Craft Academy celebrates Class of 2026 and a decade of success

Morehead State University's Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics hosted its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 9.

Watch Ceremony

"The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics has had another very strong year," MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan said. "We have steadily grown the Academy over the past couple of years, both in numbers and in stature and recognition."

The Academy recognized nearly 100 students at the ceremony. Craft Academy graduates will attend more than 20 different colleges and universities across the United States, including several students who will enroll at MSU:

Name, County, Major and College Attending

• Adams, Jillian, Scott, Morehead State University
• Barnett, Jennilee, Montgomery, Sociology, Centre College
• Bartsch, Chasity, Greenup, Nursing, Morehead State University
• Begley, Stephanie, Wolfe, Morehead State University
• Bentley, Daisy, Lewis, Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville
• Bentz, Erhardt, Greenup, University of Kentucky
• Berry, Joshua, Mason, Centre College
• Bolin, Thomas, Estill, Business Administration & Risk Management, Eastern Kentucky University
• Bradley, Jayden, Perry, Nursing, University of Louisville
• Briggs, Andrew, Fayette, Mathematics, University of Kentucky
• Brinegar, Kyah, Madison, Nursing, Eastern Kentucky University
• Brooks, Natalie, Wolfe, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Centre College
• Burdette, Gracie, Rockcastle, Centre College
• Burton, Janaye, Rockcastle, Psychology, University of Cincinnati
• Call, Katie, Rowan, Nursing, Morehead State University
• Cameron, Jaiyah, Warren, Western Kentucky University
• Campbell, Alana, Montgomery, Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cincinnati
• Carroll, Declan, Bullitt, University of Louisville
• Colinger, Amelia, Harlan, Nursing, Morehead State University
• Collins, Gillian, Fayette, George Washington University
• Combs, Cameron, Jackson, Music Education, Eastern Kentucky University
• Combs, Natalee, Breathitt, Kinesiology, Transylvania University
• Cooper, Jacob, Madison, University of Kentucky
• Cornett, Tyson, Harlan, Legal Studies – Pre‑Law, Morehead State University
• Dalrymple, Wyatt, Powell, Computer Science, Morehead State University
• Day, Noah, Jessamine, Electrical Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville
• De La Hoya Trejo, Mariana, Whitley, Nursing, Western Kentucky University
• Dowse, Chloe, Jackson, Nursing, University of Louisville
• Eerenberg, Isabella, Boyd, Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University
• Endicott, Isabella, Morgan, Sociology, Centre College
• Eubanks, Chloe, Fayette, Elementary Education, Eastern Kentucky University
• Francis, Wesley, Perry, University of Kentucky
• Franklin, Danielle, Harrison, Mechanical Engineering, Marshall University
• Goins, Emily, Knott, Morehead State University
• Gray, Kyndra, Knox, Geologic Sciences, Morehead State University
• Gunn, Charles, Jefferson, Boston College
• Howard, Lucas, Perry, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
• Hu, Skylar, Pike, University of Kentucky
• Hudson, Cayden, Owsley, Accounting, Morehead State University
• Italiano, Nathanael, Boone, Mining Engineering, University of Kentucky
• James, Megan, Magoffin, Aerospace Engineering, University of Kentucky
• Johnson, Brayden, Madison, University of Alabama in Huntsville
• Johnson, Leah, Scott, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
• Jolly, Faith, Mason, Social Work, University of Kentucky
• Juan‑Lopez, Diego, Fayette, University of Kentucky
• Justice, Solomon, Carter, Morehead State University
• Kabra, Apaar, Lincoln, University of Alabama in Huntsville
• Kerr, Karson, Boyle, University of Louisville
• Kidwell, Ellis, Carter, Mechanical Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point
• Klein, Austin, Bullitt, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
• Korman, Ruby, Jefferson, Aero/Astronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Lewis, Bryant, Washington, Aeronautical Science, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)
• Lindquist, Lauren, Bullitt, Biochemistry, University of Louisville
• Martin, Sara, Montgomery, Nursing, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
• Martin, Zarah, Menifee, Nursing, Morehead State University
• McClung, Lucy, Fayette, Biochemistry & Spanish, Denison University
• Monroe, Hayden, Harrison, Social Work, Morehead State University
• Mudd, Gracie, Grayson, Nursing, Western Kentucky University
• Mullins, Madison, Knott, Morehead State University
• O’Brien, Hannah, Pendleton, Morehead State University
• Oliver, Marshall, Anderson, University of Kentucky
• Ott, Heather, Bath, CGS (Undecided), Boston University
• Pham, Jessica, Pike, The College of Wooster
• Pionk, Kaylee, Rowan, Eastern Kentucky University
• Powers, Timothy, Letcher, Pre‑Physical Therapy, Morehead State University
• Ratliff, Sophia, Morgan, , Lincoln Memorial University
• Reader, Joseph, Jefferson, Molecular Biology, University of Louisville
• Reid, Tori, Madison, Political Science, University of Louisville
• Rice, Kiera, Madison, Pre‑Law, University of Kentucky
• Richmond, Jordan, Carter, Psychology, Transylvania University
• Roberts, Nolan, Lincoln, Nuclear Engineering, Oregon State University
• Robinson, Olivia, Montgomery, Architecture, Louisiana State University
• Sammons, Gabriel, Mason, Eastern Kentucky University
• Sands, Jayla, Fayette, Elementary Education, Morehead State University
• Seelye, Luke, Meade, Economics, Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University
• Sexton, Skylar, Letcher, Nursing, Western Kentucky University
• Simms, Alexander, Bullitt, Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisville
• Sizemore, Connor, Rowan, Maysville Community and Technical College
• Smith, Dani, Clay, Architecture, University of Kentucky
• Smith, Katherine, Floyd, Nursing, University of Kentucky
• Smith, Lydia, Woodford, Computer Science, Morehead State University
• Snow, Hunter, Spencer, Geology and Environmental Biology, Morehead State University
• Soden, Aryanna, Pendleton, Music Education – Wind Emphasis, University of Louisville
• Stacy Brandenburgh, Gabrielle, Bath, Art Education, Centre College
• Stevens, Skylan, Carter, Nursing & Public Health, University of Kentucky
• Summers, Trenton, Jefferson, Electrical Engineering, University of Louisville
• Tali, Kenzi, Hardin, University of Louisville
• Taylor, Kya, Carter, Public Relations, Boston University
• Thoms, Jada, Floyd, Nursing, Morehead State University
• Turner, Breanna, Breathitt, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Hazard Community and Technical College
• Vankirk, Andrew, Laurel, Exercise Science & Kinesiology, Morehead State University
• Vogel, Abigail, Fayette, Mechanical Engineering, Miami University (Oxford)
• Wasinger, Avery, Bullitt, Civil Engineering, The University of Alabama
• Whiddon Bennett, Dayna, Elliott, Morehead State University
• Wilbur, Jachin, Jessamine, Undecided
• Wilburn, Shyann, Carter, Pre‑Vet, Morehead State University
• Williams, Dylan, Madison, Political Science, Centre College
• Wilson, Griffin, McCracken, University of Alabama in Huntsville
• Wilson, Jacob, Warren, University of Louisville

