Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine Spring 2021

Spring 2021

Magazine

What Unites Us Reflections on what it means to be a Panther

Magazine On the Cover:

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What Unites Us

Dr. Thomas Mitzel President

by Katherine Rutherman

Eddie Kenny Vice President of Advancement Katherine Rutherman Editor, Director of Development and Campus Relations Summer Crick '14 Director of Alumni Relations

Features:

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Moving Forward with Three Pillars

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Life of mentorship a 'pleasure' for Capps

by Eddie Kenny

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by M. Blake Harrison

A Sense of Belonging

by Ashley (Braun) Gendek '09

A Lion's Share of Servant Leadership

Kelly Flick Grant Writer Mary (Turner) McDole '79 Alumni Relations Coordinator Jaimie (Fike) Moore '12 Director of Advancement Services

Contributing Photographers: Summer Crick '14, Eddie Kenny, Charles Mahlinger, Sydney Smith

Address correspondence to:

President's Perspective

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Advancement

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Giving Tuesday 2020 Shatters Records

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Student Affairs Meet Andrea Denise Bolden

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Impact in Perpetuity

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Athletics

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Class Notes

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Roy Pickerill '75 recognized for long-time service

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In Memoriam

Meet Kelly Flick

Contributing Writers: Summer Crick '14, Ashley (Braun) Gendek '09, Molly Gross, M. Blake Harrison, Eddie Kenny, Rob Mallory, Dr. Thomas Mitzel, Roy Pickerill '75, Katherine Rutherman

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine is published by Kentucky Wesleyan College. The mission of the magazine is to maintain ties between the College, its alumni and all other constituents, and to report on issues of importance to these groups.

by Molly Gross

Why We Give

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Ruthie (Hutton) Hume '62 Administrative Assistant

Roy Pickerill '75 Special Assistant for College Relations

Plus: 3

M. Blake Harrison Director of Development and Donor Relations

Glenn & Camilla (Harreld) Taylor '72

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine Office of External Relations 3000 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301 ekenny@kwc.edu 270-852-3146

Send address changes to: Office of Alumni Relations Kentucky Wesleyan College 3000 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301 alumni@kwc.edu or 270-852-3140

A United Methodist-related college since 1858

President's Perspective Dear Kentucky Wesleyan Family, We are seeing a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel of COVID, and in Kentucky, vaccines are now available to anyone 16 years of age and older! As a community, we may continue meeting via Zoom in certain circumstances, but the prospect of a vaccinated campus gathering once again has placed smiles on everyone's faces. We did experience a COVID spike among the student body earlier this spring that caused a "pause" in campus activities for a week, but the campus community has worked together in an amazing fashion to keep everyone as safe as possible throughout the pandemic.

The united front of caring for our students and each other keeps KWC working every day to ensure that we protect the residential nature of the Panther experience, a tradition that dates back 163 years. We plan to host commencement live and in person on April 24. Having missed the experience of an in-person graduation last year, I cannot wait to address our senior class and welcome them as new alumni with an in-person service that they have so rightly earned during their tenure as students.

We plan to be fully residential including in-person classes in the fall of 2021. With vaccines available to everyone no later than the summer of 2021, we will welcome our students, faculty and staff back to campus and the educational experience for which KWC is known and revered. We will, of course, continue to follow CDC and Kentucky guidelines moving into the next academic year, but vaccinations will allow us to come together once again on the campus!

As we enter the latter part of the academic year, your support is more important than ever. COVID has caused stress in many areas including financial ones, and we are so grateful to those of you who have continued to give to KWC, ensuring that our student education remains the best. For those of you who have yet to lend your support in this manner, now is your chance to help the College end the fiscal year in a strong fashion. You have until May 31 to donate toward this academic year and to the future of a KWC educational experience.

I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, both on campus and off! Be safe and get vaccinated as we work together to defeat COVID in the coming months.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Mitzel, Ph.D. President

Spring 2021

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Moving Forward with Three Pillars

by Eddie Kenny

The three pillars in Hocker-Hall Grove, originally a part of the administration building on the Winchester campus, are tradition-rich reminders of Wesleyan's proud heritage on three campuses and the College's 163-year commitment to quality education.

Under President Thomas Mitzel's leadership and with the input of the Kentucky Wesleyan community, three additional pillars have been developed to guide the College's next steps. As the columns in the Grove honor a proud past, the Three Pillars form a strategic plan for a strong future.

Working groups for each pillar included KWC trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students. They embarked on strategic sessions to review their charge and begin focused discussions to provide a roadmap of success for the College. Led by President Mitzel and Board of Trustee Chair Sherry Feldpausch '83, the groups were asked to be aspirational with an aggressive timeline to present their priorities at the Board of Trustees' February meeting.

The next steps in the strategic process will include sharing the vision with the entire Panther family, while further prioritizing according to needs and capacity to execute each objective.

As the columns in the [Hocker-Hall] Grove honor a proud past, the Three Pillars form a strategic plan for a strong future.

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Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Pillar I Academic Innovation and Investment ●

Investment in new programming (undergraduate and graduate levels)

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Experiential education: Internships, undergraduate research and creative works, study abroad and away, service learning

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Increase enrollment: Traditional and online

Pillar II Building for the Future ●

Complete purchase of Activity Hall

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Review existing spaces for renovation and enhancement

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Explore new facilities for academics, student and residence life and athletics

Pillar III Committing to Affordability and Excellence ●

Establish special endowments: Endowed chairs, endowment for excellence and innovation grants, scholarship and financial aid endowments

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Create centers of excellence around flagship programs and with professional advisory councils

Spring 2021

Activity Hall While Kentucky Wesleyan College is experiencing significant forward momentum, including continued enrollment growth in the last six years, the campus footprint has remained unchanged for much of its 70 years in Owensboro.

The relocation of Legacy Owensboro Church afforded an opportunity to enter into an ownership agreement for the church facility on the southern edge of campus in December 2019. The timing of the acquisition, a significant extension of the campus, was ideal. The facility not only provided much needed space for a growing student body, it offered necessary space for physical distancing during the pandemic.

Through a lot of sweat equity by Shawn Tomes '94 and Anna Lake '18 from Campus Ministries as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni, the facility was converted to meet the needs of our campus and feature appropriate brand identity.

Appropriately, the facility was named "Activity Hall," and it has housed large-scale campus and community gatherings, including the weekly Chapel at 12:12 p.m. services, Stories (a Campus Ministries activity), Prayer Team and various other organization meetings, Wesleyan Singer rehearsals and practices, and even the KWC wrestling program's practices, which take place in what is now the "Panther Room." In late March, the KWC Theatre Program also presented the musical, "Guys and Dolls."

With further renovations, Activity Hall will continue to evolve as a campus destination and, beyond the pandemic, as a community destination. It is a major emphasis of the Pillar Group II strategic priorities and the next exciting phase of growth for Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Learn more about the Activity Hall at kwc.edu/activityhall

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What Unites Us We often hear compelling, and of course, humorous stories from our alumni, and we would like to share a few here (including responses in the sidebar to our question in The Wesleyan Way). We hope you enjoy, and we hope to hear from you, too, about how you feel united to KWC.

by Katherine Rutherman

Dr. Kimberly (Mayberry) Fifer '93, now assistant superintendent of the Clark-Pleasant School Corporation in Whiteland, Ind., had a dream assignment.

A communication arts major, she enjoyed her disc jockey responsibilities at WKWC 90.3 FM. A morning person – yes, she insists she was, even in college - she signed on at the College radio station on Mondays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. and then was off to class after two hours on the air.

One morning, 90 minutes into her on-air time, she got a call from a man she describes as a gentleman. Kimberly recalls, "He said he listened to the station every morning and wondered why we weren't on the air that day."

She assured him that Panther Radio was on the air and insisted with the energy and enthusiasm of a morning person that she was 90 minutes into her show. She explained that she signed in twice a week, and her unspoken message was that she knew what she was doing.

"Make sure you are on 90.3," she suggested to the caller.

"Oh, I am," he responded and then suggested she go through her sign-on checklist one more time. She flipped

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the switches like she had done at 6 a.m. – almost – and discovered that the last switch was not engaged.

With that one flip of the final switch, the man said, "I hear you now. You are on the air. Thank you for checking."

Kimberly was flustered and embarrassed and blurted out that maybe she was not cut out for a career in broadcasting. She got a response she was not expecting.

"I'm President Paul Hartman," the listener said. "Why don't you come by my office this afternoon. I would like to meet you."

Kimberly says she spent the rest of the semester working in the president's office and that President Hartman and his assistant, Shirley Spalding, offered encouragement and personal attention. "I grew in self-confidence that semester, and Dr. Hartman helped me get my first job (in public relations) after graduation. They both influenced me, all because I didn't flip a switch the right way."

