A Leitchfield business owner and WKU alumni will soon be honored with the university’s Distinguished Service Medal.
The inaugural Summit of Excellence will be held Thursday at WKU and will kick-off on-campus homecoming festivities. The event will also honor and recognize outstanding contributions of WKU alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and students.
“We are very excited to present this new event to honor those who have invested their time to advocate for WKU and our fundraising initiatives or have invested their own financial resources to support the university,” Amanda Trabue, Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, said. “Private support is critical, and without the work of dedicated individuals and groups like those we will honor, WKU would not be where we are today.”
The 2019 Summit of Excellence recipients include Leitchfield’s Garry Watkins, WKU class of 1975, who will receive the Distinguished Service Medal.
Watkins is president and founder of Wabuck Development Co. and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the WKU Foundation Board of Trustees.
Wabuck Development Company, Inc. is a for-profit, mission-driven corporation that partners with financial institutions for the purpose of developing affordable housing across Kentucky and surrounding states. Wabuck was founded in 1980 by developing properties utilizing Rural Development Funds and has long since encompassed utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits and financing by Kentucky Housing Corporation, HUD, HOME, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, KHC Risk-Sharing and Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Funds.
To date, the organization has developed approximately 4,500 units across the region utilizing a wide source of funding, according to the company’s website.
Others recognized by WKU include:
- Belle Lady Hunt, classes of 1973 and 1977, of Bowling Green, is the 2019 Philanthropist of the Year. Hunt, a retired teacher from the Butler County School System, is a member of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Board.• Logan Aluminum Inc., based in Russellville, will receive the Outstanding Corporate Excellence in Philanthropy award. Logan Aluminum, a longtime supporter of WKU, provided the initial funding to launch the WKU Industrial Partnership.
• Dr. Barbara Burch, class of 1979, of Bowling Green, will receive the Outstanding Faculty Excellence in Philanthropy award. Dr. Burch, Provost Emerita and former Faculty Regent, currently serves as the Chair of the WKU Sisterhood, an organization of women advancing University priorities through philanthropic engagement and a collective voice.
• Bike4Alz, a nonprofit established by members of WKU’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in 2010 to raise awareness and support for Alzheimer’s research, will receive the Outstanding Student Excellence in Philanthropy award.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
