Union Commonwealth University
Union Commonwealth University, formerly Union College, is nestled in mountains of Eastern Kentucky and is a vibrant piece of the Barbourville community. Steeped in a rich history and an evolving sense of purpose, Union’s commitment to education and to the region is embodied in its mission statement: To serve the academic needs of a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students in a dynamic, personal environment that promotes intellectual, spiritual, and physical enrichment of students, faculty, and staff and the economic growth and health of our Appalachian region. Formed in 1879, Union’s purpose was to educate the next generation of teachers and professionals in Barbourville. Barbourville was, at that time, the largest town south of Richmond, and over the next 50 years, Barbourville would produce two Kentucky Governors, including Union Alumnus Flem Sampson, a United States Congressman, and a US Senator. Union’s success has been demonstrated in the accomplishments of its alumni - in 1993, Dr. Phillip Sharp won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work in RNA splicing, making Union College one of only two institutions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a Nobel laureate among its alumni. Dr. Marcetta Darensbourg was named the 2018 SEC Professor of the year, following being named to the National Academy of the Sciences in 2017. In 1999, Mary Stanton was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her book, From Selma to Sorrow: The Life and Death of Viola Liuzzo. Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey have repeatedly earned accolades as top Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and breeders, including the award for most wins in a given year.www.unionky.edu
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Search complete. 5 mentions across 3 episodes found for "Union Commonwealth University".
Oct 8, 2026
Tom MartinHOST
Eugene Poole on turning out quilts featuring life-size depictions of black Kentucky Derby jockeys.
Tom MartinHOST
And Jamie Kilburn, assistant professor of theater at Union Commonwealth University, on their coming season.
Tom MartinHOST
First, the Nature Conservancy has purchased 1,732 acres in Bell County, adding another significant piece to one of the largest conservation efforts underway in the central Appalachian region.
Tom MartinHOST
The property lies within the Cumberland Pine Mountain Corridor, a landscape that conservationists say is among the most biologically important in North America.
45 MINS LATER
Tom MartinHOST
His Legacy in Motion Kentucky Derby Jockeys series commemorates the black jockeys who helped define the early history of the Kentucky Derby.
Tom MartinHOST
Dr. Poole's quilts are on display through December the 6th as part of the Storied Quilts Exhibition at Headley Whitney Museum of Art in Lexington.
Tom MartinHOST
There's more information at heedley-whitney.org. Rehearsals are underway in the theater program at Union Commonwealth University in Barberville for the season opener later this month.
Tom MartinHOST
Bill McCann, who hosts our ongoing series about theater production in Kentucky, gets details from assistant professor of theater Jamie Kilburn.
Sean KiperHOST
We didn't ask her, where are you going to college and what are you going to college for or are you going to college?
Chezny SpencerGUEST
i plan on going to union commonwealth for bowling and i'm going to go into nursing
Darren StevensHOST
okay nice
Sean KiperHOST
now where are they located
Sam KesselHOST
Curious on what inspired that path.
Phillip SharpGUEST
I went to a small college in Kentucky, in the mountains of Kentucky, Union College.
Phillip SharpGUEST
I chose that because I was coming from a small, rural community.
Phillip SharpGUEST
And I didn't feel that it was, I could get lost at a great, at a large university.