A Legacy of Learning: Five generations of EKU graduates

RICHMOND — When Luke Fletcher, a Madison County native, walks across the stage to receive his diploma, he will continue a more than 100-year family history with Eastern Kentucky University as a fifth-generation EKU Colonel.

When Luke’s mother, Anisha Fletcher, Class of 1995, a fourth-generation Colonel, reflects on her time at EKU, she sees more than her own journey—she sees the continuation of a family tradition. 

It all began with Anisha’s great-grandfather, Sawyer A. Mills, who graduated from what was then Eastern Kentucky State Normal School in 1916. A member of the football team during his time on campus, Mills returned to Bell County after graduation, dedicating his career to education.

“I would tend to think that it was not common in 1916 to attend college,” said Anisha. “I’m not sure what the driving factor was for Sawyer Mills to attend Eastern, but I am confident that he saw the value of an education. He passed in 1984, but his value in education has continued strong in the generations to follow.”

Sawyer and his wife raised five children, all of whom followed in his footsteps to become EKU graduates: Dr. Harold Mills, Dr. Shirley Mills, Dr. Buell Mills, Faye Mills (Wells), and Jean Mills (Pearson), Anisha’s grandmother. 

“My grandmother taught school in Madison County and attended EKU intermittently while she was actively teaching,” said Anisha. “She was a middle-aged adult once she graduated from Eastern and continued to work in Madison County until she retired.”

That commitment to education continued with Jean’s son, Jasper Mills Pearson—Anisha’s father—who earned two degrees from EKU and built a career in banking before retiring. Jasper encouraged his wife, Marjorie Sparks Pearson, to pursue her own college degree, and she became a first-generation graduate when she earned her diploma from EKU.

Eventually, Anisha and her two sisters, Angela Pearson (Cruse) and Elizabeth Pearson (Cain), each earned their degrees from EKU, carrying on a tradition that started generations earlier. And now, that same legacy has reached a new milestone. Anisha’s son, Luke, will graduate from EKU today—making him the fifth generation in their family to earn a degree from the university.

“I think each generation has been drawn to EKU for different reasons, but in big part, it’s because the university is such a big part of our community,” Anisha said. “I also think each generation has received the support they’ve needed from EKU to be successful.”

Luke echoed her thoughts about EKU’s location and the family’s relationship with the university. 

“We’ve all been able to get an education at EKU, and it’s close to home,” he said. 

Luke, who is receiving his degree in construction management, said he will be starting a job soon after graduation, adding that EKU helped prepare him for his career through more than just coursework. 

“My professors have done a great job teaching the material, but they have also helped with networking, professional development and understanding how to use your resources,” he said.

As the family prepares to send its fifth generation of graduates across the stage, Luke is not the only member of his family to mark this achievement. Also part of this fifth generation is Grace Cruse, Anisha’s niece, who is also graduating from EKU.

“EKU’s history is full of legacy families who have passed on their passion for education for many generations,” said EKU President David T. McFaddin. “We are proud to say we have fifth-generation graduates, because it shows our promise as the School of Opportunity and the lasting impact of an EKU education.”

As EKU continues to serve first-generation and fifth-generation students alike, families like the Mills-Pearson-Fletcher line show that EKU has been, and continues to be, a home for education in the Commonwealth.