Partnership opens ‘exceptional pathways’ for Red Onion employees and their immediate family members.
by Duane Bonifer
POUND, VA. (07/23/2026) Lindsey Wilson University and Red Onion State Prison have launched a partnership to expand educational opportunities to employees at the state institution.
The agreement makes the prison’s full-time and part-time employees and their immediate family members eligible to receive scholarship opportunities through Lindsey Wilson.
The scholarship will be available to students enrolled in Lindsey Wilson bachelor’s programs in business administration, communication, criminal justice, human services and counseling, and nursing. It will also apply to the university’s graduate programs in applied machine learning and artificial intelligence; business administration; counseling; cybersecurity management; data science; and technology management. The agreement also applies to the university’s doctoral program in counselor education and supervision.
The academic programs in Lindsey Wilson Educational Outreach are offered in traditional, online and hybrid formats.
“At the Virginia Department of Corrections, our mission is to empower the individuals we serve and drive positive change,” said Red Onion Warden David Anderson. “Our partnership with Lindsey Wilson University exemplifies this commitment, creating exceptional pathways for our staff to achieve their educational objectives, elevate their careers and build a brighter future.”
Red Onion Senior Mental Health Clinician Edward Richie Creech knows as well as anyone the value of a Lindsey Wilson education. Creech earned his bachelor’s degree in human services and counseling as well as his master’s degree in counseling from Lindsey Wilson.
“We are thrilled to celebrate a new partnership that will directly benefit my Red Onion work family by helping them achieve their educational and career aspirations at a more affordable cost,” said Creech. “As a graduate of Lindsey Wilson’s bachelor’s and master’s programs, I know how strong their education is. Lindsey Wilson provided me with valuable degrees and gave me the clarity and direction needed to succeed in my career and life. We look forward to seeing our team grow through this collaboration.”
Lindsey Wilson Director of Enrollment Ryan Vitatoe said that university officials were impressed with Red Onion’s “commitment to safety, rehabilitation and service.”
“That commitment aligns well with our mission of creating educational opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities,” said Vitatoe. “There is a strong tradition of Lindsey Wilson alumni working at this facility, and we are thrilled to offer our many programs to employees and their immediate family members. I appreciate the hard work by Edward Creech and David Anderson to make this possible, and I look forward to a long partnership ahead.”
Lindsey Wilson and Red Onion State Prison have launched a partnership to expand educational opportunities to employees at the state institution. The agreement makes the prison’s full-time and part-time employees and their immediate family members eligible to receive scholarship opportunities through Lindsey Wilson. Pictured, front row, from left: LWU Assistant Vice President of Educational Outreach Tommie Saragas; LWU Enrollment Coordinator Leanna Perkins; Lindsey Wilson Director of Enrollment Ryan Vitatoe; Red Onion Warden David Anderson; Red Onion Senior Mental Health Clinician Edward Richie Creech; Red Onion Warden Amee Duncan; and LWU Regional Academic Director Kimberly Brown. Back row, from left: LWU counseling professor Richard Carroll; LWU Enrollment Coordinator Jason Weaver; Red Onion State Major James Franklin; and LWU criminal justice professor Dennis Souther.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)