Transy student Sarah Lawrence thanks Named Scholars partners

On February 21st more than 160 people – representing scholarship partners, business partners, students, campus presidents and staff, alumni, and friends – convened at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort to celebrate independent higher education in Kentucky. (See a photo gallery here.)

“We are absolutely thrilled to have so many people here with us tonight to celebrate our students and our partners,” said AIKCU President Gary S. Cox. “We’re especially thankful that our ‘big four’ Named Scholars Program contributors – Ashland, Inc., the E.ON US Foundation, Toyota Motors Manufacturing Kentucky, and UPS – are able to be here tonight. These organizations truly are outstanding corporate citizens and I take their willingness to affiliate with us and support our students as a supreme compliment.”

Transylvania University senior Sarah Lawrence, an Ashland Named Scholar from Franklin, Kentucky, addressed the crowd on behalf of all the AIKCU Named Scholars.

“I can’t say thank you enough. This scholarship came at just the right time for me, as I’m sure it did for many of my fellow scholars,” said Lawrence, who is currently student teaching at Cardinal Valley Elementary School in Lexington, where more than 60 percent of students are Hispanic and more than 95 percent receive free and reduced lunch. “This is the first semester I have not been able to hold a job to help pay for school. This scholarship allowed me to focus solely on student teaching and not working during my final semester.”

Also in attendance were many of AIKCU’s business partners, who work with member campuses to help them control costs and keep independent higher education affordable.

The evening was made possible by Executive Director Kent Whitworth (a proud Asbury College alum) and his staff at the Kentucky Historical Society. KHS hosted the event, provided the entertainment (the fabulous Museum Theatre piece “Nothing New for Easter: Shopping for Civil Rights, performed by Berea College alumna Ashley Woods), and even provided a special behind the scenes look at the workings of the History Center for AIKCU faculty and students before the banquet.

Special recognition/honors presented during the evening:

Special recognition was given to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in honor of their 20th Anniversary in Kentucky in 2006, and for their sustained commitment to AIKCU students throughout their tenure in Kentucky. Toyota has given more than $748,000 in support of AIKCU students since 1989. Kim Menke, Community Relations Manager for TMMK and AIKCU board member, accepted the honor on behalf of the entire TMMK team.

Tom Layzell, the retiring President of the Council on Postsecondary Education, was honored during the evening for his leadership at the Council.

John Chowning, Vice President for Church and External Relations and Executive Assistant to the President at Campbellsville University, received the AIKCU “For the Greater Good” award.

Bill Julian, retiring Provost at Lindsey Wilson College, was recognized for his years of service to Lindsey Wilson and to the independent college community.