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Joe Roop '56 was recruited by basketball coach Coach Robert "Bullett" Wilson. He had not even visited the downtown campus when he arrived in the fall of 1952. "I had seen the Sportscenter but had no idea what the campus was like," he explains. He crammed his belongings into a cardboard box and headed to Owensboro.

"Dad dropped me off at 531 Frederica, I grabbed the box, and my life as a Panther began."

Joe describes his KWC years as thrilling. "I was part of a brand-new community of students and faculty.

KWC had only been in Owensboro one year when I arrived. We were all in the same boat on a temporary campus in a number of downtown buildings, getting to know one another. It was fun and exciting."

Joe helped with the move to the present campus at 3000 Frederica in the fall of 1954. There were boards across the mud, instead of sidewalks, and mattresses on the floor, instead of beds (for a few weeks). "It was an adventure. We all knew we were a part of something big, as KWC settled in on what was then the south side of town."

He remembers the influences of Doug Sasser, dean of students, a great encourager; math professor Dr. Aughtum Howard, a tutor who became a dear friend ("I loved her"); science professor Dr. Henry Milton Pyles and history professor Gus Paris, two fine mentors. "That dedicated faculty really knew us. They guided us to grow and succeed."

Thank you to readers of "The Wesleyan Way" newsletter for your responses to our question in the March issue – What unites us?

Cynthia (Taylor) Evans '91 Retired from the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services as a social worker specializing in foster care and adoption Lewisport, Ky.

"I had a fierce desire to get a quality education, and I had professors who cared about me. My mentors were Drs. Dan Bradshaw and Ken Ayers. They wanted me to finish my education and were there to give me support when I did not think I was going to make it. William Kolok and Dr. Bill Conroy were also supportive. I made friends there, and I go back often to walk the halls and across campus and remember. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and KWC made me the person I am today."

Galena (Harris) Fulkerson '70 Calhoun, Ky.

"It has been 51 years since I graduated! I was an older student with three babies at home. I loved every moment of my classes and was asked to tutor other students. I graduated with honors in three years. My professors were wonderful, and I shall never forget the 'Ole Purple.'" Graduates of 2021, be proud Panthers!"

Dr. Michael Fagan Professor Emeritus of Psychology and former Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, KWC Owensboro, Ky.

"I came to KWC thinking I would stay a few years and move on. I fell in love with the College and Owensboro, and I am so glad I stayed. I worked with an amazing group of professors who liked teaching and wanted to help our students. We recruited good students, the kind you want to babysit with your kids. KWC is a welcoming village, and generous donors are a significant part of the community. They help make it all happen."

Now a resident of Naperville, Ill., he was dean of student life at KWC from 1963-1972 and retired as a human resource officer with the State of Tennessee.

Cindra Stiff

"I still feel connected to the College and love staying in touch with folks. Every time I walk around on campus, I'm flooded with memories and gratitude.

It's been a great life."

"Like a family, the greatest human bond is sharing in loving, serving and supporting one another's successes and failures.

The Wesleyan community is committed to supporting our students' personal and professional journeys – and that is what unites us."

Spring 2021

Retired, Vice President of Finance, KWC Owensboro, Ky.

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Dr. Gwendolyn (Ford) Lynch '86, an Ohio native, knew the high acceptance rate of KWC graduates to medical school, and after speaking with chemistry professor Dr. W.L. Magnuson by phone and then visiting campus, she knew the long drive to Owensboro was worth it.

She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and is a staff neurointensivist and stroke specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, where she is director of the Minority Stroke Program and Cerebrovascular Center quality improvement officer.

Gwendolyn (Ford) Lynch with President Luther White

"I learned how to think critically and to be resilient at KWC," Gwen reflects. "I was a chemistry major, and Drs. Connor, Magnuson and Flachskam gave me tools to succeed in medical school and in my career. Even now, I know my contributions in developing innovative plans and processes link back to what I learned in their classes."

She remembers professors Bill Crago [English] and Don Davenport [biology] as great mentors and appreciates mentors in the student body as well. "Dr. Jay Smith ’85

Vince Mitchell '91 and Tim Griffin in Purple & White game

Tim Griffin '91 followed brother Jim Griffin '86 to KWC. "I knew what a great experience he had at KWC, and I got a full athletic scholarship," he explains. "I loved playing basketball, and I got my education. I was very fortunate."

A former United States Secret Service agent and now a criminal investigator for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Atlanta, he describes his KWC experiences as phenomenal. "The campus atmosphere was great, and the small class sizes were appealing." He says professors went above and beyond to support athletes who were often on the road.

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[district superintendent, Owensboro District] and Rev. Ricky Bourland ’85 [retired United Methodist pastor] were like big brothers to me," she says. "I was in a Collegesponsored gospel group, and we sang in chapel services and around the region. I listened to Jay and Ricky preach when we visited churches, and I felt God's blessing through their words."

Gwen laughs about how Donnetta Tungate '87 and Joan (Embree) Marsh '85 stopped her in Peeples Hall and gave her a "20/20" interview, and then one of them said, "We're all going to be good friends!"

"They were absolutely right," says Gwen, "and we still are today." She says she made connections that have lasted a lifetime and continue to bless and influence her today. "I love staying in touch through the College's publications.

The successes of others inspire me. KWC has a far-reaching impact."

"Our team had great successes (including the 1990 NCAA Championship), and I have wonderful memories of those games," he says. "We were rock stars in the community.

Kids would stop us in the mall and want autographs. The Sportscenter was always packed – a lot of excitement."

He says assistant basketball coach Ray Harper '85 (now head men's basketball coach at Jacksonville State) helped him maintain balance. "He was quite an influence on me. He insisted that we concentrate on what was most important – our classwork – and that basketball should not be our first priority."

Tim recalls that Sports Information Director Roy Pickerill '75 (now SID Emeritus) treated the team like they were his kids, even though he wasn't much older. "He was there for us when we needed anything. I can't say enough about how supportive he was, just as he has been for several generations of KWC athletes."

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Magical – that's how Corey Cellurale '13 describes many of her experiences as a member of the Kentucky Wesleyan Singers. But there were significant challenges, too, and Corey says the magic helped prepare her for the challenges.

Corey, a music education major, transferred to KWC from Catawba College in N.C., as did more than 20 other music students in the fall of 2011. The draw? Music professors Dennis Jewett and Paul Oakley (1960-2012) came to KWC from Catawba that summer.

"They were great leaders, and they taught us to be leaders," says Corey. "They were creative and fun, and they taught us to be professionals."

Professor Oakley passed away in November 2012, one week before the Festival of Lessons and Carols, which he and Dennis Jewett had founded the year before. Corey was slated to open the concert with a solo, "Once in Royal David's City," and then to conduct a portion of the performance.

"Professor Jewett encouraged us and talked to us about

the power of resilience in the midst of our grief," Corey remembers. "It was tough, but we did it. We met the challenge, and it was magical."

Resilience and leadership – two qualities the Kentucky Wesleyan Singers summoned again, just three months after Oakley's passing and the emotional Christmas concert. "We had just finished a concert on Signal Mountain near Chattanooga," explains Corey. "It was the second concert of our spring tour. We were having a wonderful time, and our concerts had been well received.

It was going to be a great spring break tour."

The tour came to a traumatic halt when the bus crashed as the group was coming down the mountain road. "Everyone who was able jumped into leadership mode immediately" remembers Corey. "As soon as the bus stopped, we went into action; checking on each other, comforting each other." Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries.

"We returned to Owensboro the next day, bonded for life."

Bonds… Connections… Support… Encouragement…

Lessons in leadership and resilience… For a lifetime

What unites you to KWC? Let us know. We would love to hear from you.

krutherman@kwc.edu

Spring 2021

270-852-3143

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Life of mentorship a 'pleasure' for Capps

by M. Blake Harrison

Dr. Randy Capps '57 has made a career of teaching, mentoring and leading. He can trace his start back to investments in him made by KWC professors including Jane Forgy, Ray Waggoner, Doug Sasser and Corinne Cowgell.

His career has taken him to Quebec, Malaysia and France, has included mentoring executives at IBM and Coca-Cola, and consulting for Fortune 100 companies such as General Electric and Pepsi. Capps has also mentored six college presidents.

Grew up in Princeton, Ind., and Burkesville, Ky.

