The WKU School of Teacher Education recently gifted its first scholarships through the Forsythe Scholars Endowment.  

The scholarship fund was established in December of 2024 after a $1 million was given to the university from Charlotte Forsythe and Jerry Fandetti to support students pursuing a teacher education degree. 

The endowment can be used by graduate and undergraduate students for assistance outside the classroom, such as attending a professional conference or purchasing school supplies for student teaching.  

Forsythe is an artist and interior designer born in Montreal, Canada. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island School of Design and works out of her studios located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Plum Island, Massachusetts. 

Forsythe established the fund to honor her grandmother, Ethel Mallory Forsythe, who took a class from the Bowling Green Business School that became part of the Western Kentucky State Teachers’ College, which later became WKU. Three of Ethel Forsythe’s sons became WKU graduates as well. 

Scholarships through the endowment were given to 19 students for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. The endowment will fund $40,000 worth of scholarships for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and beyond, said Jessica Carver, vice president of the College Heights Foundation.