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Carpenter Foundation awards grant to Kentucky Museum to restore Felts House

The Kentucky Museum has received a $36,000 grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation to support restoration of the historic Felts House, located on WKU’s main campus. Constructed in 1810 in Logan County, Ky., the Felts House was the home of Archibald Felts, a Revolutionary War veteran who was among the first generation of permanent settlers in Kentucky. Recent analysis has revealed the cabin is in critical condition.

Posted on: Nov. 15, 2019 | Read the full story

 

Epsilon Rho chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., establishes endowment to celebrate 50th anniversary at WKU

During the 2019 Homecoming weekend (Oct. 17-19), the Epsilon Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., celebrated 50 years on the WKU campus and announced the creation of the Kappa Alpha Psi Achievement Fund. On the field during the Homecoming football game, a $60,000 check was presented to launch the fund. As fundraising efforts have continued, the Kappa Alpha Psi Achievement Fund now has commitments of more than $70,000.

Posted on: Nov. 1, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Sisterhood awards grants to six projects in 2019

The WKU Sisterhood awarded $62,960 in grants to fund six University projects at its annual meeting on Oct. 25. The 2019 total represents the highest amount of funding awarded and the most projects supported in one year in the history of the WKU Sisterhood. The group is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019.

Posted on: Oct. 25, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Groundbreaking held for pavilion at McChesney Field Campus

A groundbreaking for the Mary McChesney Kindell Pavilion at WKU’s McChesney Field Campus was held on Thursday, Oct. 24. The Pavilion is named in honor of the eldest child of Hardin Field McChesney Sr. Kindell, who graduated from WKU in 1934, died in 2018 at the age of 103.

Posted on: Oct. 24, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Increasing their impact: Fiscal Year 2019 record year for matching gifts

WKU had a record-breaking year for matching gifts with $143,023 for Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019). A gift is “matched” when a donor’s employer recognizes their employee’s philanthropy by making an additional gift to support the same organization.

Posted on: Oct. 22, 2019 | Read the full story


 

 

Inaugural Summit of Excellence honors volunteerism and philanthropy

“Volunteerism and philanthropy are critically important to everything we strive for at WKU,” said WKU President Timothy C. Caboni. “We simply cannot do what we do at WKU without the support of individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations like those we have honored tonight. Private support is key to our success today and critical to our future as an institution.”

Posted: Oct. 19, 2019 | Read the full story

WKU announces Summit of Excellence recipients to be recognized during 2019 Homecoming

The inaugural Summit of Excellence will be held Thursday, Oct. 17 and will kick off on-campus Homecoming festivities on the Hill. The event will honor and recognize outstanding contributions of WKU alumni, faculty, staff, friends and students. Graves Gilbert Clinic, a longtime supporter and partner of the University, is the presenting sponsor of the event.

Posted: Oct. 14, 2019 | Read the full story


 

 

WKU Gives launches to recognize WKU faculty and staff support

The WKU Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement announces WKU Gives, a program to celebrate WKU faculty and staff members who give back financially to our Hill each fiscal year. Formerly known as iamWKU, WKU Gives recognizes faculty and staff contributions to our students, our Hill, our community and beyond.

Posted on: Oct. 8, 2019 | Read the full story


 

 

First LJ Cross Scholarship presented at Parent & Family Weekend

A new scholarship to support students who work with individuals in the special needs community was presented during the WKU Football game on Saturday, Sept. 28 during Parent & Family Weekend. Taylor Boulier of Vine Grove, Ky., is the inaugural recipient of the award.

Posted on: Sept. 29, 2019 | Read the full story

 

Event honors donors for consecutive giving and legacy gifts

More than 230 donors were recognized for consecutive years of giving and legacy gifts at a brunch on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Augenstein Alumni Center. Hilliard Lyons, a Baird Company, was the presenting sponsor of the event. “All of us have a story of how Western shaped and molded us into who we are today,” said Ron Miller, a donor who spoke at the event.

Posted on: Sept. 10, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Endowment for Fly-Fishing Education established through local efforts and grant support

The WKU Endowment for Fly-Fishing Education has been established through local fundraising efforts and a grant from the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. The endowment creates opportunities to develop training opportunities, purchase fly-fishing equipment, engage expert fly-fishing resources, provide student financial support for fly-fishing academic courses, and fund other fly-fishing education initiatives.