Education Kentucky Wesleyan College, Bachelor of Arts, 1957 Western Kentucky University, Master of Arts, 1961 ● University of Virginia, Doctor of Education, 1970 ● Vanderbilt University, postdoctoral work ● ●

Career Instructor/professor, Western Kentucky University, since 1962 ● Founder, Leadership Strategies, 1994 ● Visiting professor, University of Lyon (France), since 2007 ●

Honors KWC Honorary Doctor of Humanities and Outstanding Alumnus, Sigma Nu Hall of Honor, WKU Outstanding MBA teacher (twice), Outstanding Global Advocate by Chamber of Commerce of Warren County

Civic boards KWC Board of Trustees, Greenview Hospital, Bowling Green Arts Alliance, WKU Foundation, Good Samaritan Foundation, River Valley Behavioral Health, Sigma Nu Fraternity, Bowling Green Rotary Club, Kentucky United Methodist Commission on Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Episcopacy Committee for Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, Omicron Kappa Delta Kappa

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"I've known Randy Capps and his late wife Joan for about 60 years. Although we weren't at KWC at the same time, his reputation and fingerprints were everywhere. He served, and still serves, as a role model for many. When I came to WKU as president, I wasn't surprised to learn that Randy and his excellent faculty team had our Communications Department nationally competitive. True to form, his humble leadership style made us better."

DR. THOMAS C. MEREDITH '63 WKU President from 1988-97

Dr. Gene Crume, president of Judson University and Owensboro native, has known Capps his whole life. Capps encouraged Crume to earn his master's and Ph.D. and even drove him to his doctoral interview at the University of Virginia.

"I deeply appreciate his mentorship," Crume said. "He not only shares his counsel with me; Dr. Capps also provided me with opportunities in the classroom, with consulting and with coming alongside of me both personally and professionally."

Dr. Crume also recalled Capps' communication skills.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

"Dr. Capps is perhaps the most effective non-verbal communicator I have met," he explained. "I once watched him 'speak' to a student where the student babbled on and on about not completing his assignment, and all Randy did was look him in the eyes and listen. Then Dr. Capps replied, 'Thank you.' Lesson learned!"

Lydia Dorman '82 is among his mentees, too.

Capps got to know Dorman as he recruited her for, and later taught her, in Western Kentucky University's master of communication program. He has always made an effort to recruit top Wesleyan students for WKU's graduate programs, and Lydia fit the mold.

"What a great man and mentor! He's like my dad and has guided my career from day one. It's unbelievable how many successful people have come through the Dr. Capps family tree!"

ROLAND SHELTON KWC Trustee and Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Business Partnership Officer at Old National Bank

"Strategic, visionary, leader, sensei, and consummate gentleman are just a few descriptors I would bestow on Dr. Capps, for without his encouragement and wisdom on the importance of pursuing a higher education degree at WKU, I would not have ultimately enjoyed such an awesome and successful career," said Dorman, who retired in 2017 as senior vice president of human resources for Coca-Cola's business unit in Japan.

Lydia followed in Capps' footsteps as a member of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees. "I owe Dr. Capps a debt of gratitude for believing in me. What a privilege it was to stand next to such an honorable educator and business leader when the two of us received honorary doctorate degrees in 2016 from KWC." Dr. Capps began his career in education as an instructor in WKU's English Department in 1962. He became the university's first Communications Department head in 1968. The department grew its program offerings and increased the faculty count from eight to 50 by the time he left that role in 1994.

Wesleyan partnered with WKU's Gordon Ford College of Business in 2017 to offer KWC graduates a chance to earn a graduate degree in accounting, applied economics or an MBA. Dr. Capps has served as a professor in Gordon Ford's MBA and doctoral programs since 1994.

He has also served as parliamentarian for the WKU Board of Regents for more than 30 years.

Story continues on page 31

Spring 2021

Rev. Thomas Grieb '78 (then chair of board of trustees) congratulated Dr. Capps at 2016 Commencement, when he was awarded an honorary doctor of humanities.

"Dr. Capps has been a long-time mentor and friend. I doubt I would ever have become president of Kentucky Wesleyan without his influence on me. Approximately eight years ago, he asked me to meet him for lunch. During that meeting, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said, 'You need to be president of Kentucky Wesleyan.' I laughed.

He didn't. Shortly thereafter, I became president of our alma mater, and it is the singular greatest professional experience of my life. I likely would never have experienced that without him. It would be hard to think of 'The Wesleyan Way' without thinking of Randy Capps."

BART DARRELL '84 KWC President Emeritus

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A sense of belonging

by Ashley (Braun) Gendek '09, Assistant Professor of English

Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, where he also participated in the repertory company and earned a bachelor's in history from Cal State University, Northridge. From the University of Arizona, Molly went on to earn her MFA in creative writing and writing for the performing arts from the University of California, Riverside, and a master's in English and critical literacy from Georgia Southwestern State University.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is no stranger to dynamic duos. Some notable husband/wife duos readers might recall include Dr. Henry Milton '22 and Nell (Ball) Pyles; Joe '56 and Margaret (Baggett) Britton '56; Billy Pat '60 and Ruthie (Hutton) Hume '62; Dr. Robert and Nancy Flachskam; and more recently Dr. Joe and Kelly Moffett; Caleb and Nicole Neiman; and Matthew Ruark '09 and Rebecca McQueen-Ruark. In 2017, Nate, assistant professor of theatre, and Molly Gross, assistant professor of English, joined that group.

The Grosses met while attending the University of Arizona where Nate was working toward a master of fine arts in acting and directing and Molly was working toward a bachelor of fine arts in the same discipline.

According to Nate, they officially met while acting in a play together where Molly's character was in love with his character. "It may have been the opposite off stage," Nate admitted.

So how did they end up at Kentucky Wesleyan? While in Southern California, the two ran a theatre company together. "I also taught high school theatre, and Molly taught online while staying home with the babies," Nate explained, referring to their children, Anne (12) and Seth (10). Molly taught reading and writing to gifted children through Johns Hopkins University. "I loved giving young writers feedback on their work," Molly explained, "just as I'd loved it as a writing tutor in college, and I could stay home with my little ones."

Their ultimate goal became teaching in higher education. "When Nate and I both felt it was time to teach on the college level, SoCal proved stingy with full-time jobs, so we cast a wide-set net." Their search landed them at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. While they were grateful for the opportunity there,

"I feel like I use my theatre experience daily in how I strive to listen and communicate well with my students."

MOLLY

Before that, Nate attended the American Academy of

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Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

they ultimately longed for jobs in a city that not only offered them both more growth, but also offered their children more opportunities.

"KWC checked all the boxes," Nate stated. "The town itself blew us away as the perfect place to raise a family."

Molly referred to Owensboro as "'the Goldilocks Town' because it wasn't as bustling and smoggy as SoCal, but had much more than Georgia, just like a TJ Maxx!"

Since being here, it is clear The Wesleyan Way has rubbed off on the Grosses. "It's extremely easy to feel a sense of belonging here," Molly explained.

She particularly loves that Kentucky Wesleyan offers a "diverse and engaged student body and group of faculty members, while being small at the same time.

I love walking around campus and always seeing someone I know and talking about what they're up to."

It is no surprise that Nate feels the same. "I think life is about relationships, and the students and colleagues I have here are not replaceable," he described. "I have really come to love my students. Sometimes they drive me crazy, but I get to know them over the four years they're here, so it's difficult to not get invested in them."

Both Nate and Molly are prime examples of educators turning their passions into their careers. As a little girl Molly would recite poetry and plays and write stories in her journals. "I always gravitated toward literature, writing and theatre, and once I learned enough to help others, I found deep satisfaction as a writing tutor and online writing instructor." Ever since fifth grade, Nate knew he wanted to work in the arts, specifically theatre, film or television. "I love teaching, especially realistic acting technique, and I love acting and directing." He even went as far to say, "If I won the lottery, I would be doing exactly what I am doing now, just different amounts at times."

"Owensboro has some talented local filmmakers I've connected with, so opportunities to work in their films have already started to happen for the students as well as myself."

NATE

the top of their lists. The proud parents describe Anne as a "very skilled swimmer, cartoony-artist, writer, and kitten-mama," and Seth as "wise and witty" and a "very skilled soccer player, realistic artist, mathematician, and video game player." Molly enjoys being outdoors and volunteering at Dream Riders of Kentucky, a therapeutic riding center where she serves on the board of directors. She also enjoys reading, writing, painting and traveling. Nate enjoys family adventures and cycling, swimming, and running; so much so that he has participated in triathlons, including the 2018 Ironman in Louisville, Ky.

On the "Guys and Dolls" set at the Activity Hall

When not at work, the Grosses enjoy a multitude of things. Spending quality time with their kids ranks at

Spring 2021

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Advancement

Grant writer Kelly Flick describes Kentucky Wesleyan as a warm and welcoming community within a community. She says her family has lived in Owensboro almost four years and that the transition to the friendly city was easier than they experienced in previous moves. "I feel the same way about KWC," she says.

"I quickly felt right at home. The College is a natural fit for me professionally, and I found the opportunity appealing. I want to make an impact."

Kelly has spent the past 20 years working in various leadership roles across the social service industry. She explains that she has gained experience in many areas including fundraising, financial management, community collaboration, marketing, volunteer recruitment, human resources and strategic planning.

"I had the chance to make positive changes in just a few years in the communities where we resided, and that was gratifying and fulfilling," she shares.

