Giving
Mahurin Fund For Diversity
In recognition of the Mahurin family’s long-standing commitment to increasing access and equality of opportunity, The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) invests a portion of its endowment to support these goals. The MHC is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our student body. It is open to full-time, undergraduate MHC scholars of color or those applying to the MHC. These funds can be used for financial assistance for tuition, education abroad, special projects, and/or Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) Projects.
The Mahurin Fund For Diversity is accessed through the WKU TopDollar scholarship portal.
Director’s Fund For Diversity
This fund is dedicated to promoting diversity within The Mahurin Honors College (MHC). The MHC is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the student body. This scholarship is open to full-time, undergraduate students in the MHC who contribute to the diversity of the campus community through sexual orientation, gender identity, ability/disability status, religion, geographic background, socioeconomic status, family educational background (e.g., first-generation status), etc.
These funds can be used for financial assistance for tuition, education abroad, special projects, and/or Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) Projects. The Director’s fund for diversity is accessed through the WKU TopDollar scholarship portal.John and Diane Schroeder Honors College Endowment
The friendship of John and Diane Schroeder Jr. and former WKU President Gary Ransdell led to the establishment of this endowment, which supports ‘WKU in England’ at Harlaxton College. The Schroeders, who have a lifelong affinity for Harlaxton College, dedicated this endowment to support WKU students studying abroad at the Manor. In recognition of their investment the Commons in the Honors College & International Center building is named in their honor.
The Schroeder endowment supports Honors Travel Abroad Grants (HTAG) awards for students studying at Harlaxton College. To learn more about HTAGs, please visit our grants page.
Jacque and John Jarve Endowed Honors College Professorship
Jacque Hughes Jarve (1990) and her husband John Jarve established this endowment in 2008. The professorship supports The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) scholars participating in undergraduate research, education abroad, and high-impact internships. MHC scholars access these funds through Honors Development Grants (HDGs), Honors Travel Abroad Grants (HTAGs), Alternate and Supplemental Gilman Awards, and Life-Time Experience (LTE) Grants. Both the Alternate and Supplemental Gilman Awards and the LTE grants are administered by the Office of Scholar Development (OSD).
To learn more about our grants and awards, please go to this page.
Jarve Fund for Excellence
This fund was established by Jacque Hughes Jarve (1990) and her husband John Jarve to support excellence within The Mahurin Honors College (MHC). MHC scholars access these funds through Honors Development Grants (HDGs), Honors Travel Abroad Grants (HTAGs), Alternate and Supplemental Gilman Awards, and Life-Time Experience (LTE) Grants. Both the Alternate and Supplemental Gilman Awards and the LTE grants are administered by the Office of Scholar Development (OSD).
To learn more about our grants and awards, please go to this page.
Mary R. Nixon Endowment for Excellence in the Honors College
In an effort to support the greatest needs of The Mahurin Honors College (MHC), WKU alumna Mary R. Nixon (1976) and her husband Theodore (1977) created an endowment in the spirit of her commitment to public service and higher education. Mary Nixon has served in various positions, including Vice President of Internal Audit for Yum! Brands, as well as various Kentucky boards of accountancy, economics and tax policies. In recognition of generosity, the second floor overlook in the HCIC, which provides a great view of the Schroeder Commons is named after the Nixons. These funds support additional HDG and HTAG awards in the MHC.
To learn more about our grants and awards, please go to this page.
Jones Fund for Excellence in the Mahurin Honors College
In honors of their daughter’s, Dr. Jordan Jones (Gatton Academy 2010; Dance and Biology 2014; Louisville School of Medicine 2019), experience in the MHC, J. Greg (1991) and Becky Jones created the Jones Fund for Excellence. In recognition of their generosity the first-floor conference room in the HCIC, RM 1028, is named in their honor. This fund supports Honors Development Grants (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards
John & Carolyn Ridley Fund for Excellence in Mahurin Honors College
John Ridley (1974) long time Bowling Green businessman, philanthropist, and past member of WKU Board of Regents and his wife Carolyn created this fund to promote excellence in The Mahurin Honors College (MHC). In recognition of their generosity, the arcade on the back patio of HCIC is named in their honor. The Ridley Arcade is a popular spot for MHC scholars to hang out, do homework, string their hammocks, and enjoy the HCIC outdoor quad. It should be noted that the Ridley’s also donated the beautiful grand piano that resides in the Schroeder Commons. This fund supports Honors Development Grants (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards in the MHC.
