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Kentucky Wesleyan to celebrate inaugural “GOLD” Week March 17-23

Kentucky Wesleyan College has declared March 17-23 “GOLD” Week to celebrate its Graduates of the Last Decade. The week’s celebrations include a GOLD Happy Hour at Mister B’s, the Second Annual Free Headshot Day, a Topgolf event in Louisville, an exclusive sale on President’s Gala tickets, GOLD alumni features on the KWC Alumni Association’s social media channels and more.

“The College is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our GOLD alumni and to provide resources, programming and events for this special group,” shared Vice President of External Relations Eddie Kenny. “From professional development and community events to networking and service opportunities, our goal is to provide support to GOLD alumni during the early, dynamic years of their careers while encouraging them to stay connected to Kentucky Wesleyan and each other, relationships that will enhance their lives for a lifetime.”

A Look Back at Black History Month: The Wesleyan Way 2024

“Kentucky Wesleyan College has a rich history of education. The College was founded by the Kentucky Methodists for the promotion of literature, science, morality and religion. Although a strong base for education, the College expanded due to diversifying needs of the nation to offer liberal arts education, integrating half the student body as teachers and business majors by the 1880s. KWC further diversified in the 1890s by becoming one of the first educational institutions in the United States to enroll women, a group that now makes up over 50% of enrollment in higher education. We are proud of our alignment with the United Methodist Church and are proud to offer educational and growth pathways to a diverse student body. We celebrated the diversity of our great nation and Kentucky Wesleyan College during February 2024. Enjoy this look back on some of the highlights of the month!” – President Dr. Thomas Mitzel

Wesleyan Theatre Works to present “Disaster… the Musical!”

Wesleyan Theatre Works at Kentucky Wesleyan College will present “Disaster!,” a jukebox musical comedy created by Seth Rudetsky and written by Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, on March 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. in the Wells Activity Center.

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Earthquakes, tidal waves, piranhas, infernos and the songs of the ’70s take center stage in this comedic homage to 1970s disaster films. The event is sponsored by Murphy’s Sewing and Vacuum.

Producer Nate Gross is KWC’s theatre professor and director of the Theatre Program. He says, “You will know all these songs! Come and laugh and tap along.”

Kentucky Wesleyan College to offer presentation on Washington, Jefferson and the American Republic

The Kentucky Wesleyan College Wade Lecture Series will present “Washington, Jefferson, and the American Republic” with Dr. Francis Cogliano on Wednesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building. A reception will follow.

Dr. Cogliano is the author of “A Revolutionary Friendship,” published by Harvard University Press, about Washington, Jefferson and the American Republic. Publishers Weekly describes the book as “[A] measured and clarifying account . . . This deeply researched and accessible narrative sheds new light on a consequential friendship.” He is also the author of “Emperor of Liberty: Thomas Jefferson’s Foreign Policy.” He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and cohost of the American history podcast, “The Whiskey Rebellion.” He is professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh where he serves as a Dean International for North America, and he is acting director of the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va.

Kentucky Wesleyan to host Faculty Recital with Kirsten Ahnell

Kentucky Wesleyan College will host a faculty recital with clarinetist Kirsten Ahnell on Sunday, March 10, at 3 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building. A reception will follow. Pianist Garnet Ungar and violinist Michael Chu will take part in the program, which will consist of French music and works by Poulenc, Debussy, Saint-Saens and Milhaud.

Kirsten Ahnell is a native of Owensboro and a product of professional musician parents. Her musical studies began with piano at age 4, violin at age 6 and clarinet at age 10. She was principal clarinetist and featured soloist with the Owensboro Symphony for 30 years. Ms. Ahnell was a featured soloist at the 2022 International Clarinet Festival in Reno. She is a former member of the Savannah Symphony, Erie Philharmonic and Youngstown and Elgin symphonies. She has also performed with many orchestras including Gateway Chamber Orchestra, Charleston Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Orchestra Kentucky and the Evansville Philharmonic.

Black History Month – The Wesleyan Way: Michael Wade ’80

Growing up in the tiny Muhlenberg County, Ky., community of Drakesboro, Michael Wade knew at an early age he wanted to attend college. He also knew without a shadow of a doubt what school he would attend.  

