Pillars - Spring 2024

President's Perspective

Dear Kentucky Wesleyan Family,

As I shared with the community on January 12, Rhonda and I will retire at the end of 2024. I have never been as proud of a campus and community as I am of our Panther family. It has been a true pleasure to work with the Board and the campus and surrounding community during our time here. However, it is now time to move closer to our families to provide for those who need our support.

As I enter this final year, I embrace each event a little more tightly, depart each event a little later, and take to heart at an even higher level the special nature of Kentucky Wesleyan College, both past and present.

Recently I attended a PAWS (Purple and White Spirit) event on campus. As a new reception and celebration this recruiting season, 80-90 senior high school students converged on campus with their parents to assess the College for their enrollment in the fall 2024 semester. As is typical of our Panthers, the entire campus collectively gathered to help make sure this event was a success. It was heartening to witness the community spirit and collegiality that permeated from our current Kentucky Wesleyan College family outward to our "new" generation of Panthers as they shared in their first KWC experience. As part of the activities, I addressed the group in Rogers Hall. The excitement and hopefulness I felt as I climbed onto the stage reminded me of the first time I entered Rogers Hall to address the community as the College's 35th president in January 2020. Although almost five years have passed, that speech seems as if it occurred yesterday. The more I reflected on the two occasions, the more I was astounded by all that has elapsed during the time in between. I realized that we have traveled far with each other, blazing new trails while strengthening others.

I entered the presidency of Kentucky Wesleyan College at the beginning of January 2020. I was excited, nervous, scared, and eager and ready to roll up my sleeves when I assumed the presidency. The campus and community opened their collective arms and embraced this new president, and we began working together immediately. Toward the end of that first month, we began to hear of a virus that was spreading in China and other parts of the globe. The United States had few cases at that time, and we were all hoping the virus would be eradicated prior to spreading to our area. Alas, our hopes were not realized. The campus held its first COVID response team meeting on February 13, restaurants in Kentucky were closed in mid-March, all classes were moved online in midMarch, and the campus was vacated on April 6. One of my

saddest days was walking to the office from the President's House the day after students had to depart. I always say a campus without students is nothing but a collection of lonely buildings seeking life to refill them. On that day, the silence was deafening, and the life we thought we knew had ended.

Although our days became physically isolated and Zoom become our prominent outreach and funnel for communication, the campus never stalled. KWC stayed in "contact" with the student body through virtual meetings, including one of the first virtual commencements in the nation. A similar pathway was taken with friends and alumni as our External Relations team shifted in-person events to Zoom parties, connecting us across campus and globally. There were a myriad of virtual events ranging from Thursday night dinners to the President's Gala. Although we were unable to meet in the same room, we embraced each other digitally while cherishing the lovely smiles and fun banter that reminded us of our community strength.

We spent a great deal of this time planning for the future. It was during this period that the Board of Trustees went through a restructure, leading to increased guidance and participation from a group of caring leaders and mentors. The

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About the cover

The great seal reflects Wesleyan's Methodist heritage at three campuses, including Owensboro and the previous locations at Millersburg and Winchester.

The center of the seal contains the Christian cross with the lamp of knowledge, dated 1858, the year of the College's founding, and an open Bible superimposed upon the cross.

The scripture verses represent the Old and New Testaments. A hand adding oil to the lighted lamp symbolizes the continuance of knowledge.

The upper portion of the inner circle features the four tenets of the College–"Science, Literature, Morality, Religion."

The lower portion of the circle contains the motto of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, "Timor domini principium sapientiae"–"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . . " from Proverbs 9:10.

The three pillars in Hocker-Hall Grove, originally a part of the administration building on the Winchester campus, stand as reminders of our treasured history and steadfast spirit.

We hope this issue of Pillars reminds our alumni and friends of our proud history as we celebrate today and continue working together to build a strong future.

THE DICKINSON FAMILY LEGACY: Deeply Rooted

By Eddie Kenny, Vice President of External Relations

Ask Sandra (Schmidt) Dickinson '57 about her impressions of today's Kentucky Wesleyan College campus and chances are she will mention the trees.

Those trees, now providing the backdrop for the beautiful campus KWC has called home since 1954, were planted by Sandra and her classmates. The students had arrived at the College in its early days in Owensboro and initially lived in Frederica Hall at Seventh and Frederica streets. Dickinson, along with Merrylen (Wesley) Sparks '57 and Jean Nofsinger (wife of Larry Nofsinger '58), helped move the College from scattered downtown locations to the beautiful farmland on the city's southern border that blossomed into the campus we know and love today.

"We had classes in several places downtown while the campus buildings were under construction, and later I moved into Kendall Hall when it was brand new," said Sandra. "Those were exciting times, and Wesleyan gave me a solid start. I had a wonderful experience that prepared me well for my life and career."

71 years later, the roots of those trees Dickinson helped plant are now deep into the Owensboro soil, and Dickinson family roots at KWC are equally strong. A third generation Dickinson is set to walk across the graduation stage in May as a member of the Class of 2024. Rebekah "Robie" Dickinson '24 will complete her time as a Panther following a four-year experience that has included involvement in numerous capacities on campus. She played on the women's soccer team before injury forced a change in focus. She invested in Greek Life via leadership roles in Kappa Delta Sorority, service as a student worker in the Admissions Office and more.

Robie was inducted to the prestigious Order of Oak and Ivy, KWC's highest honor, in April 2024, 67 years after her grandmother received the same honor.

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Oak and Ivy 1957: Sandra (Schmidt) Dickinson '57

Jennifer (Markle) '91, Mark '89, Rebekah "Robie" '24, Melanie and Abby Dickinson

Oak and Ivy 2024: Rebekah Dickinson '24

By Molly Gross, Assistant Professor of English

Most of us never want to see another face mask, take another nose swab or read the tiresome line, "in the wake of the pandemic," ever again. But admittedly, some COVID-induced conditions have stuck around due perhaps to more exposure to their benefits, such as online learning.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in the fall of 2019, only 36% of students in the U.S. were taking college courses online. By 2020, that percentage rose to 75% of postsecondary students learning online (because they had to), but it only fell to 60% in 2021, with 30% now studying entirely online.

Be it due to technological advancements in Learning Management Systems (LMS), demands of a high-rent-lowwage economy, or "the wake of the pandemic," online learning is a lead-foot lake-lover on a jet ski. Naturally, as

KWC ONLINE Riding the Wave of Web-based Learning

with its other recent program modifications and facilities updates, KWC is riding the wave.

When Josh Baldwin '05 began at KWC in November of 2019 as the new associate director of online and transfer enrollment, there were less than 20 full-time online students and six majors. Not only that, but "there was no orientation, no marketing for the programs and minimal contact with and support for students," he said. At that time, Josh's only directive was to "grow." And with a pandemic-related nudge, perhaps, grow it did.

By January of 2024, KWC Online had developed "eight majors, four minors, an associate degree and extensive marketing," Baldwin said.