Phillips Fund for Excellence in Mahurin Honors College
To help other honors scholars have the same outstanding MHC experience as their daughter Maddie (Communication Disorders, 2015; MS, Speech-Language Pathology, 2018), Vicki and Don Phillips created this endowment to promote excellence within the college. In recognition of their generosity, a British phone booth in HCIC has been named in their honor. This fund supports Honors Development Grants (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards in the MHC.
Rob Nowlin Memorial Fund
This fund was established by family and friends in the name of Rob Nowlin. Rob is the beloved late-uncle of Haley Jones (Communications Disorders, 2018) and Riley Jones (Marketing, 2020). Family and friends wanted to recognize the role the MHC played in Haley and Riley an amazing four years at WKU. This fund is in memory of their Rob Nowlin. The goal of this fund is to support scholars with financial need and to enhance the experience of students in the MHC. The Nowlin Fund is accessed through the WKU TopDollar scholarship portal.
William & Christianna Turner Fund for Excellence in Honors
Mahurin Honors College alumnus, William “Will” Turner (Philosophy and Psychology, 2007; JD Northeaster Law School, 2011) and his wife Christianna established this fund to to support MHC scholars with a concentration in pre-law or an interest in Harlaxton College. For Will, his semester at Harlaxton was one of the most transformative experiences of his life. As a result of their investment, Room 1043 in the MHC suite in named in their honor. MHC scholars are awarded Turner Funds through the Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) process.
Greene Family Endowed Fund for Excellence
Jesse and Dr. Katherine Greene, parents of Mahurin Honors College alumni Kaitlyn (Biology and Chemistry, 2016, UL, College of Medicine, 2020) and Jonathan (Biology and Chemistry, 2019; UK, College of Medicine, 2023) established this endowment in recognition of the College’s support of their children’s Big Dreams. MHC scholars are awarded Greene Family Funds through the Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) process.
David and Paige Peden Fund for Excellence
Established by David M Peden (Finance and Economics, 1998) and his wife Paige to support business students in the MHC. Students are awarded Peden Funds through the Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) process.
Dixie and Pete Mahurin Fund for Excellence
WKU alumni Dixie (Mathematics, Chemistry, 1962; Counseling, 1967) and Pete (Chemistry, 1991) are longtime supporters of gifted and honors education. These local philanthropists made a transformational gift to support The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) at WKU, resulting in the WKU Board of Trustees, on 27 January, 2017, naming the college in their honor. The goal of this fund is to promote, access, excellence, and assist honors scholars in pursuing their educational passion and career big dreams. This fund supports additional Honors Development Grant (HDG), Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG), Lifetime Experience Grant (LTE), and other special projects in support of access, excellence, and diversity within the MHC.
Clark- Robinson Recruitment Fund
Gatton Academy and Mahurin Honors College alumni, Tyler Clark (Gatton Academy 2008; Mathematics, BS, 2010; Mathematics, MS, 2012; Mathematics, University of Central Florida, MS, 2015; and WKU Ed.D. 2021) and Jennifer Robinson (Gatton Academy 2008; Accounting, 2011; Masters in Professional Accounting, UT-Austin, 2012) created this endowment in recognition of the supporting and guidance they received from both the Gatton Academy and MHC. The fund supports recruitment efforts to increase the number of Gatton Academy alumni matriculating into The Mahurin Honors College.
