WKU News

WKU Sisterhood awards 2024 grants with $65,960 to support University community.

The WKU Sisterhood gathered for its annual fall meeting on Nov. 8, and the organization celebrated 15 years of service to the WKU community.
 
In total, the group awarded $65,960 in grants to fund four University initiatives for 2024. The WKU Sisterhood members voted to allocate two Impact Grants of $20,000 or more, as well as two Small But Mighty Grants for $10,000 or less.
 
The following Impact Grants were awarded:
 

$43,500 for Make it Count: Empowering First-Generation Students through Career Readiness and Academic Engagement. Support from the grant will elevate an academic engagement series, Make it Count, that helps WKU first-generation students develop career-ready skills and stay on track for gradation. Students who complete the series can apply for grants to assist with internships, research, study abroad opportunities and more.

$14,000 for the Rendering Computers for the WKU Interior Design Program. Support from the grant will allow for the purchase of new equipment so the program to remain competitive and among the most technologically advanced in the state.

Small But Mighty Grants were also awarded to the following projects:
 
$3,000 for Writing Workshop in Support of WKU Women Faculty Impacted by COVID-19. This project will create a weeklong writing workshop for women faculty at WKU, particularly mid- and early-career faculty members. The workshop will allow women faculty to empower one other and create a writing project to help alleviate the gender disparity in publication authorship that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

$5,460 for Stop the Bleed with WKU CPR Training Center. Support from this grant will allow the WKU CPR Training Center at the College of Health and Human Services to purchase materials needed for the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed, a training that instructs community members without medical expertise to control bleeding in case of a medical emergency or natural disaster.
 
“At its inception 15 years ago, the WKU Sisterhood adopted tulips as our symbol, and dare I say it was no accident,” said Christy Sheback Fuller (’02), Chair of the Proposal Committee and Chair-Elect of the WKU Sisterhood. “Bulbs must be planted in the fall if they are to bloom in the spring. In that spirit, the Sisterhood gathered for our annual meeting to award grants that will allow projects and programs on campus and in our community to flourish for seasons to come.

“Since graduating in 2002, it has always been my dream to give back to the community where I was first allowed to blossom,” Christy continued. “The kindred spirits I’ve met in the Sisterhood have only solidified my love for WKU. These vibrant women represent all ages, background and careers, but we are united in our singular goal of empowering future visionaries.”

 
Established in 2009, the WKU Sisterhood awarded its first grants in 2010. Since then, 49 grants totaling more than $834,090 have been awarded to the University community. The amount of money available for distribution is dependent upon the number of members and can vary each year. Although funds stay within the WKU community, benefits extend beyond the University campus.

The Sisterhood is an organization of women advancing University priorities through philanthropic engagement and a collective voice. Members pool their financial gifts and award funds to a limited number of University designations to maximize the impact of their philanthropy. Any alumna, friend, faculty or staff member of WKU is invited to join this group of women. To learn more, visit wku.edu/sisterhood.

For more information, contact Aarika Gunn at (270) 745-6490.
 
Posted: Nov. 8, 2024