Specifically, our programs include bachelor's degrees in business administration, communication arts, criminal justice and criminology, fitness and sports management, graphic design, psychology, religion and general studies,

Josh Baldwin '05, associate director of online and transfer enrollment, and Lindsey (Adcock) Crowe '03, director of online learning

along with minors in criminal justice, communication arts, psychology and, most recently, animation.

It seems what our students love most about KWC's online programs is the flexibility.

"With all classes being asynchronous and [students being] limited to taking two-to-three classes at a time, students can easily manage the rigors of the coursework while balancing home, family and work," explained Baldwin. There is a new term every two months in a seven-week format, and all courses are 100% online.

Lindsey (Adcock) Crowe '03, director of online learning, said that due to the flexibility of our program, "our main group of students are non-traditional, over age 24, work full or part time, and generally have a family or take care of their parents." More traditional-age students are starting to enroll as well, she said, who are in a similar boat or just "aren't comfortable in the in-person classroom, and the pandemic absolutely has something to do with that." Crowe noted how many 18-24 year olds are "more tech-savvy and just as comfortable in an online environment as they are in a classroom, and they want the flexibility."

The format also allows students to come and go from the program when life throws curves. "They have to reapply," Crowe said, "but the process is very simple."

One of KWC Online's most dramatic examples of this is when Jennifer Zingg '21 returned to the program after 25 years of working professionally to complete her bachelor of arts in psychology. Because she had begun with KWC, all her credits transferred easily.

Another benefit of our online program, consistent with being on-ground at KWC, is the small class sizes. "Our classes are limited to 18 students," said Crowe, so "they still receive a lot of one-on-one attention from their professors." Our online faculty also utilize CARES alerts just like those on-ground, meaning they can notify the college's CARES team staff when students are struggling with time management, utilizing course materials or keeping up with assignments. The student is then contacted by the Student Success Center or Counseling Services for additional support. "We try to reach out and support students just as much as our on-ground students," Crowe said.

Baldwin added that "each student has a faculty member as their advisor who learns of their unique situation, their academic goals, and how to best leverage our offerings to guide them to their degree." Crowe also offers "advising

ONLINE DEGREES

Bachelor's Degrees

Business Administration

Communication Arts

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Fitness and Sports Management

Graphic Design

Psychology

Religion

General Studies

Associate Degree

Associate of Arts

Minors

Animation

Communication Arts

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Psychology

over the phone, email, Zoom, even after hours – whatever works for the student."

KWC's LMS, Brightspace, is also designed to provide students with flexibility and support. Our online faculty utilize discussion forums, post welcome videos and video lectures, design quizzes with multiple question formats, a dropbox for assignments that connects to Turnitin.com (and now has a new A.I. detection feature), and a gradebook students can view. Crowe mentioned that some faculty also record vocal feedback in Brightspace, so "students can listen to it, [providing] more of a human connection." Instructors and students can even utilize the Brightspace Pulse app on their phones.

In June, our online programs will be implementing Content Creator Plus, a software add-on designed to provide "new ways to engage with online learners through videos, polls and engaging exercises that will provide instant feedback. We're excited about it," Crowe said.

Jennifer Woodward '24 is getting ready to graduate this year from KWC's online program with her degree in

psychology. "I enrolled in online classes due to working full time, and online classes fit better with my schedule. They allowed me to still spend time with my family," she said. Woodward feels she now has "better knowledge of how the mind works and what causes people to do certain things," and she "plans on working in the court system in some way after I graduate."

Not only is the program flexible, it's also affordable.

"Thanks to generous grants at the federal and state levels, lower income students are able to take advantage of the superior KWC education with minimal to no out-of-pocket costs, with many students not even needing student loans to support their education," Baldwin said, "leaving them with a degree and minimal debt when they graduate."

With these goals of student-centered support, flexibility and affordability, it's no wonder KWC's online program has earned recognition from Learn.org, who ranked our graphic design program at No. 5 for Best Online Graphic Design Bachelor of Arts in 2020, PLEXUSS ranked us No. 1 in Kentucky for Most Prestigious Online Private College or University, and U.S. News & World Report moved us into the top 100 nationally for Best Online Program.

Religion major Tatiana Holt '24 had this to say about KWC

The Dickinson Family Legacy – Continued from page 4

Robie fell in love with KWC. "Wesleyan has taught me lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today," she remarked. "I have made friendships that will last my lifetime." The KWC roots continue to deepen.

Robie's parents, Rev. Mark '89 and Jennifer (Markle) Dickinson '91, are Wesleyan Sweethearts. While Mark followed his mom's footsteps to Kentucky Wesleyan, he spent just two years at KWC after transferring from a large university. "I wouldn't trade my time at KWC for anything in the world. It was the greatest thing to happen to me, and most importantly, where I met Jen," Mark reflected.

Mark graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1993 and was assigned as assistant pastor at Owensboro's Settle Memorial United Methodist Church in 1995, serving and learning with Rev. Tom

Online: "Throughout my degree program, I've gained invaluable support from a community of students and staff, both online and on campus. This experience has not only broadened my perspective of the world and its people but has also instilled confidence and knowledge in me. Honestly, I couldn't have imagined a more fulfilling experience elsewhere, and I would eagerly choose to do it all over again."

And the program is growing. "Through constant research, attention to national and regional trends, and Lindsey Crowe running the academic efforts, we have hit a spot with our online programs where we are positioned for sustainable and long-lasting growth," believes Baldwin.

Of course, online learning may not be the best choice for everyone, and some students may even dread the thought of it in the wake of . . . you know. But for those with a busy lifestyle seeking flexibility and affordability, KWC might be the best option in the sea of online programs.

"Online education to me is just like a traditional education in the sense that students get out of it what they put in. If they are committed to their education and motivated to succeed, the connection to the classroom and the instructor is what keeps them motivated," said Crowe, "not the modality."

Grieb '78, then senior pastor at Settle. Following further stops in Florence, Ky., and Bowling Green, Ky., the Dickinsons returned to Owensboro in 2023 when Mark was named senior pastor at Settle. He also serves as a KWC trustee.

Jennifer has worked several jobs over the years, including time as a stay-at-home mom to Robie and her sisters, Melanie and Abby. When Mark was assigned as the district superintendent of the South Central District in Bowling Green, she became missions and discipleship director at State Street United Methodist Church. She found the responsibilities rewarding and enjoyed numerous ties to KWC among the membership.

The Dickinson story, one of many Wesleyan Legacies, spans generations. Their roots run deep and strengthen their family and the College.

Career Preparedness

A KEY COMPONENT OF THE WESLEYAN WAY

By Katherine Rutherman

Sophia Tsiralidis '24 has big summertime plans. Relax by the pool, read a good book, hit the road with friends . . . maybe. Submit medical school applications . . . definitely. She gave it her all to reach this step, and she says she didn't do it alone.

A Henderson, Nev., native, she is grateful to the Rogers Foundation in Las Vegas for her full scholarship, and as a health science major with minors in chemistry and biology, she applauds the high-quality preparation she has experienced in the classroom. But her appreciation doesn't stop there. She points out the impact of the Office of Career Engagement and calls it a key component of The Wesleyan Way.