Gower Endowed Scholarship
Established by Colonel Wilford D. Gower (1918-2015) in 2007, this endowed fund is used to support students in the MHC with financial need, with a special focus on honors scholars studying chemistry. Col. Gower graduated from WKU (Chemistry, minors in Math and History, 1940). He turned down a job as a Chemist and volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He was a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Col. Gower authored two books and was fond of telling people one of the keys to happiness is remembering, “We cannot change the past, but we can use the knowledge of the past to help us move forward at any age.” The Gower Fund is accessed through the WKU TopDollar scholarship portal.Harney Family Fund for Excellence
Bruce and Diane Harney created this fund in recognition of the experience provided for their sons Brice (Business & Marketing Education, 2015) and Brent (Biology, 2017; University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, 2021). The Harney’s were long time members of the MHC-Parents Advisory Council and have helped recruit many students to the College. This fund is used to support Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards.
Reynold’s Family Fund for Excellence
Adam and Beth Reynolds created this fund in honor of their son, Logan (Biology and Chemistry, 2018; University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2022) and daughter-in-law, Cathryn (Ellis) Reynolds (Communications Studies and Spanish, 2018; MA, Organizational Communications, 2019). These two MHC alumni met during their time at WKU and were active leaders in Greek Life and with the Spirit Masters. This endowment supports Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards.
Greer Family Fund for Excellence
The Greer Family Endowment was established by Bill and Carol Greer in recognition of their son John’s (Economics and History, 2016) experience in The Mahurin Honors College (MHC). The fund provides a stipend for honors scholars participating in local community internships. The internship must have a focus on improving the community and lives of others. For information about the Greer Fund, please contact the Assistant Director for Academics in The Mahurin Honors College.
Mahurin Honors College Endowed Award
This endowed award funds undergraduate research, education abroad, and special projects to supports the pursuit our honors scholars’ big dreams. This fund supports Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards.
Mahurin Honors College Fund for Excellence
This non-endowed fund is dedicated to promoting diversity, access, and academic excellence within The Mahurin Honors College and is used to support additional Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards.
The Mahurin Honors College-Parents’ Advisory Council (MHC-PAC) provides leadership and organizational structure for the Mahurin Honors College-Parents’ Association (MHC-PA) membership. To support the mission of the College, the MHC-PAC has created this fund through the Collaborative Endowment project. This fund is dedicated to meeting the needs of honors scholars with financial challenges and rewarding excellence within the MHC through leadership and service.
This fund supports honors scholars with financial challenges and also providing additional Honors Development Grant (HDG) and Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards in the MHC. In recognition of parents who have invested in this collaborative endowment fund, their names are found on a plaque in Room 2002, The MHC-PAC Constructive Collision Zone, in the HCIC.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to Mahurin Honors College (MHC) scholars participating in an education abroad experience through the Semester at Sea program. This semester-long voyage of academic and culture discovery typically visits 8-10 different countries on 2-3 continents.
This fund supports MHC students participating on Semester at Sea with Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards. In recognition of scholars who have invested in this collaborative endowment fund, their names are found on a plaque in Tutorial Room 2019, The Semester at Sea Alumni Tutorial Room, in the HCIC.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to Mahurin Honors College (MHC) scholars participating in an education abroad experience through Harlaxton College in Grantham, England. At Harlaxton, scholars live and study in a 19th Century Manor House combining their classroom education with a range of field excursions across Great Britain exploring the distinct history and culture of the British Isles.
This fund supports MHC scholars studying at Harlaxton College with Honors Travel Abroad Grant (HTAG) awards. In recognition of scholars who have invested in this collaborative endowment, their names are found on a plaque in Tutorial Room 2020, The Harlaxton College Alumni Tutorial Room, in the HCIC.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to honors scholars in the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity on campus. FIJI is founded on five core values, which are Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality and Excellence. Many of the founding members of the award-winning Chi Eta Chapter at WKU were MHC scholars.
