WKU was presented with a $2 million check to establish two new endowed scholarships at their last quarterly meeting of the semester on Thursday.
The gift comes from the Robert and Mary Tincher Charitable Foundation Inc., a private Bowling Green foundation created by WKU alumni Robert and Mary Tincher. The Foundation had previously donated $1 million to the university to support an endowed scholarship for deserving students in 2019, said Amanda Trabue, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement.
WKU President Timothy Caboni requested the regents name a residence hall in recognition of the Foundation’s gift, but the hall to be renamed is still to be determined, Caboni said in the meeting.
“This is going to be a wonderful gift and remembrance of their investment in the university and love of WKU,” Caboni said.
Joe Bill Campbell, the Foundation’s general counsel and a former regent, and Vera Murphree, the Foundation’s president, presented the regents with $2 million in the form of a check.
“How many days do you get to hold a $2 million check?” Caboni asked. “But it’s not about the money. It’s about the lives this will change.”
Campbell told the regents that although the Tincher’s didn’t have any children, they considered the WKU community to be their family.
“Bob and Mary Tincher were two of the most generous people that I have ever known,” Campbell said.
Also on Thursday, Chair Currie Milliken and Regent Phillip Bale shared sentiments on university transparency and its budget process.
“WKU’s budget review process is robust and transparent,” Milliken said. “More information is being shared with regents, faculty, staff and the public than ever before. During President Caboni’s tenure, initiatives have been implemented which are designed to increase transparency and engagement.”
A full transcript of Milliken’s remarks concerning transparency in the university’s budgeting process from the meeting can be found here.
Bale also emphasized that WKU is more transparent now than in previous years.
“As far as this board being involved and trying to be transparent, I think we do a better job today than I’ve seen before,” Bale said. “Anybody that doesn’t think we’ve been transparent hasn’t been paying attention.”
Also at the meeting, the Board:
- Granted emeritus status to six faculty members: Saundra Ardrey, Donna Schiess, Carl Myers, Albert Meier, J. Farly Norman and Bruce Schulte.
- Heard from Marcus Brooks, assistant professor of sociology, on his research that analyzed public understanding of race and racism
- Watched a presentation from the Big Red Marching Band that shared a behind-the-scenes look into how they craft their shows and details on their trip overseas to perform in the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade.
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