Kelly joined KWC as the institutional grant writer in October 2020, establishing the College's first grant department. As a member of the Advancement team, her focus is identifying local, state and federal grant opportunities, cultivating relationships with foundations, preparing and submitting applications and managing the funds once they are received.

Meet Kelly Flick KWC's first-ever full-time grant writer

by Katherine Rutherman

Education M.P.H., Health Care Organization and Policy Management University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health

B.S., Recreation and Leisure Management State University of New York College of Brockport

Certificate Program, Human Resource Management University of Wisconsin-Superior

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

"The grant writing position is an important addition for the College with centralized responsibility across the entire campus for grants," explains Eddie Kenny, vice president of advancement.

"Kelly has built the office from the ground up, establishing internal processes for grant submissions and working with external partners to identify funding opportunities to support the College's mission."

Kelly achieved Certified Fund Raising Executive status in February when she passed the rigorous comprehensive exam.

The CFRE is the only accredited, globally recognized certification for fundraising professionals and reflects commitment to the profession and a proven body of knowledge.

KWC has received three awards through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for assistance to students and the institution to address financial challenges caused by the COVID crisis.

The College was also awarded a foundation grant from the Green River Area COVID-19 Response Fund in December 2020, a partnership between the Green River Area Community Foundation and the United Way of Ohio Valley, to provide mental health first aid training and services for the campus community.

Kelly is working to secure other grants including several from private foundations in support of the Three Pillars. "I look forward to working collaboratively with departments across campus to make tangible changes that benefit our students and the entire Wesleyan community."

Kelly is available at kelly.flick@kwc.edu or 270-852-3002.

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Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Andrea (pronounced Ahn-dree-a) Denise Bolden describes herself as student centered and intentional about helping students grow inside and outside the classroom. "Kentucky Wesleyan appealed to me because the College is student focused and family oriented, and I felt I could make a difference here," she explains.

Student Affairs

A member of the Student Affairs team, Bolden overseas and facilitates programming and processes related to diversity, inclusion and discrimination to help Wesleyan community members feel a sense of belonging and support. She is also the Title IX coordinator. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school that receives federal money.

Rebecca McQueen-Ruark, vice president of students affairs and dean of students, says, "Andrea Denise is already using her skills and experience to help develop programs focused on improving the persistence of our students of color, in addition to educating the entire campus about issues of diversity."

One of Andrea Denise's first initiatives was the development of the Men of Color Institute 3.0 (MCI 3.0), which is designed to provide opportunities for men of color to develop their leadership skills with a focus on integrity and academic success. She says MCI 3.0 is off to a great start. "I am excited about the response, and I’m confident it will continue to grow."

Andrea Denise has also conducted diversity and inclusion workshops with Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Delta sororities and will continue these programs with other groups on campus. She describes the workshops as a safe space for interaction and questions and answers.

April is Sexual Assault Prevention Month, and at the time of this writing, Andrea Denise is preparing events for each Thursday during the month to raise awareness, with assistance from the Student Government Association and Student Activities Programming Board.

Andrea Denise is looking ahead to the 2021-2022 academic year with plans for a diversity ambassadors program while continuing to build proactive prevention awareness regarding Title IX incidents. She will also prepare a long-term inclusion and diversity plan for the campus.

According to Dean McQueen-Ruark, Bolden is already a valuable member of the team. "She has quickly built relationships and trust with students, collaborated with departments across campus and connected with alumni.

The future is exciting."

Andrea Denise is available at andrea.bolden@kwc.edu or 270-852-3254.

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Meet Andrea Denise Bolden KWC's first-ever coordinator of equity and inclusion

by Katherine Rutherman

Education M.A., Education – Counseling and Student Affairs Western Kentucky University

B.S., Family Consumer Sciences, Double Concentration in Child and Family Studies Western Kentucky University

Certificate, Hospitality Management Florida Atlantic University

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Sashalia in the Biology Lab with Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Scot Payne

A Lion's Share of Servant Leadership

by Molly Gross, Assistant Professor of English

Meet Sashalia Ramirez. Why? Because it's rare that a sophomore is so involved that we have this much to write about; we just had to know more.

Sashalia is from the outskirts of Orlando, and before she came to Wesleyan, you probably would have found her cooking with her grandma, roaming the Disney World parks or researching Florida's veterinary programs.

That was her original career interest as an animal lover, but when she realized it would involve surgery, she considered another form of rescue a la "Animal Cops: Houston." To Sashalia, however, the police academy wasn't the cat's meow either.

Then one day she got a letter.

"It was about the zoology program at Kentucky Wesleyan, and I didn't even know that was a degree!" she admitted.

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She also thought, "What am I getting myself into?"

Owensboro seemed "rural" to the Florida native at first.

"But we have a bounce house, ice skating and a coffee house downtown," which helped her feel less like a fish out of water.

Now a sophomore zoology major, Sashalia has focused her interests on parasitology and animal conservation and rehabilitation.

"Any animal that needs help due to habitat loss or from being illegally traded as a pet – I want to help make sure they're living the best life they can," she said.

When asked about a favorite animal, she replied instantly with "Wild cats! They're the reason I got into conservation.

Tigers, cougars, panthers . . .well, a panther is a jaguar with too much melanin," she added (a little Wesley N. Panther trivia for you). "They all suffer from habitat loss."

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Conservation also allows Sashalia to work with a variety of animals, which she does mainly through the Bonner Leader Program.

that "Sasha's initiative in leading the middle school work group is instrumental in the development of an interactive program."

"In high school I was everywhere – Creative Action Service, business club, volunteering. Starting college, I knew I needed to do more than just sleep, eat and go to class."

She explained Bonners offered her the chance to work with animals, gain volunteer experience in her major, and get paid, to which she added, "Three birds, one stone!"

It's time to address the elephant in the room: Sasha is a busy bee. How does she manage it?

Her Bonners "post" is at the Ford Nature Center, where she clears trails, maintains the grounds, and cares for animals.

"We have two albino coral snakes, a bearded dragon and two box turtles," she said, beaming, in spite of their lack of cats. "I like it because it teaches me about reptiles."

Her time at Ford has led to additional volunteer work at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, where she is moving up the volunteer ranks to handle more animals.

"When I really enjoy something, I make time for it," she said, matter-of-factly.

Fortunately for Wesleyan and Owensboro, what she enjoys is helping to improve the lives of others – both animal and human -- a trait of a true servant leader. And she still has bigger fish to fry: "One thing BSU is trying to advocate for is a more diverse faculty and staff. Most of our minorities work in the cafeteria or in athletics, and we hope to change that."

But animals and Bonners are only a slice of Sashalia's life.

She is also a volunteer planning executive for KWC's Black Student Union, tasked with finding service projects on and off campus. "I was dragged into it," she confessed, laughing. "My friend said we are minorities and need to support them." Her favorite memory is organizing the "March for Justice" with Brescia's BSU. "We contacted the police, the schools, Brescia, posted about it on social media, and made a flyer. Then we went out and marched, and Malcolm Hayes '23 gave a great speech,"she remembered, grinning with pride. "I wasn't sure who would be there but it was a huge turnout."

Sashalia also recently joined Sol, our student Latinx club, which she says "advocates Hispanic culture." So far, they have sold tamales, salsa and woven bracelets in the Winchester Center. "I'm Puerto Rican, and even though they're focused on Mexican culture, they are open to [all Latinx cultures] on campus."

As you might expect, Sashalia's interests in social justice also reach beyond campus. Recently, she said, "Bonners, BSU and Sol have partnered on a grant with the NAACP and American Association of University Women to teach local schools about racial inequalities in the voting system, voter suppression and the civic duty to vote." It was mainly students who wrote the grant, with help from Bonner Director Dr. Christine Salmon, who emphasized

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Volunteering at the Joe Ford Nature Center

When Sashalia does have free time, she might be on her weekly call to grandma, hearing "worldly advice," missing the aroma of arroz con gandules that they cook together, and checking up on her "old man" mini pinscher, Rockie Bowboa.

Now that you know Sashalia a little better, the next time you hear about an event on (or off) campus involving social justice, cultural awareness or animal conservation, you can bet she is involved. But if you see her, don't slow her down.

When you have a heart for servant leadership – last idiom, I promise – busy is the nature of the beast.

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Athletics Dear Panther Family, The 2020-21 academic year presented unprecedented challenges for our Athletic Department, but as I look back on the year that was, I cannot help but be proud of the resilience shown by our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Everyone remained steadfast in our goal to safely provide competitive opportunities for every student-athlete, and in the true spirit of "what unites us," we came together to make that goal a reality.

We are still wrapping up our spring sports season at the time of this publication, but it is difficult not to peek ahead to the fall of 2021 in the hopes of a return to normalcy. In particular, we look forward to welcoming our alumni, friends and supporters to campus Sept. 24-26 for Homecoming Weekend.

Now more than ever, we appreciate your support. In a year unlike any other, your generosity and encouragement inspired us to be a point of pride for Kentucky Wesleyan College.