This fund supports students who are members of Phi Gamma Delta with financial support. In recognition of scholars who have invested in this fund, their names are found on a plaque in Tutorial Room 2014. The Phi Gamma Delta Alumni Tutorial Room, in the HCIC.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to Mahurin Honors College Scholars (MHC) scholars who are members of the Chinese Flagship Program. The Chinese Flagship Program is an intensive language program that provides students with professional-level proficiency in Mandarin during their undergraduate years.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to supporting honors scholars with significant financial need to participate in H4 (Honors Freshman Orientation Retreat). This multi-day retreat and orientation takes place in August, prior to MASTER PLAN. H4is designed to help the scholars build community, learn about the opportunities available, transition to the MHC and WKU, and understand the history and culture of the MHC.
This endowed fund is dedicated to honors scholars in their pursuit of excellence within The Mahurin Honors College (MHC), as supported by the HonorsToppers organization. HonorsToppers is the official ambassadorial organization for the MHC. HonorsToppers volunteer a significant number of hours to help recruit the next generation of MHC scholars.
Give HereThis endowed fund created by the parents of the MHC is dedicated to excellence, access, and inclusion. The Mahurin Honors College-Parents’ Association (MHC-PA) is working to grow the endowment and be able to name the main lobby of the MHC Suite in the HCIC.
Give HereThis endowed fund is dedicated to Latino/a scholars within The Mahurin Honors College (MHC), as supported by the Hilltoppers Organization for Latin American Students (HOLAS). HOLAS is a registered student organization at WKU that celebrates Hispanic heritage, and has membership open to all. This fund promotes access and inclusion in the MHC, by supporting students with significant financial need.
Give HereOur growing alumni base is a tight-knit community, who we often celebrate.
No, there is not a minimum contribution to participate in annual fund giving. Remember, it is not the size of your gift that matters — it is the participation that is most important.
Ready to make a contribution to the Mahurin Honors College? You have multiple payment options.
The simplest way to make a gift is online at http://www.wku.edu/honors/give. You may also write a check to the WKU Foundation, designating the Mahurin Honors College.
When you itemize your deductions, your gifts of cash may be deducted on your federal income tax return. Amounts up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income may be deducted during the year of the gift, with any excess deductions carried forward for up to five additional years. Your actual savings depend on your tax rate and other factors. Generally, the higher the tax rate, the greater your savings. Cash gifts are considered transferred on the date they are hand-delivered or mailed. For example, although a year-end gift might not be received until January, it is still deductible for the previous year if it has a December postmark.
Ready to make a contribution and want to do so online? Simply visit http://www.wku.edu/honors/give and follow the steps to give. There are three options:
1.) You can make a one-time gift.
2.) You can make a pledge of any amount and schedule the frequency of payments.
3.) You can make a perpetual gift.
Matching gifts are a great way to maximize personal contributions to the University. Your entire gift — your contribution and your employer's match — qualifies you for membership in our annual giving levels. In addition, your company's match is applied directly to the same designated areas as your gift. Contact your company's human resources office to confirm if they offer a matching gift program.
More information on matching gifts can be found here: http://matchinggifts.com/wku
The President's Circle includes donors who have responded to major needs of WKU with gifts of $1,000 or more annually. Currently, the Mahurin Honors College does not have its own annual giving incentive program, but follows WKU’s annual giving levels structure.
We are here to help! Contact Caitlin Greenwell, coordinator of constituent relations, by emailing caitlin.greenwell@wku.edu or calling 270-745-3020.
An endowment might be viewed as a savings account for the University. An endowed fund’s principal is maintained with only the earned interest spent. An endowment is a permanent legacy to one’s alma mater. It provides funding to the donor’s area of interest in perpetuity since the primary investment is never spent. The minimum amount required to create an endowment at WKU is $10,000.
Matching gifts are a great way to maximize personal contributions to the University. Your entire gift — your contribution and your employer's match — qualifies you for membership in our annual giving levels. In addition, your company's match is applied directly to the same designated areas as your gift. Contact your company's human resources office to confirm if they offer a matching gift program.
More information on matching gifts can be found here: http://matchinggifts.com/wku
Yes, if you give at least $1,000 total to a collaborative endowment of your choice, your name will appear in the corresponding room within the Honors College/International Center.
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