Kay Meggers Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund is in memory of Dr. Kay Meggers, a beloved former Western Kentucky University professor and businessman who grew up on a small farm in northern Germany, and who later became the epitome of a “servant leader.” While known as an American business concept, that principle has its roots in the values of the Prussian King, Frederick the Great, who declared, “As your ruler, I am the first servant of the State.”

After two years active duty in the German Army, Kay Meggers earned a doctorate in nuclear physics and eventually joined the global engineering firm, Siemens AG, in Munich. In 2001, he was promoted to become the head of strategic planning at Siemens USA. Later recruited to the leading American aluminum manufacturer, Alcoa, he rose through the ranks to become President of one of Alcoa’s largest global businesses.

During his visits to worldwide mills and factories… from China to Saudi Arabia, from Tennessee to Iowa…he inspired and mentored Alcoa managers with a human touch that enabled him to motivate and empower frontline employees. His businesses became known for high productivity, cutting edge innovation, and enthusiastic support to their communities.

In 2018, Kay joined the faculty of WKU, where he shared his unique combination of intellect, dedication, standards, and service with students at the Gordon Ford School of Business. Like the soldiers he inspired in the military and the workers he motivated in his business career, he was beloved by WKU students for his generous contributions to their learning and lives. Energized by his enthusiasm and boundless optimism and reassured by his humility and integrity, people willingly adopted his high standards of excellence.

Throughout his two decades in the US, Kay always returned to Germany in the summer and Christmas holiday to help his mother and brother with the summer harvest and winter forest clearing and to continue his duties as a Reserve Officer in the German Army where he advanced to full Colonel and Deputy Brigade Commander. It was during WKU’s winter break in 2022, that Kay’s life of fruitful service was cut short by an accident while working on the farm that was his family home.

The purpose of the Kay Meggers Memorial Scholarship Fund is to ensure that his legacy continues to motivate worthy students to apply the values of hard work learned on their family farm to a career in business.

This scholarship is awarded to students who exemplify the personal character and commitment to service and academic excellence of former Western Kentucky University professor, Dr. Kay Meggers.

Candidates for the scholarship are students who, like Kay Meggers, grew up on their family farm and are the first in their family to attend university.

The endowment for this perpetual scholarship is made possible by donations from his family, friends, WKU students and professors, and professional colleagues from his career as a business and military leader.

                                 DEUTSCH

Check contributions may be made to the Dr. Kay Meggers Scholarship Fund, c/o College Heights Foundation, 1703 Chestnut St., Bowling Green, KY  42101.  Checks should be made payable to the College Heights Foundation and please note in Dr. Kay Meggers Scholarship Fund in the memo line.