WKU News

As part of his annual Convocation address on Monday, President Timothy C. Caboni announced the recipient of the Spirit of WKU Award, Donald Smith.

“Our 2020 recipient discovered the WKU spirit early in life. Descending from a long line of WKU graduates, he knew as a child what it meant to be a Hilltopper and to possess that special feeling or ‘spirit,’” he said. “His accomplishments are built not only on a strong spirit, but also on hard work, determination, and an ever-present commitment to make a meaningful difference in higher education.”

As Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association, Smith successfully secured significant gifts to build the Augenstein Alumni Center and was closely involved in ensuring that the design of the center appropriately captured WKU’s history and traditions. Today the AAC provides space for both visiting alumni and community groups to hold meetings, presentations, social events and educational programs. 

As President of the College Heights Foundation, he led record-breaking fundraising efforts with more than $60 million cash flow during the past seven years. His work has made an incredible difference in assisting and encouraging hundreds of deserving WKU students. 

“Additionally, the Spirit of WKU is evidenced in the enormous amount of service he provides to the community, well beyond the responsibilities of his job,” President Caboni said.

Smith has served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Bowling Green East Little League, Dugas Community Park in Scottsville, Warren County Pee Wee Baseball, Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra, Leadership Bowling Green Alumni Association, Hilltopper Athletic Foundation, W-Club, and the WKU Foundation as well as volunteering for non-profits such as the Capitol Arts Center, American Cancer Society, Housing Authority, Junior Achievement, and the United Way.

Smith, who serves as President of the College Heights Foundation and WKU Foundation, said: "I am incredibly honored to be the 2020 recipient of the Spirit of WKU Award. I feel blessed to work with outstanding colleagues across the institution and truly do something I love each and every day. As a third-generation WKU graduate, this institution is very special to me. My grandparents met on the Hill in the late Thirties, my parents met on the Hill in the mid Sixties, and I met my wife on the Hill in the early Nineties when we both served together as Spirit Masters. I literally would not be here today without WKU.

" 'That Other Thing,' as Dr. Cherry often referred to it, was instilled in me at an early age," Smith said. "I have been fortunate to be in positions the past 26 years where I can perpetuate the WKU Spirit and help make a difference in the lives of others. When I see the names of previous recipients of the Spirit of WKU Award, I am humbled to join such a dedicated group of Western stalwarts. I am grateful to my colleagues for the nomination and to the award committee for their selection. I am also appreciative to all the WKU faculty and staff for the inspiring work they do each day to make WKU such a special place. I’ll always wave my red towel with pride and do my best to exemplify our motto, 'The Spirit Makes the Master.' "   

Contact: Bob Skipper, (270) 745-4295