Franklin County High School (FCHS) announced the induction of five distinguished individuals into the FCHS Hall of Fame. This year's inductees include Dr. Stephen Grugin (Class of 1975), Dr. Jennifer Grisham (Class of 1979), Robert Roach (Class of 1981), Dr. Emily Clay Eastman (Class of 2006), and Chuck Fletcher (Contributor).
The FCHS Hall of Fame began in 1992 and has inducted 148 alumni and contributors. Contributors are individuals who have had significant impacts on FCHS. Each year, a committee receives nominations and selects a group of alumni and FCHS contributors to the Hall of Fame.
It's an honor for us to recognize and celebrate our alumni who have had significant accomplishments, are leaders in their respective fields, and are making a difference in their communities. This year's inductees are so deserving, and we are proud to welcome them into the FCHS Hall of Fame," said Chris Tracy, Former Franklin County High School Principal.
“Our inductees have done great things in the community, in the state, and even across the country and internationally,” said Terry Johnson, FCHS Teacher and Hall of Fame Committee Member. “Our inductees tell us they got their start by being educated and receiving great experiences and great teaching at Franklin County High School.”
Each inductee is honored during the FCHS Hall of Fame dinner and at the FCHS graduation ceremony. This year’s inductees include the following:
Dr. Stephen Grugin (Class of 1975) has dedicated nearly five decades to music education, performance, and community service in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After earning degrees from The Ohio State University and Northwestern University and a PhD from Florida State University, Dr. Grugin spent 27 years as the Director of Bands at Northern Michigan University. His career also includes teaching at multiple universities and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, arranging music for over 20 collegiate marching bands nationwide, serving as a founding member of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, and conducting the Marquette City Band. Following his retirement from NMU in 2024, Dr. Grugin’s lifelong commitment to the arts was honored in February 2026 with the prestigious Carol V. Pellonpaa Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Jennifer Grisham (Class of 1979) has dedicated over four decades to special education and early childhood education. She began her career with Franklin County Schools, teaching children with disabilities and directing the PUSH Preschool Program. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Grisham spent 25 years as the Faculty Director of the UK Early Childhood Lab and currently holds the title of Professor Emeritus at UK, where she was named a “Research Professor in 2025” and recognized as a “Teacher Who Made a Difference” four times. She has co-authored seven books, helped create a worldwide child development curriculum, and co-founded the Hope for Tomorrow children’s home and preschool in Guatemala City. Her legacy also includes serving as board chair for Franklin County Schools and traveling across Central/South America, Europe, and Asia to advocate for children with disabilities.
Robert Roach (Class of 1981) has been a dedicated educator, serving as the Headmaster of The Frankfort Christian Academy from 1998–2009 and overseeing its growth into a full K–12 institution. Later, he taught at both Western Hills and Franklin County High Schools, where he helped introduce multiple Advanced Placement courses. His commitment to Franklin County includes leading local youth and high school tennis programs, serving three terms on the City of Frankfort Board of Commissioners, and dedicating over three decades to leadership at Holly Hill Church of Christ. Roach has spent more than 35 years in real estate management, recently served as CEO of an internet and magazine publication, and sits on the board of Hope and Equip, Inc., an international outreach ministry.
Dr. Emily Clay Eastman (Class of 2006) is a nationally recognized leader in specialty pharmacy, rare disease innovation, and women’s health strategy. After graduating from Centre College, she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (summa cum laude) and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Eastman currently serves as Associate Director of Centralized Specialty Pharmacy Services at UK HealthCare, where she led UK Specialty Pharmacy to become the first health-system pharmacy in the United States to earn the “Rare Disease Center of Excellence” designation. She also launched the UK Fertility (Baby Blue) program, which helps women nationwide access affordable fertility medications. Her work earned her the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy’s prestigious “Caregiver of the Year” award in 2025. In addition to being a highly sought-after speaker, she serves as an adjunct professor at the UK College of Pharmacy, is a member of the UK Healthcare Ethics Committee, and is the Assistant Residency Program Director for the Postgraduate Year One Community Based at Specialty Pharmacy Residency Program.
Chuck Fletcher (Contributor) has spent decades being a passionate educator, civic leader, and dedicated champion for Franklin County’s youth. He devoted 34 years to public education and administration in the Anderson County School System, earning induction into their Hall of Fame in 2025. He is in his ninth year on the Franklin County Board of Education, where he serves as Vice Chair and Immediate Past Chair. Fletcher advises school districts statewide as a Management Information Consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and serves on the Governor-appointed Kentucky School Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council. His extensive civic footprint spans the Frankfort City Commission, the Frankfort/Franklin County Board of Adjustment, and the Frankfort NAACP, which honored him with the 2023 Presidential Award. He also holds global leadership experience as a Trustee for Kiwanis International and Counselor to Key Club International. He was previously inducted into the State YMCA of Kentucky Hall of Fame and received the KDE Lifetime Service Award.
FCS is committed to providing high-quality education to students in Franklin County, Ky. For more information and news about FCS, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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