WKU Sisterhood

The WKU Sisterhood awarded $62,960 in grants to fund six University projects at its annual meeting on Oct. 25. The 2019 total represents the highest amount of funding awarded and the most projects supported in one year in the history of the WKU Sisterhood. The group is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019.

The following grants were awarded:

    •  $15,500 for the Affordable Textbook Initiative to make course materials available at no cost to WKU students by incentivizing faculty adoption of library-licensed or Open Education Resources in lieu of traditional textbooks.

    •  $12,700 for the Center for Financial Success to provide Finance students with internships, support Center operations and create opportunities for WKU students and community members to receive financial coaching. Additionally, a “WKU Sisterhood-Sponsored Associate Financial Coach” internship position will be established.

    •  $12,000 for the Wired This Way: Gender Equity in Collegiate eSports project to identify current contributors to the gender gap in collegiate eSports and establish a Women in eSports organization at WKU to provide a sense of safety and welcome for women interested, but hesitant, to join eSports.

    •  $11,900 for the Big Red Radio Telescope to Bring Invisible Universes to WKU project to complete the assembly and installation of a new radio telescope to observe radio wave emissions from the Sun, planets and other celestial objects for research, education and public outreach.

    •  $10,000 for the Feed the Need: Addressing Food Insecurity at WKU project to purchase meal vouchers and dorm-friendly food that will be distributed via the campus food pantry. Students will conduct pre- and post-tests to measure the success of this method of addressing food insecurity.

    •  $860 for the “Boys to Men” and “Girls with Pearls” Documentary Project in which WKU PBS will partner with the Warren County Public School system-based Boys to Men and Girls with Pearls leadership groups to provide film equipment and training for elementary students to create short films about their lives and interests. Elementary students will direct and film the documentary, while WKU students assist in the editing process.

The WKU Sisterhood, chaired by Dr. Barbara Burch, is an organization of women advancing University priorities through philanthropic engagement and a collective voice. Any alumna, friend, faculty or staff member of WKU is invited to join this group of women. Members pool their financial gifts and award funds to a limited number of University designations to maximize the impact of their philanthropy. In 2019, a junior membership level was added for women who have graduated from WKU within the last 10 years or are age 30 and under.

Established in 2009, the WKU Sisterhood awarded its first grants in 2010. Since then, 26 grants totaling more than $447,000 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 Summer Bacon at (270) 745-4036.