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[ Dr. Tim Lee Carter ] - [ Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry ] - [ Edgar Allen Diddle ]
The outbreak of World War II led Carter to volunteer for the Army, and he served as Captain for 42 months in Hawaii, New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon of the Phillippines. He received the Combat Medical Badge and the Bronze Star as recognition for bravery. After his discharge from the Army, Carter resumed his hometown practice which included efforts in helping build a new local hospital, and later a three-doctor clinic. His concern for his patients and his friendly bedside manner endeared him to his patients, and he had an enormous practice. The night never got too dark for him to go in his Jeep to visit a patient in distress. Carter was elected to Congress in 1964 and served for 16 years. Upon his retirement form Congress Carter returned to Tompkinsville. President Reagan appointed Carter as Chairman of the National Cancer Advisory Committee. Being from a strong political family of officeholders, he found time from his busy practice to be Chairman of the Republican Party in Monroe County for 12 years. During this Congressional career, he received many honors in the health field, several national awards for legislation combating cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and heart, lung, and blood diseases. He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Union College, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky. He received the coveted Benjamin Rush Award, given by the American Medical Association for his contribution to the field of medicine, the highest award a doctor can receive. While in Congress, Carter was on the Health Legislative Committee and attended several World Health Conferences in Switzerland. Besides his contributions in health legislation, he obtained federal funds to build many hospitals, vocational schools, pure water systems and sewage disposal systems in his district. Tim Lee Carter died March 27, 1987. Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry Cherry was still president of Western when he died in 1937. During that period he developed an outstanding physical plant and attracted an exceptional faculty. Western became one of the largest and best teacher training institutions in the nation. Endowed with the ability to inspire others to their best efforts, Cherry had a profound effect on thousands of students who came to the Hill. Daily chapel was the pulpit from which he preached that "The Spirit Makes the Master." Also active in such public affairs as the Farmer's Chautauqua and corn improvement projects for boy farmers, Cherry was one of the best known Kentuckians of his day. During the first third of the 20th Century, he was the leading educator in the state. Under his leadership, Western became a degree granting institution in 1922. While teacher training remained its primary function, the institution offered a growing number of programs in other fields. In recognition of his service, the University of Kentucky awarded him the LL.D. degree in 1911. A book of his speeches was published, and he co-authored texts for history and government students in Kentucky. Among his outstanding achievements were the establishment of the College Heights Foundation and the construction of the unique Kentucky Building with its outstanding library and museum. Few persons have ever had the satisfaction of coming so near the realization of a dream as did President Cherry in the building of Western. Yet, it was typical of the man that his goals always expanded as he neared completion of his goals. He served as a member of the Kentucky Education Association for 45 years, including two terms as president and 20 years as director. He died August 1, 1937.
He was a member of the famous Centre College Praying Colonels football squad which included the colorful Bo McMillin. Diddle was a blocking back during the 1917, 1919, and 1920 seasons and was credited with shaking loose the All-American McMillin for many sensational runs. He was also a star on Centre's unbeaten basketball team of 1919. Diddle served in the Naval Aviation program during World War I, returning to Centre as a student in 1918. He began his coaching career at Monticello High School that spring. In 1921 he coached at Greenville High School. On Sept. 7, 1922, he joined the staff at Western Kentucky State College as athletic director and coach of all sports. He gave up his duties as head football coach in the fall of 1929. In 1934, Diddle relinquished the job of athletic director, but assumed it again in the summer of 1942 and held it, in addition to his coaching duties, until his retirement. Aside from his achievements in the win column, E.A. Diddle will go down in basketball history as one of the most colorful figures the game has ever known. Over the years he became famous throughout the nation for his antics with a red towel that was his constant companion on the bench. Never done as a "show," the towel tossing started as a nervous habit. It soon became a revered Western tradition. The towel soared to the rafters of many a gymnasium or was beaten heartily on the floor when his Hilltoppers scored at a crucial point in a game. It was also known to cover the veteran coach's face when things were not going well. Ed Diddle died on January 2, 1970.
Dougherty served as a member of the 123rd Cavalry, Kentucky National Guard, was a member of the FBI and, at the outbreak of World War II, became an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He has served in the Far East Command, U.S. European Command, Strategic Air Command, Air Training Command, and Air Force Logistics Command, completing two tours in the Pacific and three in Europe. He retired with 35 years commissioned service on August 1, 1977 as a Command Pilot and a Master Missileman. Following his retirement, Dougherty became the Executive Director of the Air Force Association in Washington, D.C. and was publisher of Air Force Magazine. Presently he is a member of the Defense Science Board, a Director of DynCorp of Reston, Virginia, is a Trustee of the Institute of Defense Analysis of Alexandria, Virginia, and Trustee/Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Aerospace Corporation of Los Angeles, California. In 1976 he was recognized as "Man of the Year" by the Los Angeles Philanthropic Society and in 1977 was accorded a similar honor by the National Jewish Hospital and Research Center. The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association selected him for their 1980 David Sarnoff Award and, in 1983, the U.S. Air Force Academy presented him their Thomas D. White Award. He received the Order of the Sword from the non-commissioned officers of Strategic Air Command, the Order of Achievement from Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and has been inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. In 1987, the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education designated him as an Outstanding Alumnus of Kentucky and he has been selected for the 1991 Henderson Award of the National Aviation Club.
