Kentucky Wesleyan College is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking Guaranteed Admission initiative for qualified students from Daviess and Hancock counties in Kentucky, beginning with the fall 2026 enrollment cycle. This step reaffirms the College’s enduring commitment to serving its neighbors and opening new doors of opportunity for local students.
“This initiative reflects the Kentucky Wesleyan’s commitment to our community,” said Dr. James Cousins, president of Kentucky Wesleyan College. “It’s more than a promise, it’s a pathway to the same transformative educational experience the College has provided to generations of graduates from Daviess and Hancock counties.”
Students who meet academic eligibility requirements will be automatically granted admission, removing barriers and creating a clear, supportive transition from high school to college. Once on campus, students will experience the power of The Wesleyan Way—an educational philosophy grounded in honor, support, integrity and Christ-like love.
“Local alumni know for a fact that choosing Kentucky Wesleyan means choosing a College that’s close enough to home to stay grounded, yet far-reaching enough to launch you wherever you want to go,” notes Matthew Ruark ’09, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management. (more…)
Kentucky Wesleyan College celebrated its 157th Commencement on Saturday morning at Owensboro Christian Church, recognizing the academic achievements and resilience of the Class of 2025.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of undergraduate studies for more than 150 students, including first-generation college graduates, international students, and students completing online degree programs. More than 40 percent of the class earned additional academic or leadership distinctions.
KWC President Dr. James Cousins opened the event by welcoming graduates, families, faculty, staff, trustees and guests. His remarks acknowledged the significance of the moment and the years of determination behind each student’s success.
“You persisted without the inherited playbook that others take for granted,” Cousins said, recognizing the many students who navigated college as the first in their families to do so. “Your success speaks to your character as much as your coursework.”
He praised the students’ ability to push forward through academic, personal and financial challenges, noting that the journey to a degree was often made one essay, one quiz or one commute at a time.
Nearly half of the graduates were the first in their families to complete a college degree. Many balanced coursework with jobs, caregiving or other personal responsibilities. He described their journey as a series of daily efforts—essays, commutes, assignments—that built momentum over time and ultimately brought them to commencement.
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This article originally appeared in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Cousins inaugurated as KWC’s 36th president
By Scott Hagerman, Messenger-Inquirer
Dr. James P. Cousins was inaugurated as Kentucky Wesleyan College’s 36th president on Friday during a ceremony at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church.
Cousins has served as Kentucky Wesleyan’s president since July 1, 2024. He had previously served as the college’s provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2021.
“I stand before you today humbled, humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me, humbled by the legacy inherited … humbled by the incredible potential of KWC,” Cousins said. “Inaugurations are special because they are touch points in a college’s history. They give us time to come together and reflect on our past as we think about the road ahead.”
Fred Wright, a 1980 graduate of KWC and chairman of the school’s board of trustees, gave the welcoming statement.
“Dr. Cousins, the presence of everyone here today is an expression of our confidence in you,” he said, “and reflects our commitment to support you as you lead us into the next chapter of the life of Kentucky Wesleyan College.”
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This article originally appeared in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
KWC to hold Cousins’ inauguration Friday
By Scott Hagerman, Messenger-Inquirer
Dr. James Cousins has been president of Kentucky Wesleyan College since July of last year.
But at 1 p.m. Friday at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 E. Fourth St., Cousins’ inauguration as KWC’s 36th president will be held.
“Inaugurations are a time for everybody to come together and celebrate the college, kind of in familiar ways and unfamiliar ways,” Cousins said. “We get together and celebrate what we’re doing in a way that’s unique from commencements or baccalaureate ceremonies, or convocations — it’s a different idea, but a lot of the same sort of feelings, emotions. Alumni come together and trustees with faculty and staff and students and celebrate the college. But this is a different way of doing that.
“Historically what inaugurations mean are a new chapter, a turning point, celebrating what was past, what is present, and what’s coming in the future. That might be embodied in a convocation or commencement address, but this is an opportunity to really focus on that specifically.”
Cousins, who had served as KWC’s provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2021 until being named president, said the inauguration will represent the “fulfillment of a dream.”
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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…)