WKU News & Events

January 23, 2002

CHC Establishes Scholarship
Endowment At WKU

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University and Commonwealth Health Corporation announced today that Center Care Health Benefit Programs has established a $100,000 endowment to fund the "Charles M. Stewart Scholarship." This scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition and book fees for one year, will be presented annually to a child of a CHC employee who is attending or who plans to attend WKU.

According to John C. Desmarais, president and chief executive officer, Stewart began his service with CHC in 1967 as a member of the Bowling Green-Warren County Hospital Commission.

As a result of reorganization, the Hospital Commission became known as the Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital Corporation in 1977. Stewart served as chairman of both organizations, and in 1985 he was elected to serve on the first Commonwealth Health Corporation Board of Directors. Through his leadership, the hospital on Reservoir Hill was replaced with a state-of-the-art facility, now known as The Medical Center at Bowling Green. Stewart served as an active director and supporter of CHC for 25 years.

"Charles Stewart is an individual who cares for his community," Desmarais said. "He committed himself many years ago to ensuring that southcentral Kentucky has a quality healthcare facility. His work and dedication in this area became a reality with The Medical Center. We are very grateful for his support and leadership."

Desmarais said that CHC established the scholarship fund to express its deepest appreciation for Stewart's "wise counsel and loyal friendship. His devotion has played an important role in the evolution of healthcare for southcentral Kentuckians."

In addition to this $100,000 gift, CHC also made a $50,000 gift in support of the existing "Commonwealth Health Corporation/Center Care Health Benefits Visiting Professorship in Nursing." This gift was matched by $15,209 through the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Regional University Excellence Trust Fund, an incentive fund designed to leverage private support for endowed faculty positions, faculty support, and scholarships.

WKU President Gary A. Ransdell said that Western is deeply appreciative of CHC's generosity.

"CHC is a prime example of a dedicated corporate leader," he said. "Their spirit of generosity will impact countless students in the years to come."

Dr. Ransdell said CHC has given more than $580,000 to support various programs at WKU, including the following programs through its affiliates:
Medical Center at Franklin - "Helen Dinning Scholarship"
Medical Center at Scottsville - scholarships in the College Heights Foundation

For more information, contact Tom Hiles at (270) 745-6208. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.