WKU Sisterhood

With members voting electronically, the WKU Sisterhood recently awarded $30,000 in grants to fund three University initiatives for 2020.

The following grants were awarded:

    •    $12,000 for the Food Pantry at WKU. The Office of Sustainability offers non-perishable food and toiletries to all WKU students, faculty and staff. In response to increasing food insecurities in the region linked to widespread unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food pantry services were expanded to benefit all community members in the region. To stay fully stocked and supplement donations, the Food Pantry staff purchases approximately $3,000 worth of food each month. A steady increase in use was seen in summer 2020, and an increased need as we move into the winter months is anticipated.


    •    $10,000 for the One WKU Academy. The University has leveraged the combined power of Academic Affairs and Enrollment and Student Affairs to create One WKU – a safe and welcoming campus with top-ranked faculty and staff, inclusive infrastructures and services, ethical and transparent policies, and dedication to a thriving, diverse student body prepared for success as global citizens. The grant will assist the One WKU Academy with aligning inclusive leadership and cultural change through collaborative action among faculty and staff in building a diverse, equitable and inclusive college campus to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the region and nation.


    •    $8,000 for the Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education at WKU. Established in spring 2018, the Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education was created to be a catalyst in the cultivation and support of innovative and transformative practices and research initiatives related to student success. The Burch Institute is the manifestation of a dream of Provost Emeritus Dr. Barbara Burch and is named in honor of Drs. Ken and Barbara Burch’s late daughter and former WKU professor, Dr. Kelly M. Burch. The grant will be used for strategic University initiatives to support recruitment and retention.

The WKU Sisterhood, chaired by Julie Harris Hinson (’90), 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.

“Though we are planning to hold a virtual meeting next month, we wanted to award our grants as soon as possible so the funds can begin making an impact for the University community,” said Hinson. “The Food Pantry, the One WKU Academy and the Burch Institute represent critical and timely initiatives, and we know that each will utilize this funding in their own unique ways to support their diverse needs.

“The Sisterhood overwhelmingly wanted to include support for the Burch Institute to honor Dr. Barbara Burch, who was chair of the Sisterhood from 2017 to 2019,” added Hinson. “She was a dedicated leader and a passionate philanthropist. I learned so much from her, and I am glad that we can continue to recognize her through the work of an organization for which she cared so much.”

Established in 2009, the WKU Sisterhood awarded its first grants in 2010. Since then, 29 grants totaling more than $477,000 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.

In lieu of their annual in-person meeting, the WKU Sisterhood will hold a virtual meeting on Nov. 13 during the University’s inaugural WKU Philanthropy Week.

For more information, contact Summer Bacon at (270) 745-4036.