Western Kentucky University receives grant for Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science endowed fund

Western Kentucky University has received a grant from The Bill Gatton Foundation that will provide funding for off-campus experiences and scholarships and grants to students within The Carol M. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, and for the previously-endowed Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund for students in the LifeWorks program. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, who passed away in 2022, made several financial gifts to the university throughout his lifetime, with this most recent in the amount of $5.25 million.

According to an article on Western Kentucky University’s website, Danny Dunn, who is a Trustee of The Bill Gatton Foundation, was quoted as saying of the gift on behalf of the Foundation, “Mr. Gatton once described the Academy as ‘a great asset for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.’ 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. 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.”

Bill Gatton owned car dealerships in several states and was also involved in banking and real estate. With his enormous success, Gatton was a celebrated philanthropist who gave generously to Western Kentucky University. Gatton passed away at the age of 89 and is survived by his wife and daughter.

Of the $5.25 million, $5 million of the gift will go toward the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science endowed fund. This fund was established by Gatton to broaden the out-of-classroom experiences that students within the Gatton Academy are able to participate in throughout their education. These experiences include internships and study abroad experiences. By placing more money within the endowed fund, the Gatton Academy will be able to help these experiences happen for more students.

Dr. Lynette Breedlove, who serves as the Director of The Gatton Academy, said of the gift, “His choice to invest in Kentucky’s students has built a bridge for their futures and for the future of the Commonwealth. 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. We are incredibly grateful to The Bill Gatton Foundation for their continued support of the Gatton Academy and Kentucky’s remarkable students.”

Bill Gatton also provided the Gatton Academy with its largest-ever donation, this most recent one being the second largest. With that donation in 2016, Florence Schneider Hall, which houses the Gatton Academy, received an expansion and renovation to better accommodate the Academy’s needs.

The other $250,000 of The Bill Gatton Foundation’s gift will go toward the Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund which is available to students within the LifeWorks program. LifeWorks is a program that aims to help autistic students transition into independent living and employment.

Hendrix Brakefield, who serves as the LifeWorks program’s director, said of the donation, “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. 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.”

Speaking of Bill Gatton and his immense impact on Western Kentucky University, university president Timothy C. Caboni said, “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. 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. 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 about Western Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.