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 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."

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."

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.

"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."

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."

Cindra Stiff

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

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 [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."

"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 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."

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. "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."

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." 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."

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 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."