Seating, left, Vera Hopper, Peggy Steele and Lewis Hopper '29. Standing, left, Denise Wainscott, V.P. for Advancement, Ivan Woods '55, Jean Woods '55, Roy Pulliam, Trustee, Phyllis Pulliam, Virginia Stephens '51, Bruce Stephens, Walter C. Hopper, Jr., Elizabeth Hopper, Fitzgerald "Fitz" Steele, Eddie Campbell '96, '01 MA, Ed de Rosset, President, Judi Strong, and William Strong '67, Trustee.

The Senior Alumni Recognition Award

The Union College Alumni Association Senior Alumni Recognition Award was presented to Lewis Hopper of Hazard during the Union College Alumni Gathering held Thursday, June 26 at the Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hazard. The Senior Alumni Recognition Award was presented to Union College's most senior alumni in the Eastern Kentucky area and in attendance during the event. Hopper attended Union College in Barbourville in 1929. Left, William Strong, Trustee, Ed de Rosset, President, Lewis Hopper and Roy Pulliam, Trustee offer congratulations to Lewis for his service to his community and Eastern Kentucky.

The Union College Alumni Association Senior Alumni Recognition Award was presented Thursday, June 26 during the Hazard Alumni Gathering to Union College's most senior alumni in the Eastern Kentucky area and in attendance during the event. On behalf of Union College, William Strong, Trustee, and Ed de Rosset, President, present the Senior Alumni Recognition Award to Lewis Hopper of Hazard.

Lewis Hopper has been a positive force for Union College and his community. Hopper has been a successful business and community leader in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky for over 68 years.
Attending Union College in 1929, and later graduating from Morehead State University, he attended the University of Louisville Law School in 1944 and worked as an attorney in Harlan.

In 1947, Hopper was hired as president of Hazard Coal Operators. From 1950 he worked for Columbus Mining Company until 1954. That same year he acquired two mining operations and continued in this career until 1980. Since 1980, Hopper has been active in real estate, financial advising and business ownership.

Over the years, Hopper has served on many community and regional boards. He has served on the Board of Directors at First Federal Savings & Loan for 25 years including many years of service on several boards related to Hazard Community College and the citizens of Eastern Kentucky.

Lewis Hopper attended the Union College Alumni Gathering with several members of his family. Family members from the Hazard area included Elizabeth Hopper, wife, Vera Hopper, daughter, Peggy Steele, granddaughter, and husband Fitz Steele. In addition, Lewis Hopper's brother, Walter C. Hopper, Jr. of Barbourville attended the event to congratulate his brother.