 2025 Commencement
MOREHEAD — Morehead State University honored approximately 700 graduates at ceremonies on May 10. MSU celebrated these students' academic achievements in front of family, friends, loved ones, faculty, staff, students, and MSU alumni. MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan conferred the degrees and offered congratulations. Dr. Morgan also took a moment to recognize all first-generation college students and mothers in the audience, as the ceremonies took place on Mother's Day weekend. Two ceremonies honored graduates of the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, the Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology, the College of Science & Engineering, and the Ernst & Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education. The ceremonies also included the commissioning of ROTC officers. Emma Brock (Class of 2025) of Corbin was the commencement speaker representing the College of Science & Engineering during the morning commencement ceremony. As an Honors Undergraduate Research Fellow, Brock received an Exceptional Merit Award at the Celebration of Student Scholarship in 2022 and 2023. She was also selected for the KYINBRE Internship at the University of Kentucky in 2023. MSU's neuroscience program named Brock the Outstanding Neuroscience Junior in 2023 and Outstanding Neuroscience Senior in 2024. Brock plans to earn a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Florida. "I am here to remind us that we all have accomplished something great, and that is to be celebrated," Brock said. "We should not set limitations upon ourselves based on someone else's assumptions of us. We should instead remind ourselves that today we have proven ourselves capable of anything we can possibly set our minds to." For more information on MSU's 2025 Spring Commencement, visit
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Local cheerleader commits to prestigious cheerleading program
VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A South Vermillion High School cheerleader is taking her cheerleading skills to the next level as she recently committed to one of the most prestigious cheerleading schools in the country. Ava Nelson, a senior at South Vermillion recently signed to cheer at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Her love for cheerleading beginning at a young age. 'Ava was the little girl who wanted to do cheerleading, like her friends,' said Ava's mother, Karen Nelson. 'She couldn't do a cartwheel. And all of a sudden when she saw these girls doing all these cool tricks, she wanted to be that girl.' Growing up, Ava cheered at a local all-star gym called 'U Cheer,' or Terre Haute Cheer University. She competed all over the country, including at the all-star cheerleading championship in Orlando, 'The Summit.' With that, there were many sacrifices to be made including Ava stepping away from all-star cheer due needing rest from past injuries. Today, Ava is ready now more than ever to compete and cheer at the collegiate level. 'I just love how Morehead is so spot on,' said Ava Nelson. 'They all work hard, and they all want the same things. So, it's not somebody working harder than others, because everybody inclusively wants genuinely the same thing.' The same thing… being a national championship. Morehead State University is one of the most prestigious cheerleading programs in the nation, with over 50 national cheerleading championships. The South Vermillion senior will be joining the best of the best program. 'Morehead State is a very prestigious cheer program and (Ava) is going there but, she belongs there,' said South Vermillion Cheer Head Coach, Olivia Mitchell. 'She's going to be with all these other people that have the same passion as her for cheerleading. And I really hope it grows her love for cheerleading even more.' At Morehead State, collegiate cheer is not an open tryout, rather it is a competitive recruitment process for all athletes. It's a team effort, for not only the athletes, but for the families. 'You can't just walk out on the floor and say, 'Hey I'm here to tryout,' said Ava's mother, Karen. 'You know I think I started the recruitment process for Ava 10 years too late. I didn't realize how the recruitment process really goes. (She) has to attend camps, you have to attend their clinics, in hopes of receiving a bid to be able to tryout.' Between attending camps and clinics, being a full-time student, and a cheerleader, Ava also is a record holder for the dive team at South Vermillion. Plus, she was named Bobcat of Daviess County Athlete of the Week back in January. Nelson credits much of her success to her support system. 'My mom gives me everything she can for me to be able to do these things. I know it's not always easy for her, but she does it because she loves it. I try my best to give her the best in return,' said Ava. Looking ahead, Ava plans to study elementary education at Morehead State in hopes of one day becoming a teacher. Outside of cheer, Ava plans to enjoy all things college has to offer. 'I'm excited to decorate my dorm of course,' said Ava laughing. 'I'm excited for these new friendships, and my new teammates. I'm excited to be able to text my friends and ask if they want to go practice stunts,' said Ava Nelson. The next four years, the future South Vermillion graduate will have the opportunity to grow and learn from a nationally renowned cheer team. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
A father died mining coal. His son warns KY bill would endanger other miners.