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Dr. Joseph W. Craft III of Lexington, president and CEO of Alliance Resource Partners LP, was the guest speaker at this year's graduation ceremony. He and his wife, Ambassador Kelly Craft, are co-founders of the Craft Academy. Initially pledging $4 million to establish the Academy in 2015, it is the single largest cash gift in the history of the University. This year, the Class of 2026 stands as the 10th graduating class for the Craft Academy.

"Craft Academy is the first step in becoming the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, as well as medical, dental, mental health fields and many more areas you're going to share your talents and be a leader for the state of Kentucky," Craft said. "As I said last year, and I believe it more today, this time in your life is an opportune time for seeing transformational change. I can't underestimate the importance of what you're getting ready to do and pursue with your next chapter of your life." 

The Craft Academy graduation speaker was Ruby Korman. She is the daughter of Rebecca Neals, Kurtis Neels and Jeffrey Korman.

Korman will be studying aerospace engineering with a focus on rocket propulsion systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall.

"To the class of 2026, I can't believe we are already here, standing in the room where it all began for one last time as students," Korman said. "When we entered this room, we were nervous, tentatively thinking about the future ahead of us. Since then, we have been lab partners and study buddies, crash-out pals and friends...together, we are imagining a brighter future, inventing solutions to get us there and impacting our communities along the way."

The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics is a dual-credit academy for academically exceptional Kentucky students. Craft Academy provides students with a postsecondary residential experience to complete their junior and senior high school years by enrolling in college courses. The Craft Academy aims to meet the unique educational needs of the Commonwealth's academically gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. The academic rigor of the Craft Academy challenges students to excel at their highest level through project-based STEM+X courses and hands-on learning experiences that emphasize innovation, design, and creativity, as well as civic and regional engagement.

For more information on the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics, contact 606-783-9025 or email craftacademy@moreheadstate.edu.