WKU News & Events

May 9, 2002

WKU International Center Named
For Sofia, Downing

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University's International Center now bears the name of a former international student and his longtime friend.

The center was renamed for Zuheir Sofia and Dero Downing at a ceremony Thursday afternoon.

According to Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, Zuheir and Susan Sofia of Columbus, Ohio, recently made a commitment of $500,000 in support of the Office of International Programs. This gift will provide $50,000 for capital improvements at the Center and $450,000 to create the "Zuheir and Susan Sofia Fund for Excellence Endowment," which will support scholarships and a number of other important priorities.

"This gift demonstrates Mr. Sofia's devotion to Western and to his longtime friend, Dr. Dero Downing, a former WKU president who provided assistance and encouragement to Mr. Sofia while he was a student," Hiles said. "Thus, the Center is now renamed the Zuheir Sofia-Dero Downing International Center."

Hiles said the naming is particularly significant as the building served as the president's home during Dr. Downing's tenure.

"Dr. Dero Downing was president of Western Kentucky University when I was a student at Western," Sofia said. "I am forever grateful for his compassion, support and understanding of the need and the aspiration of international students. His vision, leadership, courage, knowledge, and commitment to Western made a tremendous impact on me as well as my classmates and the Western Kentucky University community at large."

Sofia said that since his graduation Dr. Downing and his wife, Harriet, have taken a genuine interest in his family.

"We have become very close, as Susan and I highly treasure our friendship with Harriet and Dero," Sofia said. "To us they are simply wonderful human beings. I felt it is only fitting to name the house Dero has lived in for many years as the Zuheir Sofia-Dero Downing International Center. It is a small tribute to one of Western's most outstanding educators. Also this gift is a small tribute from the Sofia family to express our genuine pride and sincere appreciation of the wonderful education I received at Western."

Dr. Downing was on hand at the dedication ceremony to share his thanks with the Sofias. "I am not capable of expressing my gratitude to Zuheir and Susan Sofia for the manner in which they honor me by allowing my name to be linked with one who has so distinguished himself as has Zuheir Sofia," he said. "I am overwhelmed by the honor and will continue to take pride in seeing my name associated with this program at this location and alongside such a wonderful man who is a loyal Westerner and treasured friend."

WKU President Gary Ransdell said: "Zuheir Sofia has been a longtime supporter of international programs at Western. This gift will allow to support a number of important initiatives within our strategic plan related to increasing the diversity of our campus, providing international opportunities for students, and attracting international faculty."

Dr. Larry Caillouet, director of the Office of International Programs, said that Western is deeply grateful for Sofia's generosity.

"His gift will make it possible for many students to gain a WKU education that will open a new world for them, just as his education at Western opened a new world of opportunity for him," Dr. Caillouet said. "It is a great honor for the building which houses the Office of International Programs to wear the name of this outstanding international alumnus and the name of the beloved former president who once called this building home."

Sofia is a 1969 alumnus of Western, earning degrees in economics and business administration. He was inducted into Western's Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1998. Sofia is a current member of the WKU Board of Advisors, National Leadership Committee, WKU Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Cherry Society.

He received a master's in economics from Washington University, where he also completed post-master study in the economics doctoral program. Sofia is also a graduate of Rutgers University's Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

He is vice chairman of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, where he is chairman of the Fiscal Affairs Committee, and Chairman of the Board of The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Sofia also serves on the Board of University Hospitals, The University Foundation and Ohio State University Affiliates, Inc., among other things.

He is chairman of Sofia & Company, a private investment firm in Columbus, Ohio, that provides financial and investment services. Previously, Sofia was president, COO, treasurer and director of Huntington Bancshares Inc., a $26 billion bank holding company, which he joined in 1971. He and his wife, Susan, have one daughter, Sarah, and twin sons, Joseph and Zachary.

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.