The inauguration of Dr. James P. Cousins, the 36th president of Kentucky Wesleyan College, took place Friday, April 25, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church at 201 East Fourth Street in Owensboro. Dr. Cousins became president on July 1, 2024.
Click here to re-watch the ceremony.
“This inauguration marks an extraordinary milestone in our history,” said Chair of the Board of Trustees Fred Wright ’80. “We invite the community to join us as we celebrate the strengths of our past and honor Dr. Cousins’ able leadership as we move forward to an even brighter future.”
Dr. Cousins served as the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Kentucky Wesleyan College since 2021 and has a distinguished career in higher education, including faculty and administrative leadership positions.
Related news: KWC to hold Cousins’ inauguration Friday
Related news: Cousins inaugurated as KWC’s 36th president
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Kentucky Wesleyan College President Dr. James Cousins has announced the appointment of Jason Vittone as Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. Vittone, currently Director of Athletics at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education and collegiate athletics. He will assume his new role on June 15.
Vittone is no stranger to Owensboro, having previously made his mark as the first baseball coach in Brescia College history. During his tenure, he led the Bearcats to five NAIA Regional appearances over nine seasons. He later spent 16 years at Central Methodist University, serving as head baseball coach and working in the admissions department.
“Jason’s distinctive fundraising expertise, proven track record of significantly increasing scholarship and operational funding, and his unique familiarity with our community position him ideally to lead our athletics department into its next chapter,” said President Cousins. “Jason’s understanding of the Owensboro area and his leadership style will be highly beneficial as we continue to advance the mission and strategic objectives of Kentucky Wesleyan College.” (more…)
Renowned Kentucky author Silas House will address the Class of 2025 at Kentucky Wesleyan’s 157th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at Owensboro Christian Church. He will be the recipient of an honorary doctor of letters.
“Silas House is not only one of Kentucky’s most profound literary voices, he’s also an advocate for the power of storytelling,” said President James Cousins. “It is a privilege to welcome him to our campus. We know the Class of 2025 will be inspired by his creativity, advocacy and commitment to community.”
House is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels; the first, “Clay’s Quilt,” was published in 2001, and his most recent, “Lark Ascending,” was a “Booklist” Editors’ Choice and the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award. Four of his plays have been produced. He is also the author of the 2009 book of creative nonfiction, “Something’s Rising,” with co-author Jason Kyle Howard. (more…)
The Kentucky Wesleyan football team is set to host their inaugural National Marrow Donor Program Drive tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM inside the Winchester Center.
The National Marrow Donor Program, or NMDP, is a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy. Per their website, the program works to “drive groundbreaking research, treatment, and support to cure blood cancer, blood disorders, and beyond.” Read more about the program here.
At the event, the team will be encouraging and assisting attendees in becoming a registry member with the NMDP. To do so, you need to be between 18 and 40 years of age, a resident of the United States or one of its territories, and able to meet the NMDP medical guidelines.
When you swab your cheeks and join the NMDP Registry, your genetic type will be included in the search process for every patient in need of a blood stem cell donor. (more…)
Brandon Cox ’10 climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro In October, and on Thursday, April 10, at 12:30 p.m., he will address Kentucky Wesleyan students about the experience at the annual Honors Convocation celebration at the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center. His speech, “It Goes with You,” will be an excerpt/adaptation from the book he is writing with the same title. He is a member of the KWC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Scholars Day presentations will follow in the Panther Room.
Cox is an award-winning marketing, communications and business operations professional. He is known for his ability to connect people with information, ideas and each other to make a difference in their communities.
He is the client success manager at Fastek Services, overseeing IT infrastructure, managing the technology budget and leading digital transformations for Fastek’s clients. He focuses on aligning IT strategies with client business goals. Cox communicates the business impact of technology at work to empower clients to achieve scalable, sustainable success. (more…)
Kentucky Wesleyan College in collaboration with Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television is excited to launch a new partnership in film and media production. The Keith and Vickie Sharber Communication Arts Program at KWC is excited to announce enhancements to its overall program to include more courses on film and media production. New course offerings will cover topics including cinematography, sound design, acting, animation and more. By partnering with Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television, students will get hands-on learning experiences through collaboration with industry professionals in the production and distribution of media productions.
Communication Arts Program Coordinator Dr. Andrew Bolin says, “Partnerships with organizations like Kentucky Sound Stage are invaluable, giving our students amazing learning opportunities while working alongside professionals in the industry. We are excited for what this provides for our students while at Kentucky Wesleyan but even more excited about the possibilities it presents after graduating with a degree from KWC!”
Kristi Kilday of Kentucky Sound Stage and Goldenrod Film and Television emphasizes the importance of investing in future filmmakers. “Training the next generation of filmmakers is at the core of our mission. This partnership goes beyond the classroom, equipping students with the hands-on skills, real-world experience and industry connections essential for success in an ever-evolving film and television landscape. By immersing students in professional productions, we’re helping build a strong, skilled workforce that will shape the future of Kentucky’s growing film industry.” (more…)
Shyann Worthington ’22 is an inspiring educator who is dedicated to making a positive impact on her students’ lives. After earning her degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, Shyann began her career as a reading intervention instructor at Alliance Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, before transitioning into her current role as a 5th-grade math teacher.
At Alliance Academy, Shyann noticed a significant need for healthy outlets for her low-income, at-risk male students. In response, she founded the school’s first boys’ basketball program in over seven years. This initiative has been met with great success, providing students with a positive, structured environment while also offering them a valuable opportunity for personal growth and teamwork. Shyann coaches the program alongside her partner, Kam, and is incredibly proud of the program’s achievements.
In addition to her work with the basketball program, Shyann serves as the Big Brothers Big Sisters Coordinator at Alliance, further demonstrating her commitment to nurturing her students’ development. She started an AAU team for her students to continue playing over the summer, and the league has expanded to include 2nd and 3rd grades. Shyann is also now part of the administration team at Alliance Academy. (more…)
Jennifer Walker-Crawford ’17 is a shining example of determination and dedication, blending academic excellence with athletic achievement. Her journey began at Kentucky Wesleyan, where she quickly became a standout scholar-athlete. Jennifer was an Academic All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference selection, earned a spot in the prestigious Order of Oak & Ivy, and was named the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. On the basketball court, she was a key player, finishing her career as one of the team’s leading scorers and rebounders, earning recognition for her outstanding performance.
Jennifer’s academic success set the stage for her professional journey. After graduating with a degree in accounting, she earned her CPA license while working as a Tax Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the Big Four accounting firms. While at PwC, she transitioned to transformation consulting to work more closely with clients, as working with people is a passion of hers. With PwC’s sponsorship, she attended The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated in 2024, before returning to PwC. (more…)