WKU recognizes gift to support diversity initiatives

George and CJ Nichols

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).

“We met when we were both students at WKU, and the University certainly helped pave the way for our success in life,” said George and CJ Nichols. “As we were first-generation minority students ourselves, we are grateful to be able to share our blessings to support the Intercultural Student Engagement Center, which supports the recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented WKU students.”

ISEC-Academy students may earn the distinction of being named a George and CJ Nichols Scholar upon reaching and maintaining certain criteria, including a 3.2 grade point average.

“The overarching impact of the gift is access and student success, including but not limited to, opportunities otherwise not afforded, retention, persistence, graduation and career readiness as well as leadership and civic development,” said Dr. Martha Sales, Executive Director of the Intercultural Student Engagement Center. “Funding will be used to support the ISEC-Academy Student and Family Orientation weekend activities, student scholarships, celebratory events and social, cultural and financial competency workshops.”

A portion of the gift is included in the Nichols’ estate plans and will be used to establish the Cynthia and George Nichols III Endowed Fund for Diversity Support. The Fund will be used to supplement the ISEC-Academy and to offer study abroad scholarship opportunities, financial literacy programming, marketing or scholarships for education majors from underrepresented groups participating in SKyTeach, and marketing for the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science to attract under-represented students.

“We encourage other alumni to seek out programs they can feel passionate about and to help other students achieve their dreams,” said the Nichols. “Our parents taught us that only what you do for others will last.”

George Nichols, a 1983 WKU graduate, was appointed to WKU’s Board of Regents by Gov. Matt Bevin in 2017. In addition to his role as a Regent, he has served on the WKU Board of Advisors since 2010, and he was a member of the WKU Foundation Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2011. He is Senior Vice President in the Office of Governmental Affairs for New York Life Insurance Company. He served as Kentucky Commissioner of Insurance and Special Advisor to Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and also as Executive Director of the Kentucky Health Policy Board during the Patton Administration.

CJ Nichols is a 1982 WKU graduate. They have three children and reside near Washington, D.C.

For more information, contact John Paul Blair at (270) 745-6208.

Posted on: Nov. 16, 2017