Stephanie H. Fightmaster

Shirley Hamilton graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor’s degree in
1957 and master’s degree in 1962. Her education and life experiences provided a backdrop for her
visionary focus in life from traveling the world with her Yankee pitcher husband for nearly 20
years, facilitating family matters both at home and on the road, working, and volunteering.

Shirley began her career with the City of Morehead as a City Planning Aid. In 1979, she
joined the staff at Morehead State University, and retired as Director of Community Development
and Continuing Education in 2000. She was a member of Morehead City Council for ten years.

Well known as an advocate, Shirley staunchly supported her point of view, often citing her
“Turtie Theme-Behold the turtle that only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.” She was
influential in creating Morehead’s first zoning map, wrote the grant that secured the Morehead Area
Transit Bus (MAT), and worked tirelessly to keep the historical Rowan County Courthouse
building.

As chair of the Downtown Development Committee, she was actively involved with
Morehead Tomorrow and the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. She served on
numerous boards including Whitaker Bank, the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, East
Kentucky Corporation, Kentucky Women in Leadership, and was chair of the Kentucky University
and Continuing Education Council. She was the recipient of the Ora L. Cline Award for
Outstanding Community Service the Chamber of Commerce in 2001 and was awarded the East
Kentucky Leadership Award for Private Individual Award in 2008.