Senior Director of Engagement Summer (Crick) Aldridge '14 says career engagement is one of her passions. "When I was a student trying to find my next steps after KWC, Margaret (Cole) Cambron '78, at that time director of career development, helped me tremendously. She was enthusiastic and encouraging and connected well with students. She then connected students to valuable resources among alumni and community members. With her guidance, I was proactive and able to prepare for my career and master's program. She helped pave the way and put me at ease about my future."

Aldridge says the trend in higher education is engagement

programs that include alumni relations, student engagement, career development and community involvement. "It makes sense to put these entities under the same umbrella. The connectivity is beneficial to our students, and of course, there is a natural progression from student to alumnus. We are helping build strong lives and careers and an even more involved alumni base."

Laura Rudolph came aboard in January 2023 as director of career engagement with substantial experience in education administration and business. Her skillset provides a unique fit to lead the College's career programming. She worked in management and marketing for Kentucky Utilities and was a curriculum coach, school career and technical coordinator and business teacher at Hopkins County Central High School in Madisonville and an assistant principal in the Henderson County schools.

Aldridge recalls that she took several business courses under Rudolph while in high school and that Rudolph

Laura Rudolph Director of Career Engagement

Exploring Frankfort: Kenzie (Tomes) Andrews '21 (Director of Philanthropy), Jackson Sandage '25, Elijah Moss '25, Gabriel Hunt '26 and Laura Rudolph (director of career engagement)

Sophia Tsiralidis '24 Shares Her Story

"From internship guidance to Leadership Wesleyan, I feel well-equipped with tools to succeed in my future endeavors. I am a pre-med student, and I was able to complete three life-changing internships in surgical, clinical and hands-on settings with the help of Laura Rudolph.

served as advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America. "As president of FBLA, I worked very closely with her," recalls Aldridge. "She even wrote my letter of recommendation for the scholarship competition at KWC. She was very intentional and approachable and always accessible. Now she offers those attributes to KWC students."

Rudolph explains that the Office of Career Engagement is "increasingly important to postsecondary institutions because students and parents want a return on their investment. Colleges and universities must show benefits and positive outcomes for students."

"My most meaningful experience was with an obstetrics and gynecology surgeon who allowed me to observe deliveries, laparoscopic hysterectomies and myomectomies [removal of uterine fibroids]. These experiences solidified my love for medicine and opened my eyes to a new field of interest.

"As a Leadership Wesleyan attendee for three years, I have been fortunate to meet outstanding alumni, attend etiquette dinners, actively participate in interview workshops, and master essential skills for life beyond college. At Rooster Booster [Chamber breakfast], I interacted with the Owensboro community and met hard-working individuals who make a difference.

"Those experiences have inspired me to want to go above and beyond as a future healthcare provider.

"The Panther CAP* program has also had a beneficial place in my journey. I was matched with Dr. Kyle Blackburn '10 [neurologist in Dallas] who has been an amazing mentor. He has ensured I know all the ins and outs of applying to medical school as well as providing words of encouragement for the rigorous coursework to come.

"All of these experiences with alumni have inspired me. I am very grateful."

*The Panther Career Ally Program is administered by Mary (Turner) McDole '79, alumni relations coordinator, and connects student mentees to alumni for support, guidance, networking and friendship.

Career Engagement's goal is to help every KWC student develop a plan to prepare for the next step after earning their degree. Whether that plan is a job or graduate school, the Office of Career Engagement helps students explore career options, learn through experiences and create connections with alumni and other employers and graduate schools.

"My responsibilities at KWC marry what I loved about previous jobs," says Rudolph. "I so enjoy interacting with our students and the community. Student success is my passion."

Danielle (Benson) Woodward '88 reflects, "Laura Rudolph's background in business and marketing shines through as she helps our students launch the next phases of their lives. She goes to great lengths to offer valuable experiences and networking opportunities."

Rudolph offers internship and resume assistance, interview practice and multiple interactive events through the year that engage students, guide them in exploring career options and help them determine their next steps in life.

Leadership Wesleyan, presented by German American Bank, is the College's premier leadership program modeled from community leadership programs for professionals. The program begins with a fall conference that gives students the experience of a professional conference and features keynotes and breakout sessions with alumni. Following the conference, students are tasked with attending electives to complete the program by

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"Kentucky Wesleyan taught me perseverance, mental toughness, how to lead and brought me a ton of joy. I got the tools and confidence to find my path at KWC."

Kristen (Chinn) Hart '10

"KWC gave me the confidence to find out who Courtney was and to be proud of who she was. I became a confident, powerful, eager and logical young woman!"

Courtney (Chinn) Calloway '12

The Power of DNA

By Kenzie (Tomes) Andrews '21, Director of Philanthropy

They say you can't choose your family, but the Chinn sisters did exactly that when they made individual decisions to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College. The three siblings reveled in their good fortune. Not only did they attend the same college; they chose a campus with a family-like atmosphere where they could easily develop relationships with faculty, staff and fellow students.

"Wesleyan gave me so much more than an education. My chemistry major pushed me mentally, collegiate soccer pushed me physically, and the closeness of KWC pushed me to branch out socially. KWC gave me the foundation for my career as a physician assistant."

Leslie (Chinn) Pemberton '15

Beyond their shared maiden name, they share the same sense of gratitude about the impact of KWC on their lives. Kristen (Chinn) Hart '10, Courtney (Chinn) Calloway '12 and Leslie (Chinn) Pemberton '15 chose their own unique courses of study yet experienced the same quality of preparation for life and career success. As the middle child, Courtney shared campus life with both sisters during her time at KWC. "I never felt alone because Kristen and Leslie were right there with me," she remembered. "It was awesome watching them succeed and seeing them experiencing college in different ways. Even though we were all on the same campus, we had unique journeys while at Wesleyan."

Both Courtney and Leslie originally enrolled in a much larger university, certain that the "big college" environment was right for them. And yet, both ended up following in their older sister Kristen's footsteps, finding the perfect school just down the road. Leslie shared, "If you want to feel connected and a part of something, Wesleyan is the place for you. It might be small, but the opportunities it opens are endless."

The Chinn sister's cumulative impact on campus was significant. Kristen majored in accounting and landed crucial internships with Owensboro Municipal Utility and Riney Hancock CPAs PSC. She and Leslie shared a competitive edge as strong components of the women's soccer team. Leslie also devoted her time and talents to Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Pre-Professional Society. Courtney found her own "team" outside of sports with a haven in her sorority chapter of Kappa Delta Gamma Xi. Her notable accomplishments included volunteer work with OASIS Women's Shelter and St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter.

