Today's Featured Biography

Mark Carlisle

Mark Reports: I joined the Army after my Hillsboro days later serving in Vietnam (“Nam”). I came back to "The World" (Nam vets lingo for the U.S.) as a Sergeant receiving an honorable discharge.

I then enrolled at Peabody (now Vanderbilt)graduating with a B.A. three plus years later. I remember my registering for classes (the "registration maze") the first time, because I was constantly pinching myself wondering if this indeed was happening. Days earlier while still in Nam, I was counting the days left in my “tour of duty” wondering if college was a dream! The latter comment has merit simply due to several people made comment on my gray hair color when I returned to "The World". I thanked the Lord for making my dream come true.

I have since earned a Masters in Finance and a MBA from Webster University, Louisville, a specialized degree in accounting from Bellarmine University, a banking diploma from the American Institute of Banking, and I am currently working on a Masters in Accounting degree from the University of Louisville. Okay, I admit I am an "education addict", but my educational background has been a big help in my career.

I met my future wife, Nancy, who was employed at Peabody in an admin position, a few years after graduation. Nancy and I subsequently moved to Louisville, her home town. Nancy and I were married for 30 plus years (no kids) before she died in 2007. Prior to Nancy getting cancer, she had a stroke in 2002 limiting her physical mobility. I marveled at Nancy never complaining about her no longer being an English professor, her position as a magazine editor, to her being unable to do volunteer work. I could not hold a candle to Nancy’s courage during this time- Nancy was-and always will be-my Profile in Courage.

My career truly started when I was hired by a Louisville bank. I have now been in banking the past thirty years. One banking accomplishment I take special satisfaction was writing several “How To” manuals, i.e., discussing how a company operates in a given industry, discussing business operations, finances, and the types of banking services needed from a bank.

I am presently an accounting professor and chairman of the accounting department at a local college. Besides teaching assorted courses in accounting, I have taught courses in banking, finance, and history. Go Figure Department: I even taught a course on the “History of the Vietnam War”.

I have been involved in church activities, Junior Achievement, Special Olympics, etc. I also served as president, vice president, and treasurer for a local homeowners association. I enjoy reading, writing short stories, hiking/exercising, college football, watching the Chicago Cubs play, and "investing" (er, make that donations?) in horse racing at Churchill Downs.

Technology has been “The Change” since 1963, but I must admit the advent of women in several areas has been extraordinary. Change for 50th Reunion/21st Century: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

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