WKU News

The memory of Gabbi Doolin---a second-grade student at the Allen County Primary Center when her life was taken on November 14, 2015---will live on forever through the establishment of the Gabbi Doolin Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The announcement of the fund -- administered through the College Heights Foundation at WKU -- was made Thursday (March 23) at Allen County-Scottsville High School.    

“We all cherish the memory of Gabbi, all of our school system, all of our community, and the entire region,” noted Allen County School Superintendent Randall Jackson. “We continue to pray for the Doolin family. It’s fitting not just to cherish her memory but to honor her memory. We have done this in many ways over the last 16 months but today we are here to honor again Gabbi in a very special way.”

Dr. Donald Smith, president of the College Heights Foundation, announced the creation of the scholarship fund which will benefit students time and time again.

“We administer about 1,200 scholarship funds and each one tells a very special story,” Smith said. “I never had the privilege of getting to know Gabbi but from the stories I have heard from the family and the newspaper articles, she would have been a great Hilltopper. Unfortunately we will not have the opportunity to see her as a Hilltopper but this scholarship fund will honor her memory forever. Students a year from now, five years from now, 100 years from now, 500 years from now will still be getting the Gabbi Doolin Scholarship.”

Smith explained that the establishment of the endowed scholarship fund was made possible through multiple donations from many and spearheaded by a Bowling Green automotive business.

“This is due to the generosity of many in the community, our alumni and donors, and friends of people who knew Gabbi and the lives she touched in her short seven years but the leadership of this scholarship was given by David Jaggers from Leachman Buick/GMC,” Smith said. “Leachman Automotive gave a portion of their proceeds from cars sold last year to the fund. Many other alumni and friends also gave. The fund has already surpassed $50,000 and continues to grow each day.”

The money will be in an endowed fund with four percent of the interest that’s earned each year going into the scholarship fund. The fund will grow as time passes. The fund will allow an Allen County-Scottsville High School senior to receive a $2,000 scholarship in Gabbi’s honor this year with the potential for higher amounts in the years to come. The student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must attend an accredited college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The student is also required to have completed volunteer service hours for an agency or organization in the Allen County community and must also be an active member in a local church. The recipient will be chosen by a committee under the direction of the Allen County-Scottsville High School guidance department.

Gabbi’s parents, Brian and Amy Doolin, (pictured above with CHF President Donald Smith) spoke briefly.

 “I’m thankful that through this, Gabbi’s memory will live on,” Brian Doolin said. “I’m thankful that through this scholarship will help other students to go to school. We just thank everyone for every donation and your continued prayers.”    

Seniors at Allen County-Scottsville High School may apply by filling out the Gabbi Doolin Memorial Scholarship Application provided by the high school guidance office. This year the deadline to apply is April 28.  The first recipient of the scholarship will be announced as part of the high school's scholarship and community awards night scheduled for May 16.

Donations to the Gabbi Doolin Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made by contacting the College Heights Foundation at WKU at (270) 745-4597 or online at www.wku.edu/chf.

Contact: Don Meador, (270) 622-4119