President's Perspective – Continued from page 2

college instituted a Staff Council to ensure that everyone on campus would have a voice in the conversation. Our External Relations team was strengthened, leading to impressive outreach and results while continuing to impress every year. We added a 25,000 square-foot building to the campus! The Jack T. Wells '77 Activity Center become an integral part of our footprint, giving needed room during COVID while opening new pathways for collaboration and outreach with the greater Owensboro community. We restructured the College's model to ensure financial viability and health in the coming decades, and we began the initial part of a capital campaign through the silent phase. Recognizing the intense stress under which all our employees were working, we implemented new ways to recognize those members of the Panther family who work so diligently to ensure our student experience remains exceptional.

Since 2020, we have slowly returned to "normal" activities, although the campus is a different place. Post-COVID enrollments remain lower nationally and are not expected to return. As a result, we must be nimble and refigure our working model to the new reality. Over 25 small, private, religiously aligned institutions like Kentucky Wesleyan

Valuable internships and lessons learned in the classroom allowed each Chinn to quickly transition into their professional career after graduation. Kristen is the controller at Wendell Foster, Courtney is the student assistance coordinator for Ohio County Schools, and Leslie is a certified physician assistant for the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center.

The three lead busy lives and include KWC in their priorities. Kristen looks forward to Homecoming each year and already has the 2024 weekend on her calendar; Courtney serves on the board of her sorority; and Leslie, well, if you tuned into the Wesleyan Sweethearts Game Show on March 1, you know she's willing to do just about anything for her college.

We are grateful to the Chinn sisters for remaining connected to their alma mater and continuing to give back. After all, it's in their DNA.

College have closed in the past 12 months. We will work conscientiously and tirelessly to ensure we remain not just open, but able to offer the same internationally leading higher education experience we have offered for over 165 years.

Kentucky Wesleyan College has moved twice, burned down once and was hit by a tornado. Each time, the College has recovered and moved forward stronger than before. During the past five years, we again found ourselves faced with unforeseen barriers and have emerged on the other side ready to move forward to an ever-brighter future. Together, we will not just prevail but will continue to excel in our mission to the students and our surrounding community. Take a walk with me into the amazing future that is Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Mitzel, Ph.D. President

The Wesleyan Way

by Joel Krenz, Director of Athletic Communications

A SERVICE MINDSET

Kentucky Wesleyan student-athletes and community service go hand in hand at Kentucky Wesleyan. The Panthers finished 10th in NCAA Division II in total Helper Helper hours in 2022-23. Helper Helper is the industry standard for the NCAA in recording and compiling service hours. The Panthers accumulated 4,007 hours of community service from 96% of its student-athletes.

Women’s basketball player and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President Corina Conley '24 states, "Our student-athletes have gone above and beyond in their efforts to give back to our community this past school year. I'm always blown away at the willingness and servanthood of our student-athletes.

"I cannot brag on our student-athletes enough on how well they lead, volunteer and engage with our community. In just a few short years, I've been blessed to see how impactful the people of Owensboro have been to us, and I'm excited about the work we've done to impact them!" Ten teams were nationally ranked inside the NCAA's Division II top 10 of their sports, and 15 programs boasted 100% participation.

Wrestling was number one in NCAA Division II for their

sport with 528 total service hours. Also in the top 10, softball and women's cross country/track and field were No. 4 in their sports; men's cross country/track and field and women's golf were No. 5; men's golf was No. 6; men's basketball, football and men's tennis were No. 7; and women's tennis was No. 10.

The total service hours amounted to $125,369 in economic impact for the city of Owensboro and surrounding communities. A new record was also set for the most hours completed in a single day, as the Panthers completed 581 hours on the Day of Service on November 6, breaking the previous record of 461 set in 2019.

SAAC made its mark by raising over $10,013 for the MakeA-Wish Foundation last year, being just one of a handful of schools to reach the 10K mark.

Above: Student-athletes welcome Wish Kid Baylor and his family

Thanks to this accomplishment, the student-athletes made it a memorable day for Wish Kid Baylor, creating a Disney theme throughout his campus visit that culminated in the reveal of a trip to Disney World during a halftime presentation at the Panther football contest on October 7 against Thomas More.

In addition to the trip to Disney, Baylor and his family received care packages specific to each sport. Currently, the Panthers lead the country with $14,200 in Make-AWish donations and hope to become the first Division II school in history to raise $20,000.

Through student-athletes' service and the Make-AWish partnership, KWC has been the recipient of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Community Engagement Award for two straight years and a nominee for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

In life skills programming, KWC athletics ranked No. 1 in the nation in all NCAA divisions in Game Plan e-module learning courses that spanned mental health, Title IX and safety, financial management, NIL (name, image, likeness) education and much more.

"Being a student-athlete is a time commitment of at

least 30 hours a week," said Ken Badylak, SAAC advisor, assistant athletics director and head men's and women's golf coach. "The perception is that being student-athlete is easy, but in reality, there is more involved than what you see on game day."

The overall top initiatives are build-a-bed (Campus Ministries), Wendell Foster and volunteer efforts with elementary schools and individual sport practice/camps. An unprecedented 51 organizations were impacted, thanks to the Panthers' participation this year.

"As a student-athlete, I have felt the support and friendship with our administrators who fight for us," Conley stated. "That's what's so unique about a small college like Kentucky Wesleyan; you get to cultivate those relationships."

Vice President for Athletics Mark Shook added, "We are so proud of our student-athletes for going the extra mile for these most worthy causes. This is most gratifying because it goes beyond the classroom and the competition fields and really hits at the heart of what we want for all our student-athletes – a service mindset."

Alumni and Athletes Annual Dinner

The Alumni Association's Board of Directors served over 100 student-athletes at the second annual Alumni and Athletes Dinner in January. This fun tradition is our way of helping feed the athletes who remain on campus during the holiday break.

We added an alumni panel to the mix this year, and we are grateful to these alumni, who shared how they translated their experiences as student-athletes into successful careers.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

The Office of Engagement was proud to host a National Girls and Women in Sports Day panel and reception as part of the NGWSD celebrations at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Celebrating Black History Month: The Wesleyan Way

We loved sharing incredible stories of our Black alumni during Black History Month in February. These outstanding alumni have careers in medicine, accounting, education and security at NASA. It was an honor to share their stories with the Panther family.

Special thanks to our alumni who interviewed the featured alumni and compiled the pieces: Dr. Jackie Fischer '89, C. Shaun Williams '00, Brandon Cox '10, Josh Baldwin '05, Roy Pickerill '75 and Mary (Turner) McDole '79.

Panther cheer and soccer alumna Angel (Ballard) Welsh '03 moderated a talk show-style panel with former student-athletes Diana Chalfant '86, Paige (Kramer) Crisp '15, Jaime (Pahner) Ford '92 and Laurel Beaty Murphy, who shared memories of their experiences as female student-athletes.

Panelists Bob McDole '78, Shaun Williams '00, Marshall Sanders '03, Lacie Mills '22 and Katy (Holland) Hart '18

Holiday Fun with the Wesleyan Family

We kicked off the season in November with the 1858 Society Holiday Party at Thee Heirloom in Owensboro and the Louisville Holiday Party at Independence Bank followed by a festive evening at the Christmas Open House at the President's Home in December.