In 1976 he received broadcasting's most prestigious individual honor, the National Association of Broadcaster's Distinguished Service Award as a "broadcast journalist, program innovator and industry leader." The previous year he was elected to the Hall of Fame of the New York Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. In 1972 the American Association of State Colleges and Universities inaugurated the Distinguished Alumni Award. Julian Goodman was the second recipient of the AASCU award, following former President Lyndon B. Johnson, when at the annual meeting of the Association in San Diego, he was honored and recognized as a graduate of Western Kentucky University. In 1974, he was honored with a George Foster Peabody award for his "outstanding work in the area of First Amendment rights and privileges for broadcasting." A year earlier he received the Paul White Memorial Award from the International Conference of Radio and Television News Directors. The International Radio and Television Society awarded Goodman its highest honor in 1972-the Gold Medal-for his achievements in and contributions to broadcasting. In 1952 Goodman directed NBC news' film coverage of the political conventions; in 1956 he supervised the operation of NBC's central news desk at the conventions; during the 1960 national election campaign, he produced the second broadcast of the "The Great Debates" between presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.
He was promoted to associate professor in 1962 and full professor in 1966. Later he served as agronomy department head, associate dean and director of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1976, he was appointed vice chancellor for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and in 1981 was appointed chancellor. He served as interim president of the University of Nebraska from August 1989 until his permanent appointment to the post in 1991. Massengale was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in Agriculture at WKU in 1985. Massengale is chairman of the Education and Technology Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and is on the executive committee of that association. During the past three years, he also served as chairman of the President's Commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Meacham has continued his ties to Western, serving on the Committee of 75 and the Development Steering Committee. He has delivered two commencement addresses at Western and has been a guest speaker for the L.Y. Lancaster Society lecture series. Meacham graduated from Western in 1936 and received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in 1940. He serves as an attending neurosurgeon at Nashville General Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital, Mid-State Baptist Hospital and Riverside and Madison Sanitaria. He received The Neurosurgeon Award from the American academy of Neurological Surgery in 1973, the Harvey Cushing Medal from the same organization in 1987 and the Demonbreun Humanitarian Award from the Metropolitan Hospital in 1989. He also was awarded a doctor of humane letters degree by Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1977 and an Outstanding Alumnus of Kentucky award from the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education. He has served as an international guest speaker and has fulfilled guest faculty appointments more than two dozen institutions including the universities of Minnesota, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and at the Mayo Clinic and the Henry Ford Hospital.
He served as president of Western from 1955 to 1969. During the 1970's as president of the College Heights Foundation, he reorganized and developed the Foundation with the result that its growth has been extraordinary. During Thompson's tenure as president of Western, enrollment at the University grew from 1,684 in 1955 to 11,069 students enrolled in 1969. During the same period, he steered the school through both its greatest physical expansion and academic development. Working from a comprehensive master plan that was created under his leadership, 43 major construction projects were added to the Western campus. During his tenure, the faculty grew from 98, with 23 percent holding doctoral degrees, to approximately 600, with 43 percent holding earned doctorates. One of the most significant events in Western's history occurred in during Thompson's tenure when in 1966 the Kentucky General Assembly elevated the institution to university status. In recognition of his work and leadership, Thompson was honored by the Kentucky Press Association as "The Outstanding Kentuckian of 1960;" and Kentucky Gov. Edward T. Breathitt presented Thompson with the first "Kentucky Distinguished Citizen Award" in 1965. Thompson earned the bachelor of arts degree and the master of arts degree from Western. In 1956, he was the recipient of the doctor of laws degree from Eastern Kentucky University. During World War II, Thompson served as an officer in the United States Navy. He was awarded a special commendation by then Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, for outstanding performance of duty. The Western Kentucky University affiliate of the national Public Relations Student Society of America honored Thompson in 1977 by designating its official name to be the Kelly Thompson Chapter of PRSSA. He was one of the three men who brought about the organization of the Ohio Valley conference and was one of the first inductees when the Conference created its Hall Of Fame in 1977. Dr. Thompson died in 1993.
