November 22, 2004

Bowling Green, Ky. - Richard Ewald of Russellville, Ky., has made a $100,000 commitment to Western Kentucky University to fund the Jennie Stonecipher Ewald Scholarship in memory of his late wife.

According to Alex Downing, president of the College Heights Foundation, this scholarship will annually be awarded to students who are majoring in a field within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction or the Department of Communication Disorders and who plan to work in an elementary or secondary school upon their graduation from WKU.

"We are very grateful that Mr. Ewald has made this gift in memory of the late Jennie Stonecipher Ewald," Downing said. "This fund will be housed in the College Heights Foundation as an endowment, and the principal of the fund will remain intact. As long as WKU continues to nurture students on the Hill, the name of Mrs. Ewald will be preserved as the scholarship continues to be awarded to countless students."

Downing said the students may be beginning freshmen or returning students, and the award will be renewable, provided the student continues to meet all requirements and that progress toward the degree is achieved. "Recipients must demonstrate the personal qualities of character, integrity, dependability, industriousness, and human compassion," Downing said. "They must also engage in community service or make extraordinary contributions at home."

Ewald said: "Jennie devoted her professional life to helping others, especially children. She also placed great value on education. I am pleased that those two passions can live forever in her name through this scholarship."

For more information about applying for the scholarship or about making a donation to the scholarship endowment, contact Alex Downing in the College Heights Foundation at (270) 745-4597.

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For more information, contact Alex Downing at (270) 745-4597.