WKU News
WKU receives $5.25 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation
- The Gatton Academy and WKU Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement
- Sunday, May 11th, 2025
At an event held Saturday, May 10 on WKU’s campus outside The Carol M. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, WKU President Timothy C. Caboni announced that the University received a $5.25 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation.
Headquartered in Bristol, Tenn., The Bill Gatton Foundation honors the life and legacy of Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, a successful businessman and generous philanthropist who made several gifts to WKU.
“With his overall personal giving and support through The Bill Gatton Foundation totaling more than $24.6 million in gifts to WKU, Mr. Gatton is one of our institution’s most philanthropic donors, and we are thankful for the trust he and the Foundation have continued to demonstrate,” President Caboni said.
Of this gift, The Carol M. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science will receive $5 million to benefit the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science endowed fund. Established by Bill Gatton to enhance students’ out-of-the-classroom experiences at The Gatton Academy, the fund provides research internship grants and needs-based study abroad and incidentals scholarships.
This is the second-largest gift in Gatton Academy history, with the largest also from Bill Gatton to fund the renovation and expansion of The Gatton Academy’s home, Florence Schneider Hall, in 2016.
Danny Dunn, a Trustee of The Bill Gatton Foundation, who spoke on behalf of the Foundation at the event, said the Trustees are pleased to make this gift.
“Mr. Gatton once described the Academy as ‘a great asset for the Commonwealth of Kentucky,’” Dunn said. “He had great confidence in the leadership, faculty and students of the Gatton Academy.
“His vision and belief were that the students, through their achievements, would make the Commonwealth more prosperous and a better place to live,” Dunn added. “We are making this gift to help the Academy have the financial resources needed to continue Mr. Gatton’s vision of the benefit the Academy can be to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
“Mr. Gatton’s interest and support for The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science is carried forward with this special gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation,” said Dr. Julia Roberts, Executive Director of The Gatton Academy. “The gift is the perfect example of Mr. Gatton being the ‘Bridge Builder’ about which he often spoke. What a difference this gift will make in the lives of Gatton students next year and in the future.”
Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy, said Mr. Gatton’s philanthropy has been life-changing for more than 1,000 alumni of The Gatton Academy.
“His choice to invest in Kentucky’s students has a built a bridge for their futures and for the future of the Commonwealth,” Dr. Breedlove said. “We are proud that The Bill Gatton Foundation has found our work to be a fitting legacy honoring Mr. Gatton.
“This new gift will empower The Gatton Academy to continue to support students’ immersive summer experiences and launch them into STEM careers with confidence,” Dr. Breedlove added. “We are incredibly grateful to The Bill Gatton Foundation for their continued support of the Gatton Academy and Kentucky’s remarkable students.”
Two students from The Gatton Academy who graduated on Saturday from the two-year residential program for high school students spoke at the event about how funding through the Gatton endowment enhanced their experience in the program.
“Gatton has allowed me to dive into research,” said Ava Blackledge, a recent graduate from Morehead, Ky. “The Research Internship Grant provided the financial support I needed to fully immerse myself in molecular biology research for 10 weeks in a bacteriophage biology lab. That experience has solidified my desire to pursue a career in scientific research.”
“Studying abroad was something I never thought I would be able to experience, let alone afford,” said Jaime Mendez-Cano, a recent graduate from Paris, Ky. “Gatton’s resources made this all possible and then some when they helped me study abroad in Costa Rica. This was by far the coolest thing I have ever done in my life—so many new experiences there—just because I reached out for support.”
The remaining $250,000 of the leadership gift will enhance the existing endowed Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund to benefit LifeWorks participants.
LifeWorks is a supportive living and learning community committed to preparing autistic young adults to successfully transition to employment and independent living. Because there is no public support or insurance coverage for programs like LifeWorks, private philanthropic support is critical. LifeWorks serves as a life-changing bridge to independence, and this gift will allow the program to enroll and graduate even more participants.
“LifeWorks exists in large part due to the generosity of Mr. Gatton and The Bill Gatton Foundation, and the impact of the new program has been immense,” said Hendrix Brakefield, Director of LifeWorks. “Nationally, autistic adults are employed at a 15% rate. Through the support of donors like The Gatton Foundation, LifeWorks is proud to have an employment rate of 90% for participants who have completed the program. We are forever grateful to The Bill Gatton Foundation for providing resources that directly impact a deserving population.”
“Mr. Gatton believed in education and training for all,” Dunn said. “LifeWorks provides that opportunity for a very special group of people. As Trustees of The Bill Gatton Foundation, we are hopeful this gift can help more individuals receive the training they need to become independent.”
Gatton, 89 at the time of his passing in 2022, was born and raised on a farm in Muhlenberg County, Ky. A resident of Bristol, Tenn., he owned automobile dealerships in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas and was engaged in banking and in various real estate projects in Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
“During Mr. Gatton’s life he did much good for many people,” Dunn said. “Much of what he did was to support organizations, like the Academy and LifeWorks, that foster educational opportunities. It is our privilege as Trustees to continue Mr. Gatton’s legacy by building bridges for young people to cross and receive education and training.”
“At the time of his passing in 2022, I noted that Bill’s generosity had changed our campus for the better and had benefited countless lives in our region and beyond,” President Caboni said. “Through The Bill Gatton Foundation and the Trustees who work to continue his legacy, that commitment to furthering educational opportunities for students across the Commonwealth not only endures, but prospers.”
For more information, contact Ashley Taylor at The Gatton Academy at (270) 745-3612.
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