1963
William Hourigan is appointed the first Director of the Honors Program, the predecessor to the Mahurin Honors College. Honors scholars are required to complete a Freshman Honors Colloquium course.
1970
1973
A graduate of Georgetown College and Indiana University, Dr. Corts was a faculty member and administrator at WKU from 1968 to 1978. He went on to serve at Oklahoma Baptist University, Wingate University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Later, Dr. Corts was Assistant Attorney General for Administration with the U.S. Department of Justice, then served as President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. He retired in 2012. (Photo credit: AGBSearch.com)
1973
1973
1977
1981
A graduate of Baylor and Florida State Universities, Dr. Baker was a faculty member in the History department at WKU. He has authored over 22 books and 60 articles, and delivered papers in Italy, Korea, Taiwan, China, and other Asian countries. He also directed the Canadian Parliamentary Internship Program.
1983
1990
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Dr. McFarland joined WKU in the fall of 1971 and taught at WKU until 2013. During his tenure as Director, Dr. McFarland began an honors seminar entitled Understanding Human Rights. He was a Fulbright Senior Scholar in the Former Soviet Union (1989) and named a WKU Distinguished University Professor (1999).
1990
1990
1992
1992
1992
1996
1997
1998
A graduate of Long Island University and the University of Maine, Dr. McElroy joined WKU in 1993 as a faculty member in the Department of Biology. He also served as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Nairobi, and conducts research on wildlife molecular forensics, population, and conservation genetics. He is currently a Professor and Associate Vice President for Academic Enrichment and Effectiveness at WKU.
1998
1998
1999
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the University of Cincinnati,
Dr. Cobane holds a doctorate in Political Science. Previously, he spent time at NATO
Headquarters in Belgium, and was the AAAS Defense Policy Fellow assigned to the Office
of the Under Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations at the Pentagon. He has
participated in numerous study abroad programs and received four teaching awards.
Lindsey was a 2001 Rogers Scholar, 2002 Kentucky Governor’s scholar, and a WKU Spirit
Master from 2005-2007. She worked five years at the Honors College as Coordinator
of Student Recruitment, one year at the Russell County Tourist Commission, and Director
of the Russell County Public Library.
The new 67,000-square foot building is dedicated on October 23. The building houses
the Honors College, Office of Scholar Development, Chinese Flagship Program, Study
Abroad & Global Learning, Office of International Programs, Kentucky Institute for
International Studies, International Enrollment Management, International Student
Office, and English as a Second Language International, in addition to classrooms,
study rooms, and a thesis defense room. 
ive Director of the Mahurin Honors College while Dr. Cobane was an American Council
on Education Fellow. 
