Brandon Cox ’10 climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro In October, and on Thursday, April 10, at 12:30 p.m., he will address Kentucky Wesleyan students about the experience at the annual Honors Convocation celebration at the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center. His speech, “It Goes with You,” will be an excerpt/adaptation from the book he is writing with the same title. He is a member of the KWC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Scholars Day presentations will follow in the Panther Room.
Cox is an award-winning marketing, communications and business operations professional. He is known for his ability to connect people with information, ideas and each other to make a difference in their communities.
He is the client success manager at Fastek Services, overseeing IT infrastructure, managing the technology budget and leading digital transformations for Fastek’s clients. He focuses on aligning IT strategies with client business goals. Cox communicates the business impact of technology at work to empower clients to achieve scalable, sustainable success. (more…)
Kentucky Wesleyan College in collaboration with Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television is excited to launch a new partnership in film and media production. The Keith and Vickie Sharber Communication Arts Program at KWC is excited to announce enhancements to its overall program to include more courses on film and media production. New course offerings will cover topics including cinematography, sound design, acting, animation and more. By partnering with Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television, students will get hands-on learning experiences through collaboration with industry professionals in the production and distribution of media productions.
Communication Arts Program Coordinator Dr. Andrew Bolin says, “Partnerships with organizations like Kentucky Sound Stage are invaluable, giving our students amazing learning opportunities while working alongside professionals in the industry. We are excited for what this provides for our students while at Kentucky Wesleyan but even more excited about the possibilities it presents after graduating with a degree from KWC!”
Kristi Kilday of Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television emphasizes the importance of investing in future filmmakers. “Training the next generation of filmmakers is at the core of our mission. This partnership goes beyond the classroom, equipping students with the hands-on skills, real-world experience and industry connections essential for success in an ever-evolving film and television landscape. By immersing students in professional productions, we’re helping build a strong, skilled workforce that will shape the future of Kentucky’s growing film industry.” (more…)
Shyann Worthington ’22 is an inspiring educator who is dedicated to making a positive impact on her students’ lives. After earning her degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, Shyann began her career as a reading intervention instructor at Alliance Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, before transitioning into her current role as a 5th-grade math teacher.
At Alliance Academy, Shyann noticed a significant need for healthy outlets for her low-income, at-risk male students. In response, she founded the school’s first boys’ basketball program in over seven years. This initiative has been met with great success, providing students with a positive, structured environment while also offering them a valuable opportunity for personal growth and teamwork. Shyann coaches the program alongside her partner, Kam, and is incredibly proud of the program’s achievements.
In addition to her work with the basketball program, Shyann serves as the Big Brothers Big Sisters Coordinator at Alliance, further demonstrating her commitment to nurturing her students’ development. She started an AAU team for her students to continue playing over the summer, and the league has expanded to include 2nd and 3rd grades. Shyann is also now part of the administration team at Alliance Academy. (more…)
Jennifer Walker-Crawford ’17 is a shining example of determination and dedication, blending academic excellence with athletic achievement. Her journey began at Kentucky Wesleyan, where she quickly became a standout scholar-athlete. Jennifer was an Academic All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference selection, earned a spot in the prestigious Order of Oak & Ivy, and was named the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. On the basketball court, she was a key player, finishing her career as one of the team’s leading scorers and rebounders, earning recognition for her outstanding performance.
Jennifer’s academic success set the stage for her professional journey. After graduating with a degree in accounting, she earned her CPA license while working as a Tax Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the Big Four accounting firms. While at PwC, she transitioned to transformation consulting to work more closely with clients, as working with people is a passion of hers. With PwC’s sponsorship, she attended The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated in 2024, before returning to PwC. (more…)
Summer (Crick) Aldridge ’14 is a dynamic leader whose passion for community engagement and economic development has earned her recognition as one of Owensboro’s top professionals. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing, Special Projects, and Administrative Support at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC), where she works to position Owensboro-Daviess County as a prime destination for business investment and growth.
A native of Madisonville, Ky. Summer has a track record of leadership in both the public and private sectors. She was named Hopkins County’s Citizen of the Year in 2019 and made the 30 Under 30 list for her significant contributions to local development. She also co-founded the Hopkins County Young Professionals, an organization focused on fostering leadership among young adults in the region. In 2023, Summer was recognized on Owensboro’s 40 Under 40 list.
Prior to joining GOEDC, Summer held multiple leadership roles at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where she served as Director of Alumni Relations and later Senior Director of Engagement. Her efforts in these positions were pivotal in strengthening alumni relationships, including launching successful events and programs to connect alumni with students and the broader community. Summer also spearheaded strategic initiatives to support career exploration for current students, ensuring they were well-prepared for life after graduation. Her contributions at KWC earned her recognition as Staff Member of the Year in 2022. (more…)
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…)