KWC Summer Road Trip 2024

Coming to a city near you!

Check out this year's stops at kwc.edu/roadtrip

Spring Reunion Weekend

Our inaugural Spring Reunion Weekend, presented by Edward Jones–Ed Krahwinkel, was a blast! The reunion included special celebrations for our basketball and cheerleading alumni, pre- and post-game receptions and introduced what is sure to become an annual tradition–The Wesleyan Sweethearts Game Show!

The game show was a Newlyweds Game-inspired show that featured three iconic Wesleyan Sweethearts pairs who competed for the ultimate prize–bragging rights. The couples competed in three rounds before Scott '87 & Penny (Mills) Kramer '86 were named the 2024 Ultimate Wesleyan Sweethearts. The event was full of laughs, stories and a few stints in the Doghouse and raised $13,031 for the Wesleyan Scholarship Fund.

Brenda Clayton, Jay Ivey '11, Anna Ivey and Noel Clayton '81 at the 1858 Society Holiday Party

Alice Shade '91 and KWC Assistant Vice President of External Relations Leigha Taylor at the Louisville Holiday Party. Alice won the coveted door prize, an engraved bottle of Woodford Reserve, compliments of Independence Bank.

Wesleyan Sweethearts Game Show host Chad Benefield '93 (far left) and KWC Director of Philanthropy Kenzie (Tomes) Andrews '21 (far right) with Wesleyan Sweethearts Marshall '03 and Allyson (Forrest) Sanders '04, Scott '87 and Penny (Mills) Kramer '86 and Logan '14 and Leslie (Chinn) Pemberton '15

Basketball and cheerleading alumni at Panther basketball doubleheader Front row: Angela (Chinn) Austin '88, Ruth (Ballenger) Roberts '17, Darline (Wimpee) Ashby '76, Connie Williams '76, Lesa (Bridges) Vanderpool '78, Dianne (Berkley) Martin '78 and Del Marie (France) Vaccaro '68 Back row: Shelbi Tyra '14, Roy Pickerill '75, T'Essence Phelps '14, Karly Rhoads '14, Larry Dugan '75, Steve Payne '75, Bob Burns '81, Bill Carlyle '62, Jim Askins '93, Chris Williams '11 and Hunter Noffsinger '19

A New Way to Connect With Your Panther Family Alumni Evolution: The Official Podcast of the KWC Alumni Association

By Doug Hoyt '84, Alumni Association President

"Hey everybody. Welcome to another edition of Alumni Evolution, the official podcast of Kentucky Wesleyan College alumni. I am Doug Hoyt, and I have the privilege of being the host of this podcast. Today, we have a very special guest."

That's how every podcast starts … and how the similarities end.

Everyone has a story to tell, and that is what we do on the alumni podcast. We tell stories. Guests typically want to know what questions they will be asked, but there are no notes or predetermined questions on this show, just friends sitting down and getting to know each other. The common bond is Kentucky Wesleyan College; everyone has a connection to KWC as a graduate, award winner or long-time employee.

I often tell people that KWC became a part of my DNA and, not surprisingly, I get similar responses from my guests. That is where the conversation starts; guests reminisce about their time at KWC. We talk about majors and college activities, and we quickly move to their "evolution," what has happened in their lives since they left. We talk about their careers, how they spend their free time, how they have grown and how they have overcome the challenges life has thrown at them. I love talking about family, so we weave in spouses, kids, grandkids and even pets.

The impact our alumni have had in the world continually

Our world continues to evolve – we're sending less "snail mail" and more e-mail and texts; we're listening to the books and shows that we might not have time to sit down to read or watch; we're connecting with friends using social media and FaceTime when we can't get together in person.

As your Alumni Association, we are doing our best to evolve, too. We still love sending Purple Mail, publishing Pillars, connecting you with our students and hosting events, and we are also proud to offer more digital ways to connect than ever before. We are no longer separated by geographical distance. We're bringing alumni into classrooms using Zoom, celebrating the accomplishments of alumni on our social media, and now we're playing through your earbuds and CarPlay.

Gone are the days where you must be a local alumnus to be an engaged alumnus. If you need help connecting across the distance, please reach out!

Summer (Crick) Aldridge '14

Senior Director of Engagement

270-852-3140 | summer.aldridge@kwc.edu

amazes me. I have had the pleasure of talking with teachers, school administrators, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, non-profit leaders, actors, radio personalities … the list goes on, and all our guests contribute to our world in their own ways.

Continues on page 22

Lori (Parks) Byers '00

Doug Hoyt '84

A Friend of Kentucky Wesleyan

KWC Trustee and Old National Bank's first Black C-suite executive, Roland Shelton, was featured in EBONY regarding the financial institution's exciting initiatives to increase generational wealth in its surrounding communities.

1959

David Hocker was inducted into the Owensboro Business Hall of Fame.

1962

Bill Carlyle  retired after 46 seasons as head coach for the Walters State men's basketball team. 1

1964

Trustee Emeritus Terry Woodward was inducted into the Owensboro Walk of Fame.

1965

David Phillips celebrated his 80th birthday on Nov. 30. He says he is "simply retired, doing nothing special." 2

Keith Sanders received the Bill Young Leadership Award from the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. 3

1969

George Tinsley Sr. received the Certificate of Merit Award by Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.

1973

Nancy (King) Schmeal was featured in the Owensboro Times about her career as a cheerleading coach, which included five years at Kentucky Wesleyan. 4

1975

Sports Information Director Emeritus  Roy Pickerill presented the 2023 D2SIDA Roy Pickerill Distinguished Service Award to Missouri S&T's John Kean.

1979

Trustee Deborah (Carter) Dearing, J.D., began a new role as principal attorney at Riezman Berger, P.C.

1980

Retired pediatrician Dr. Lori (Griffin) Byron was interviewed on NPR about climate change. She is the board chair for the Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. 5

1986

Becky Barnhart was accepted into Leadership Owensboro's Class of 2024. 6

Diana Chalfant retired from FedEx after over 26 years of service.

1987

David Ashburn  was elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Mountainloft Resort Condominium Association in Gatlinburg.

1988

Michael Sprague was selected as the recall starter for the NCAA DII Regional Cross Country Championship. The Henderson County High School's boys' and girls' crosscountry teams (He is head coach of both.) also qualified for the state meet.

1989

B.J. Burton, owner of Limos by Knight, celebrated 25 years in business. 7

1990

Richard Adkins began a new role as highperformance computing (HPC) solutions architect for the University of Alabama. 8

Robbie (Owen) Clements  was selected as president of the National Organization of Bar Counsel. Robbie is also deputy bar counsel for the Kentucky Bar Association. 9

Sean (Quisenberry) Lee began a new role as assistant news director at WJBK-TV FOX 2 in Detroit.

1993

Dr. Jodi (Parks) Krahwinkel completed her term as president of Impact 100 Owensboro, a nonprofit that combines $1,000 donations into transformational $100,000 grants for other nonprofits. Under Jodi's leadership, the nonprofit awarded over $500,000 to local nonprofits in two years.

