Morgan Pierstorff ’10 is a dynamic and visionary leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to international business development and economic growth. A proud graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, she earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on international relations and Political Science in 2010.
Named the 2019 Outstanding Young Graduate, Morgan has made a remarkable impact in both North America and Europe. She currently serves as the Business Development and Sales Director at Newable in the London, United Kingdom. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the Kentucky European Representative Office in Hamburg, Germany, where she played a key role in attracting European investment to Kentucky. (more…)
Author Philip Dearing will present a virtual interactive workshop on career planning on March 28 from 11:45 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Rogers Hall in the Winchester Center. The workshop will focus on building a mission-driven career and will cover a wide range of careers such as nonprofits, social enterprises, government and public service; navigating money and increasing career capital over time. The event is free and open to the public.
Dearing is the author of “Why Change Dies, Unleashing Your Potential for Social Impact.” The book analyzes power structures across the three common domains of social change – the private sector, public sector and social sector – to illuminate opportunities for individuals to operate effectively within those systems. It includes frameworks, tools and discussion guides to help readers along their own journeys in overcoming the barriers. (more…)
Kelly Frank ’96 is the President and General Manager of CBS News and Stations’ Philadelphia duopoly of KYW-TV (CBS) and WPSG (The CW). Under her leadership, CBS Philadelphia has thrived, winning multiple awards, including seven Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards in 2023, with back-to-back recognition for Overall Excellence in 2023 and 2024.
With over 25 years in the media industry, Kelly has held pivotal roles at major media outlets, including the CBS News affiliates in Columbus, Ohio and Tampa, Fla., where she spearheaded content initiatives, boosted audience engagement, and led high-performing teams.
Prior to these roles, Kelly served as Executive Producer, U.S. Operations at CNN, where she oversaw high-profile shows like CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips and Ali Velshi. She also executive produced special programming with Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Soledad O’Brien and Christiane Amanpour. Her tenure at CNN earned her several accolades, including Peabody Awards for coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill, Arab Spring and presidential election coverage. She also was recognized as one of CNN’s top performers. (more…)
Dr. Cheryl (Arnold) Purdy ’76 is a distinguished digital forensic examiner and cybersecurity educator, whose work in law enforcement and academia has had a significant impact on the field of digital forensics. After graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan with a degree in mathematics, she began her career in education and later transitioned into law enforcement.
Dr. Purdy is the lead digital forensic examiner/analyst for the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, where she has worked for over 13 years. During this time, she has conducted hundreds of forensic examinations, many of which have led to convictions in both state and federal cases. In addition to her law enforcement role, Dr. Purdy serves as an adjunct professor at the University of the Cumberlands, Western Kentucky University, and the University of Louisville, teaching courses in malware analysis, digital forensics, and network security. (more…)
Betty (McWhorter) Gissoni ’50 was a pioneering educator and advocate for the blind, whose lifelong work made a significant impact in Kentucky and beyond. After graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan College, she began her career by teaching English at Paint Lick High School, becoming one of the first blind teachers in Kentucky.
In 1952, Betty pursued graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, studying at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, where she became certified as a home teacher of the adult blind. In 1956, she returned to Kentucky and established a home teaching service for the blind. This model was later adopted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1960, leading to the creation of a state home teaching service. (more…)
The Kentucky Wesleyan Music Department will host a concert with baritone Dr. Michael Preacely and pianist Dr. Diane Earle on March 17 at 7 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend. The program, made possible by the Helen Hart Fund, will include opera, musical theatre, art song and spirituals.
Dr. Preacely is a rising star on the operatic stage and is also known for a versatile singing ability and style that allows him to cross between genres from classical repertoire to pop, contemporary and Broadway. He has received critical acclaim for many of his performances, including Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” Scarpia in “Tosca,” Ford in “Falstaff,” Marcello in “La Boheme,” the High Priest in “Samson and Delilah” and Porgy and Jake in “Porgy and Bess.”
He has performed with many major and regional opera houses and orchestras in the United States and abroad. Recently, Dr. Preacely completed a European tour of “Porgy and Bess” where he received great reviews for his performance of both Porgy and Jake. He also toured Russia in a concert series with New York-based Opera Noire, debuted with Opera Memphis in the role of Marullo with a Rigoletto Cover and Opéra de Montréal in the role of Jake. Dr. Preacely made his debut with the Butler University Symphony Orchestra opposite world-famous soprano Angela Brown in a beloved performance of the “Porgy and Bess Suite.” Michael has performed with Cincinnati Opera, Opera Company Philadelphia, Opera Memphis, Kentucky Opera, Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland and Bohème Opera of New Jersey. (more…)
Virginia “Shorty” (Harris) Combs ’22 was a pioneering figure in both education and athletics, whose legacy continues to inspire. She was the first female student-athlete at Kentucky Wesleyan College to earn postseason honors, helping lead the 1921 KWC Panthers girls’ basketball team to a state championship and earning All-State honors as a forward.
After graduation, Virginia continued her impact on sports by coaching the first girls’ basketball team at Whitesburg High School during the 1923-24 season, laying the foundation for future generations of female athletes. She was later inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1997.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Virginia had a distinguished career in education. She taught English and journalism in the Letcher County School System for 40 years, founding the school’s newspaper and organizing clubs such as the Nurses Club and Beta Club at Whitesburg High School. She encouraged her students to better themselves through education, church involvement, and self-discipline. (more…)
“Much of what I’ve learned through my career has translated into my passion for philanthropy and volunteerism. I believe in using my time, resources and experience to uplift others, just as so many people did for me when I was a KWC student.
“When I moved back to Owensboro, I felt it was important to reinvest in the institution that played a big role in my life. Supporting KWC’s funds and initiatives has been a way to ensure future generations of students have access to the same opportunities I had.”
“I was a three-sport athlete at KWC; one year of basketball and four years of softball and volleyball.
“I’m honored to be a proud Kentucky Wesleyan alumna. My time at the College was foundational in shaping both my career and personal values, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to give back to a place that gave me so much. (more…)