Kate Nitzken, Branch President
9907 Winged Foot Drive
Louisville, KY 40223 email:kentucky@esuus.org
To register for upcoming events, please contact:
Lynn Chapman-Smith
6600 Eastwind Way
Crestwood, KY 40014
Scholarships for UK Study
The ESU-KY will award a limited number of scholarships to qualified Kentucky college students, and Kentucky middle and high school teachers, for courses offered at institutions in the United Kingdom in the summer of 2025. Selections are held in the Fall every year for the next summer.
Poems, specifically haikus, on the topic of respect were submitted by the audience of the 2020 ESU Happy Hour program "Write on!" with Ron Whitehead, Kentucky Outlaw Poet. These poems came from across the globe and were evaluated by a committee of educators who selected three winners. To view the winning submissions, as well as all the poems, please click here.
Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet presents "Write ON!" - Wednesday, August 19th at 4:00 PM (EDT)
News
Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet, will present "Write ON! a feast for you mind and heart. Ron has lived the extraordinary life of a writer, performer, traveler, and activist through his poetic world of unparalleled vision.
Through his writings, photographs, and clips from his upcoming film, Ron will share how his ESU scholarship to Oxford, meeting with exalted persons, and general life connectivity has developed a deeper vision of a world where Respect has led the way.
In this program you will be entertained, challenged, and encouraged to tap your inner writer. Viewers will be encouraged to submit their Japanese or American Haiku centered on the theme of Respect for enjoyment on a national spotlight writing page. If you would like the chance to be featured as a poet during his program submit your Haiku using the form linked below. All those who attend will be eligible to win a copy of "The View from Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Bathroom Window" and the CD, Down and Out in Kentucky: Never Give Up.
2024 National Shakespeare Competition: Kentucky Branch will take place on February 24, 2024. Schools must submit their participation form by January 26, 2024.
Message From Kentucky Branch President
The English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US) is a non-profit, non-political, educational service organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. The Kentucky Branch is a vibrant, active organization with a devoted focus on enabling student and teacher scholars to study in the United Kingdom and promoting scholarship with students from our state.
The Kentucky Branch
The Kentucky Branch of the ESU was chartered in 1923 by local business and civic leaders. In the 1960's Mr. Josh Everett took the task of expanding the organization in Kentucky and served many years in that leadership role. Notable branch presidents included Mr. Barry Bingham, Sr. and later Mr. Keith Runyon, Forum Editor for the Courier Journal. In 1960 Norman McKenna was the first scholar sent by the Kentucky Branch to study in the United Kingdom. Dr. McKenna served as Branch President from 1992-94. Since 1964, over 500 Kentucky teachers and college students have been awarded scholarships by the Kentucky Branch. The current President is Mrs. Kate Scharre Nitzken, NBCT, who was a past ESU scholar teacher selected in 2009 to study Teaching Shakespeare through Performance at Shakespeare's New Globe Theater in London.
Current activity in the branch includes the annual sponsorship of university and teacher scholars to study abroad through the ESU TLab Program, the annual high school student Shakespeare Competition, and numerous events and activities designed to engage our membership. We salute all past scholars from our state who have studied at many universities and educational institutions. The Kentucky Branch is an active and vibrant chapter and we welcome new members to all activities.
Sincerely,
Kate S. Nitzken, NBCT
President, ESU Kentucky Branch
In Memorium
Paul Whitty
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Paul Whitty. Paul's contributions to the Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union were immeasurable and his presence will be profoundly missed. In recognition of his remarkable lifetime of service, Paul Whitty was honored with the Kentucky Branch Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Convention this past Friday evening. This accolade was a testament to his outstanding contributions to our cause, and it is a tribute that will forever stand as a reminder of his lasting impact.
Paul's legacy will continue to resonate within our organization, and we are grateful for the time we had with him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. The obituary for Paul Whitty can be found here:
The Kentucky branch is saddened by the loss of past Branch ESU Scholar, Board of Director Member, Scholarship Committee Member, and longtime branch member Keith Eiken.
The date of the visitation and memorial service are mentioned in the attached obituary notice.
Many thanks for his remembrance, in lieu of flowers, to the Kentucky Branch Scholarship Fund.
Gene was a long time member of the Kentucky Branch, English Speaking Union. He served on the Scholarship Committee since 2003 and was a sponsor of several scholarships over his years of service to the Kentucky Branch. Gene was a member of the Audubon Park Garden Club and one of the founding members of Jeff-Clark Preservation. Gene was an elementary school art teacher for the greater Clark County Schools in Indiana until he retired. He was a lifelong member of Salem United Church of Christ, where he served previously as president. He was a volunteer at Southeast Area Ministries (SEAM). Gene was 72.
Gene is survived by many loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Samuel Norman McKenna
A loving donation, in memory of long time member Samuel Norman McKenna, has been made to the Kentucky Branch Scholarship Fund, by Ms. Emily Maxwell. Thoughts of Norman will always be treasured by the Kentucky Branch!
The ESU-KY branch is saddened at the passing of long time member William Pfingst Carrell, age 84, of Louisville, KY.
Mr. Carrell was a member of a family of illustrious military background and was an accomplished athlete. He was a third
generation member of the prestigious Pendennis Club in Louisville and was an avid supporter of all things relating to history.
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