January 6, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- A retired music teacher from Owensboro has been named to Western Kentucky University's Board of Regents.

Beverly Harper Wathen, a 1958 Western graduate, was appointed by Gov. Paul Patton and will join the Board for its Jan. 28 meeting. "I'm looking forward to it very much," she said.

She replaces Sara L. Hulse of Owensboro, who resigned last May. "I know I'm going to be filling some mighty big shoes," Wathen said.

Wathen plans to spend the next few weeks becoming more familiar with the issues facing Western and the Board.

Improving the quality of education is vital, she said. Wathen, who also taught music in her home for many years, remains interested in how the arts play a role in educating well-rounded students.

She's also interested in Western's educational influence and role statewide and in Owensboro, where the University maintains an extended campus center. "The cooperation of the local colleges is extremely important to Western," Wathen said.

Wathen is a native of Columbia, Tenn. Her husband, Edward, is president of Whitehall Furniture in Owensboro.