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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.

Black History Month – The Wesleyan Way: Darayon Moore ’21

James Rogers, a Kentucky-born, long-time Las Vegas resident, is leaving a legacy through the generosity of the Rogers Foundation. From 2016 through 2023, the Rogers Foundation has helped nearly 100 Las Vegas students attend Kentucky Wesleyan through the KWC Rogers’ Fellow Scholarship. The scholarship covered full tuition, room, board and textbooks, and is renewable for four years. Darayon Moore ’21 knows the benefits of the Rogers’ Fellow Scholarship first-hand; she received the scholarship from to 2016-2021, when she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. 

Darayon was born and raised in Las Vegas and attended the Andre Agassi Prep Academy (now known as Democracy Prep Academy), where she graduated as valedictorian in 2016. With encouragement from her advisor, she applied for the Rogers’ Fellow Scholarship and was invited to visit KWC for an interview. “Everyone was very welcoming during the interview process,” said Darayon. “I knew nothing about Kentucky but fell in love very quickly.” Darayon was offered a Rogers’ Fellow Scholarship and eagerly accepted her spot in the second class of Fellows.  

Kentucky Wesleyan College recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Program for ninth straight year

Online Business Administration Degree Program again earns national recognition

Kentucky Wesleyan College’s online bachelor’s degree program has earned national recognition from U.S. News & World Report for the ninth straight year as a 2024 Best Online Program. Wesleyan’s online business administration degree program also earned recognition as a Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Program in the 2024 rankings.

“Our online degree programs are the perfect fit for students who seek to earn their degrees and advance in or change their careers,” said Lindsey (Adcock) Crowe ’02, KWC’s director of online learning. “We want them to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams, and we offer convenience, flexibility and affordability along with the same personal attention and encouragement our on-campus students experience.”

Kentucky Wesleyan to host Black History Month event with American Chemical Society

The Kentucky Wesleyan College Chemistry Program and the Indiana-Kentucky Border Section of the American Chemical Society will host a reception and panel discussion on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. in Rogers Hall at the Winchester Center. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the panel at 7 p.m.

Melissa Moore, programming coordinator for the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Evansville, will lead the discussion of educational career experiences, mentorship and overcoming obstacles to success. Panelists include Dr. Isiah Warner, professor emeritus from Louisiana State University, Dr. Aleeta Powe, associate professor at the University of Louisville and Dr. Deon Miles, professor at University of the South.

Kentucky Wesleyan Band and Choir to present joint concert – “Leap of “Faith”

The Kentucky Wesleyan College Band and Wesleyan Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Stuckemeyer and Professor Dennis Jewett respectively, will present a joint concert, “Leap of Faith,” on Feb. 29, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Jack T. Wells Activity Center.

Dr. Stuckemeyer said, “Works from Vaughan Williams, Kirchner, Reinecke and Grantham will surely sooth the soul as we celebrate our faith through music, word and song.”

The concert is free and open to the public.