Ray Kassinger, Jenie B. & N.O. Taff Scholarship Award Winner

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Congratulations to Ray Kassinger, winner of the Jennie B. & N.O. Taff Scholarship

Ray Kassinger returned to college as a nontraditional student in Spring 2016. Recently divorced at the age of 34, Ray charged head on into her education. After receiving an associate’s degree from Owensboro Community and Technical College, Ray decided to transfer to WKU. She began to work towards a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Because of her education Ray has taken note of the ways in which society, environments, and social structures have a large influence over the ways people make their decisions. She says, “As I have studied sociology, I have begun to see the forces at play in my life and the lives of others.”

Due to her commuter status, her involvement in school activities and clubs has been limited, though she recently joined Alpha Kappa Delta. Ray has involved herself with other things outside of school. She currently works as a math, stats, and writing tutor at Owensboro Community and Technical College. Over the last few years, she has opened her home to three teenagers and helped them get a start on life. A few years ago, Ray took in her partner’s 83-year-old father so they could support and care for him. Ray’s caring and generous nature is showcased in other ways as well.

She has been involved with community service over the past few years and has had the chance to work with various groups during that time. Ray is also very involved in her church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Owensboro. She is the vice president of the board and is very proud of their community involvement.

While at WKU, Ray as taken the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. One example is when she took Dr. Hudepohl’s Field Methods in Ethnography class. As part of the coursework Ray conducted a microculture study of the Evansville and Owensboro drag community. This gave her the opportunity to conduct interviews and do participant observation.

After graduation Ray will be studying for the GRE, applying to graduate schools, and getting married in January. Ray hopes to be accepted into Vanderbilt University where she wants to work towards getting a doctorate. “I want to study the divisions created between different groups of disadvantaged people.”