In the News

Delta Gamma: The Golden Years

Lisa Palas continues to distinguish herself by her accomplishments in life. Lisa was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame 2008, an honor reserved for only elite Morehead State University Alums, who have made outstanding contributions in their chosen fields. On behalf of all of your DG Sisters, may I say, Congratulations, Lisa. You, as always, make us proud!!

Lisa receiving "Outstanding Pledge" Award in 1970

Dear Sisters,

Wanted to tell you I am being inducted into the MSU Alumni Hall of Fame on the Friday night of Homecoming weekend. This honor is for all of us because I know this would not have happened if I had not known you. Your encouragement to me and the confidence I gained from being with you in CAPA Tridents and Delta Gamma has always been a blessing in my life and part of everything I've had the courage to try.

So, thanks and love to you all! Yaaaaaaaay, DGs!!!!

In the bonds,

Lisa

Lisa Palas Inducted into the 2008 MSU Hall of Fame

Lisa Palas performing "I Couldn't Have Done It Without You" at the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony

Kay Cook and Lisa Palas at the MSU Hall of Fame Awards Banquet

Kay Ludwick Cook receives an applause upon being inducted into the Highland County Women's Hall of Fame at Southern State Community College. Cook was one of four women inducted Tuesday. Pictured from left are Sue Ludwick Smith, Cook, and Jill Ludwick Downing.

Four Highland County women were inducted into the Highland County Women's Hall of Fame Tuesday evening during a banquet in the atrium at Southern State Community College's central campus in Hillsboro, OH. The Hall of Fame has 78 members.

As an educator at Maysivlle Community College in KY, it was noted that Cook is an example to others and has won several distinguished awards through the years such as Outstanding Cooperative Education Coordinator in the State of KY, and Outstanding Faculty member at MCC. She was voted top educator numerous times by the college student body. A letter from one of Cook's students was read during her Introduction and it expressed gratitude for Cook's dedication to teaching and for her ability to make her students believe in themselves.

The following is a letter of nomination and support written by one of Kay's students:

OUTSTANDING WOMAN AWARD

In an effort to describe the character of Kay Cook, there are not enough adjectives to do her justice. It only takes meeting her for the first time to know that you have met someone of integrity, passion and motivation.

Kay was a professor at Maysville Community College (MCC). Within the student circle, she had a great reputation and everyone wanted to take her class. With Kay, you always knew where you stood. In the classroom, she had her favorites. Her favorites were every student enrolled in her class. Her passion for teaching radiated daily in the classroom which was her template to motivate learning for her students.

I first met Kay while a student at MCC. Kay not only taught her subject well, she fostered learning life’s lessons beyond her four walls of the classroom. She led by example, encouraging students to get involved in school activities and also to get involved in their own communities.

I have always been extremely self-motivated, but being around Kay encouraged me to reach even higher, just because she believed in me. I am a hospital administrator at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan and I attribute part of my success to the educational foundation laid by Kay Cook.

When I think of the title, Outstanding Woman Award, Kay Cook is one of the few people that come to mind. Its not only because she was my teacher, or now that she is my friend, nor that she was a motivator to many students, and someone who supports her community, and not even because she has developed and mentored future leaders of our communities. Kay is an Outstanding Woman because of all of these qualities and more. Kay personifies excellence!! If there were more Kay’s in the world, it would be a better place to live.

Submitted by Clifton Scott

A Note from Kay:

After retiring from college teaching, we continued working with photography and currently have two studios - one in Mt. Orab and the other in West Union, OH.

Lisa Palas was inducted into the Morehead Alumni Hall of Fame Friday evening. It was wonderful! I so enjoyed being back at MSU and seeing Lisa receive this honor. Lisa also wrote a song that she sang which complimented her acceptance speech. The title was "I couldn't have done it without you". I cried as she sang as I am just a sentimental ole coot and remembered us singing in the dorm.