WKU to induct three to Hall of Distinguished Alumni

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University will add three alumni to the Western Kentucky University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni this fall. 

The school will induct Howard Bailey, Michelle James and the late Dr. Rebecca Shadowen during WKU’s 2021 Homecoming Celebration.

WKU will recognize the 30th class of noted alumni during a luncheon on Oct. 29 at Augenstein Alumni Center. 

Howard Bailey, retired WKU Vice President for Student Affairs, has spent his life opening doors of opportunity and blazing a trail for civil rights and race relations in higher education. 

Except for a one-year stint at North Carolina State University, his entire career was dedicated to shaping lives at WKU.  

Michelle June James is a transformational marketing leader who has energized organizations and led campaigns with high success. 

Currently, James is at Facebook, Incorporated in New York, N.Y., as Head of Culture and Community Marketing for the Instagram platform.

The late Dr. Rebecca Shadowen was a nationally recognized Infectious Disease Specialist and Epidemiologist at Med Center Health in Bowling Green. She led the Bowling Green-Warren County Coronavirus Workgroup.  

Despite being an early advocate of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Shadowen tested positive for the virus in May 2020.

Though she continued to work, answer calls and emails, and attend workgroup meetings from her hospital bed throughout her illness, she passed away in September 2020 after a four-month battle with the disease. 

Director of Media Relations & WKU spokesman Jace Lux said, “Howard Bailey is a legend on WKU’s campus. He had a career here that spanned multiple decades. I had the privilege of working with him when he was vice president of student affairs. Michelle James is an executive level leader at Facebook Inc. She is currently with their Instagram platform. I think she serves as a good example to our students.

“Dr. Shadowen I think, worked her way into many of our hearts last year as the Covid pandemic was making its way to Kentucky and making its way to Bowling Green. She was an early advocate for safety measures designed to keep, not just residents in Bowling Green and Warren in County safe, but really all Kentuckians safe.”