January 28, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- J. Clifford Todd has long had an interest in healthy living. The 1950 Western Kentucky University graduate in agriculture and biology also earned a master's degree in public health from Columbia University. But he found that most people in the public health field "don't practice what they preach."

So Todd, who is a part-time farmer and builder living in Simpsonville, wanted to find a way to let people know how they could benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Western will use his $500,000 gift to help create the J. Clifford Todd Professor of Longevity and Healthful Living.

Todd's gift comes as the University announced that total gift deposits to Western is up by 68 percent for a six-month total of cash received is $4.4 million.

"I've been interested in longevity and better health for many years and have practiced a healthful lifestyle," Todd said. "The key to enjoyable longevity is the prevention of illness through a healthy lifestyle." Todd said he believes that prevention is more successful than treatment.

"This gift is a way to show a lot of people how they could benefit from living right, eating better foods and exercising," he said.

Dr. Karen Adams, dean of Western's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, said she is excited about the professorship because of the broad nature of the gerontology program, which will directly benefit from the professorship.

"This is truly an interdisciplinary program," she said. "Not only does it involve all departments within the College of Education, but all colleges across campus."

Bringing a faculty member whose specialty is in gerontology and longevity "will allow the program to grow and expand in many areas," Dr. Adams said. The need for professionals trained in these areas will continue to increase as the U.S. population ages, she said.

"Not only are people living longer, they have more money and are in better health than ever before," she said. "This is really exciting."

WKU President Gary Ransdell said the "graying of America and the availability of new scientific information about aging have provided the impetus for Western's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences to increase the level of its commitment to preparing students to live and work in a society which values and promotes successful aging."

The gerontology program has been hampered because there is a lack of sufficient faculty time to provide leadership, he said, adding the professorship will help the program realize its tremendous potential for growth.

Initiatives possible through the Todd Professorship include a graduate program in gerontology, counseling center for older adults, intergenerational studies certificate program, fitness program for older adults, interdisciplinary practicum courses in gerontology and additional elderhostel offerings. Dr. Adams said a campus-wide committee will study the program and the professorship this year, and advertise the position in the fall.

"We are so appreciative of this gift," said Tom Hiles, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. "This is the first endowed professorship announced in the College of Education. The Todd professorship, with its cross-disciplinary focus, is the blueprint for the professorship of the future."

The gift places Todd in the Colonnade Level of the Henry Hardin Cherry Society at Western.

Giving to Western up 68 percent

Total private support to Western is up 68 percent from this time last year, according to Hiles. The six-month total of $4.4 million compares to $2.6 million in the first six months of last year. Further, Hiles said, the $4.4 million six-month total tops all gifts received during the entire 1998 fiscal year.

"We are very gratified that the alumni and friends of Western are responding so enthusiastically to our call to invest in Western's ambitious Challenging the Spirit strategic plan," Hiles said. "The support provided by the Western family will ensure our ability to attract quality students and faculty for generations to come."

Other six-month giving highlights include:

• Five new endowed faculty positions, bringing our total to 12
• The receipt of Western's 11th gift of $1 million or more
• Growth of Western's total endowment to $35.6 million

-WKU-

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