WKU Sisterhood

The WKU Sisterhood awarded $96,057.38 in grants to fund five University initiatives for 2022. During its annual fall meeting on Nov. 18, the group allocated two Impact Grants of $20,000 or more, as well as three Small But Mighty Grants for $10,000 or less.
 
The following Impact Grants were awarded:
• $32,900 for Modernize Multimedia Equipment for Student Media. The project will update multimedia equipment available to students working on staff of the Herald, Talisman and Cherry Creative to give more students hands-on opportunities to gain experience with a new generation of visual technology and develop industry-standard skills, while building WKU’s reputation as a state-of-the-art University.

• $45,062.38 for the WKU Summer Math Academy. The WKU Summer Math Academy is a summer transition program that will provide meaningful access to higher education for a group of first-time, full-time students by constructing an immersive and supported introduction to the genuine college environment. The program will allow students to move to campus early and complete two college courses, both of which apply toward general education requirements, with personalized support to ensure their success.
 
Small But Mighty Grants were also awarded to the following projects:
• $2,095 for Herstory@WKU. The Herstory@WKU 2023 event is an afternoon of free activities for girls in grades 1 through 8 and their families. The celebration of amazing women of the past, present and future will empower girls to follow their passions, ultimately finding careers that will engage their minds and spirits for a lifetime.

• $6,000 for DNA Sequencing of Virus Genomes. This project will provide students in the WKU Department of Biology with enhanced bioinformatics research experience by working with DNA sequence data gathered from the viruses they discover and characterize.

• $10,000 for Minding My Math Business. This project will engage African American and Hispanic/Latinx students in grades 6 through 12 in rigorous mathematics, supported by mindfulness and meditation practices, to develop their confidence and skills to be successful students.

“I always say the Sisterhood is the best thing I’ve ever done, and it is truly the best $1,000 I can spend,” said Julie Harris Hinson (’90), Sisterhood Co-Founding Member and outgoing Chair. “Being part of this group is the gift that keeps on giving. I love seeing the true impact of the grants we award when the recipients come back to share how they were able to use the funding.
 
“I will always be a member of this group,” Hinson added. “You get to be with fellow like-minded alumnae and friends who want to collaborate to raise funds for the University. One of us can do $1,000 on our own, but 50 of us can do $50,000 and 100 can do $100,000. The impact we can have together is truly astounding, especially when you think that our first grant in 2010 was $36,000.”
 
The WKU Sisterhood is also celebrating reaching the milestone of 100 members, with 102 women currently part of the group.
 
“The 100-member goal was one that Dr. Barbara Burch, who is a dearly missed former Sisterhood member and former Chair, and I had for so many years,” Hinson said. “I wanted to reach this goal for Barbara, and I’m so glad we could do that.”
 
“Under Julie’s leadership, the Sisterhood was able to achieve a milestone of more than 100 members, and I want to keep that momentum going and expand to a wider geographic area,” said Kathleen Overton (’95), who assumed the role of Chair at the meeting. “We have alumnae from all over the country. This is an opportunity for ladies in Nashville, Lexington, Indianapolis and everywhere to reunite with other alumnae while combining resources to help WKU students. It’s giving back, and we’re having fun while we’re doing it!”
 
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.
 
Established in 2009, the WKU Sisterhood awarded its first grants in 2010. Since then, 39 grants totaling more than $661,619 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.
 
For more information, contact Aarika Gunn at (270) 745-6490.