Rooster Booster sponsored by WKU-O to feature Bart Darrell, Vice President Commonwealth West Innovation Center

WKU IN OWENSBORO

Western Kentucky University continues to celebrate tremendous successes, and WKU in Owensboro shares in that excitement which creates even more opportunities for students throughout this great region.

ENROLLMENT & RETENTION

The fall 2022 to spring 2023 retention rates for degree-seeking undergraduate students and first-year student spring return were their highest since the University began tracking this data in 2010. WKU in Owensboro’s enrollment increased by 12.5% in fall 2022 compared to fall 2021, with over 400 total students taking classes in-person at the WKU in Owensboro campus and online.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & ACCESS

This year alone, WKU in Owensboro scholarship support from area organizations, alumni, and friends has also grown, providing over $130,000 in local scholarships to WKU in Owensboro students. Overall, WKU provided more than 9,795 students with university scholarships totaling more than $56 million!

WKU’s Opportunity Fund, established in 2018 with a goal of raising $50 million, has an expanded goal of $100 million. Over $84.9 million have already been raised, and 205 new endowed scholarships have been created.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

WKU in Owensboro offers degree programs which meet the needs of employers within the region. With a serious teacher shortage facing schools throughout Kentucky, WKU in Owensboro continues to address this issue locally. Elementary Education is the largest program at this campus, and future educators can also select a Dual Certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. Beginning this fall, WKU in Owensboro will also offer Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. Other top programs in Owensboro include Social Work, Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Business Management, Public Health, and Health Sciences.

WKU remains focused on providing strong instruction and guidance, preparing students for successful careers. WKU in Owensboro will continue to help students throughout the region as they climb higher! wku.edu/owensboro

270-684-9797 owensboro@wku.edu

Bart Darrell

Bart Darrell is a native Texan who was raised in Owensboro and has lived in both Bowling Green and Owensboro during his professional careers in law and higher education. Since graduating from Daviess County High School, Kentucky Wesleyan College (B.A. in Business Management) and the University of Louisville School of Law.

He has practiced law and has served his undergraduate alma mater, Kentucky Wesleyan College, as its president.

While with the firm of Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore in Bowling Green where he practiced upon graduation from law school, and formerly with Foreman Watson Holtrey, he tried cases all over Kentucky for business, medical, and educational entities. He has also generally represented public school districts, and is a mediator and arbitrator, resolving legal matters across Kentucky. He was named the Kentucky Bar Association’s “Outstanding Young Lawyer,” was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, served as President of the Bowling Green-Warren County Bar Association, along with other recognitions.

Darrell has served in many civic and volunteer roles and is committed to community engagement. His activities included his tenure as Chair of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Board, Chair of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Board in Bowling Green, board member of the Bowling Green-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, and member and Vice-Chair of Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education.

In 2013, Darrell returned to Owensboro and served as President of Kentucky Wesleyan College until June of 2019. During that time the college grew in enrollment, investment, increased its civic connection, rebranded itself with “The Wesleyan Way,” and created professional educational partnerships with pharmacy, medical, business, law, and theology schools. In 2018, College Consensus ranked Kentucky Wesleyan #2 among all colleges and universities in Kentucky.

Darrell is a frequent public speaker for such organizations and events as corporate leadership programs, educational institutional training, Leadership Kentucky, the NAACP Gala, Mentor Kids Kentucky, and many others.

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE

PRESIDENT & CEO cbrake@owensboro.com

SHELLY NICHOLS VICE PRESIDENT shelly@owensboro.com

ASHTIN WARREN

DIRECTOR, TALENT PROGRAMS awarren@owensboro.com

JULIA KIMBRELL COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR jkimbrell@owensboro.com

LYDIE BOONE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT lboone@owensboro.com

Chamber Matters is published monthly in the Messenger-Inquirer for the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 825, Owensboro, KY 42302-0825 (270) 926-1860 • chamber.owensboro.com

BOARD CHAIR SARAH MURPHY FORD HARTZ CONTRACTING, LLC

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