A message from our Branch President,

Kate S. Nitzken, NBCT

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 (Travel and Learn Abroad), 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.