WKU News

With new partnerships at Kentucky Downs and Mission Catering, WKU Learn and Earn extends scholarship and employment opportunities to Simpson County.

WKU Learn and Earn offers part-time employment with regional business partners to qualified undergraduate and graduate WKU students. Along with paying wages, the business partner provides the student with a partial tuition scholarship through the College Heights Foundation, contingent upon successful completion of the semester. Students express gratitude for financial assistance and the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace.

“Being a part of the Learn and Earn program has not only helped me become a better employee, but has given me the chance to build character as well,” said Khali Francis, a WKU student from Centerville, Ohio, who is working at Mission Catering. “I believe Learn and Earn offers a unique opportunity to earn a paycheck but also earn money for school—another great part of Western Kentucky University."

Mission Catering offers up to five positions for students like Francis each semester now. Students assist with meal preparation for all occasion events. “Ours is a service-oriented business, and as such, it is extremely important that the people who represent Mission Catering are professional and dependable,” co-owner Tim O’Nan said.  

O’Nan along with his wife Johanna O’Nan shared: “This program provides us with student employees that exemplify these characteristics. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Learn and Earn and working with WKU for many years to come." 

Like the name describes, in addition to being a Learn and Earn business partner, Mission Catering contributes a portion of the proceeds from their business toward supporting humanitarian mission work.

In addition to the opportunities with Mission Catering, Kentucky Downs offers seven to 10 positions for WKU students in the Learn and Earn program.

“Our hope and expectation is for the WKU Learn and Earn program to be a ‘win’ for both the student and Kentucky Downs,” said Tara Howard, Kentucky Downs Human Resource Manager. “We intend for the students to gain valuable work experience that will enable them to grow and develop as individuals so they will be a step ahead of others upon graduating.”

WKU Learn and Earn student Jordan Bodenhamer from Bowling Green echoes the sentiments of Howard. “My co-workers are great, the Downs works around my class schedule and I’m learning a lot!”

WKU student Trace Sherrill from Bardstown added: “Kentucky Downs has a very professional oriented atmosphere—great people and a great company to work with, always willing to help and work with you. My personal experience with Kentucky Downs has been fantastic thus far.”

Project Manager Leslie Witty leads a small staff of two other team members who actively seek new business partners and students that can benefit from the program.

“Everyone with WKU Learn and Earn is thrilled to branch out into Simpson County,” Witty said.

“Both of these partners are not only well-established businesses within the Franklin community, they are also providing students with incredible job opportunities. In addition to the hourly wages and scholarship, the positions with Kentucky Downs and Mission Catering are tremendous resume and skill builders, especially for students interested in possibly pursuing a career in an area such as culinary arts, restaurant management, or hospitality.” 

Students interested in applying for WKU Learn and Earn can visit www.wku.edu/learnandearn. Business partnerships exist in Barren, Warren and Simpson counties. Interested business partners in those counties and new counties can contact Leslie Witty at (270) 659-6967.

Photo caption: WKU Learn and Earn has added new partnerships in Simpson County. Back row: Steve Thurmond, Executive Director, Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce; Ted Nicholson, Executive VP/General Manager, Kentucky Downs; Dr. Jim Flynn, Superintendent, Simpson County Schools; Tim O'Nan, Executive Chef, Mission Catering Co. Front row: Judy Wimpee, Administrative Assistant, WKU Learn and Earn; Leslie Witty, Project Manager, WKU Learn and Earn; Big Red, WKU; Tara Howard, Human Resources Manager, Kentucky Downs; Valerie Strafe, Assistant General Manager, Kentucky Downs.

Contact: Leslie Witty, (270) 659-6967