A proposal to create a new public university in Appalachia will undergo a review, a critical first step in what proponents believe could provide an educational and economic stimulus to the mountain region. Gov. Steve Beshear ordered a study Tuesday to look into the "advisability and feasibility" of turning the private University of Pikeville into a publicly funded institution. "The University of Pikeville meets a regional need for quality education in Appalachia, and the school's growth illustrates its potential as an economic driver in the area," Beshear said in a statement. "Universities are economic drivers in their regions, producing well-educated and trained students who are prepared to enter the workforce."