Posted on: Aug. 15, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Bowling Green Math Scholars Camp thrives in second year with support from Jessie Ball duPont Fund

For 36 elementary students, a summer adventure with the Bowling Green Math Scholars Camp made learning new things an irresistible challenge. From exploring LEGO robotics and 3D modeling, to learning about computer programming and problem-solving, these two weeks of hands-on learning also included individualized mathematics content for each student. “I loved how instead of making the problem easy, you made it hard,” said one camper to a teacher. “I loved that everybody tried hard and didn’t give up.”

Posted on July 23, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU receives 2019 Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education

WKU has been recognized for persistent fundraising success by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with the 2019 CASE Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to exceptional fundraising programs at educational institutions in the United States. CASE is the global association for professionals in advancement—alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and advancement services—who share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society.

Posted on: June 19, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Dr. Jack and Janice Glasser, longtime WKU Baseball supporters, continue to give back

For Dr. Jack Glasser (’73) and his wife, Janice, supporting WKU Baseball celebrates their shared history at the field, the current team and the Hilltoppers of the future. “Jan and I want to help the Baseball team as much as they helped me out when I was at Western,” said Dr. Glasser. “Jan and I met my senior year, and she would come to my games. Supporting WKU Baseball has meaning to both of us, and we’re very excited to support the team.”

Posted on: June 4, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

James Christopher Holman Scholarship Fund announces inaugural recipient 

Carlee Mitchell of Morgantown, Ky., was named the first recipient of the James Christopher Holman Scholarship Fund on May 23, 2019, at the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented by Donald Smith, President of the College Heights Foundation, at a luncheon hosted by Morgantown Bank and Trust, where Chris was employed at the time of his passing.

Posted on: May 28, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Sisterhood co-sponsors event to kick off 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment celebration

Elaine Weiss, author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote,” visited WKU April 29-30 to kick off a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Her visit was made possible by generous funding from a 2018 WKU Sisterhood grant and support from the Boyd-Lubker Visiting Scholars Program.

Posted on: May 3, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Amanda Trabue named Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Amanda Trabue is returning to the Hill as the Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement at WKU. Trabue, Associate Dean of the Peabody College of Education & Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, will assume her new role at WKU June 17.

Posted on: April 19, 2019 | Read the full story


 

 

Proceeds from the 2019 Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cup support John Asher Memorial Scholarship

Woodford Reserve has unveiled the limited-edition 2019 Kentucky Derby $1,000 Mint Julep Cup, and proceeds from this year’s sales will support the John Asher Memorial Scholarship Fund at WKU. Only 145 cups are available, including a $1,000 silver cup and a $2,500 gold-plated version. Cups can be purchased at woodfordreservemintjulep.com until April 30.

Posted on: April 17, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

LifeWorks at WKU established through $8 million in private support

LifeWorks at WKU, a two-year residential program designed to support living, working and recreation for individuals on the autism spectrum who are 21 years of age and older, has been established through $8 million in private support. LifeWorks at WKU will be a program within the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex at WKU.

Posted on: April 12, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Alumnus establishes scholarship to help Caverna High School students take WKU Dual Credit classes

Clarence Glover (’71) of Louisville, Ky., established the Clarence Glover Equity and Inclusion Scholarship to help underrepresented students at Caverna High School take WKU Dual Credit classes. Dual Credit courses allow high school students to receive credit from both their high school and WKU upon completion of a course.

Posted on: April 2, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Saying thank you: More than 550 scholarship donors and student recipients meet at annual event

The 2019 Scholarship Celebration was held at the Knicely Conference Center on Thursday, March 28. More than 550 endowed scholarship donors and their student recipients were able to meet face-to-face. This annual event provides a great opportunity for endowed scholarship donors to learn more about the student or students who benefit from their support, and it allows the recipient to express their gratitude directly to their donor. The Ridley Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, a longtime supporter of WKU, was the presenting sponsor of the event.

Posted on: March 28, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU President Timothy C. Caboni and First Lady Kacy S. Caboni establish scholarship

Demonstrating their devotion to Western Kentucky University and their belief in the importance of education, WKU President Timothy C. Caboni and First Lady Kacy S. Caboni have established an endowed scholarship fund with a gift of $100,000 made through a combination of outright and deferred support. The Timothy Christian and Kacy Myree Caboni Scholarship Fund will provide support for full-time, first-generation students at WKU. First preference will be given to students pursuing a degree within the Department of Communication.