David "Bud" Morris celebrates his son Landen's first Christmas in 2005. Five days later, Bud died after a mine owner, the only mine emergency technician on duty, failed to render aid after Bud was injured underground. (Morris family photo) Growing up along the Harlan-Letcher county line in Eastern Kentucky, Landen Morris often heard from family that he reminded them of his father. It wasn't just because his slightly crooked smile or brown eyes resembled David 'Bud' Morris, they told him. It was the way he talked, the way he laughed, his personality. Bud was a good person, they said, who cared about others. The 19-year-old plays the bass drum in the Morehead State University marching band, and his late father loved playing the drums in a rock band. 'I never got to really meet him personally,' Landen told the Lantern over the phone. 'I feel like that process of getting to know him was a little more difficult. … Just learning to actually trust what people had to say about him, and the fact that they were all good things.' Landon was only 3 1/2 months old when Bud Morris was fatally injured in an underground coal mine in Harlan County in December 2005, leaving behind his mother, Stella Morris, to raise him. It was a death that federal inspectors said was preventable, in part because Bud, 29, didn't receive proper first aid to stop bleeding after a loaded coal hauler nearly amputated both of his legs. The only person trained on site in emergency medical care, the mine owner, failed to provide proper aid. Morris' death was part of a spate of deaths in coal mines across the country including five miners killed in an underground explosion in Harlan County in 2006. Stella Morris and the other widows did not grieve in silence. They joined the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) at the Kentucky Capitol to push for stronger safety protections. That intense lobbying effort led to Kentucky lawmakers in 2007 unanimously approving a number of mine safety protections that went beyond federal rules. One protection was put in place because of what happened to Bud Morris, said Tony Oppegard, a former mine inspector and attorney who helped write the law. The legislature required at least two mine emergency technicians (METs), or miners trained to provide medical care and stabilize a miner's condition, on each mining shift. If one MET was unable to help, the new law assured that a backup MET would be there. Now, nearly two decades after losing Bud, Stella, joined by Landen, is speaking out again because Kentucky miners are at risk of losing that extra MET. The House last month approved a bill that would end the requirement for a backup MET on shifts with 10 or fewer miners. The sponsor of House Bill 196, Rep. John Blanton, R-Saylersville, who represents Knott, Magoffin and part of Pike County, has argued small mines are being temporarily shut down by not having two METs available on site, hurting productivity and impacting miners' paychecks. Blanton's HB 196 awaits action by the Senate. An operator of small surface mines in Eastern Kentucky told the Lantern he doesn't want to endanger miners but that having one MET on site is sufficient coupled with the first aid training his miners receive. Oppegard, the former mine safety inspector, disagrees, saying the extensive emergency medical training that METs receive goes well beyond first aid training. Stella remembers Dec. 30, 2005 was the last working day of the year for Bud at Mine No. 3 with H & D Mining Inc. She was getting ready to take a shower and go to her job when she got a call from the mine saying Bud was being taken to the local hospital. Bud's legs were cut off, the caller said. By the time she got to the hospital, Bud was gone. She remembers the months after Morris' death as a bad dream she couldn't wake up from. 'I had a 3 ½ month old son, and I would look at him for my strength to carry on through the day, because part of me wanted to go on and be with Bud,' Stella said. 'But I would look at my son knowing that he had lost his dad. I couldn't make him lose his mom.' She'd also replay in her mind the decisions made by miners that day when Bud died — why they didn't elevate his body to mitigate the bleeding, or why the only mine emergency technician on site didn't instruct other miners on how to help Bud. According to a federal mine fatality report, Morris, a shuttle car operator, died from 'near amputating injuries' to his legs when he was struck from behind by a loaded coal hauler. His left leg was severed '17 inches above the heel.' The report states the mine emergency technician at the mine did not provide Morris with any first aid as he continued to bleed, instead telling miners to 'get him out of here.' A supervisor, who was supposed to receive first aid training but had not yet done so, wrapped cravat bandages around Morris' knees. Outside the mine while waiting for an ambulance, miners had 'applied two pieces of rope to each leg above the knee' in an attempt to stop the bleeding, according to the report. Miners didn't apply dressings or tourniquets to the injury, nor were pressure points used to mitigate the bleeding. A paramedic who treated Morris said there would have been 'a very different outcome' if basic first aid training had been implemented, according to the report. The lone mine emergency technician at the mine had 'panicked,' the acting director of Kentucky's mine safety office told the Louisville Courier-Journal in a Feb. 15, 2008 article. Stella's takeaway: 'Just because you have a title don't mean you're going to do what you should do when it comes down to things like that. If we would have had someone else, just one other miner trained to do what Bud needed, he may still be with us today.' Stella filed suit against H&D Mining Inc. but received no compensation from the coal mining company. When Landen was growing up, she'd tell him how much his dad loved him and that he was in heaven. Stella didn't sit down with Landen and share some of the details of what had happened to Bud until her son was about 10 years old. 'My son would just lay and cry for his dad, and it was like, 'He knew his dad but he didn't know his dad,' And it was a struggle,' Stella said. 'I'm very proud of my son for being the tough kid that he is. I just thought it was a different life for him than what he would have had had he had his dad growing up.' Landen told the Lantern he didn't look at the federal mine fatality report detailing how his father died until last month. He worries that if HB 196 becomes law other injured miners will die like his father for lack of trained help. Ending a requirement that could 'save someone's life one day is, without a better term, stupid,' Landen said. 