Michael was indoctrinated in The Wesleyan Way when he was young. His father, Erskine L. Wade attended KWC and his sisters Pam (Wade) Watkins ’77 and Kathy Wade ’85 are alumni. 

A student at KWC from 1976-1980, Michael had several mentors who encouraged him, and he credits his accounting professor, Ms. Jerry Trinkle, with being the most influential. “She inspired and challenged me.” 

Being a Black student in the late 70s was a different experience than those of students today. Michael stated. “When I enrolled at KWC, the Black Student Union was not functioning, and I did not have a consensus to reactivate the organization.  I remember no culture outlets for minorities.” Black KWC students today have many resources including the Office of Equity and Inclusion. These avenues are an excellent way for our Black students to obtain the necessary leadership and direction to grow and develop into positive and powerful individual leaders who can lead on the KWC campus. It also empowers them to go back to their own communities and become vital parts of our rapidly changing culture.  

Black History Month – The Wesleyan Way: Shaun Williams ’00

Kentucky Wesleyan graduate Mike Sergent ’73 convinced C. Shaun Williams ’00 that he had a future as a student-athlete at KWC. Both hail from the small eastern Kentucky town of Jenkins (Jenkins High School). 

“I chose KWC because it was my best opportunity to receive a great education while playing football, as professed by Steve. His words of wisdom about KWC made it a clear and an easy choice. Mike was key in understanding the ‘Wesleyan Way’ and all it had to offer. 

“Since graduating with a bachelor of science in communications arts, I have been blessed to become the father of two wonderful children, Aislynn, a sophomore in college at ECTC in Elizabethtown, and Jerrick, an incoming freshman next fall at KWC from Owensboro High School.   

KWC Student Wins Award in BEA 2024 Festival of Media Arts

2nd place in the Student On-Air Personality Competition

 

Kentucky Wesleyan College’s FM radio station, WKWC 90.3, participated in the Broadcast Education Association’s (BEA) 2024 “Festival of Media Arts” for the fourth consecutive year and picked up an award. Communication arts major Corynne Bean ’24 received 2nd place in the Student On-Air Personality Competition. Her entry was a five-minute reel-based submission and included talk sets and show segments. The award-winning submission included her remote broadcast at Kentucky Wesleyan College’s Giving Tuesday Headquarters during the College’s historic fundraising day.

BEA is the premier international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production and career advancement for educators, students, and professionals. BEA is concerned with electronic media programs, placing an emphasis on interactions among the purposes, developments and practices of the industry and imparting this information to future professionals.

Black History Month – The Wesleyan Way: Walter Lee ’75

After graduating from Caldwell County High School in Princeton, Ky., in 1971, Walter Lee accepted an athletic scholarship to Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he helped guide the Panthers to two NCAA Division II sports appearances. Walter represented the KWC Panthers in the NCAA National Tennis Tournament in 1975 and was a member of the 1973 NCAA National Championship basketball team. Walter still holds the all-time career-win record in tennis at KWC, where he played the No. 1 position all four years. 

When asked about his experience at KWC and how the College helped prepare him for his career, Walter reflected on fond memories. “Kentucky Wesleyan prepared me for all aspects of life. I started out as a shy underachiever in the classroom. I was always a very sports-minded individual, placing winning as my top goal in life. KWC’s coaches and teaching staff helped me develop into a well-rounded individual, keeping my life goal in front of me – WINNING. Winning is important, because when you win in life, you have accomplished a goal.  

Nonprofit Coalition of Owensboro to host guest speaker from the University of Kentucky

The Nonprofit Coalition of Owensboro will kick off its 2024 Speaker Series on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Kentucky Wesleyan College with a presentation by Dr. Rhonda Trautman from the University of Kentucky. The event will take place from 8-10:30 a.m. in Tapscott Chapel in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building and will include the 90-minute presentation, local networking and light refreshments.

Dr. Trautman is director of the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration at UK. Her presentation, “Putting Your Strategic Plan into Action,” was a requested topic by area nonprofits and will include understanding internal and external challenges, action planning and mission impact.