June 2024 Chamber Matters

Rooster Booster, sponsored by Western Kentucky University Owensboro, to feature President and Founder of The

The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Western Kentucky University Owensboro. The featured speaker will be Rich Harwood, President and Founder of The Harwood Institute.

The WKU Spirit is alive at WKU in Owensboro! Over 55 years ago, WKU began offering classes in Owensboro. Today, WKU in Owensboro offers 11 majors aligning with some of the most highdemand workforce needs in this region. Our 11 majors allow students to complete their degree close to home and receive outstanding personal support.

At WKU in Owensboro, there are four majors leading to teacher certification: Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades - Language Arts & Social Studies, and Special Education with a dual certification in Elementary Education. Students in these programs get hands-on, applied experience within local school classrooms and begin accumulating field experience from the first semester.

Psychology prepares graduates for clinical, school, forensics, sport psychology, and counseling fields.

Social Work prepares graduates for rewarding careers in hospitals and counseling centers, as well as with local, state, and national government agencies.

Sociology graduates are prepared for careers in case and crisis management, mental and behavioral health, law enforcement, courts, and corrections, as well as non-profits and businesses.

Health Sciences is for students interested in health careers, such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, nursing, and project management. Graduates can also pursue advanced degrees.

Management – Business Administration is accredited by the AACSB, the highest mark of quality awarded to a business program. Graduates are prepared for careers as chief executives, HR managers, sales managers, and other exciting — and financially rewarding — roles.

Criminology prepares graduates for careers within the criminal justice system, law enforcement, social services, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to tailor a degree to their professional goals, with 12 concentrations including sciences, social justice, sustainability, and technology.

For information about WKU in Owensboro, visit wku.edu/owensboro.

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Rich Harwood, President and Founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, has devoted his career to revitalizing the nation’s hardest-hit

communities, transforming the world’s largest organizations, and reconnecting institutions like newsrooms and schools to society.

In 1988, after working on more than 20 political campaigns, attending Skidmore College and Princeton University, being named a Harry S. Truman Scholar, and working for two highly respected non-profits, Rich founded The Harwood Institute when he was just 27 years old.

Over the past 35 years, Rich has developed a philosophy and practice of how communities can tackle shared problems, create a culture of shared responsibility, and deepen our civic faith. The Harwood practice of Turning Outward has spread to all 50 states and 40 countries. His experience working on the ground to build capacity and coalitions for change gives him a unique, powerful perspective on bridging divides and creating resilient communities. In Newtown, CT, after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Rich led the process for the community to collectively decide the fate of the school building.

An inspiring and sought-after speaker, Rich regularly keynotes major conferences and events.

He has written six books, including the Amazon bestseller Stepping Forward and Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Spread Change and Make Hope Real for All. He has appeared in major media outlets, including NPR, the PBS Newshour, MSNBC, CNN, the Washington Post, thenNew York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He has also authored scores of articles, numerous reports, and is a regular contributor to both The Christian Citizen and The Fulcrum.

Today, Rich is on a nationwide civic campaign called “Enough. Time to Build.” Amid contentious 2024 political campaigns, Rich believes the country needs a civic path forward, not more divisive politics, and that the real change we need is going to start in our local communities. His campaign calls on community leaders and active citizens to reclaim the public square from the most divisive voices and unleash our capacity as builders and doers.

Becky Barnhart Brian Benjamin Scarlett Bickett Rafe Buckner Alex Conn

Sharayha Clingenpeel Ashleigh Crowe DeMarcus Curry Katie Day Cate Gaddis

Kyle Geiger Tyler Goad Elizabeth Gramelspacher Bobby Grant Joe Hagan

Hunter Hinton Danielle Johnson Jack Jones Mindy Jones Nicole Leach

Sarah McElwain Whitney McFarland Kliricia Mullican Sarah O’Bryan Jeff Payne

Liz Revlett Heidi Reyes-Taylor Laura Rudolph Sonya Simpson Chad Underhill

Member Renewals

Rooted Recovery 1300 East Ninth Street (270) 297-7332 therootedrecovery.com

Faris Guitar Company 207 East Second Street (785) 845-5126

rickfaris.com/faris-guitar-co

Brad Emberton’s Heating and Cooling 1420 Smith Avenue (270) 729-2723

bradembertonsheatingandcooling. com

Pirate Proles, Inc 2521 French Street (270) 314-4856

The Barnes Group of Greater Owensboro Realty Co 8371 Haynes Station Road (270) 315-3960 facebook.com/barnesgroupofGORC

Stanley Crop Service 250 Church Street (270) 764-1151

Windy Hollow Biscuit House 630 Emory Drive (270) 231-7222 windyhollowbiscuithouse.com

Elite Mortgage LLC 3943 Hwy 54 (270) 240-1724

EliteMortgageRates.com

PeopleReady- Owensboro Branch 3427 Frederica Street (270) 683-4257 peopleready.com

Kodiak Resources, Inc 401 Frederica Street Suite 104B (270) 663-0960 kodiaktrading.com

Porter Concrete 2615 Carter Road Whitesville, KY (270) 287-1357

Christian Appalachian Project (866) 270-4227 2528 Palumbo Drive,

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