Kentucky Wesleyan College and the Owensboro community honored and surprised Dr. Diane Earle at Opening Convocation on Aug. 31 with the announcement of an endowed scholarship for music students in her name. Funds for the Dr. Diane Earle Endowed Scholarship were raised by college and community members.
President Barton D. Darrell remarked, “Very few colleges or universities have the caliber of faculty we have at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Dr. Diane Earle is one shining example. Her talent and work ethic have combined to make her an internationally renowned pianist who has brought great distinction not only to Kentucky Wesleyan College, but also to our community, state and nation. But Dr. Earle is, incredibly, so much more. Our students are influenced by her intellect, experiences, passion for music and, as anyone who knows Dr. Earle knows – her love and enjoyment of people and life. Kentucky Wesleyan is so grateful to the supporters of Dr. Earle’s great work who have invested in this endowed scholarship in her name, so more young people have the opportunity to benefit from a Kentucky Wesleyan education.”
Dr. Earle is a professor of music, co-director of the music program and artist in residence at Wesleyan. She is also the director of music at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church in Owensboro, principal pianist with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and ambassador to the Nyali Music Schools and Centre in Mombasa, Kenya.
She founded and directs the Good Samaritan Concert Series at Settle Memorial, which raises thousands of dollars each to year to help combat area homelessness. Dr. Earle also directs the Panther Pianists, who perform in area senior living centers. She performs and educates thousands of elementary, middle and high school students in their schools and at the RiverPark Center each year. The City of Owensboro honored her as Grand Marshal of the 2014 Christmas Parade.
Dr. Earle has performed in 16 countries and 31 states. She was honored as the Kentucky Arts Council’s featured performer in May and June. In 2017, she will perform in Asia, Africa and on two concert tours to Europe.
She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of music degree from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a master of music and doctor of musical arts degree from The Ohio State University. She did additional doctoral and post-doctoral work at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., and Indiana University.
KWC names scholarship for Earle
By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer
Kentucky Wesleyan College surprised Diane Earle, professor of music, co-director of the KWC music program and artist in residence, Wednesday with a $25,000 endowed scholarship created in her honor.
The scholarship will be for future music students at the college.
“What really touches my heart is that this is a scholarship and it will go on into the future,” Earle told the school’s opening convocation, which filled Legacy Owensboro Church next door to the KWC campus.
President Bart Darrell said, “Everyone who has ever heard a note played on a piano knows Diane Earle. She has performed all over the world. She has brought great distinction to this college and this community.”
Earle has performed in 16 countries and 31 states, and next year, she plans to perform in Asia, Africa and on two concert tours in Europe.
The Kentucky Arts Council honored her as its featured performer in May and June.
Darrell presented Earle with a framed list of the college and community members who donated to the Dr. Diane Earle Endowed Scholarship.
“This is overwhelming,” Earle said. “I’m very grateful to everyone who contributed.”
She said she moved to Owensboro in 1984 to teach at KWC.
“I’ve had opportunities to move,” Earle said. “But there was no reason to. There is so much heart in this community. You give more to me than I give to you.”
Darrell said, “Very few colleges or universities have the caliber of faculty we have at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Dr. Diane Earle is one shining example. Her talent and work ethic have combined to make her an internationally renowned pianist who has brought great distinction not only to Kentucky Wesleyan College, but also to our community, state and nation.”
Earle is also the director of music at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, principal pianist with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and ambassador to the Nyali Music Schools and Centre in Mombasa, Kenya.
She founded and directs the Good Samaritan Concert Series at Settle Memorial, which raises thousands of dollars each year to help combat homelessness.
Earle also directs the Panther Pianists, who perform in area senior living centers.
She performs and educates thousands of elementary, middle and high school students in their schools and at the RiverPark Center each year.
In 2014, Earle was honored as Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade.
She has a bachelor of music degree from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and a master of music and doctor of musical arts degree from The Ohio State University.
Earle also did additional doctoral and post-doctoral work at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and Indiana University.
klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com 270-691-7301