1994

Doug Sandifer  was named Kentucky's Third Region Coach of the Year. Doug is the boys' soccer head coach at Daviess County High School. 10

Joanna (Davis) Shake was named to the Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government list. Joanna is the executive director of the Green River Area Development District. 11

Lori (Coghill) Thurman was named the College's new coordinator for equity & inclusion. 12

1995

Krystal (List) Phelps was named High School Teacher of the Year by Daviess County Public Schools. Krystal is a sophomore advancement placement biology teacher at Daviess County High School.

Michelle (Davenport) Hickerson, PMNHPBC, Alumni Association board member, began a new role as a board-certified psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse at Ohio County Hospital Behavioral Health. 13

Alumni Board member Mark Luckett, J.D., began a new role as director, level and compliance at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.

1996

President and General Manager  Kelly Frank and her team at CBS News Philly took home seven awards at the 2023 MidAtlantic Regional Emmy Awards, including Overall Excellence.

Sonya (Kirby) Simpson was accepted into Leadership Owensboro's Class of 2024. 14

1997

Chris Jackson was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2024 Best Lawyers in America. 15

Sarah Vickery was promoted to Senior Estee Lauder Companies Fellow, Scientific Communications & Translational Media, R&D at The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 16

1998

Brian Benjamin was accepted into Leadership Owensboro's Class of 2024. 17

Julie Roemele was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 20 years of federal service. 18

2000

Dr. Amanda (Ford) Winburn recently coauthored "Counseling Youth: Systemic Issues & Interventions." The book addresses the interplay between schools, the mental health system, the justice system and communities considering how they respond to youth issues and emphasizes the need to connect these systems for a successful framework in treating youth. Dr. Winburn is an associate professor of counselor education and coordinator for the Ed.S. Therapy Program at the University of Mississippi. 19

2001

Mendy (Douglas) Rue was named Middle School Teacher of the Year by Daviess County Public Schools. Mendy is an eighthgrade social studies teacher at College View Middle School.

Kelly (Nelson) Rowe was named Frankfort's Favorite Principal for the second year in a row. Kelly's school, Good Shepherd Catholic School, was also named Frankfort's Favorite Private School.

2002

Travis Siewert began a new role as vice president of accounting and finance at Kenergy.

Jill (Wyatt) Dilday was named to the state's Board of Directors for the Distinguished Young Women of Tennessee.

Allison (Estes) Ross  began a new role as plant finance business partner at Metalsa.

2003

Dr. Charity (Flener) Lovitt began a new role as Fulbright Teaching Scholar with the Fulbright Commission. Dr. Lovitt will teach chemistry at Qatar University. She is also an associate teaching professor at the University of Washington Bothell. 20

2004

Hallie (Hedgespeth) Siewert celebrated eight years of her business, HallieCakes. 21

2005

Adam Hancock and his team at Riney Hancock CPAs were named 2023 Business of the Year by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

2008

Chief Corey Gant was promoted to battalion chief of training at the Owensboro Fire Department. 22

Eddie Gomez began a new role as system director, environment of care for Bozeman Health in Montana. 23

2009

Katie (Cecil) and John Pedigo were married. Katie was also named to Owensboro's 40 Under 40 list. 24

2010

Chris Gendek began a new role as travel media sales and marketing executive at Miles Partnership. 25

Jay Fallin was named to Owensboro's 40 Under 40 list. 26

Tory Stanley began a new role as assurance senior manager at Cherry Bekaert. Tory was also recently recognized by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) as Chapter President of the Year for the Central Region and his Kentucky student chapter was awarded Student Chapter of the Year. 27

Dr. Jessica (Smith) Able began a new role as a pharmacist at King Drug and Home Care in Hartford, Ky.

2011

Clay Booth was promoted to sergeant with the Daviess County Sheriff's Office. 28

Wesleyan Sweethearts  Lauren (Bennett) and Richard Moore '12 welcomed baby Harper Mae. 29

Holly and Matt Mistretta welcomed baby boy Jacob. 30

Scott Woodburn was featured by WLKY about his transition from ordained minister to teaching in the Jefferson County Public Schools.

2012

Sheridan and Mitch Jones welcomed baby Macie Lane. 31

Jaimie (Fike) Moore was selected as a board member for New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services.

Travis Owsley was named to Owensboro's 40 Under 40 list. 32

J. Josh Eaves was selected for a callback for casting on the reality-based televised singing competition, "The Voice." Check him out on TikTok @J.EavesNotEvans for updates. 33

2014

Chase Durrance was named dean of students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah. 34

John Gleason began a new role as a relationship manager for retirement plan services at 1834, a division of Old National Bank that offers boutique-style wealth management. 35

Summer (Crick) Aldridge was named to Owensboro's 40 Under 40 list. 36

Ginny Weant began a new role as administrative assistant with CannonDesign. She is also engaged to Adam Corrieher.

Karly Rhoads was promoted to accounting manager at BrightSpring Health Services.

Wesleyan Sweethearts Ryan and Dr. Taylor (Gaddis) Brewer '15 welcomed baby Harrison Scott. 37

Panther basketball alumna Shelbi Tyra and Briana Zeitz were married. 38

2015

Zack Duvall began a new role as finance manager at Kenny Kent Chevrolet in Evansville, Ind. 39

Sara (Fleischmann) Williams was named to Owensboro's 40 Under 40 list. 40

David Thompson was promoted to general manager at Cowabunga Bay Waterpark. David also started his MBA studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. 41

2016

Seth Lasher began his master of arts in higher education at Elon University. 42

2018

Karisa (Winters) Porter began a new role as marketing officer for Farmers Bank in Muhlenberg County. 43

Fallin (Webb) and Daniel Ballard '15 were married. 44

Kassidy (Krueger) and Jimmy Edmonds were married. 45

Andrew Kirkland  and Amanda Edelen were engaged.

Dillon Schueler began a new role as an admissions counselor at Brescia University.

Nick Hines, a member of the Alumni Association Board, was promoted was promoted to corporal with the Daviess County Sheriff's Office. He also received the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Award. 46

Caitlin (Crabtree) and Ryan Abdullah were married. 47

Tyler Jacobs and Machala Perkins were engaged.

2019

Cameron Curry began a new role as an officer with the Columbus Police Department in Indiana. He spent 3.5 years as a trooper for the Michigan State Police. 48

Erin (Wilson) and  Patrick Quire '20 were married. 49

Lindsey and Hunter Noffsinger were married. 50

Nicole Venema began a new role as associate marketing coordinator at Paycor. 51

Kara (Kelley) and  Zach Allen welcomed baby girl Haven Nicole. 52

2020

Jessica Arnold was promoted to AmeriCorps outreach educator with the Cincinnati Zoo where she will provide educational programs to Cincinnati Public Schools. 53

Kylie (Foster) Franzen earned her MBA from Northern Kentucky University. 54

Graphic design alumna  Allison (Wadkins) Sullivan recently participated in the "Cow" exhibition for Main Street Museum in White River Junction, Vt.

