ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance research and education, protect public health and the environment and strengthen national security. Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities and access to a consortium of more than 100 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at http://www.orau.org.

Union College, nestled in mountains of Eastern Kentucky, 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.

Kentucky Education Association is the preeminent voice for quality public education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KEA's mission is to unite, organize and empower our more than 42,000 educator-members to advocate for themselves and to ensure a quality public education for every Kentucky student. KEA is committed to Professionalism; Advocacy; Respect; Integrity; and Collective Action.