Harrogate, Tenn. - In a 2003 interview, 1996 graduate Steve Yeary identified Dr. Kay Paris as one of his favorite instructors from his time at Lincoln Memorial University. As the executive director of the Appalachian Children's Home (ACH) in Barbourville, Ky., Yeary has supported Dr. Paris' department in many ways.

Since assuming the position in 2001, he has employed LMU students, encouraged friends and family to attend LMU and contributed financially to the program that meant so much to him. Recently Steve, his wife Alice, and the ACH have taken the support a step further with the endowment of a scholarship for social work students at LMU.

Yeary is originally from Middlesboro. After briefly attending EKU and serving in the army for 11 years, he began working for the state of Kentucky's juvenile justice system. At the same time, he made the important decision to return to school, this time at LMU - majoring in social science and minoring in social work.

He credits many of the LMU faculty and staff with his success as a non-traditional student, but Dr. Kay Paris made a significant impact. Now, Yeary works with Dr. Paris to involve current social work students in the ACH.

It's a position he turned down twice, but in the end it is one he has flourished in. As executive director of the ACH, Yeary has taken the home for the youth of Appalachia from being in jeopardy to thriving in six short years. Originally established in 1949 as a ministry of the Independent Pentecostal Churches, the ACH was facing the very serious threat of closing in 2001, when the Yeary family took the reigns.

The Appalachian Children's Home Scholarship will be awarded to a social work major who is a full time student and has achieved a 3.0 grade point average. The student will be selected by the social work facutly in conjunction with the University Awards Committee.

For more information about the Appalachian Children's Home and how you can support their work, visit www.A-C-H.org.

To contribute to the Appalachian Children's Home Endowed Scholarship for Social Work at LMU contact University Advancement at (423) 869-6351.

Kate Reagan, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Lincoln Memorial University , can be reached by e-mail at katherine.reagan@lmunet.edu