News

Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine Fall 2021

The Fall 2021 issue of the Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine is now in print and available online. Enjoy the latest issue, which is one of our largest ever!

Features include celebrating 70 years in Owensboro, updates on our Rogers Fellows’ graduates, a Homecoming 2021 recap, spotlights on alumni Lawson Glasergreen ’91 and Jennifer Zingg ’21, Why We Give with Drs. Troy ’93 and Carol (Haynes) Haleman ’92, a Planned Giving Spotlight with Ron and Brenda Sharp, Class Notes, 2020-21 President’s Circle member listing and more!

What Unites Us for a Lifetime

Dr. Kimberly (Mayberry) Fifer ’92 left campus 29 years ago with her diploma in hand, and today she is assistant superintendent of the Clark-Pleasant School Corporation in Whiteland, Ind., just south of Indianapolis.

You may recall Kimberly’s account (in the spring 2021 issue of Kentucky Wesleyan Magazine) of her disc jockey responsibilities and her encounter, in that role, with President Paul Hartman. You can find the humorous and encouraging memory by clicking the link above.

Kimberly had more to tell about what unites her to KWC, and here it is, along with memories from several of her sorority sisters.

Kentucky Wesleyan College receives $150,000 gift to name Panther Room in Wells Center

Additional investments have named a Campus Ministries Office, Prayer Room and Food Pantry/Professional Closet

Kentucky Wesleyan College has named the Panther Room in the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center for Dr. J. Charles ’62 and Margaret (Heltsley) Schertzinger ’59 following their commitment and generous investment of $150,000 in KWC’s newest facility. Dr. and Mrs. Schertzinger have been vocal, visible and transformational leaders of Kentucky Wesleyan College for more than 60 years.

“We are humbled and thankful to the Schertzingers for their continued investment in our students and campus,” said President Thomas Mitzel. “They have been generous beyond measure throughout the years and have shown true commitment as loyal alumni of KWC. The Panther Room is a space that has and will continue to be enjoyed and used for multiple purposes by internal and external audiences.”

Dr. Schertzinger is a retired optometrist who established and practiced at RiverPark EyeCare in Owensboro for over 40 years. He began his higher education at Western Kentucky University, then left to serve his nation in the United States Marines. He then enrolled at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where for a year and a half he studied and prepared for optometry school, eventually finishing his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University. After completing his graduate work, Dr. Schertzinger joined the practice of his father-in-law, Dr. D. D. Heltsley ’28, and Dr. William H. Speer in Owensboro.

Kentucky Wesleyan College to present Festival of Lessons & Carols at St. Stephen Cathedral

The Kentucky Wesleyan Singers and Brass Choir will present the College’s annual Festival of Lessons & Carols on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen Cathedral at 610 Locust St. in Owensboro. Associate Professor of Music Dennis Jewett will direct the Wesleyan Singers. Dr. Patrick Stuckemeyer, assistant professor of music and band, will direct the Wesleyan Brass Choir and James Wells ’14, director of music at St. Stephen, will provide accompaniment. Dr. James Cousins, provost and vice president of academic affairs, will narrate the program.

Purchase Tickets

This is the 11th annual Festival of Lessons & Carols presented by KWC, an event which has become a treasured Owensboro Christmas tradition. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to present the Festival of Lessons & Carols to our community in the glorious St. Stephen Cathedral, and our students are excited about the return of the live event,” said Professor Jewett. The 2020 program was virtual due to the pandemic.

The Festival of Lessons & Carols, a tradition begun in England on Christmas Eve in 1880, weaves scripture readings and carols of the season in stirring homage to the birth of Christ. A much-beloved version of the festival began at King’s College, Cambridge, in 1918, and is broadcast worldwide every Christmas Eve.

Kentucky Wesleyan Band to present concert Nov. 21

The Kentucky Wesleyan Band, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Stuckemeyer, will present a concert entitled “Welcome Home” on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. in the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center at 3300 Frederica St. Dr. Stuckemeyer is assistant professor of music and band.

The program will include pieces by J.S. Bach, Gustav Holst, David Del Tredici, Charles Ives, Ryan George and Erika Svanoe.

The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Why I Give – Dr. Ernest Abernathy ‘55

Dr. Ernest Abernathy ’55 is a retired board certified surgeon, published author, poet, world traveler, artist and conservationist who recalls his adventures with delight and infectious laughter. He grew up in rural Georgia and earned a chemistry degree at KWC, where he played basketball.

“It meant everything to me to attend Wesleyan,” he shares. “I learned how to interact and get along with people, and I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. KWC shaped me and made me what I am today. I’m still grateful all these years later.”

He returned to Georgia to earn his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and surgery residencies at Charity Hospital in New Orleans (Louisiana State) and Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco (University of California).

Meet Vincient Whatley ’22

Vincient Whatley says his first memory of KWC was trees; big, beautiful green trees everywhere. “I was overwhelmed by their beauty,” he recalls. “The fall colors, snow on the limbs in winter and then the unbelievable flowering trees outside the Hahn Building in spring; I enjoy them in every season.”

His second memory involves people. “Everyone on campus and throughout Owensboro is so friendly,” he explains. “I had heard of Southern hospitality, and now I am experiencing it. People make eye contact, and they are very genuine.”

Vincient is a Rogers Fellow, awarded a scholarship from the The Rogers Foundation of Las Vegas. He was raised by a single parent and explains that the foundation made it possible for him to earn his degree. “When I interviewed with the foundation for the scholarship, and they told me I was a recipient, I hugged everyone in the room. I was so excited.”

Kentucky Wesleyan hosts Alfred Abel and Diane Earle Recital

Kentucky Wesleyan College will host violinist Alfred Abel and pianist Diane Earle in a duo recital on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building. The pair will perform music by Bach, Beethoven and Saint-Saens. Abel is visiting artist in violin, and Earle is professor emeritus of music at the College. They have performed together extensively since 2007. The recital is free and open to the public and is part of the Dr. Paul W. Hagan Chamber Music Series.

Kentucky Wesleyan College announces grant from Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation to name Auditorium at Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center

Kentucky Wesleyan College has announced a $250,000 grant from the Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation to name the auditorium of the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center at 3300 Frederica St.

“This grant is a true blessing for our campus and local community,” said President Thomas Mitzel. “The Young Foundation has long been a supporter of Kentucky Wesleyan College and our Owensboro/Daviess County community, and we cannot thank their leadership and board enough for this investment. The Marilyn and William Young Foundation Auditorium will be a centerpiece venue at the Activity Center. We are humbled by this generous grant and look forward to welcoming numerous guests into this beautiful space.”

The newly named Marilyn and William Young Foundation Auditorium is the focal point of the Wells Activity Center. With theatre-style seating for up to 500 guests, a new state-of-the-art audiovisual system and flexibility to host in-the-round theatre or concert productions, weddings and sit-down meals, it defines the multipurpose nature of the entire Activity Center.

Why I Give – Beth (Robinson) Ronk ’73

“When I was making my college choice I didn’t want to go to a big school like Purdue or Indiana University (I’m from Indiana), and my family had friends who had moved to Logansport from Owensboro. So my parents took me to look at KWC, Western Kentucky and Murray State. Since I was going so far from home, I chose the smallest school and never have regretted my choice!

“I give so others can have the same kind of experience that I had and that my dear friends had.

“I encourage others to give for the same reason. Also, when the college applies for grants, etc., the percentage of giving is what is important, much more so than the amount – though that helps, too! But if you have 100% giving a small amount, that can really benefit grant applications!!”