A newly established scholarship fund at EKU honors the memory of a long-time Eastern employee.

The Oease Cornett Scholarship was established by two of her children, Gary Cornett and Kimberly Cornett-Horvat, to help non-traditional students who need financial assistance.

Before retiring in 1995, Cornett worked for EKU for 17 years, almost all that time as a custodian in the Perkins Building. She was fatally shot outside Richmond Mall on March 10, 2000. Her husband, James Edward Cornett, is awaiting trial on murder charges.

"She was well-known and well-liked around campus, and we wanted to do something to keep her memory alive," said Gary Cornett.

"Mom always wished she could go to college," added Kimberly Cornett-Horvat. "She knew the importance of a good education and encouraged me to go to EKU so that I could become more independent and not have to depend on anyone."

Lucie Nelson, long-time director of EKU's Division of Community and Workforce Education, said Cornett was admired by building staff and guests alike.

"She had a strong sense of responsibility," Nelson said. "She felt this building reflected her and she took care of it as though it were her own. She rarely sat still. She was always doing something to make the building look better."

Regular guests of the conference facilities "would take time to honor her because of the attention she would pay to them. She made our jobs easy."

Recipients also may use the scholarship to cover other needs critical to degree completion, such as child care and transportation.

Gary Cornett and Kim Cornett-Horvat have each attended EKU and are former University employees. A third sibling, Mike, recently returned to the area.

Contributions to the scholarship fund are tax-deductible and may be sent to EKU's Office of Development, CPO 703, Jones Room 321, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, Ky., 40475-3102.

Scholarship applications should be available this summer.