Bowling Green, Ky. - Dr. Eugene Evans, a former faculty member in the Gordon Ford College of Business, has made a commitment of $150,000 to establish to scholarships at Western Kentucky University.

According to Tom Hiles, WKU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Evans established the “Jonathan Andrew Evans Merit Scholarship” in memory of his son for students majoring in liberal arts, and the “Velma and Clarence Evans Merit Scholarship” in memory of his parents for students majoring in business.

Hiles said Dr. Evans was inspired to make his gift after viewing a PBS documentary, “Declining by Degrees,” in which WKU President Gary Ransdell made the case for the need for merit-based scholarships.

"We always appreciate support for scholarships, but it is even more meaningful when this support comes from a distinguished professor and a former member of the Board of Regents,” Hiles said. “We are very grateful for Dr. Evans and his generous gift.”

Dr. Evans taught management at WKU for 30 years, during which he served both on the Faculty Senate and for six years as a faculty regent. He said he is pleased to make this gift to perpetuate the memories of his parents and his son.

"My parents were fantastic people,” he said. “They fed, clothed, and housed two children through the Great Depression. They didn’t have much education, but they truly valued education and provided us with books and educational trips.”

Dr. Evans said his mother was an avid reader. “Just before she died at age 98 she had just finished a biography on John Adams,” he said. “She also loved baseball and race horses. She even rode an elephant at age 88. My father was a good man who helped people when he could. They both taught me a great deal.”

Dr. Evans said his son received a great education at WKU. “He didn’t live very long, but his life was enriched by what he learned there.” A philosophy and religion major, Jonathan Andrew Evans had a great love for music and books. He died earlier this year at the age of 43. “He was my caregiver and my mentor.”

A great experience at WKU and a desire to provide that to others also contributed to this gift. “I found a great deal of truth in President Ransdell’s comments on ‘Declining by Degrees,’” he said. “I know there is a real need for merit scholarships to attract the very best students.”

Dr. Evans said his years at WKU showed him there really was something called the Western Spirit. “I knew and worked with a number of wonderful people,” he said.

Dr. Robert Jefferson, dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business, said the Ford College’s faculty and future students will benefit and appreciate Dr. Evans’ generosity.

"Dr. Evans served WKU and the Management Department well during the years of growth and development of the business school,” he said. “This significant gift to provide scholarships is timely as we recruit outstanding students who seek a high quality education in a field of business. It is also gratifying to see a WKU faculty member make a gift of this magnitude to support the continuing quality efforts of the Gordon Ford College of Business.”

Dr. Ransdell said it is an honor to receive such a significant gesture from one of WKU’s great faculty leaders. “I admired Gene when I was a student and a young employee and certainly now as a friend,” he said. “His support is genuinely appreciated.”

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

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