God Bless, and Go Panthers!

Wiley Cain Sophomore Quarterback As a Freshman Selected to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention Team ● Threw for 2,306 yards and 11 TD's with a 56.9% completion percentage

Rob Mallory

Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics

●

Other Campus Involvement President, Great Midwest Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Representative, NCAA Division II SAAC ● Appointee, NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS)

Wiley Cain '23

Football, Faith and Family

by Eddie Kenny

●

Officer, KWC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee KWC Campus Ministries Intern ● FCA Intern Leader ●

President and Founder – KWC Harry Potter Club

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"I like who I am when I play football."

Football is a passion for Wiley Cain.

A sophomore quarterback for the Panthers, Cain came to Kentucky Wesleyan with the desire to continue his football career. "I like who I am when I play football. I like the confidence I have," says Cain.

The dream of playing college football was almost derailed by a pair of injuries sustained in high school. In his first career

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Athletics

start as a sophomore, Cain broke his collarbone and as a junior, he had a torn labrum. Both injuries forced Cain to reevaluate his playing career.

His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jesse Pace in Auburn, Ala., helped guide Cain through both recoveries. The rehab journeys opened the young quarterback's eyes to a professional career path that aligned his passion for athletics with his desire to help others.

remarks at a welcome event, along with the impact of being welcomed to the Panther family as a prospective student.

He recalls that Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Rachel Pritchard (chair, Natural Sciences & Mathematics Division) helped map out a plan for his academic success even prior to officially becoming his advisor.

From the moment he arrived on campus, Cain became immersed in several facets of campus life, including being

"I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember," Cain recalls. "I decided I want to help other athletes recover and return to competition, as I was able to do. If I can help one individual return to chasing their dream, as Dr. Pace helped me, I will have achieved my dream."

a key member of the football program under new head

Cain felt wanted and appreciated the moment he arrived on the Wesleyan campus.

Advisory Committee (SAAC) member for NCAA Division II

"I was recruited by a couple of places where I would have been very comfortable playing football," Cain says. "I knew after visiting during a preview day that KWC would pay close attention to me and help me reach my goal of my life, which is to help others."

Cain remembers President Emeritus Bart Darrell's '84

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coach Craig Yeast and his staff. As a young leader among student-athletes, he serves on KWC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and in March 2020, the then-freshman was selected as a National Student-Athlete and president of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as selected by the NCAA. "It was a tremendous honor to be chosen for these responsibilities, and I am proud to represent Kentucky Wesleyan," said Cain. "I learned I was appointed president of the GMAC SAAC on my birthday, which was very special."

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Athletics "I am passionate about spreading the gospel through athletics."

Faith is another huge part of who he is and being an active participant in Campus Ministries was a given. He is a Campus Ministries intern and intern leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on campus.

"I am passionate about spreading the gospel through athletics," says Cain. He described the first student-led campus huddle of the spring 2021 semester as a powerful event. Over 100 students shared the time to grow their faith through community with food, games, discussion, music and devotion.

Cain's involvement extends to the College's Harry Potter Club, which he founded. As president, he led the club as they hosted the first full event week in the spring 2021 semester, complete with wand making and Butterbeer smoothies. During that same week, Cain received news that he was appointed National SAAC Representative to the CSMAS (Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports). The opportunity offers further growth toward his career goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and has also allowed him to realize that delegation and saying "no" are important leadership skills.

Cain has accomplished a lot in just under two years on campus. He says one highlight was his first victory as a collegiate player, a 41-30 victory over Alderson Broaddus in the 2019 season finale. It was the only win in a freshman season that saw a number of close calls, and he commented that the victory highlighted a commitment of the entire program – coaches, teammates and support staff – to stick together and overcome challenges.

Another memorable moment was supporting the Panther volleyball team in its 2019 GMAC Tournament quarterfinal.

He said it was inspiring to see members of various athletic teams and the entire student body come together to create a "crazy good" atmosphere in Jones Gym and help lift the team to a 3-1 win over Cedarville University.

Cain believes in the power of community at KWC, and he often refers to the College as his campus family. The close-

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knit nature of the campus was another selling point for the Panther QB, and his teammates, friends, coaches, faculty and staff have become an extension of his own family.

"Family is everything to me."

The story of Cain's football life stretches back to first grade when he began playing tackle football. The Cain name is synonymous with football in Pulaski County (Ky.), and Wiley is often known as "Coach Cain's grandson." Wiley's grandfather coached in Pulaski County for over 30 years including time at Somerset High School, where he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, and Pulaski High School, where he turned a struggling program into a perennial contender.

Wiley did not have an opportunity to play for his grandfather but was coached by his dad through elementary school and credits him as being "the best quarterback coach I ever had." His parents and brother are never far from his mind as he continues his academic and athletic pursuits in Owensboro. He refers to them as his No. 1 fans. "Family is everything to me," he emphasizes.

The distance between home and campus, a three-hour drive, is minimized by regular contact and visits. Cain says his relationship with brother Brady is especially important to him, and he takes great pride in their tight bond. He is also Brady's biggest fan as he follows in Wiley's footsteps playing for Pulaski High.

Wiley Cain has turned his passions into a purpose at KWC – football, faith, family – all preparation and encouragement as he prepares to fulfill another passion, serving athletes as an orthopedic surgeon.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Roy Pickerill '75 recognized for longtime service

by Summer Crick '14

The 28 members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors collaborate diligently to make decisions that serve and benefit our current students and our alumni around the world. Some decisions are difficult (think: moving Homecoming 2020 to a virtual setting). Some are easy and even fun, and here is one: the unanimous vote to rename the Alumni Service Award in honor of Roy Pickerill '75, special assistant for college relations and sports information director emeritus. He served as SID from 1988 to 2017.

The first Roy Pickerill Alumni Service Award will be presented to Dr. BC Childress '05 at the Alumni Hall of

"To many who have attended Wesleyan over the past five decades, Roy is a living legend and the grand storyteller of the history of our alma mater," said Sam Taylor '97, president of the board of directors. "By renaming the Alumni Service Award in his honor, we ensure that Roy will be remembered by future Wesleyan generations. President Mitzel shared Three Pillars for success, and I suggested he change that to four. Roy Pickerill is the fourth pillar of Kentucky Wesleyan College."

Fame and Awards Celebration on Sept. 25, 2021. "BC's

Sam and Wesley N. Panther made a surprise visit to Roy in February, and his reaction to the board's decision was priceless. "This recognition marks my greatest honor in nearly 50 years at Kentucky Wesleyan," reflected Roy. "Every aspect of the College is my love and passion. I am overwhelmed with pride and very grateful to the alumni board for this honor."

the KWC Alumni Association Board of Directors. This

Vice President of Advancement Eddie Kenny echoed Sam's sentiments. "Roy epitomizes service to his alma mater. He has shown his passion for Kentucky Wesleyan College since he arrived as a freshman in 1971 and has enthusiastically shared it over the years," he said. "This honor highlights his impact on our Panther family, and the Roy Pickerill Alumni Service Award will forever commemorate his service to the institution he loves and has served so well."

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dedication to the College is a remarkable and aweinspiring example. I have seen him give of himself to our alma mater for many years, and I am thrilled he will be the first recipient," shared Roy. "Imagine the impact of our alumni base if we all had Pick's passion for KWC," said Sam. "He embodies The Wesleyan Way better than anyone I know. Roy, congratulations from recognition is well deserved. Thank you for who you are and for living The Wesleyan Way."

The Roy Pickerill Alumni Service Award is intended to recognize years of dedicated work and service to the College. The award may be presented annually and recipients need not be present to receive it.

The award can be made to more than one person during any given year.

Watch Wesley N. Panther and Sam Taylor '97 reveal the surprise to Roy using the QR code!

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Why We Give Glenn and Camilla (Harreld) Taylor '72

by M. Blake Harrison and Katherine Rutherman

Glenn Chairman, Glenn Family Services; president, Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory; secretary, Owensboro Memorial Gardens

"We give because it makes sense.

"Kentucky Wesleyan enhances the culture of the community and the area in which we live.

"We give because we appreciate the significance of a liberal arts program that teaches not just course content but the how's of personal growth; how to learn, how to think, how to understand, how to communicate, how to engage in civil and considered discourse, how to appreciate and value multiple points of view.

"We give for the same reasons our community does or should. Kentucky Wesleyan generates a valuable return on investment. That return is reflected in the many opportunities for individual community involvement and growth and in the contributions its alumni make civically, professionally and culturally.

It manifests itself in the development of leadership and in graduates who are well-equipped to meet and take advantage of ever-expanding career opportunities."

Glenn and Camilla (Harreld) Taylor '72 still savor the memory of a 2001 family event, the KWC graduation of their daughter, Christy (Taylor) Chaney. Glenn, as a College trustee, signed his daughter's diploma – an extraordinary moment in a long line of KWC memories.

