Why We Give – Jami (York) ’00 and Will Hernandez

Why do you give to Kentucky Wesleyan, and why do you encourage others to give?

“I was the disconnected alumna at one time. It took returning to campus for Homecoming 2012 to love Wesleyan again – I’m proud to wear purple and to be a Panther! The campus has changed so much since May 2000 and KWC continues to grow to new heights in the community. My challenge to others is get involved either by coming back to campus or by attending an alumni event in your city.

“Donating money to your college is a great way to give back by supporting the next generation of students. As a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, I am a firm believer in giving back. Whether you donate $5 or $500, your gift can make a big difference. I set up a recurring gift online, which makes the process easy.”

Tell us about your career.

“I currently manage the largest banking center in the Louisville market. I have a client-driven role, and I see the need to help my clients solve problems and find ways to help each client grow. My overall priority is to develop growth for our clients, my team and at the bottom line for our banking centers.”

How did Wesleyan prepare you for your life and career?

“I started out at a large state university and that didn’t work for me. So I transferred to Kentucky Wesleyan, and it was the right fit. I needed the small class sizes and personal interaction. As a first-generation college student, I appreciated the encouragement of my accounting professor, Dr. Raju Chenna, who helped me feel like I wasn’t just a number. As a business major, I was fortunate to have Dr. James Welch as a professor and mentor. He made such an impact on the Center for Business Studies and helped prepare me for a career in business.”

Tell us about your family.

“Will and I have three sons. I love spending time with family, vacationing and going to college football games. Anyone who knows my husband knows he is a huge part of the Wesleyan family. Though he graduated from the University of Louisville, he believes in the Wesleyan Way.”

It’s easy to set up a recurring gift like Jami and Will and many of our alumni and friends do. Visit kwc.edu/give to invest online with a recurring or one-time gift.