Dr. Emogene Hogg Hartman

Dr. Emogene Hogg Hartman - Courtesy of Brunner Studio

A name that is recognized by many people in Berea is Dr. Emogene Hogg- Hartman. She has been very much involved in helping to mold the characteristics of Berea for the last fifty-one years. Emogene and her former husband, Edd Hogg, moved to Berea in 1958 so that Edd could accept a teaching position in the Agriculture Department at Berea College. Emogene attended Berea College where she received her Bachelors Degree, before going to Eastern Kentucky University were she completed her Masters in Business Administration. She then began teaching in the College of Business at Eastern. She noted, “it didn’t take long before she realized that she needed a doctorate if she were going to teach at the university level.” She and Edd decided to take leaves of absence to work on their doctorates at the University of Tennessee at the same time. Emogene soon received her Ed. D. in Personnel Management and Higher Education.

Upon returning to Eastern, Emogene continued her teaching profession, as well as university committees, training, and various student and professional organizations. Her hard work was noticed by many, and she was awarded the Teacher of the Year at Eastern, as well as the Service Award of the Year for participation in University organizations and statewide professional organizations. During this time, she was not only active in teaching and sponsoring university business clubs, but was also extensively involved in presenting management development seminars and conducting employee attitude surveys for business and industries throughout the United States.

After thirty-four years of teaching, Emogene was positioned at the top of her career; yet she decided to take early retirement to care for her aging parents. She explained that it was a “tremendous blessing to give something special back to her parents- her time and energy. It was a good decision; one that she will never regret.

Emogene credits the success in her life to an early decision to put her life in proper perspective: God first, family second, and career/community third. From the age of twenty, she has been committed to serving God in many ministries through her church. Secondly, she has always supported and taken an active part in her family’s growth, development, and ventures. Thirdly, she has been, and still is, dedicated to her work and community services. She feels that these priorities throughout her life have kept her focused, allowed her to give her best, and receive the best personal satisfaction.

After retiring from Eastern, Emogene has devoted most of her time, energy, and money to her church, family, Boys & Girls Club of Madison County, Chamber of Commerce, Housing Authority of Berea, Berea Spoon Bread Festival, and most recently the Berea Health Care Ministry Clinic.
Her faith has been a major part of her life since she was a small child, and she considers it a joy to serve in many ways through the church. Fifty years ago, she became a member of the Berea Baptist Church, where she still attends today. She has taught Sunday school for 50 years, served on many committees, and as a deacon. Emogene says that she has learned to place everything in God’s hands and ask for His direction.

The Boys & Girls Club of Madison County has also sparked Emogene’s interest because of her belief in their mission. She has worked diligently with them for almost four years, being one of the original founders. She notes that it is rewarding to see something just start as an idea and then come to reality. She is proud to say that the Club has been most successful. She hopes that the citizens of Madison County can catch the vision of its great importance and continue to support the Club in Berea.

The Berea Spoon Bread Festival has proved to be an exciting event for Emogene. She has worked on the event every year except one, and this year is the eighth annual festival. She comments that she enjoys combining the folk arts and crafts, events, music, dancing, etc., to present a wholesome weekend where the community can get together and share in the local culture. This event also proves to be an excellent economic avenue for local businesses, organizations, schools, and clubs. Emogene is proud to be apart of such a wonderful event in the life of Berea. .

In 2002, Emogene was asked to help with the financing of the construction and renovation of a facility in the Boone Square Shopping Center, which was being designed to house the new Berea Health Care Ministry Clinic. She worked over a year and was instrumental in gaining much of the needed materials and financial support. Again, this ministry was seen as worthy in Emogene’s eyes, and it is now functioning nicely by providing quality health care to many people, especially those who don’t have medical insurance.

Emogene has also stayed busy with the rental management business that she and her former husband, Edd, started 50 years ago. The rental business started with their buying one property and it has now grown to include numerous apartments, duplexes, and houses. Edd passed away twenty-two years ago.

In 1986 Emogene married Jim Hartman who owns and operates Hartmore Computer Service. She has two sons, Ellis and Bill Hogg, both of Berea. They also own and manage rental properties. Ellis and Jeanie have three children, Edd; the oldest is currently working on his MA degree at Asbury Theological Seminary; Matt, who is graduating with a BS in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky; and Michelle, who is graduating from Berea Community this May. Bill and Ellen have three children; Jennifer, who is graduating from Berea Community this May; Ryan, who is a freshman at Berea Community, and Brittany, who is in sixth grade.

In addition to being involved in the life of Berea, Emogene has been recognized for her volunteer work by several groups. In 1999, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, she received the Woman of the Year Award from the Chamber; the Volunteer and Service Award from the Boys and Girls Club; and the Red Tie Award from former Mayor Clifford Kerby. In 2003, she received the Mover and Shaker Award from the Berea Health Care Ministry Clinic. These awards are only a few that Emogene has received over her 51 years of volunteer service.

Emogene enjoys Berea because of its people, size, culture, and our close-knit community atmosphere. She says, “Berea has been good to me and my family. I have been blessed to watch Berea grow over the years to meet the needs of our community.” She is excited about the Kentucky Artisan Center being located in Berea, the hospitality programs, and a growing interest in a Community and Performing Arts Center. Emogene has no plans of leaving Berea and is pleased to be a part of this great community.

Written by Hannah Billings - BereaOnline.com Editor