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By: Amy Charles | May 30, 2025
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) English Club and Humanities Division teamed up with the Patton College of Education’s Kentucky Education Association Student Program (KEA-SP) chapter to donate books valued at $1000 to Pikeville Independent and Pike County schools. The books were distributed to students affected by the February floods.
“When UPIKE’s chapter of KEA-SP announced their flood relief book drive this spring, the English Club saw a perfect opportunity,” said Assistant Professor of English and English Club Faculty Advisor Cody Jarman, Ph.D. “The club had been discussing ways to contribute to flood relief efforts for a few weeks beforehand. It was a great way to help flood victims and foster literacy all at once.”
The English Club worked with Humanities Division Chair and UPIKE Associate Professor of Religious Studies Sumer Bingham Musick, Ph.D., to redirect funds budgeted for the club’s annual spring trip to purchase $1000 of books to donate. The group committed to a downsized trip to secure the funds.
Musick explained that the donation is key to the Humanities Division’s mission.
“We are firm believers that education should move beyond the classroom and engage the world in meaningful ways,” said Musick. “The students’ decision to reallocate their trip funds to purchase children’s books for flood victims showcases the power of virtue-based education. I am filled with hope when I realize that these are the leaders we are sending out into the world.”
Among the UPIKE students helping gather books for this donation was English education major and English Club President Halley Winstead.
“It was really meaningful to give back to schools in our area,” said Winstead. “It was fun to pick out books that will be interesting to kids in our area and that will help them develop a love of literature.”
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