Posted on: March 27, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

Sisters establish scholarship to honor parents

Dr. Wanda Weidemann (’76, ’82) and her sister, Joyce Weidemann Young (’76), established a scholarship to honor their mother and father, Martha Arney and Joe Henry Weidemann, who were unable to go to college but made sure their children were able to pursue higher education.

Posted on: Feb. 26, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU announces more than $12.4 million in gift receipts in first half of fiscal year, second-highest in WKU history 

WKU has received more than $12.4 million in gift receipts through the first six months of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018), marking the second-highest first six-month total in WKU history.

Posted on: Feb. 18, 2019 | Read the full story


 

 

Institute for Rural Health receives grant from Delta Dental of Kentucky

The Institute for Rural Health, part of WKU's College of Health and Human Services, has received a $20,000 grant from Delta Dental of Kentucky's Foundation.

Posted on: Jan. 29, 2019 | Read the full story

 

Kentucky Museum receives grant from Kentucky Local History Trust Fund

The Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University has received a grant from the Kentucky Local History Trust Fund for $1,740 to create a new exhibit titled “Out of the Box,” which will bring the Museum’s artifacts into classrooms at WKU.

Posted on: Jan. 11, 2019 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Panhellenic Council makes gift to enhance Greek scholarships

WKU’s Panhellenic Council recently voted to make additional gifts to their three scholarship funds: United in Sisterhood Scholarship for Greek Women, Panhellenic New Member Academic Scholarship and the Panhellenic Association Pillars Scholarship Fund. This gesture comes a year after the Council made a contribution to help these funds reach endowment level so each scholarship could begin supporting students.

Posted on: Dec. 13, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Cumberland Trace Incentive-Matt Rzepka Memorial Scholarship Fund announces new recipients

Eight new recipients for the Cumberland Trace Incentive-Matt Rzepka Memorial Scholarship Fund were announced on Dec. 10, 2018, during the morning assembly at the school. This marks the 15th year that these scholarships have been awarded to fifth and sixth graders attending Cumberland Trace Elementary in Bowling Green, Ky.

Posted on: Dec. 12, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Interfraternity Council establishes scholarship fund to benefit members of Greek fraternities

WKU’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) recently voted to establish an endowed scholarship fund in the College Heights Foundation at WKU. IFC is the governing body for WKU’s 14 social fraternities on campus and seeks to provide an environment that enriches the campus and aids in the development of gentlemen and the Greek community.

Posted on: Dec. 11, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Carpenter Foundation awards Kentucky Museum grant for free admission

The Kentucky Museum has received a grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation that will allow the Museum to offer free admission to the public for three years.

Posted on: Dec. 10, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Giving Tuesday brings in more than $118,000, increase in donors and gifts

Giving Tuesday (Nov. 27) results include gifts totaling $118,127.57, a 22 percent increase from Giving Tuesday in 2017. Of the 477 donors, 68 were first-time donors to WKU. The total number of donors represents a 16.9 percent increase from 2017.

Posted on: Dec. 3, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Petroleum Experts donate MOVE software worth $2.18 million to WKU Department of Geography and Geology

Petroleum Experts Limited has donated the equivalent of $2.18 million in MOVE software to WKU’s Department of Geography and Geology. This software donation, which is a renewal of a previous donation, includes MOVE suites of analytical geological software, which is the most complete and comprehensive industry-standard modeling software for tectonics and structural geology.

Posted on: Nov. 28, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Sisterhood awards grants to four projects

The WKU Sisterhood awarded grants to four projects at its annual meeting on Nov. 16. In total, more than $55,000 was awarded to programs and initiatives in the University community.

Posted on: Nov. 16, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

George and CJ Nichols named Philanthropists of the Year

On National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 15), George (’83) and CJ Nichols (’82) have been named the 2018 WKU Philanthropists of the Year. “We are honored and humbled to be recognized as the Philanthropists of the Year,” said George Nichols. “We know that so many others have done so much more than we have even thought about. For WKU to consider our efforts worthy of such an honor makes us proud. We accept it on behalf of all the people in the WKU family who are giving back.”

