Friday, April 12 marked the celebration of the 65th Annual Order of Oak and Ivy, Kentucky Wesleyan College’s highest honor. The Order of Oak and Ivy is presented annually to six students who best typify strength of character, dedication of purpose and devotion of Christian ideals. It also recognizes those who exemplify intellectual ability and leadership in seeking to promote the interest and welfare of Kentucky Wesleyan College. Finalists were nominated by faculty and staff, and honorees were selected by a committee of past Oak and Ivy inductees.

Congratulations to this year’s Oak and Ivy inductees:

Left to right with President Barton D. Darrell ’84 (center): Austin Ryan Trammell ‘20, Meredith Mary Daunhauer ‘19, Joshua Mangaya ‘20, Mallory Shae Sacre ‘19, Sydney Jo Goff ‘19 and Kayce Christian Dallas ‘19.

Kentucky Wesleyan College’s 151^st Annual Commencement will take place on Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m. at Hocker-Hall Grove on campus. Paul Chellgren, a leading philanthropist and champion of higher education in the Commonwealth, will address the Class of 2019. The Chellgren Endowed Scholarship was established in 1990 by Mr. Chellgren and his family to provide Kentucky Wesleyan students with scholarship funds, with preference given to pre-ministerial students.

“We are honored to welcome Paul Chellgren to campus,” remarked President Barton D. Darrell. “It is truly fitting that he will address our graduating seniors, as the Chellgren family has made a profound difference in the lives and futures of countless Wesleyan students through their generosity and dedication to learning. His life is marked by a steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Kentuckians, and we are excited for our graduates to hear him.”

Marshall County High School
Major: Chemistry and Biology
Accepted to the University of Kentucky Medical School – Bowling Green

Sydney Goff remembers her early days as a Wesleyan student and describes herself as super shy and unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Today she describes herself as a confident leader who is well prepared for medical school.

She chose Wesleyan because she was awarded a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) scholarship, as well as a track and field scholarship. “Those scholarships made it pretty easy to make a decision, and besides, I have family in Owensboro, as my Dad grew up here,” she explains. “I also knew Coach Tony Rowe’s reputation, so I was excited about attending Wesleyan.”

Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice and Criminology (1978-2018)

Former softball coach (1980. 1983-85, 1987-97), two-time Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Coach of the Year and all-time winningest coach in any Wesleyan sport with 351 wins in 15 years

2016 inductee, Athletic Hall of Fame

2018 recipient, Gus E. Paris Distinguished Service Award

U.S. Navy, Retired, Commander

40 years! That’s a lot of time in the classroom. What stands out about your Wesleyan experience in those 40 years?
“A lot of things and most of them were outside the classroom. I loved teaching and tried to approach each lecture as if it were my last one, but I encouraged learning outside the classroom, too . . . on the softball field, on a sailboat in the Caribbean or on Kentucky Lake, at St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, in Cuba and in research projects that took students into the community.

“I look back and think all I was just a memory maker. I hope my students remember discoveries about themselves and the world and that they were challenged, but had a great time, too.”

Henderson County High School

Major: Legal Studies

Accepted to three law schools

Maci Brown describes Kentucky Wesleyan as the “perfect fit” – a small college in close proximity to home with a legal studies program, softball team and excellent academic reputation.

“I decided as a high school junior that I was going to law school,” explained Maci. “I loved the Legal Studies Program; reading about the law, U.S. Constitution and case briefs. It’s all fascinating. I haven’t had one boring moment here.”

McLean County High School

Major: Criminal Justice and Criminology

Accepted to Kentucky State Police Academy

Jonah Brawner has wanted to be a policeman since he was a child, and he is almost ready to don a uniform. He will begin training at the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Academy in Frankfort on May 12, and after completion of the 25-week program, he will be assigned to one of the Commonwealth’s 16 KSP posts.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” says Jonah. “My Wesleyan experience has been excellent, and I feel prepared for what’s ahead.”

Kentucky Wesleyan College will present its “88 Keys” piano recital Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel at the College. This popular program features all Kentucky Wesleyan College students taking applied piano lessons. They will perform solos, duets, trios, quartets and ensembles with various styles and composers represented. “88 Keys” has been an annual tradition since 1988. The program is free and open to the public.

For additional information, contact Diane Earle at 270-852-3617.

The Kentucky Wesleyan College Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Callihan, will present its spring concert April 14 at 3 p.m. at the Daviess County High School Auditorium. The ensembles will perform works by Maslanka, Verdi, Bruckner, Shaw, Ticheli, Wagner and Whitacre. The program will feature faculty soloist Kaitlin Callihan performing the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto, guest conductor Maestro Nick Palmer conducting Verdi’s Nabucco Overture, and the newly-formed Owensboro Flute Choir, under the director of Paula Humphreys.

Kentucky Wesleyan College will host internationally acclaimed wellness and mental health advocate Kevin Hines on Tuesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Legacy Owensboro Church at 3300 Frederica St., as part of its Every Life Matters Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week. Hines survived an attempt to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge; he is an award-winning global speaker, bestselling author and documentary filmmaker. His presentation, “Cracked, Not Broken,” will be followed by a question and answer period and book signing. The event is free and open to the public.

Hines has dedicated his life to saving lives by spreading the message of hope and sharing his art of living mentally well. He shares the story of his unlikely survival and strong will to live with audiences.

Kentucky Wesleyan College will host its inaugural Film Festival on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on campus. The event will celebrate filmmaking by screening imaginative regional and international short films and web series, facilitating networking among filmmakers and sharing knowledge in various film disciplines. The festival is planned for the benefit of filmmakers and the enjoyment of those who enjoy watching films. Wesleyan student Ben Protheroe has submitted a short film entitled “Oxygen.”

The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

View the Full Schedule

“We are excited to introduce our Film Festival, which corresponds with the department’s film classes this semester,” said Tamara Coy, chair of the English department. “We intend to grow the festival into an annual event, encouraging submissions from students, alumni and filmmakers from all backgrounds.”