Vaughn left the Hilltoppers in 1954 to become the musical director of Dot Records where he began to arrange and direct recording sessions for Pat Boone, Johnny Maddox, The Fontaine Sisters, and many other Dot recording artists. It was also at this time that Vaughn formed the Billy Vaughn Orchestra with its distinctive "sweet sax" sound. Vaughn's popularity and his impact on the music business gained momentum in those early years at Dot Records. Eventually, he would become one of the top selling instrumentalists in the U.S. with such hits as "Melody of Love", "Wheels", "Blue Hawaii", "La Paloma", Theme from "Summerplace", "Pearly Shells", and of course, his signature orchestration of "Sail Along Silvery Moon". "Sail Along Silvery Moon" went platinum with sales of more than 4.5 million copies. Vaughn was the first American recording artist to be awarded a gold record in Europe and the first artist anywhere to receive a platinum record for sales of more than 3 million. Over his 40 year career he sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Billy Vaughn has garnered trophies and awards from Brazil (where he is known as the "King of Romantic Music"), Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Peru, Mexico, Korea, and of course, Japan. Vaughn died in 1991.
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School in 1928. He attended Lindsey Wilson College and after graduation went on to Western Kentucky University where he received his A.B. degree. He taught five years in the Monroe County Schools and coached the Tompkinsville Bears, winning the regional title and going to the state basketball tournament for three consecutive years. Following his graduation from Western in 1934, he entered the University of Tennessee Medical School. He graduated in 1937 with honors, standing second in his class, and completed his internship at the U.S. Marine Hospital and Chicago Maternity Center. Carter then returned to Tompkinsville and opened his office downtown on Main Street.
Cherry worked for his father until he was 21 and attended local common schools whenever possible. In 1886, he walked to Bowling Green and enrolled at the Southern Normal School. When his scant funds were exhausted, Cherry taught penmanship classes in the area until he could resume his studies. His exceptional talents attracted the attention of the school's administrators and within a short time he was teaching for the Southern Normal School. In 1892, when the school was on the verge of closing, Henry Hardin and brother Thomas Crittenden Cherry, purchased the institution and reorganized it as the Bowling Green Business College and Literary Institute. Two years later it became the Southern Normal School and Bowling Green Business College. H.H. Cherry purchased full ownership of the school in 1899 and the Southern Normal School part of the institution became Western Kentucky State Normal School in 1906. The first Board of Regents immediately elected Henry Hardin Cherry as its president.
won-lost record at Western (through the 1963-64 season) made him the first coach ever to guide his team through more than 1,000 games at one college. At the time of his retirement in 1964, only Kansas University's Phog Allen, with 771, could boast of more total wins than Diddle. Diddle, who died in 1970, served as head coach at WKU for 42 seasons. Over that span, the Hilltoppers monopolized the championships of all three conferences to which they belonged. 
University to rise to the top of the broadcasting industry. Goodman received an Outstanding Alumnus of Kentucky Award form the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education in 1989. Goodman, who took early retirement from NBC on May 31, 1979, served the company for 34 years in a number of important posts. He began as a news writer; became Director of News in Washington; Executive Vice President of NBC News based in New York; then President and Chairman of NBC. He was Chairman of the Board of NBC from 1974 to 1978 and from 1966 to 1974 he was President of NBC. In 1972 he was elected Director of RCA, a position he retained for six years. He now is a Director of Gannett Company, Inc., McDonnell Douglas Corporation, and the Larchmont, New York, Federal Savings & Loan Association. Goodman's first 20 years at NBC were spent with NBC News, where he rose to the position of Executive Vice President. His distinguished service in the field of broadcast journalism has earned him many awards and honors.
neurological surgery, emeritus, at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine. He is also a senior partner of Neurosurgical Associates in Nashville. Meacham has served as president of the Neurosurgical Society of America; the Southern Neurosurgical Society; the Nashville Surgical Society; the Nashville Academy of Medicine; the Tennessee Neurosurgical Society; the American College of Surgeons; the Society of Neurological Surgeons; and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons; chairman of the Credentials Committee at Vanderbilt University; chairman of the Commission on Quality Education in Neurosurgical Surgery and second vice president of the American College of Surgeons. He is the namesake of the Meacham Neurosurgical Society founded in 1974 at Vanderbilt.
College Heights Herald. Miss Richards served in that post in 1925, the year the newspaper was founded at what then was Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College. Miss Richards was an English professor at Western for 39 years and was, until her retirement in 1964, advisor to the same newspaper for which she once was editor. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Western in 1925 and a master of arts degree from Indiana University in 1930. She extended her teaching beyond the walls of higher education and into the classrooms of schools in Warren, Simposn and Allen counties. 
Board of Western's College Heights Foundation, a philanthropic component of Western dedicated to aiding Western students through scholarships. His more than 60 years of service to the school spanned more than two-thirds the life of the University, which was founded in 1906. Western's first president, Dr. H.H. Cherry, employed Thompson as a field representative in 1929 when the latter was an undergraduate. He was elevated to the Western presidency after 26 years as a member of the administrative staff as Field Representative, Director of Public Relations, Assistant to the President, and as Acting President after the death of Dr. Paul L. Garrett, Western's second president.