Posted on: Nov. 15, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Wells Fargo Foundation establishes scholarship fund for military-affiliated students

Following the Veterans Day celebrations and a number of festivities to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of ROTC at Western Kentucky University, the College Heights Foundation is pleased to announce a $15,000 scholarship gift from the Wells Fargo Foundation through support from the Ridley Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The Wells Fargo Military Support Scholarship Fund will be an endowed scholarship fund for military-affiliated students at WKU.

Posted on: Nov. 12, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Dr. Hugh H. and Debby G. Wilhite establish scholarship

Dr. Hugh H. and Debby G. Wilhite of Calhoun, Ky., have made a gift of $225,000 to establish a scholarship at WKU to benefit students in healthcare-related disciplines. First preference for the Dr. Hugh H. and Debby G. Wilhite Scholarship Fund will be given to graduates or residents of McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio or Webster counties, the counties surrounding Calhoun, Ky., where Dr. Wilhite has practiced medicine for 44 years.

Posted on Nov. 9, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

Dr. Phillip Bale, current Regent, and Kristen Bale, former Regent, make gift to support WKU Center for Leadership Excellence

Kristen T. and Phillip W. Bale of Glasgow, Ky., have made a gift of $250,000, through a combination of an outright gift and a provision in their estate plans, to establish the Kristen T. & Phillip W. Bale Leadership Excellence Fund to benefit the WKU Center for Leadership Excellence.

Posted on: Oct. 26, 2018 | Read the full story

 

WKU recognizes top volunteers at Summit Awards

WKU recognized its top volunteers Thursday night (Oct. 25) at the 18th annual Summit Awards. Distinguished Service Medals to recognize the service of the University’s top volunteers were presented to Dion W. Houchins (’87) of Bowling Green, Ky., Deanna L. Mills (’94) of Woodstock, Ga., and Heather L. Rogers (’89) of Nashville, Tenn. | Read the full story

 

SpiritFunder, WKU's crowdfunding platform, announces new campaigns

SpiritFunder, WKU’s crowdfunding platform, is relaunching today (Oct. 18) with five new campaigns. Projects featured on SpiritFunder come directly from WKU students, groups and faculty who are looking for more opportunities to learn, grow and achieve.

Posted on: Oct. 18, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Joe and Susan Walters establish professorship in marketing

Joe (’83) and Susan Walters (’81) of Campbellsville, Ky., have made a gift to establish the Joseph L. Walters Professorship in Marketing in the Gordon Ford College of Business.

Posted: Oct. 16, 2018 | Read the full story


Joe and Sunshine Micatrotto make $1 million gift to support WKU Athletics, largest outright gift from a former student-athlete

Western Kentucky University has received the largest outright gift from a former student-athlete with a gift of $1 million from Joe and Sunshine Micatrotto of Las Vegas, Nev. The Micatrotto gift includes support for capital projects, the WKU Football and Volleyball programs and the WKU Opportunity Fund.

Posted: Oct. 1, 2018 | Read the full story

 

James Stewart "Jimbo" DeVries Golf Scramble celebrates 20th anniversary, announces new scholarship recipients

The 20th annual James Stewart “Jimbo” DeVries Golf Scramble was held Friday, Sept. 28, at Crosswinds Golf Course in Bowling Green, Ky. Proceeds from the Jimbo DeVries Golf Scramble support the James Stewart “Jimbo” DeVries Scholarship, and the new scholarship recipients were announced at the event.

Posted: Sept. 28, 2018 | Read the full story

  

Chris and Sherrie Swanberg establish scholarship for WKU students from Henderson County and Owensboro High Schools

Chris Swanberg, originally from Henderson, Ky., and Sherrie Shuler Swanberg, originally from Owensboro, Ky., agree that meeting one another is their most special WKU memory. After more than 30 years away from campus, the Swanbergs recently reconnected with WKU and were looking for a way to give back to the University that gave them so much.

Posted: Sept. 26, 2018 | Read the full story

  

Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship Fund announces inaugural recipients

The inaugural recipients of the Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship were announced on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the 2nd Annual Alexis Swift Top Dog Invitational Golf Tournament.  The first recipients are Casey Vanmeter and Marcus Todd.