Kaylee O'Donnell began a new role as community outreach coordinator at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, Nev. 55

Josh Barnett and  Lacie Mills '22 were engaged.

Sam Bland finished the Chicago Marathon. 56

Christian and Sam (Yake) Tooley '21 were married. 57

Matthew Ray started a new position as communications manager at Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.

Chloe Lubag was promoted to digital marketing manager at Bleum Creative. Her band, The Lolas, was selected to be a part of the Recording Academy's August playlist. 58

2021

Jordyn Garland began her first year of medical school at Midwestern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. 59

Sarah Dearth and Brodie Kennedy were engaged.

Karli (Wilkerson) and Joe Cecil were married. 60

Darayon Moore and Chris Duncan were engaged. 61

2022

Keith Williams was promoted to performance and industrial hygiene technician at American Electric Power.

Taylor Kloos and Will Meloney were engaged. 62

Josh Barnett '20 and  Lacie Mills were engaged.

Christian '20 and Sam (Yake) Tooley were married.

Shyann Worthington started a boys' basketball program at Alliance Academy of Cincinnati to provide a healthy outlet for low-income, at-risk male students.

Jenifer Heady began a new role as a financial aid advisor at Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville, Ind.

2023

Wiley Cain was accepted into the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Ben Sisson began a new role as manager of player development for Morehead State University's men's basketball team. 63

Lesleigh Lowman began a new role as client account manager at Cerity Partners in Louisville.

Owen Krahwinkel began a new role as an auditor with Paul Strom & Associates in Billings, Mt.

Colby Frazier has a new role as project engineer at Garmong Construction. 64

Hunter Mathews was accepted into the Master Entry Professional Nursing Program at the University of South Carolina. 65

Max Wawrin began his career as an athletic sales representative at Vertical Raise.

Maddie Shook began her teaching career at College View Middle School. 66

Wesleyan Sweethearts  Cambria Vincent  and  Ethan Holt  welcomed baby Briar. 67

Our recent Wesleyan Sweetheart series featured seven couples who attended KWC and eventually ended up marrying. One of the highlights of the series was working with the co-host; my wife and sweetheart, Brenda. It was fun, and sometimes comical, as we explored our guests' paths to becoming a couple. They did not always agree about some of the details of their courtships, but they all agreed their time at KWC was a special aspect of their love stories.

If you have listened to the podcast, you know there is one question I ask everyone as we near the end of our time together: "Tell me about your favorite vacation." I give them a minute to think back while explaining that Brenda and I love to travel, and I am stealing ideas for our retirement. Everyone has taken a vacation that carries fond memories. I find that guests relate funny stories and heartwarming adventures of family

Career Preparedness – Continued from page 9

the spring. This year's elective options included tours of Owensboro Health and Wendell Foster, travel to Frankfort for West Kentucky Thank You Night, attending the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's Rooster Booster Networking Breakfast and promoting voter registration at Owensboro's Red, White & Blue nonpartisan political event.

Career and Graduate School fairs feature area employers and many graduate schools from the region. The March 2024 event was the most attended fair ever held at KWC, and the Etiquette Dinner, held the same month, was also a popular and well-attended success.

Power Networking and Speed Mock Interview events give students valuable opportunities for speed interviews and conversations with area employers, and Power Lunch and Learns targeted to specific majors feature panels of employers who provide students with opportunities to learn more about opportunities in their fields of interest.

time together. Sharing memories puts smiles on their faces as they remember that special vacation. Yes, I am stealing ideas (and there have been some great ideas; you will have to listen to the podcasts to learn about them), but it is also a way for guests to share a meaningful part of their life story and another opportunity to connect or reconnect with others. We just have a conversation and tell stories of our lives.

There are more than 8,000 KWC alumni worldwide, all with unique paths since leaving KWC.

Everyone has a story . . . what's yours? We want to share it. See page 21 for contact information.

Free Headshot Day and Cold Stone and Cover Letters are a few of the creative opportunities for students to receive career preparedness support in fun ways, with free photos and ice cream.

"Many of our degree programs require internships or externships," explains Dr. Emily Haire, assistant professor and program coordinator of exercise science. "Laura goes above and beyond to create connections so our students can gain real-world experience in the workforce. And the fairs are very popular with students. They often learn about programs they did not even know existed."

"Everything we do is designed to encourage networking and give participants opportunities to meet people outside their immediate spheres," says Rudolph. "We want them to gain practical experience in interacting with others and to grow in confidence, well prepared for their own unique journeys."

Why I Give

Michael Wade '80

With Katherine Rutherman

"Why shouldn't I help? I know students need assistance, and I have a desire to help make a difference.

"It is important for all of us to reflect on what the College has meant to us and to dream about what we want it to be. We must look ahead and be a part of securing KWC's future through our time and financial resources."

"KWC was part of my family tradition. My Dad, Erskine L. Wade, was a Methodist minister. He attended KWC and my sisters, Pam (Wade) Watkins '77 and Kathy Wade '85 are alumni. I knew about The Wesleyan Way before it was called The Wesleyan Way. I spent time on campus in high school and knew Gus Paris. We became friends, and that was an important connection. What a man he was. It was a natural progression in my life for me to attend KWC.

"KWC helped me grow up, and when I say that, I think of Professor Jerry Trinkle in accounting. When I arrived at KWC, I didn't know anything about accounting and took it as an elective. I found it to be appealing because it was logical and made sense. There was a flow I could see, and it was a fun challenge. Professor Trinkle was phenomenal. She had an infectious smile and laugh, but she was stern and didn't fool around. She prepared me for the Army and for my accounting career. She laid a firm foundation in my life. I will never forget her.

"I went into the Army after graduation and worked at the Pentagon for 10 years, where I organized information, analyzed data and told stories with data. I went back into

the Army after 9/11. I spent a total of 31 years in the Army, and I was honored to serve.

"I also became a CPA. I have been at the University of Louisville for 10 years, and I am now the director of the School of Accountancy. This includes managing graduate and undergraduate programs and ensuring relevancy in what we offer. It takes all kinds of people to make it all work, and I rely on a lot of fine, skilled professionals. As Scripture directs us–'Wise men seek counsel.'–and that is what I try to do.

"When I think about giving to KWC, I have to say that I encourage our alumni to not let the past hold you back. What do I mean by that? Students are affected by many things when they are in college. Sometimes we are hurt or disappointed and need to forgive and move on. This may seem like an odd thing to bring up here, but I ask our readers to acknowledge your great KWC experiences. Be thankful for them. Do you need to forgive? Do it. Do it now. Forgive and give. Forgiving and giving will change your life and someone else's, too."

The Heritage Society recognizes the generosity of alumni and friends who have documented a deferred gift to benefit the College. Planned gifts through your estate can impact our students significantly after you do not need your resources anymore and can often alleviate burdens to your heirs.

In addition to the personal satisfaction of knowing you have made a powerful difference in Wesleyan’s future, properly planned charitable gifts may provide you and your loved ones with tax and financial benefits.

