June 26, 2008
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University today announced a $7.15 million estate commitment from 
Dorris (D.B) and Lula Burchett of Germantown, Tenn. This is the third largest one-time gift in the school’s history.
According to Tom Hiles, WKU’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Burchetts’ commitment will come in the form of a trust and bequest that will support the Gordon Ford College of Business. “An important legacy gift is often the result of significant planning and thoughtful strategy on what families want to achieve,” he explained. “We are extremely grateful to be the beneficiary of this generous commitment.”
Bill Tallon, Dean of WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business, said this gift will be transformational for the program.
“As our college attempts to compete on the national stage for the finest business students and faculty, such an investment in our future will set us apart from our peer institutions,” he said. “The Gordon Ford College will become known not only as a leader in business education, but as an important resource for the business community and a strong source of pride for all students and alumni. On behalf of all students, faculty, staff, supporters, and friends of the Gordon Ford College of Business, I wish to thank D.B. and Lula Burchett for their faith and confidence in us and the opportunity for reaching new levels of excellence which this recent gift provides.”
Dorris E. “D.B.” Burchett, a CPA, is retired from Terminix, where he served as vice president of operations and
market development. He earned his B.S. in accounting from WKU in 1967. He first attended WKU for a year after his high school graduation, and then he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, then returned to the WKU to complete his degree. He and his wife, Lula, grew up in Russellville, Ky., and they married in 1962. Lula attended Bowling Green Business University (the predecessor of the Gordon Ford College of Business), but she dropped out to work full-time so D.B. could finish his degree. While at WKU, D.B. participated in the ROTC Pershing Rifles and Delta Sigma Pi.
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After his graduation, D.B. went to work for Arthur Andersen & Co., an international CPA firm, a move he credits to his experience at WKU. He was able to interview on campus with many business and governmental agencies and had several offers from which to choose.
“My experience at Western definitely opened some doors for me, and I was encouraged by the professors and staff to excel and try to be attractive to a first-class organization,” he said.
D.B. said the decision to make WKU a major recipient of their estate was due to their fondness for the school. “We’ve followed the progress of the school over the years, and we want to help it gain and achieve excellence in its academic pursuits,” he said. “We hope the gift will allow the school to enhance its accreditation, attract quality professors, and provide opportunities for deserving students who might be unable to attend without financial assistance. Hopefully, those things will be repaid, as some of the scholarship recipients achieve levels of success and will feel driven to return the favor.”
WKU President Gary Ransdell said the Burchetts have generously embraced the transformation that is underway at WKU.
“Their support for our business curriculum will play a large role in the achievement of a bold vision to become a leading American university with international reach,” he said. “Our Gordon Ford College faculty and students, with D.B and Lula’s help, can lead the way.”
Top Five Single Multi-Million-Dollar Commitments to WKU:
- $15,000,000 - Jerry E. Baker for the Baker House and Gardens at WKU
- $10,600,000 - Glenda & Gordon Ford for the Gordon Ford College of Business
- $7,150,000 - Dorris and Lula Burchett for the Gordon Ford College of Business
- $5,000,000 - Houchens Industries for University Athletics
- $4,000,000 - C.M. “Bill” Gatton for the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For more information, contact Tom Hiles, (270) 745-6208, or Bill Tallon, (270) 745-6311.
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"A leading American university with international reach"
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