Posted: Sept. 25, 2018 | Read the full story

 

WKU honors more than 200 donors for consecutive years of giving and legacy gifts

At a brunch held Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Augenstein Alumni Center, more than 200 donors were recognized for their years of consecutive giving and legacy gifts.

Posted on: Sept. 11, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Opportunity Fund announces $50 million goal, receives $450,000 award from James Graham Brown Foundation for retention and persistence efforts

First announced at the Investiture ceremony in April and mentioned during the Faculty and Staff Convocation today, the WKU Opportunity Fund is one of the President’s initiatives outlined in the strategic plan. Marking the first announcement for the WKU Opportunity Fund, President Caboni announced a two-year, $450,000 grant to Western Kentucky University from the James Graham Brown Foundation of Louisville, Ky. The grant will support the creation of the WKU Center for Academic Resources and Success (WKU CAReS) to support retention and persistence efforts, part of the newly established WKU Success Center in the Downing Student Union.

Posted on: Aug. 24, 2018 | Read the full story


 

American Bank & Trust Scholarship Fund announces new scholarship recipients

Five new recipients were announced this week for the American Bank & Trust Scholarship Fund.  Each of the students was awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward his or her education at Western Kentucky University.  The 2018 recipients are Zackary Austin, Mason Babcock, Kylie Bray, Tahir Gagulic, and Maddie Gilpin.

Posted on: Aug. 7, 2018 | Read the full story

  

Alumnus enhances scholarship fund, begins role with UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green campus

As the inaugural class of the UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green campus dons their white coats tomorrow in the closing event of their orientation week, Dr. Todd Cheever (’87) reflects on his time as a WKU student and how his role as the first Associate Dean of the new campus brought him back to Bowling Green.

Posted on: Aug. 2, 2018 | Read the full story

  

WKU announces record fiscal year in philanthropy with more than $45 million in private support in 2017-2018

WKU surpassed its previous record of private support in a fiscal year with a new high of $45 million in private support in 2017-2018. This total includes gifts from more than 14,000 donors from all 50 states and eight countries who made more than 31,000 individual gifts. Donors direct how their philanthropy is allocated, and 786 different initiatives received support that benefited students, faculty and staff.

Posted on: July 30, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Foundation celebrates 25 years of support for University

For the past quarter century, the WKU Foundation has supported philanthropic initiatives to benefit Western Kentucky University. On July 23, 2018, the Foundation, the official repository for gifts to WKU, will hit the 25-year mark, having supported more than $133 million for students, programs and facility improvements.

Posted on: July 18, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Hidden battles: Endowment established to support wellness initiatives and reduce stigma surrounding mental health

A newly established endowment will support initiatives for student-athletes through education on mental, physical and emotional health and wellness. Hoping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, the endowment is named in honor of Andrea Marie Hall, a beloved daughter, sister and friend who passed away on July 30, 2014.

Posted on: July 17, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Glasgow and Barren County students receive support through Anne and Mike Hyde Scholarship

The Anne and Mike Hyde Scholarship has supported students from Glasgow and Barren County since it was established in 2005. The Hydes annually make gifts to enhance the scholarship so the fund can benefit more students.

Posted on: June 18, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Erlanger senior receives Lee Robertson Scholarship at WKU

Margo McGehee, a rising WKU senior from Erlanger, Ky., has been named the recipient of the annual Lee Robertson Scholarship. 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.

Posted: June 13, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Young Alumni Council announces first scholarship recipient

The WKU Young Alumni Council has awarded its first scholarship to Hannah Good, a rising senior from Park Hills, Ky. The Young Alumni Council (YAC), part of the WKU Alumni Association, provides an opportunity for alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years to maintain ties to WKU and provide important feedback to the Alumni Association on programming and services.

Posted: June 5, 2018 | Read the full story

  

Tim and Sarah Ford establish scholarship to support students pursuing degrees in Special Education

Tim and Sarah Ford have made a gift to establish the Brett Ford Scholarship Fund to benefit students who are pursuing a degree in Special Education within the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences at WKU. The scholarship was established in honor of their son, Brett, who has special needs.

