Bowling Green, Ky. - Dr. Linda S. Pickle, professor of German and head of the Department of Modern Languages at Western Kentucky University, is the 2005 recipient of the Kentucky World Language Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Founded in 1972, the Kentucky World Language Association is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. Each year KWLA recognizes individuals, businesses or other organizations that have made a significant contribution to the profession.

The award will be presented Sept. 24 during the 2005 KWLA Fall Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville.

Since her arrival at WKU in 1999, Dr. Pickle’s impact on the world language teaching profession in Kentucky has been felt at every level. As department chair of the Western Kentucky University Department of Modern Languages she has shown outstanding leadership – advocating for high standards, pushing for good articulation with high school programs, supporting regional teachers and their programs by offering professional development, convening the annual college/university department chair meeting at KWLA, writing major federal grants that have improved the quality of instruction at Western and across the state, and impacting dozens of teachers in summer 2005 by providing professional development opportunities abroad through a U.S. Department of Education Improving Educator Quality grant.

Dr. Pickle received her doctorate from the University of Colorado and has studied and taught abroad as a Fulbright scholar and a German Academic Exchange student and researcher. Before coming to WKU, she taught at Westminster College in Missouri.

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For information, contact Linda Pickle at (270) 745-2401.