Bowling Green, Ky. - A gift from Hays Watkins, former CEO and chairman emeritus of CSX Corp., will steward ethical leadership in Western Kentucky University’s Business programs.                

Watkins, of Richmond, Va., is a long-time supporter of WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business, as his leadership gifts created the “Hays Watkins Visiting CEO ProfessorshipProgram,” which brings outstanding business leaders to campus who exemplify the same high qualities and standards Watkins represented in his role as a CEO.                
According to William Tallon, dean of the Gordon Ford College, this newest gift of $272,000 from Watkins will be used to fully endow the “Hays Watkins Professorship in Corporate Leadership” within the Gordon Ford College of Business.  “A senior full-time faculty member will be hired to steward ethical leadership and corporate responsibility in all college courses and programs and to sponsor and grow the ‘Hays Watkins Visiting CEO Professorshipseries,’” Dr. Tallon said. In addition to this gift to the professorship, Watkins has made an additional $250,000 unrestricted gift, which will fund a number of the President's highest priority areas.  This brings the total new commitment to $522,000.              

“Hays Watkins, once again, has shown a true caring for our future business leaders by his gift that will enable us to ensure that all business students learn the importance of ethical leadership and corporate responsibility to business success and to society in general,” Dr. Tallon continued.  “The Gordon Ford College is especially grateful for his generosity, since it will enable us to take a leadership role among the growing number of schools that are realizing the importance of ethical leadership in the preparation of successful business leaders.”              

WKU President Gary Ransdell said the “Hays Watkins Professorship in Corporate Leadership” will provide a perfect complement to the “Hays Watkins Visiting CEO Professorship series,” as it exposes WKU’s students and faculty to some of the proven leadership of corporate America and highlights the vision, insight and corporate responsibility the leaders bring to the business world.                

“We are extremely grateful that Hays has chosen to support his commitment to ethical leadership through this professorship,” Dr. Ransdell said.  “With his support, the Gordon Ford College of Business will enhance its leadership role in developing highly qualified business leaders who exemplify the same high ethical standards he demonstrated throughout his time at CSX Corp.”  

Past Watkins Visiting CEOs have included:

David A. Allison IV, Chair and CEOBB&T
Warren Buffet, CEO
Berkshire Hathaway IncorporatedBill Gatton, CEO
Bill Gatton MotorsMark Emkes, Chairman and CEO
Bridgestone Americas Holding and
Bridgestone Firestone North America Tire, LLCJohn Jarve, Managing Director
Menlo VenturesDavid A. Jones, Chair and International CEO
Humana CorporationHerbert Peyton, Founder and Owner
Gate Oil CompanyBill Samuels Jr., President and CEO
Maker’s Mark DistilleryZuheir Sofia, Chairman
Sofia & CompanyJohn D. Stewart, President and CEO
Triad Food GroupsCal Turner Jr., Chair and CEO
Dollar General CorporationRichard Wolfe, CEO and Chairman
Subacute Services, Inc.

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 William Tallon, (270) 745-6311, or Tom Hiles, (270) 745-6208.