Posted: May 30, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Two alumni make gifts to support Ogden Innovation Endowment Fund, rooms in Ogden College Hall named in their honor

Two WKU alumni who graduated from programs within the Ogden College of Science & Engineering have made gifts to support the Ogden Innovation Endowment Fund. In recognition of these gifts, spaces within the new Ogden College Hall were named in their honor. Dr. Talia McKinney Collins ('93) and Dr. James W. Foster ('81) both credit their time at WKU with preparing them for their future careers.

Posted: May 25, 2018 | Read the full story

  

Baker Foundation commits $10 million endowment for student scholarships

The Jerry E. Baker Foundation, established through the estate of Jerry E. Baker, a generous longtime supporter of WKU, has pledged a $10 million endowment for student scholarships. The University expects to receive $450,000 from the Baker Foundation in the first year of the agreement. Combined with Baker’s previous support for scholarships, the Jerry E. Baker Student Scholarship Fund will annually award around $500,000 in scholarships to WKU students.

Posted on: May 24, 2018 | Read the full story

Estate gift will support Campbellsville, Taylor County students pursuing health-related degrees

Dale Tucker of Lexington, Ky., has made an estate commitment to “pay it forward” and support deserving students at WKU. Tucker has included WKU in his estate plans to establish the Dale Tucker Endowed Health Care Scholarship Fund, which will benefit students from Campbellsville and Taylor County who are pursuing a degree in any health-related field.

Posted on: May 15, 2018 | Read the full story

 

David Heard Memorial Scholarship Fund announces first recipients

Four WKU students were named the first recipients of the David Heard Memorial Scholarship on May 5, 2018, during the 2nd Annual David Heard Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament at Barren River Lake State Resort Park.

Posted on: May 9, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Delta Sigma Theta—Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates anniversary, recognizes new recipient

Honoring the memory of a WKU student who succumbed to breast cancer five days before her 25th birthday in 2005, the Delta Sigma Theta–Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to celebrate the spirit of Tabitha Briggs and make a positive impact at WKU. At the event, Symone Whalin, a WKU freshman from Larue County, Ky., was recognized as the 2018-2019 recipient of the scholarship.

Posted on: May 4, 2018 | Read the full story


 

Longtime WKU partner Graves Gilbert Clinic supports Investiture Ceremony

Graves Gilbert Clinic, based in Bowling Green, Ky., is a longtime WKU corporate partner. Since 1989, the Clinic, which has locations in eight southern Kentucky counties, has supported various University programs, with the most recent donation coming through the full sponsorship of President Timothy C. Caboni’s Investiture Ceremony.

Posted on: April 24, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education grand opening to be held April 23

Inspired by the knowledge that it is incredibly difficult to bring about wide-spread change at organizations as large and intricate as a university, a new initiative at WKU has been designed to help take ideas from initiation to implementation. The Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education will be unveiled on Monday, April 23. The grand opening of the Institute will be held from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Institute’s location at 501 Regents Ave. on WKU’s main campus.

Posted on: April 20, 2018 | Read the full story

 

First Jeff and Mary Key Scholarship recipient named at Elizabethtown Presidential Welcome Reception

Jeff and Mary Key hosted the Presidential Welcome Reception for the Western Kentucky University Heartland Alumni Chapter on April 10, 2018. The first recipient of the Jeff and Mary Key Scholarship was announced at the event.

Posted on: April 17, 2018 | Read the full story

  

2018 Scholarship Celebration brings together more than 500 scholarship donors and student recipients

The 2018 Scholarship Celebration was held at the Knicely Conference Center on Thursday, March 29. The annual event recognizes and celebrates the philanthropic spirit of donors who support scholarship funds and the students who directly benefit from their generosity. Often the only way scholarship donors can meet their student recipients face-to-face, this event offers an opportunity for them to learn about one another.

Posted on: March 29, 2018 | Read the full story

Nada McGinnis Fountain Leadership Scholarship established as surprise for namesake

On Christmas Day 2017, Nada McGinnis Fountain (’82) was surprised when she opened a large box of WKU and Alpha Delta Pi items. However, the real present was yet to be opened. “When I asked my husband, Scott, where he had found all these fun items, he said that I’d know when I got to the bottom,” shared Nada Fountain.