Glenn's grandfather, Delbert J. Glenn, served on the campaign committee that raised the necessary funds to move the College from Winchester to Owensboro in

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Camilla Funeral director and comptroller, Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, Ky.

1951. He also served as a trustee. "My grandfather had great enthusiasm for KWC, and I have many childhood memories of attending College events at his side," recalls Glenn. "We cheered for the Panthers at the Sportscenter, road chartered trains to Louisville back when UofL was on our regular schedule, and attended groundbreaking and cornerstone-laying ceremonies together. I have had Wesleyan in my heart ever since."

Glenn has known every KWC president and every basketball coach since the College arrived in Owensboro, and he remembers his boyhood excitement at the Sportscenter as he watched Kelly Coleman '60, Gary Auten '62 and Rogers Taylor on the court.

Camilla's sister, Susan (Harreld) Wells, graduated from KWC in 1964, and her great experience on campus prompted Camilla to enroll after she had earned an associate degree at Stephens College. Son-in-law Travis Chaney graduated in 1992, and Glenn says his distant cousin, Merlin "Ham" Glenn, played football and graduated from the Winchester campus in 1927. Glenn explains that he knew Ham so well, he was much more than a distant cousin. "KWC is simply a part of who we are, going all the way back to the football field at Winchester."

Glenn served as a KWC trustee from 1993-2001. "I wanted to serve because I believe in liberal arts education and in Wesleyan's role as a community leader and citizen," he recalls. "Wesleyan is a family tradition and a part of our lives and community. We can't imagine our family or our city without KWC." Glenn and Camilla Taylor have been married 49 years. In addition to Christy, they have another daughter, Katherine Thomson (Colton), a son, Glenn Peyton Taylor Jr. (Rachael), and six grandchildren.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Giving Tuesday 2020 Shatters Records

by Katherine Rutherman

Giving Tuesday 2020 was a day for the KWC record books with $312,392 received, breaking the 2019 record by more than $100,000.

A total of 262 donors invested in the Wesleyan Scholarship Fund, Panther Athletic Fund, individual athletics programs, academics and Campus Ministries.

Dr. Mitzel signs the agreement establishing an endowed scholarship provided by the Mitzels.

President Thomas and Rhonda Mitzel established an endowed scholarship, and investors successfully met giving challenges from Trustee Chair Sherry (Miller) Feldpausch '83 and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Dr. W.L. Magnuson. Over 80 faculty and staff members made contributions.

staff and friends of the College," remarked President Mitzel at the end of the exciting day. "Rhonda and I were honored to join them in contributing to the opportunity of a KWC experience."

"In an unusual and challenging year, donors showcased their belief in our mission, and we are tremendously grateful for the support provided by alumni, faculty,

The College has realized $1.13 million in investments from alumni, friends and employees since its inaugural Giving Tuesday in 2015.

Show your spirit with a new KWC license plate Share your love for KWC wherever you go with our new look. It's an easy way to market the College, and a prospective student or fellow alumnus/a may see your plate!

The specialized license plates are now available and cost $44 ($31 to renew), $10 of which will go to KWC in your name.

Find out more at drive.ky.gov, and ride with pride!

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Impact in Perpetuity Endowments Ensure Quality and Excellence

by Eddie Kenny

Endowments to Kentucky Wesleyan College are necessary to maintain the quality and excellence of the educational experiences provided to our students. An endowment is a gift intended to permanently support a College program chosen by the donor. For many generations, generous donors have funded a variety of scholarships and programs at Kentucky Wesleyan. These funds provide rich experiences for our students by supporting athletics, academics, religion, the arts and more.

KWC annually reports its endowment, which was valued at $32 million as of May 2020. This consists of a combination of the general endowment as well as more than 150 named endowed funds (see page 25). Named funds allow our donors to create endowments in areas of need they are passionate about while honoring a beloved member of the KWC faculty or staff, family member, loved one or another cause through the named fund.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is grateful for those who have contributed to this essential aspect of the College's financial health, which ensures our institution's financial well-being and enhances our students' experiences, shaping them into future leaders. In Fiscal Year 2020 (June 1, 2019-May 31, 2020), the College's endowment, managed by an independent outside firm, distributed 5% of the average fund value over the past nine quarters.

KWC's endowment follows a long-term investment strategy that invests in a 70/30 equity-to-fixed-income ratio.

To learn more about endowment funds in higher education, visit www.kwc.edu/endowment. If you are interested in learning more about creating an endowment that will support the College in perpetuity, please call our Development Office at 270-852-3460.

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Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Named Endowed Funds at Kentucky Wesleyan College Academic Programming Endowment Fund Barbara Rankin Scholarship Ben Abbott International Soccer and Merit Scholarship Fund Bevarly Scholarship Fund Bishop Darlington Endowed Scholarship Fund Boardwalk Pipeline Partners Scholarship Bob and Erlene Himes Scholarship Bruce Horrell Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund C.E. Field Scholarship Carol Louise Walker Scholarship Carrie Woodall Baldree Scholarship Charles D. & Jeanette Bennett Scholarship Charles J. Majors Scholarship Charles Stauffer Memorial Scholarship Charles Venable Scholarship Chellgren Scholarship Fund Clay Physical Education Award Cochran Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Cora Lillian Coakley and Henry Lewis Moss Scholarship Crago-Britton Creative Writing Endowment Dan C. and Elsie Ewing Scholarship Dan King Library Science Memorial Darr-Rader-Pfisterer Scholarship Doug Kingsley Memorial Scholarship Douglas Reid Sasser Scholarship Dr. Billy B. Horrell Endowed Scholarship Fund Dr. Connie White Chemistry Endowed Scholarship Fund Dr. Diane Earle Endowed Scholarship Fund Dr. Edward L. Beavin Endowment Fund Dr. Ernest Abernathy Scholarship Dr. John West Kinney Memorial Scholarship Dr. Paul W. Hagan Music Endowment Dr. W.L. Magnuson Scholars Program E.L. “Buddy” and Martha Gordon Memorial Scholarship Ed Ryan Lecture Series Edith Winn Scholarship Elizabeth Munday Alumni Scholarship Award Elizabeth Ray and Claude Caldwell Purdom Scholarship Ellen Bourke Ewing Scholarship Ellie Magnuson Literature and Science Endowment Fund Ellie Magnuson Medical Technology Scholarship Elmer Smith Scholarship Elsum G. Hedges Scholarship Eugene Minton Memorial Scholarship Faculty Development Endowment Fund Faculty Excellence Fund Frank and Lucille Cox Scholarship

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George Bagby Scholarship George I. Alden Scholarship George Rives Scholarship Gilbert P. Robertson Scholarship Gough-Martin Scholarship Gracie Brashear Scholarship Gus E. Paris Scholarship Award Harold N. Taylor Scholarship Hart Lecture Series Endowment Hazel M. Roberts Memorial Scholarship Helen Hart Endowed Scholarship Henry M. Johnson Scholarship Henry Milton and Nell Ball Pyles Memorial Fund Henry P. Ford and Judith R. Ford Scholarship Hilton (Lee) Kincaid Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Hope B. Scott Scholarship Irvine D. Daniels Memorial Scholarship J.L. Clark Endowment James Graham Brown Scholarship James and Marilouise Chamberlain Scholarship James and Shirley Thurmond Scholarship Jane and Edward T. Watson Scholarship Jane F. Hartsough Scholarship Jane Forgy Speech Drama Award Jane and Foster Sanders Scholarship Jeff White and Charles Schmeal Scholarship Jeffery Stein Scholarship Joan Gray Capps Scholarship John Jones Scholarship John Swann Scholarship Joyce S. Taylor Memorial Fund Karen D. Fisher Physics-Chemistry Award Katharyn Spencer Demaree and Denzil Claxton Demaree Scholarship Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletic Endowment Larry Nofsinger Memorial Scholarship Laura Connor Endowed Scholarship Fund Lee Cralle Scholarship Lester E. Yeager Scholarship Lexie Bryant Taylor Scholarship Louise Kramer Scholarship Lucille Savage Rogers and Frank Hubbard Rogers Scholarship Lucy Lauenstein Moss Scholarship MacHir and Grace Hutton Scholarship Magee Christian Education Endowed Fund Major Family Endowment Malone Gaynor Scholarship Marcia Smith Lawrence Appalachia Scholarship Margaret White Endowed Fund Margarine Bivins Clark Scholarship Marguerite Haile Dravo Scholarship

