WKU News

From left: WKU President Timothy C. Caboni, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Arthur C. Hale, Linda Kingsley, Rep. James Tipton and Dr. Corinne Murphy, dean of WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)

Two longtime educators joined the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame during its 2024 induction ceremony Friday at Western Kentucky University.

Members of the Hall of Fame’s 16^th class are Arthur C. Hale, who taught science and math at Ohio County High School for 54 years, and Linda Kingsley, who taught English and debate at Owensboro High School for 29 years. 

“I never expected to be in the Hall of Fame,” Hale said. “I didn’t do it for fame. You don’t dream about that.”

Hale said he tried to make it possible for every child to be a better person. “If you love what you do, you do it right. I think teachers are like preachers, you are called to teach,” he said.

Kingsley offered advice for students considering a teaching career. “Pursue that goal for teaching,” she said. “I didn’t think when I started college that would be my goal, but once I was introduced to the classroom it was where I was meant to be.”

WKU President Timothy C. Caboni congratulated Hale and Kingsley and thanked them for their combined total of 83 years in the classroom. “Thank you for answering your own call to teaching decades ago; for inspiring your students and all those who worked alongside you during your career; and for demonstrating to us all how a single teacher can change many lives. How one teacher can truly make a difference,” he said.

Rep. James Tipton, chair of the House Education Committee, congratulated Kingsley and Hale and noted the impact teachers have in their communities.

“I appreciate those teachers who made a difference in my life and I’m confident each of you could name teachers that made a difference in your life and helped change your life,” Tipton said.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, a former teacher, thanked the inductees for their dedication and service to their students. “May we have more future generations of Kentucky teachers walk in your shoes and live by your example,” she said.

President Caboni said WKU remains committed to training and educating teachers. “While the day-to-day grind and workload can feel overwhelming at times, I can’t think of any profession more fulfilling and more personally rewarding than that of a K-12 teacher,” he said. “They educate minds; they mold lifelong behavior; and they prepare students for the rest of their lives. And in doing so, they shape our future.”

WKU is leading the way to address the critical teacher shortage in Kentucky and in the nation, President Caboni said.

“We’ve implemented innovative programs designed to combat this shortage, to bolster the profession and to increase opportunities for students to pursue a teaching degree,” he said. “I’d like to thank the Kentucky legislature for their recent work on one of those initiatives, the student teacher stipend program.”

The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame, housed at WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences in Gary Ransdell Hall, has inducted 47 outstanding educators since its first class was announced in 2008.

Here’s more about the 2024 inductees:

Arthur C. Hale

When a marriage reaches 50 years, it’s called the golden anniversary. When a teaching career spans over 50 years, it’s an achievement worthy of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. Arthur C. Hale dedicated 54 years to teaching math, chemistry and physics at Ohio County High School, shaping generations of students and inspiring countless professional journeys.

Hale began his teaching career in 1967 after graduating from WKU. Known for his high expectations balanced with patience, Hale fostered a classroom where learning and curiosity thrived. A former student and now college dean recalls Hale’s dual credit chemistry classes and academic team coaching, noting how he provided “opportunities to excel.” Another alum praised Hale for transforming “the impractical into the practical,” helping students grasp challenging concepts with ease.

In letters supporting Hale’s induction, students consistently emphasized his profound influence on their lives and careers. A current professor of chemistry shared, “There is no other individual who has impacted my professional life more than Mr. Hale. He not only taught me science but also important lessons about life.”

Even in retirement, Hale’s legacy lives on through the Arthur Hale Award, presented annually to Ohio County High School students who show perseverance and determination in earning their diplomas. For over five decades of unwavering dedication, Arthur C. Hale’s impact will resonate for generations to come.

Linda Kingsley

Linda Kingsley’s career exemplifies the passion and commitment that defines a Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame inductee. For 29 years, Kingsley taught English and coached the Speech and Debate Team at Owensboro High School, instilling in her students the confidence to articulate their ideas and the skills to advocate effectively.

Kingsley, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1962 and a master’s degree from WKU in 1988, described her path to teaching as a natural fit for her love of learning. Over the years, her students flourished under her guidance, becoming thoughtful leaders in their respective fields.

A retired U.S. Army Major General credited Kingsley with teaching him how to communicate effectively—skills he applied throughout his distinguished military career. Another former student, now a professor emeritus, described her as a mentor who inspired critical thinking and thoughtful analysis. “She didn’t just teach us; she shaped us,” he said.

Kingsley’s influence extended beyond her classroom. Her former principal praised her leadership during the implementation of the Kentucky Education Reform Act, where she empowered fellow educators to embrace innovative practices.

Today, Kingsley continues to serve Owensboro Public Schools as a substitute teacher, exemplifying her lifelong commitment to education. For lighting the spark of learning in countless students and empowering them to find their voices, Linda Kingsley’s legacy will forever inspire.

About the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame: The Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was established in 2000 through a generous gift from former Governor Nunn, aimed at honoring the essential contributions of Kentucky’s classroom teachers and their positive impact on the state’s economy. WKU was chosen as its home due to its century-long legacy in teacher education. Learn more at https://www.wku.edu/kythf/.

Contact Jessica Basham, (270) 745-4030.         

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.