Posted on: March 15, 2018 | Read the full story

Ann and Paul Calico make gift to support business students in financial need

Ann and Paul Calico (’76), long-time supporters of WKU, have established a scholarship for students in the Gordon Ford College of Business who demonstrate a need for financial aid and who meet high academic standards and have overcome obstacles to success. The Paul B. and Ann R. Calico Scholarship Fund in Diversity reflects the Calicos’ belief that obstacles can take various forms, which is why they chose not to limit the scholarship guidelines to certain factors.

Posted on: March 5, 2018 | Read the full story


Student Scholarship Endowment created to honor retired WKU Libraries Dean Connie Foster

A new student scholarship endowment fund has been created to aid WKU students and to honor retired WKU Libraries Dean Connie Foster. The newly formed endowment, named the Connie Foster Student Scholarship Endowment, aims to assist WKU students with priority to those students working in the libraries.

Posted on: Feb. 28, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Long-time professor makes gift to support lecture series and scholarship

Professor Emeritus Dr. Carl Kell has taught classes at WKU since 1972. Not surprising to those who know him, he continues to teach an Advanced Public Speaking course each semester even though he is fully retired. Dr. Kell recently made two gifts to support both the department he has called home for many years and to honor his wife, Mary Anne Kell, who passed away in late 2017.

Posted on: Feb. 27, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Allen County native receives Dr. Delroy & Patricia Hire Internship to preserve local history

Christopher Coe Campbell, the eldest son of Greg and Trudi Compton and the grandson of Nancy (Pruitt) Miller, has been named the Dr. Delroy & Patricia Hire Intern for 2018. The Dr. Delroy & Patricia Hire Internship was established in 2015 to provide students with professional experience working in a special collections library, specifically with material from Allen and Monroe counties in Kentucky and Macon County in Tennessee.

Posted on: Feb. 21, 2018 | Read the full story

 

WKU Foundation to increase philanthropic impact

The WKU Foundation Board of Trustees increased its spending allocation for endowed funds in support of WKU by one-half percent, effective July 1, 2018, during its quarterly board meeting on February 2. This marks the first increase in spending since July 2012. Additionally, the WKU Foundation announced that all endowed funds are currently operating with a surplus above the benefactors’ original gift amount.

Posted on: Feb. 5, 2018 | Read the full story

 

 


Institute for Rural Health receives grant from Delta Dental of Kentucky

The Institute for Rural Health, part of WKU’s College of Health and Human Services, has received a $20,000 grant from Delta Dental of Kentucky’s philanthropic initiative, Making Smiles Happen.

Posted on: Jan. 31, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Professor receives grant from Jessie Ball duPont Fund for Service Dog Awareness Program

Dr. Darbi Haynes-Lawrence, an Associate Professor of Child & Family Studies in the College of Health & Human Services, has received a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to support her Service Dog Awareness Program.

Dr. Haynes-Lawrence, who has Multiple Sclerosis, has a mobility service dog that helps her with many aspects of her daily life.  Her dog, Jaeger, was trained to wear a walking harness that has a bar Dr. Haynes-Lawrence can hold on to, which allows her to maintain her balance when walking. She credits Jaeger with helping her maintain her position as Associate Professor through his help with her mobility.

Posted on: Jan. 31, 2018 | Read the full story

 

Panhellenic Council makes gift to support Greek scholarships

WKU’s Panhellenic Council recently voted to help three existing scholarship funds reach endowment level so each scholarship could begin supporting students. The funds, which are housed in the College Heights Foundation, were all established at different times by women involved in Greek Life at WKU.  This most recent gift will allow all three funds to exist in perpetuity.

Posted on: Dec. 4, 2017 | Read the full story

 

 

Honoring philanthropy, fundraising unit changes name

WKU’s Division of Development & Alumni Relations, the advancement arm of the University, revealed its name change and rebranding as Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement today, National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 15).

The Division of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement includes the Office of Philanthropy (formerly the Office of Development), the Office of Alumni Engagement (formerly the Office of Alumni Relations), and Advancement Services. The Office of Philanthropy will be known externally as WKU Philanthropy, and the Office of Alumni Engagement will be known externally as WKU Alumni. The WKU Alumni Association name and brand will continue to represent the member-based organization and its work under the leadership of its National Board of Directors.

Recognizing that the Office of Development name has often caused confusion, administrators hope Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement will both clarify and highlight the critical role private support now plays for higher education.