Marie Gobmyer Hartford and James F. Hartford Scholarship Mark C. Hedges Memorial Endowed Scholarship Mattie Hyams Scholarship Fund Michael E. Horn Family Scholarship Midwest Iron Workers Scholarship Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Snyder Scholarship Music Ministry Scholarship Nathan B. Allison Scholarship Nathan Scott McGaw Scholarship Osso Stanley Memorial Scholarship Paul and Gladys J. Osborne Scholarship Payton Adams Scholarship Pearl Long Stiles Memorial Scholarship Powell Peace Award Pyles Scholarship Fund Rev. Alvin Gilliam Rev. Dr. Jerry Allen Smith and Carol G. Smith Scholarship Reverend Erskine L. Wade Sr. Memorial Scholarship Richard and Julialee Brown Hudson Scholarship Robert C. Dalzell Memorial Scholarship Robert W. and Alta Moore Basketball Scholarship Rose Bailey Slack Scholarship Roy V. Pickerill Memorial Scholarship Sara Brackett Roop Scholarship Sloan Griffin Memorial Scholarship Stanley Reed Lecture Endowed Fund Sudduth Family Scholarship Suzanne Ahnell Garden Fund Talmage and Margaret Hocker Scholarship T.D. and Rowena Everett Endowed Scholarship Fund Terry Woodward Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurial Studies Terry Woodward Scholarship Theophia Oexmann Fine Arts Award Thomas Kendall Chemistry Scholarship Tom Ewell Drama Scholarship Tommie J. Hillmon Scholarship Traditions of Excellence Fund Truman A. Morris Endowed Scholarship Fund Vicki Lyle Combs Memorial Award for Distinguished Writing Virginia Harris ”Shorty” Combs Scholarship Wade Lecture Series Endowed Fund William D. Crago Scholarship William “Jack” Turbeville Scholarship Wood and Marie Hannah Foundation Scholarship Woodford B. Troutman Scholarship Wyndall Smith Scholarship Yu Hak Hahn Scholarship

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Class Notes Elizabeth (Greer) '49 and Daniel Cheatham celebrated 70 years of marriage at their home in Mt. Washington with immediate family and homemade banana pudding.

1980

1996

Pat O'Neil was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

LaTasha (Van Leer) Shemwell released her new single, "Exposed," featuring Face. The single can be streamed on Apple Music, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify or Deezer and the music video can be found on YouTube. LaTasha is campus director at the Ross Medical Education Center in Owensboro and serves as the advisor for the Black Student Union at Wesleyan.

1981 Brenda and Noel Clayton were recognized by the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer for their renovations to a downtown building.

1984 Donna (Mattson) Meador was inducted as president of the Kentucky Nurses Association in October.

1951 Carol (Combs) Daugherty and Joan (Webb) Hughes, roommates at the Winchester campus, recently caught up by phone.

Timothy Keiningham was named one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business School Professors by Poets & Quants. Tim works as the J. Donald Kennedy Endowed Chair in E-Commerce and Professor of Marketing in the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John's University.

1986 Becky Barnhart was recently named executive director of the Senior Community Center of OwensboroDaviess County.

1969 Susan (Mayrose) Barto was reelected as a council member for the City of Lyndon, Ky. Wayne Foster will be inducted into the Owensboro Business Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021.

1972 Linda (Bartley) Branstetter was selected as a recipient of the 2020 Kentucky 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award.

1977 Jack Wells (1955-2020) will be inducted into the Owensboro Business Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021.

Barbara (Adams) and Rev. Phil Hill celebrated 45 years of marriage.

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1992 Kevin Gibson was named Greater Owensboro Chamber Ambassador of the Month. He is a business development officer/commercial lender at South Central Bank in Owensboro, Ky.

1995 Jonathan Miller was elected as a chairman for the National Soy Transportation Coalition.

1999 John David Sandefur was selected as a member of the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021.

Keeley (Roberts) Bowman was named coordinator of the forensic nursing program at Bozeman Health in Whitehall, Mont. Keeley earned her doctorate of nursing practice in forensic nursing from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2010, and she is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

2000 Jennifer (Vaughan) and Robert Montazemi were married in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2001 Michelle (Schwab) Antle was named the Kentucky School Psychologist of the Year.

She lives in Franklin, Ky.

2003 Allison (Estes) Ross was named vice president and chief operating officer of Gryphon Environmental, LLC. Angel (Ballard) Welsh shared her own story on World Suicide Prevention Day. Jennifer (Paris) Jackson earned the 2020 National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) Fellow Designation. The NAMSS Fellow Designation is the pinnacle of achievement and acknowledgment for the medical service professional (MSP), recognizing a career MSP who has made outstanding contributions to the profession through service as a leader, mentor and educator.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Nolan and Heather (Madewell) Clouse welcomed their son, Silas, into the world.

Baby Silas joined big brother Liam and dog sister Pixie Lynn - making the Clouses a family of five.

Michael Dardanes recently published his book, "The Chicago Stoics."

2010 Tina Forrest '04, Allyson (Forrest) '05 and Marshall Sanders '11 opened a new event venue, The Party Space Place, in Owensboro, Ky. When twin sisters Allyson Sanders and Tina Forrest were college students, they had big dreams and often brainstormed business ideas for life after college.

"We are a team, and we were always a team, even in college. We wanted to secure our own wealth, be a bigger part of the community, and decide what our future would look like," Sanders said.

2005 Mariah Abell graduated with master of science in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University.

Jason Tanner and his team at Tanner + West won the Best Brand Film Award at the Muse Storytelling Film Festival.

2006 Shelby and Jarrod Ratliff were recently married in Owensboro, Ky.

2009 Antario Rapier was selected as a member of Henderson County's Football "Dream Team" of the last 25 years.

Spring 2021

Tory Stanley became a member of the executive board for the Greater Louisville National Association of Black Accountants and was selected for their Leadership Development Program. Tory recently joined the NOIR Black Chamber of Commerce Inc. in Louisville and will serve as a community ambassador.

Aaron Wingo obtained his master's degree in applied mathematics from Eastern Kentucky University.

Aaron also recently published multiple research papers in the area of mathematics widely used in physics and finance.

Class Notes

Lori and Eric Feldpausch were married in Louisville, Ky. Anna and Jay Ivey welcomed their second child, Piper James Ivey, in November.

2012 Josh Eaves released his newest single, "Pressin'." Josh encourages his fellow Panthers of all ages to give it a listen and to keep "pressin'" during these trying times.

Kyle Chappell earned his education specialist graduate degree from the University of the Cumberlands.

Jay Fallin was named the Kentucky Football Coaches Association Class 5A Coach of the Year.

Michael Hinton graduated from Grand Canyon University with his master's in organizational leadership. He was also recently named executive pastor of multisite at Real Life Church in Valencia, Ca.

Elizabeth and Matt Logsdon were married in Louisville, Ky.

2011 Seth Carden and wife Cara welcomed baby girl Sloane Monroe in July.

Katelyn (Stallings) '13 and Taylor West welcomed their first child, Monte Woodson, in November.

Ryan Moore was named treasurer for Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky.

2013 Coach Ben Lutz led the Hopkins County Central High School men's soccer team to their first regional championship.

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Class Notes

Rebeccah Ayer was highlighted by Growing Minds Learning Center for her work as a registered behavior technician.

Madison (Dayberry) Turner was named a 2020 McDonald's Teach It Forward Outstanding Educator.

Quadarius Wallace completed his master's degree in teaching from the University of the Cumberlands.

Anna (Ayers) Ambs earned her master's degree in the justice, policy and leadership program at Eastern Kentucky University.

Anna works for the drug court in Daviess County and credits Dr. Ken Ayers helping her prepare for her graduate studies and career.

Chelsey and Justin Blosser welcomed their daughter, Allison Joy, in January.

2014

Travis Owsley '12 started Beverly's Hearty Slice, an organization that seeks to feed the hungry in Owensboro, in honor of his late mother.

Since its inception in August and despite the ongoing pandemic, the organization has continued to provide for those in need, providing meals biweekly, goodie bags for Halloween, holiday meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas and coats to brave the winter weather.

Travis estimates that thousands of lives have already been positively affected by the organization. "The support from the community has been a huge blessing."

Travis was also recently selected as a member of the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021.

Dr. Katelyn (Stallings) West earned her doctorate of educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands. She and her husband, Taylor '11, also welcomed their first child, Monte Woodson, in November.

Brianna (Outland) Kramer was named senior manager of corporate expense, sanitation and sustainability in corporate retail operations for Kroger.

Jonna Capone modeled fall fashion on NBC's The Today Show.

Summer Crick is engaged to Kirk Aldridge '17. She was selected as a member of the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021.

Hillary (Lantrip) and Daniel Croft were married.

John Gleason was appointed vice president of community engagement at Wendell Foster in Owensboro, Ky.

Mike Hellmueller was promoted to assistant compliance officer at River City Bank in Louisville, Ky. He and his wife, Amanda, also welcomed their first child, Cooper James, in November.

Stephanie (Pearson) Charville was named treasurer for Oasis Shelter in Owensboro, Ky.

2016 Crysta Coble began a new role as a preschool aid at Christ the King Catholic School in Madisonville, Ky.

Katie Armstrong graduated with her associate degree in nursing from West Kentucky Community & Technical College.