By including Kentucky Wesleyan in your estate plan, you will join the Heritage Society, a group of devoted individuals who have taken noteworthy steps to help sustain the College's future.

Individuals are welcomed into membership once they have documented their commitment to KWC through one of the following gift options:

● Bequest

● Retirement plan beneficiary designation

● Life insurance beneficiary designation

● Irrevocable life insurance gift

● Charitable gift annuity

● Pooled income fund

● Charitable remainder unitrust

● Charitable lead trust

● Life estate reserved (real property)

If Kentucky Wesleyan College is in your estate plans, but we have not officially welcomed you to the Heritage Society, or if you need more information about planned gifts, please contact us at 270-8523274.

The Heritage Society

Payton Adams '53

Judy Andrews

Carol (Ayer) '58 and Bruce Baker

Walter '76 and Anne (Benedict) Beavin '76

Mike '78 and Cathy (Meeks) Bishop '78

Lou and Kaye Browning

Julie (Frank) '90 and Stephen Buxton

William Cave Jr. '61

Barton Darrell '84

Charles Jr. '68 and Karen (Welsh) Diehl '68

Anna Dixon-Skidmore

Dr. Diane Earle

Rev. W. Russell '65 and Marlene East

Rev. Tom '68 and Susan Eblen

Buz '85 and Mary (Crum) Edgeworth '85

Dr. James '64 and Betty Ewing

Karen Fisher-Brasher '77

Judith (Rogers) Ford '61

Gertrude Greenwell

Frances (Farmer) Hall '62

Christy (Hocker) Hall

Mary Hilton

David '59 and Marcia Hocker

Edna Horrell

Billy Pat '60 and Ruthie (Hutton) Hume '62

Joseph '68 and Marilyn (Magruder) Jerman '70

Dr. Arba Kenner '74

Virginia (Tyirin) Kleine '69

Ann Leach '78

Harriet C. Loring '63 and Charles Frary

Dr. W.L. Magnuson and Kirsten Ahnell

Linda Major

Dr. Thomas Meredith '63

Dr. Jerry '60 and June Miller

Dennis L. Newberry II

Jean Nofsinger

Judy Perry

Roy '75 and Margaret (Stinnette) Pickerill '75

Scott Pickrell

Betty (Perkins) Pitzer '53

Dr. Wes and Carol Poling

Connie Powell '86

Wanda (Melhiser) Prater '63

Gayle Presley

Rev. Dr. Don '65 and Pat (Webster) Rankin '55

Dr. Jeanetta Riley '82

Joe Roop '56

John Ross '62

Matthew Ruark '09 and Rebecca McQueen-Ruark

Katherine Sasser

Dr. Charlie '62 and Margaret (Heltsley) Schertzinger '59

Dr. Kim (Cecil) '88 and James Schuster

Keith and Vickie Sharber

Ron Sharp

Kevin Shields '13

Margaret Smith

Merrylen (Wesley) Sparks '57

Staci (Pittman) Springer '96

Cindra Stiff and Jimmy Ray

Gay (Lengyel) Strang '66

Betty (Brunson) '69 and Steve Stroud

John II '70 and Bonnie (Rizer) Swaim '71

Rev. Dr. James Thurmond '54

Dr. Richard Weiss

In Memoriam

We offer condolences on the passing of the following alumni and friends of Kentucky Wesleyan College:

Henry Azuma '67

Gillis (Buckingham) Baker '89

Daniel Barker '68

Rodney Dempsey '59

Stephen Erwin '65

Nina (Coppage) Schroader

Galloway '84

Cheryl (Reich) Grindle '71

William Hailey '80

Harold "Sonny" Hall '67

Nicklaus Hogan '02

Hubert Howard '12

William "Bill" Jackson '61

James Johnson '55

LaDonna Koebel '89

Daniel O'Neill '71

Lois Renee Orange '95

James Owen '61

Charles "Skip" Protko '72

Alice Renfrow

Dr. Robert Shimp

Katherine Simpson '79

Richard Suwanski '73

Thomas Vittitow '68

Howard Zeimer '67

LaDonna Koebel '89

1967-2024

LaDonna Koebel grew up in Louisville and after graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan, she earned a master of science in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University. She then graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Law where she met her future husband, Follace Fields. She entered private law practice litigating civil cases and was an adjunct professor of an upper-level criminal justice class for 29 years. She served as assistant general counsel in the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, where she was acting commissioner in 2016. LaDonna was chief of staff at the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet from 2016-2019, serving as legal and policy advisor. In 2020, she became executive director of the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Senior Protection, where she greatly expanded the state outreach and community education efforts on scams, along with improving communication and coordination with federal agencies, private businesses and other senior support groups. She was a member of the KWC Alumni Association Board of Directors for many years and served as president. She was awarded the KWC Alumni Service Award in 2018. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter Lauren, stepmother Connie Koebel, five siblings and many friends in the KWC community, where she is remembered as a friendly, enthusiastic and loyal alumna.

Harold "Sonny" Hall '67

1945-2023

A native of Louisville, Harold "Sonny" Hall arrived in Owensboro in 1963 to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College.

He met and married Christy Hocker and remained in Owensboro, where he was deeply engaged in the community and served in many significant roles. He held real estate and broker's licenses in Kentucky and South Carolina He was a devoted member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, where he led the Finance Committee. He co-founded Girls, Inc., which was originally named the Florence Henderson Girls Club. He had been the state director

and master developer for the International Council of Shopping Centers and was the former treasurer and Executive Committee member for the Owensboro Board of Realtors. Sonny was a dedicated and enthusiastic supporter of KWC, and he served his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees for many years, president of the Alumni Association and board member of the former All-American Club. He was a passionate supporter of KWC athletics. Sonny is survived by his wife, Christy (Hocker) Hall, his sons Todd '90 (Lisa), Matt (Heather), five grandchildren, a brother and many friends at KWC who enjoyed his sense of humor and appreciated his support and encouragement.

OUR STAFF

President Dr. Thomas Mitzel

Vice President of External Relations

Eddie Kenny Editor, Senior Director of Campus Relations

Katherine Rutherman

Assistant Vice President of External Relations

Leigha Taylor

Senior Director of Design and Database

Jaimie (Fike) Moore '12

Senior Director of Engagement

Summer (Crick) Aldridge '14

Director of Career Engagement

Laura Rudolph

Director of Grants Administration

Kelly Flick

Director of Philanthropy

Kenzie (Tomes) Andrews '21

Alumni Engagement Coordinator

Mary (Turner) McDole '79

Special Assistant for College Relations, Sports Information Director Emeritus

Roy Pickerill '75

Contributing Writers

Summer (Crick) Aldridge '14

Kenzie (Tomes) Andrews '21

Molly Gross

Eddie Kenny

Joel Krenz

Dr. Thomas Mitzel

Katherine Rutherman

Contributing Photographers

Summer (Crick) Aldridge) '14

Chinn family

Dickinson family

Joel Krenz

Charles Mahlinger

Sydney Smith