'I just feel like they're doing miners a disservice.' Both proponents and critics of HB 196 recognize the significant decline of Kentucky's coal industry, particularly in Eastern Kentucky, in the nearly two decades since Bud's death. The market pressures of competitive natural gas prices along with cheaper coal produced elsewhere decreased demand for Appalachian coal, while mines became more mechanized and automated. The number of active mines and miners in Kentucky have steadily dropped. Blanton, the sponsor of HB 196, has argued that fewer and smaller coal mines are operating now in Eastern Kentucky. Some of those smaller operators asked him for the change. He told the Lantern he wants to cause no harm to miners, only keep them working. 'I don't want to cause consternation for them, by no means. I just want to make sure that our mines are able to stay operational, that we do so in a safe manner,' Blanton said. 'I'm simply trying to make a tweak to it so that mines can stay operational.' According to the state's 2023 annual mine safety report, 53 licensed mines — out of 158 total — had 10 or fewer employees. Those small mines accounted for 267 of the 4,766 total employees counted in the report. When asked about small mining operations that have been impacted by the MET requirement, Blanton pointed to former Pikeville Mayor Frank Justice II who operates a few small surface mines in Eastern Kentucky. Justice in a phone interview said it's been difficult to have two METs on site for his highwall mining operations, particularly overnight shifts, staffed with three or four people. Highwall mining is a technique in which machinery is used to extract coal from an unmined wall of excavated earth. 'It's a big burden to keep two METs on there, especially when guys already got all their first aid training,' Justice said. 'What happened to Mr. Morris is certainly a tragedy, but I've got confidence in my guys' ability to handle situations.' Justice said in the past when he has had only one MET available, he has hired emergency medical technicians from local fire departments to stay on site while his miners operate. He said he pays his certified METs a dollar more per hour, but he also suggested some of his miners don't want the responsibility of being a MET. 'Anytime you ask for something like this, it's controversial of course. I know that,' Justice said. Oppegard, the attorney who helped write the 2007 law, said that while the industry has declined, the need for a backup MET at all mine sites has not. The free training required to become certified as a MET takes at least 40 hours and includes learning about cardiac emergencies, muscular and skeletal injuries and bleeding and shock. An exam and annual training also are required. The industry's decline has coincided with the disappearance of organized labor in Kentucky mines. The last unionized Kentucky coal mine closed at the end of 2014. The United Mine Workers of America union has previously opposed bills that would reduce the required number of METs for small coal operations. In 2009, UMWA President Cecil Roberts wrote a letter to the editor in part condemning a Kentucky bill that would have reduced the number of required METs from two to one for mine shifts with 18 or fewer workers. Roberts wrote then that 'supporters of these attacks on miners' safety say they are taking these steps to help small mine operators.' 'One thing you can say about these folks: At least they aren't trying to hide the truth of their greed. They are willing to be quite upfront about their desire to put profits and production ahead of safety in Kentucky coal mines,' Roberts wrote. The UMWA was neutral on a similar Kentucky bill last year to reduce the number of METs, and Blanton has said the UMWA is neutral on this year's bill as well. A representative with the national UMWA office didn't respond to emails requesting an interview about the union's position on this year's bill. Every mining law ever written on paper was written with the blood of dead miners. It always took a disaster to get the laws changed. – Steve Earle, United Mine Workers of America In a recent interview, Steve Earle, a former UMWA lobbyist who helped push for the original requirement for two METs and current vice president for the UMWA district representing Western Kentucky, spoke personally about his experience working with Stella and other widows to pass the 2007 mine safety law. The late Democratic Rep. Brent Yonts of Muhlenberg County carried the mine safety bill in 2007; it passed both legislative chambers unanimously. 'I was speaking at a Democratic function. I said, 'Because of the hard work that Rep. Yonts did … women have husbands and children have fathers.' And I was convinced then, and I'm convinced now, that that legislation saved miners' lives,' Earle said. Earle, speaking to the Associated Press in 2007, said the mine safety law showed what determined, passionate people like Stella and the other widows can do 'when they have right on their side.' Earle told the Lantern he still believes that. 'They did have right on their side. They were very effective,' Earle said. 'Every mining law ever written on paper was written with the blood of dead miners. It always took a disaster to get the laws changed.' Landen says he has a lot of respect for his many neighbors and high school classmates who work in mining. He believes coal mining — an occupation that's taxing and difficult for a number of reasons — is an integral part of his mountain community. He picked a different path, enrolling at Morehead State where he hopes to become a high school English teacher. He remembers writing an essay about the epic poem 'Beowulf' in high school, being fascinated by the Old English syntax. He doesn't know what his future holds or whether he'll stay in Eastern Kentucky but he hopes to inspire and help others. As for the father he never got to know in person, he believes Bud would be proud of him. 'I'm on the path to actually doing something else than what's usually expected in our little town. Because not many people do go to college here, let alone teach,' Landen said. 'I feel like he would just be really, really proud of me, that I'm carrying on that dream and that I'm actually chasing it, rather than falling into something that I wouldn't enjoy.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
