Bowling Green, Ky. - Franklin banker Leon Page was honored by Western Kentucky University as part of National Philanthropy Day. Page received his award during a recognition luncheon in Lexington last month.

The giving spirit of Page and his wife, Lassie, was underscored when they made a recent $100,000 commitment to the Lady Topper Basketball Program.

According to Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, National Philanthropy Day allows us to pay tribute to the contributions that philanthropy has made in our personal lives, our local communities and our nation.

"This nationwide celebration allows us to recognize those of who have given freely of themselves to enrich the lives of others," Hiles said. "Through these activities, we honor those of have made significant contributions of time and resources to Western and by so doing enhance the quality of life in our community."

Page and his wife, Lassie, were founding employees of the Franklin Bank & Trust Company, where he now serves as chairman of the board. He is a graduate of the Bowling Green Business University, forerunner to WKU's Gordon Ford College of Business.

Page made the first seven-figure gift in WKU's history to establish the "Leon Page Professorship in Banking and Financial Planning" and the "Leon Page Endowed Scholarship." As a member of WKU's Campaign Cabinet, he helped procure more than $102 million during the Investing in the Spirit Campaign. He also holds memberships on the President's Board of Advisors and is currently Chair of the WKU Foundation Board of Directors.

In addition, Page is very involved in the Franklin community, having received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce, and a street bearing his name serves as the main entrance into the city's industrial park.

Past recipients of the WKU Philanthropist of the Year are: Gordon Ford, Lowell Guthrie, Bud Layne and Don Vitale.

The Pages will be recognized for their latest gift during halftime of Thursday's Lady Topper-Vanderbilt game in Diddle Arena.

"We are so proud and appreciative of Leon and Lassie's friendship and support. We are honored to have their names associated with Western, and we congratulate Leon on the deserving honor of being recognized as Philanthropist of the Year," Hiles said.

"Our women's basketball program is so fortunate to have such great fans like Leon and Lassie Page," said Lady Topper Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles. "Their financial commitment to our program is so important in helping us strive to compete among the nation's top women's basketball programs. Leon and Lassie's passion for our women's basketball program means so much to our coaching staff and our players. We thank them for their support and for believing in Lady Topper Basketball."

"Leon and I have been supporters of the Lady Toppers since Mary Taylor Cowles came on board," Lassie Page said. "We are very passionate about the program and look forward to seeing Diddle Arena filled to capacity with their supporters. We know in the future the Lady Toppers can compete with the best."

Leon Page added: "We have full confidence in Coach Cowles and the entire staff, having observed their work ethic and seen the enthusiasm and close relationship that exists among the players and the coaching staff. We want to be a part of seeing the girls mature both athletically and academically."

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For more information, contact Tom Hiles at (270) 745-6208.