Posted on: Nov. 16, 2017 | Read the full story


 

Dugas named Philanthropist of the Year

Laura Turner Dugas was honored as the 2017 WKU Philanthropist of the Year during a Nov. 15 event.

Laura Turner Dugas is the daughter of Cal Turner, the founder of Dollar General, Inc., which was originally established in Scottsville. She has served as the head of the Laura Goad Turner Foundation since its inception in 1989. The Foundation has gifted more than $2 million to WKU in scholarship support through four different funds.

In addition to the generous gifts from the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation, Laura Turner Dugas and her late husband, Wayne Dugas, made a generous financial commitment to forge a unique partnership with WKU in the development of Dugas Community Park in Scottsville. Through their significant support, students and faculty from Allen County Schools and Western Kentucky University are provided opportunities for applied learning and creative academic experiences in a real-world environment. 

Posted on: Nov. 16, 2017 | Read the full story

 

Alumni make gift to support diversity initiatives

At an event on Nov. 15, it was announced that George and CJ Nichols, both WKU alumni, have made a gift to support diversity initiatives at WKU.

Recognizing that WKU student support systems currently provide an array of student and instructional services striving to meet the needs of students, research shows that high-impact practices, such as additional support services, would provide frequent and individual contact for all students needing additional assistance which can dramatically increase the rate at which these students remain in college, matriculate and graduate. Students identified as domestic minorities, first-generation, low-income and academically at-risk can particularly benefit from additional resources and attention.

Many students arrive with and encounter other non-academic factors such as financial, cultural, social and personal problems, which can also have an adverse effect on their postsecondary achievement. To address these issues and offer these much needed services, the Nichols’ gift will support programming within the Intercultural Student Engagement Center Academy (ISEC-Academy).

Posted on: Nov. 16, 2017 | Read the full story

 
 

WKU Sisterhood awards grants to two projects

The WKU Sisterhood awarded grants to two projects at its annual meeting on Oct. 27.

The following grants were awarded:

  • $20,000 to the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) Academy
  • $20,000 to the Department of Music for "Bridging Cultures through Music" project

Posted on: Oct. 27, 2017 | Read the full story

 

Estate gift to support several areas on campus

WKU has received an estate gift of more than $2.5 million from the late Beulah R. Winchel.

Winchel, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 103, was born in the Franks community of Breckinridge County on Jan. 8, 1912. The Beulah Winchel Trust, which will be administered through the College Heights Foundation, was outlined in 1998 to support four distinct areas at WKU.

Posted on: Sept. 22, 2017 | Read the full story

 

   

WKU surpasses previous record with $36.3 million in private support during fiscal year 2016-2017


WKU has surpassed its previous record of private support in a fiscal year with a new high of $36.3 million gifted in 2016-2017.

John Paul Blair, WKU’s Interim Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, said the $36.3 million is more than a 20 percent increase from the University’s previous record of $30.2 million. This 2016-2017 total includes gifts from more than 14,000 donors from all 50 states and seven countries who made more than 31,000 individual gifts supporting 745 different initiatives benefitting faculty, staff, and students across all the WKU campuses.

“Building a strong pipeline through annual giving is critical to the future of the University,” WKU President Timothy C. Caboni said. “Private support from alumni, friends, community partners, and even national and international organizations has never been more important. At WKU we are preparing our students to make both a good living and a good life, and we cannot do that without private support.”

Posted on: July 26, 2017 | Read the full story

 

 

WKU Institute for Rural Health receives $50,000 grant

The WKU Institute for Rural Health (IRH) in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) received a $50,000 grant from the Good Samaritan Foundation Inc., a ministry of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. IRH Director, Dr. Matt Hunt, will serve as the project director for this grant of which he also authored.

Posted on: July 10, 2017 | Read the full story

 

 

Gift to connect downtown Bowling Green, WKU business students

John and Carolyn Ridley and Top Best Ever, LLC are helping business students and faculty from WKU connect with downtown Bowling Green. Through Top Best Ever, the Ridleys are making 5,000 square feet of office space in the Pushin Building on East Main Street available for three years at no cost, valued at $80,000 per year. In addition, the Ridleys are providing $60,000 to fund leaseholder improvement for the donated space.

Posted on: July 5, 2017 | Read the full story