Loyalty Giving Spotlight: Dr. Jerry Martin ('58)
Dr. Jerry Martin (’58), a retired family physician who practiced medicine for nearly 40 years, has given back to WKU in many ways. As a volunteer and donor for more than 60 years, he feels it isn’t his duty to give back, but rather it is a way to express his gratitude for the university that provided his education.
Martin believes that philanthropy is important and simply enjoys giving back. He encourages other Hilltoppers to support WKU in any way they can, whether it be through their time or a gift.
When asked what inspires him to continue giving to WKU each year, Martin replied, “I just like the school, the organizations and what it stands for. I can’t give a huge amount to one thing, but I like to spread it out among a lot of different areas when I can. It is gratifying and satisfying.”
As a Bowling Green native, Martin was introduced to WKU as a young boy and even had the chance to meet Bessie Fayne Cherry, the widow of Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry, while his family rented a house she owned.
After graduating from high school, Martin attended Vanderbilt University for a year and a half before coming home to Bowling Green to marry his high school sweetheart, the late Ms. Jimmie D. Hobgood Martin (’54), who had recently graduated from the Bowling Green Business University (BU).
Martin completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at WKU and went on to work as an Analytical Chemist before going to medical school to become a physician. He graduated with his M.D. from the University of Louisville in 1963 and soon returned to Bowling Green to start his practice.
In June 1967, Martin was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War to serve as a field surgeon at the 18th Surgical Hospital.
“Because of its proximity to the war, we treated more initial battle wounds than all the other surgical hospitals combined,” Martin said. “We could look out our window and see the mountains in Cambodia where much of the fighting was.”
During his time in Vietnam, he sent tapes to Wes Strader, former Broadcaster at WKCT radio, for a weekly program sharing his raw experience during the war.
“Strader told me that it was the most listened to program of all three radio stations that year,” Martin said. “People used to stop me in stores around town to introduce themselves and tell me they recognized my voice from those radio programs.”
Martin authored a book titled Soldiers Saving Soldiers, which provides a closer look into the history of the 18th Surgical Hospital and his year as a field surgeon. He also authored Symbols and Myths of Medicine, a book exploring how ancient symbols and myths of healing and medicine have evolved through time.
Throughout his career, Martin has been heavily involved in the community through his service on several committees and boards, including being President of the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians.
Martin currently serves on the College Heights Foundation Board of Directors and has previously served on the WKU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, as well as the Kentucky Museum Advisory Council, Libraries Advisory Council, the Bowling Green-Warren County Bicentennial Commission and as an Academy of Family Physicians Delegate to the American Medical Association. He also served as the WKU Athletics team physician for 35 years. In 1980, Martin co-founded the L.Y. Lancaster Memorial Lectureship Society in honor of one of his favorite professors, L.Y. Lancaster.
Posted Nov. 15, 2022
By Leah Cummings
WKU Philanthropy Recognition Program
By making a gift to WKU, donors share in the proud tradition that allows the University to achieve greater distinction and serve more people each year. We believe the greatest thanks we can show is through the responsible use of each gift and sharing how private support has made a difference at WKU. Therefore, we are happy to honor donors for their philanthropy through one, all or a combination of four recognition areas.
By publicly recognizing our donors, we believe others will be motivated to join their peers in giving back to the institution that has given them so much. If a donor wishes to remain anonymous, we will honor that request to the extent allowed by law.
Loyalty – Sustained annual giving for consecutive years – Cupola Society
Sustained annual giving represents a donor’s continued belief and support of the University’s mission to transform the lives of our students, our Hill, our community and beyond. The continuity of these loyal donors’ support is critical. Donors will be recognized for Loyalty with gifts of any amount for two or more consecutive years. Special recognition may take place when a donor reaches milestone years. More than 8,000 donor households are recognized for Loyalty, 15 of which have given for 50 years or more!