Highlights Alumni & Friends Reception Honors Public Service Greats 2016

At our annual Martin School Alumni & Friends Reception in November, we honored three members of our community who are dear to many, both personally and professionally.

Dr. Merl Hackbart, a Provost's Distinguished Professor of Finance and Public Policy and former Martin School Director, and Crit Luallen, former Kentucky Lt. Governor, were inducted into the Kentucky Public  Service Hall of Fame.

Dr. Hackbart, a native of South Dakota, began his journey with the Martin School in 1973, ultimately becoming our Director. His impact has reached far beyond our campus, though. Dr. Hackbart has served as state budget director on two occasions, interim dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics, a senior fellow at the Council of State Governments, and as a member of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Luallen, a Frankfort-native, has worn many, many hats throughout her illustrious career, which has spanned service under seven governors. She has been the Commonwealth's state auditor, budget director, and has held the post of Secretary for three different cabinets-- Governor's Executive Cabinet, Finance, and Tourism.

Larry W. Gray received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Gray completed his Master of Health Administration degree through the Martin School, and also holds a master's degree in Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since 2011, Gray has served as Baptist Health Corbin's president.