Madison (McKinney) and James Wells welcomed their first child, Nora Hazel, in January.

2015

Avery (Keller) Schmidt earned her Pharm.D. at UK and married Dr. Eric Schmidt, KWC assistant professor of political science.

Taylor Springel is engaged to Zonathan Kitchell.

Carmen and Adrian Christopher were married in their hometown, Memphis, Tenn.

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Mac Webb of Tell City High School was named Coach of the Week by the Indianapolis Colts/NFL.

Alex Velez started her doctorate in clinical psychology at Spalding University.

Will Roberts started a new job as financial representative (order service and client relations) with Edwards Jones in Terre Haute, Ind.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

Skyler Stewart was selected as a 2021 New Leaders Council Kentucky Fellow.

Sidney Pruitt and Chase Proctor welcomed their first child, Wilder Lee, in January.

2017

Jacob Winkler was named Most Improved Realtor of 2020 and Top Listing Agent of 2020, and he was awarded a $4 Million in Sales Award by Key Associates Signature Realty. He lives in Dale, Ind., with wife Jamie (Tempel) '20.

Phillip Nelson Carter accepted a position as mail handler with the United States Postal Service.

Nick and Brittni (Fitter) Lambing were married.

Ellen Tichenor led the Madisonville North Hopkins High School women's soccer team to a regional championship.

Class Notes 2020

Christian Tooley was selected as one of the captains for Western Kentucky University's men's golf team. Christian played four seasons at Wesleyan, leading the Panthers in scoring average each season.

Kylie Davis passed her boards to become a certified occupational therapist.

J.D. Winkler was selected as a member of the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021.

Kirk Aldridge is engaged to Summer Crick '14.

Jessica Arnold is a guest experience specialist at the Newport Aquarium.

2018 Courtney Lockwood started her master's degree in cardiovascular perfusion at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

2019 Brooklyn Stepro earned her master's degree in public administration and policy from the University of Nevada, Reno. Brooklyn was the first Rogers Fellow to graduate from Wesleyan.

Michaela Paris '19, Jodi Shelton '19 and Kara Kelley '19 graduated from the University of Louisville's nursing program.

Jamie (Tempel) Winkler passed Parts 1 and 2 of the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

Jasmine Shelt was named women's basketball assistant coach for Blackburn College.

We love to hear from you!

Send us an update for Class Notes or update your contact information, and you will receive a purple surprise in the mail! Whether it's a Mary (Turner) McDole '79 Alumni Relations Coordinator

alumni@kwc.edu

Spring 2021

move, promotion, wedding or other good news, we would love to know about it!

Office of Alumni Relations 3000 Frederica St Owensboro, KY 42301

You may also submit Class Notes information online at

kwc.edu/alumni

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In Memoriam We offer condolences on the passing of the following alumni and friends of Kentucky Wesleyan College: Frank Abrams Jr. Charles V. Aull Joseph Leo Basham '96 Roger Basinger '69 James Perry Blue Sr. Virginia (Long) Bruner Doug Burton Renee (Redmond) Carroll '85 Robert Bennie Carubia '69 Dr. John Collis '50 Paul Coomes Frank R. Cox Jr. Jean (Singer) Derickson '49 Mary Frances (Coombs) Head '57 Jean Chavez Dr. George Daniel '52 Alice Stiles (Perkins) Davis '59 Charles Day Jr. '56 Stephen DeGaris '70 Don Draper

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Carol (Livers) Fears '88 George Greenwell James Howley '69 George Hurter '61 Esther Jansing Joyce (Patmore) Johnson Kenneth Karsh Michael "Denny" Keown '67 Mitch Major '92 Marian Louise (Bowman) Marksberry '65 Tommy Martin '64 Tomi (Edwards) Mathew '98 Marcia (Brocato) Maynard '88 Walter Michie '71 Sarah Jane (Stanley) Minton Charles Edgar Norton '49 Dr. William Neil Padgett Dr. Thompson Vail Palmer Jr. Charles Peters '84 Nancy (Mays) Price '60

Dr. Howard Ramsey Mary Sue (Ragland) Saint '55 Bill Schocke Rev. Gilbert Schroerlucke '50 Virginia Ruth Shiver Ida "Nell" (Bennett) Smith '56 Mary Ruth (Morris) Spurrier William R. Spurrier Ella Faye (Whobrey) Thomas '61 Kathryn (Shutt) Thomas '58 Jerry Thomas '68 Virginia (Gilvin) Thompson '51 Wanda Jean (Brown) Volk Marcia "Susann" (Siple) Warnock '59 Michael Wellman Vernile (Gray) Whitmer '65 Ann Winslow '62 Jack Wood '65

George Greenwell

Mitch Major '92

1929-2020

1969-2021

George Greenwell served with distinction as a member of the KWC Board of Trustees from 1984-1993 and was chair of the Development Committee. He was elected trustee emeritus in 1997. He was the founder and former chair and chief executive officer of Lincoln Service Corporation, which was acquired by U.S. Bank in 1982. He was a pioneer in the wholesale mortgage banking industry across the country. He gave generously of his time, talents and resources to his community and his industry. He was a strong advocate of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, which provides financing for low to moderate income buyers. He and wife Gertrude, who survives, provided a gift of $1 million to KWC in 2015 in memory of their son, Howard (1955-1992). The College re-named the library the Howard Greenwell Library & Learning Center in recognition of their investment. He is also survived by a daughter, Ann Greenwell; a step-daughter, Lynn Bush; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mitch Major became a member of the KWC Board of Trustees in 2018, and he served with dedication.

The Major family has been committed to the College for decades. He met his wife, Laurie (Weida) Major '92, as a student. His father, Berry Major '60 (1938-2012), was director of alumni relations and his uncle, Tom Major '79, is a College trustee. He was senior vice president of supply chain at AutoZone in Memphis and was a member of the company's executive team. He was selected as the 2020 Kentucky Wesleyan Outstanding Alumnus. One of his passions was providing food for the hungry through the MidSouth Food Bank. He was an ardent supporter of the AutoZoner Assistance Fund and the Germantown Performing Arts Center, where he served as a board member. He is also survived by two children, Springer and Charlie; his mother, Linda Major; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Sarah.

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine

AutoZone Remembers Mitch Major '92 AutoZone chairman, president and CEO William Rhodes presented KWC President Dr. Thomas Mitzel with a check in memory of trustee, alumnus and AutoZoner Mitch Major '92 and in support of the Major Family Endowed Scholarship on March 10. Members of the AutoZone executive team visited campus to make the presentation.

Left to right: William Rhodes, AutoZone, chairman/president/CEO; Dr. Thomas Mitzel, Kentucky Wesleyan College, president; Jeff Hendricks, AutoZone, director of information technology; Eric Gould, AutoZone, senior vice president, supply chain; Mark Finestone, AutoZone, executive vice president, merchandising, supply chain and marketing; Rob Durkin, AutoZone, vice president distribution; William Capooth, AutoZone, director supply chain support

"Life of mentorship a 'pleasure' for Capps …"

from page 11

A 1982 experience working with General Motors executives, thanks to an educational grant, helped him realize that higher education has a lot to offer the business world.

Leadership Strategies, a consulting firm Capps started to help organizations of all kinds improve their performance, was founded in 1994. Clients range from institutions of higher learning, including medical schools, and corporations like Whirlpool, General Electric, Pepsi and Toyota. Leadership Strategies will become the Kentucky Leadership Center this spring, modeled after a similar organization in Kansas.

Dan Pelino, who worked for IBM for 36 years and oversaw its $20 billion global public sector unit, has been guided

by Capps for 41 years. In retirement, Pelino founded social impact enterprise Everyone Matters, Inc., and wrote a bestselling book, "Trusted Healers." He regularly appears on The Dr. OZ Show, CNN and many podcasts.

"Randy has the ability to see clearly what others cannot," Pelino said. "His instincts are a gift. He listens first, asks questions and helps you see yourself better than you do.

Spring 2021

My life has been truly enriched by Dr. Capps."

Capps has authored nine books on leadership and communication. Wesleyan was grateful for his recent donation of a significant collection of books to the Greenwell Library. He and his late wife, Joan (Gray) Capps '58, an elementary school teacher, have invested financially in the College for decades. The Joan (Gray) Capps Memorial Scholarship Fund for elementary education majors was established in 2016.

"Both of us appreciated the start we received at Wesleyan," he said. "Joan loved the College and was very proud of having graduated there. She felt strongly that it was in elementary school that many attitudes and habits are formed that stay throughout life. She wanted every student to have excellent teachers at that level."

Dr. Capps continues to invest in students on a daily basis like his Wesleyan professors did for him. Their success and contributions to the workplace make it worthwhile.

"It's been particularly rewarding to work with these students who are highly motivated to achieve," he said.

"It's been my pleasure."

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