From Small Towns to a World of Giving

Robert Wood & Judy Layne-Wood

Both are first-generation students from Kentucky small towns whose combined population barely tops a thousand. They met and fell in love on the EKU campus – he proposed marriage in the Ravine – and their horizons soon expanded to encompass far-flung locales they could once only imagine.
But wherever life and work took them, he in the military and she as an educator, Robert “Bob” Wood and Judy Layne-Wood couldn’t help but remember EKU.

Bob and Judy have both served on the EKU International Alumni Association since returning to the states. Additionally, Judy is a proud inductee of the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. “No matter where we have called home, we have always wanted to give opportunities to students that attend EKU,” Judy said.

They established the Layne-Wood Endowed Scholarship to help future Eastern students, to provide opportunities and because of a sense of service to community. Even though they live in Virginia, EKU is part of their larger community.

Bob came to Eastern because of its military science program and the opportunity to earn a commission and serve his country. He earned that commission along with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1982, served in many capacities in war and peace, retired from the U.S. Army in 2002 and is currently the Deputy Director of OL-B, 318th Cyberspace Operations Group, 67th Cyber Wing with the U.S. Air Force.

“I hope others recognize the opportunities given to them since coming to Eastern,” Bob said. “We have so much given to us in our country. We should be thankful and if able, we should serve our country and community so future EKU students can benefit from all that Eastern has to offer.”

Judy earned a bachelor’s in English and political science and a master’s degree in English from Eastern, getting her first taste of international travel through the University’s study-abroad program. She went on to teach English in various collegiate settings worldwide and, in retirement, has taught yoga and, working with Wounded Warriors, helped raise money for academic scholarships, among many other volunteer activities. In retirement, Judy’s second encore is to serve on the Board of Directors for YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas; she currently serves as Capital Campaign co-chair for a $9 million campaign.

“We choose to give now, because we enjoy meeting our scholarship recipients and establishing a relationship of interest and caring,” Judy explained. “We see ourselves as simple people who simply give. Our hope is that others will give and provide opportunities.”