Erlanger senior receives Lee Robertson Scholarship at WKU
A rising WKU senior from Erlanger, Ky., has been named the recipient of the annual Lee Robertson Scholarship Fund.
Margo McGehee, who is majoring in Arabic and Economics, earned the $500 award designated for an upper-class student at WKU who exemplifies the WKU Spirit. The award is presented in honor of Lee Robertson (’50, ’57) and administered by the WKU Alumni Association.
Known by Hilltoppers as “Mr. Western” in recognition of his 60-plus-year relationship with the University, Robertson will celebrate his 96th birthday on June 16. He currently serves as Special Assistant to the Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at WKU, but his WKU legacy spans his time as a student, Director of Alumni Affairs and Placement Services, Director of the WKU Glasgow Campus and six-year stint as Men’s Golf Coach.
Dr. Anthony McAdoo, Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association, says Robertson is beloved by everyone who knows him. “He earned that affection by being a person who reflects the best of WKU and by giving his entire career to make the University even better.”
“’The Spirit Makes the Master’ is more than just a building on a green lawn,” Robertson said. “It is people. It comes from people. When I think of Western, I immediately think of all that Western has done for me.”
McGehee’s record of scholarship and service also exemplify the WKU Spirit. “My dream is to become an attorney to represent immigrants, refugees and other underrepresented minorities,” she said. “After graduation, I plan to attend law school in the fall of 2019 and hopefully put my Arabic and rusty Spanish to good use.”
With strong family ties to the University, McGehee’s grandfather Gene Dupin (’63), uncle Todd Dupin (’00) and brother, Max McGehee (’17), are all alumni, and her sister, Jocelyn McGeehee, is a sophomore at WKU.
“I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of the Lee Robertson Scholarship,” she said. “It is my privilege to accept an unpaid internship with the International Center of Kentucky for my senior year, which will provide invaluable experience as I prepare for law school and beyond. Thanks to generous donors like Lee Robertson, I can take advantage of opportunities like this while still meeting my financial obligations.
During her time at WKU, McGehee has achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, has served as Financial Chair for the HonorsToppers and has volunteered at Hotel Inc., in Bowling Green. This summer, she is studying abroad in Morocco, where she will study Islam and the Arabic language.
“Morocco is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and I am excited to experience it for myself,” she said. “What I learn through this experience is sure to help me better serve Middle Eastern immigrants and refugees in my future career.”
As part of the application process, McGehee was required to submit an essay on what the WKU Spirit means to her.
“To me, WKU has meant true, genuine community,” she wrote. “WKU has meant exploration unbridged. WKU has meant revered tradition. As I look onward to one more year at WKU, I am filled with hope and excitement. Graduation may be near, but until then I only see more opportunities to continue exploring my passions and potential, and enjoying every aspect of WKU culture and community.”