Four generations of WKU graduates, family members discuss legacy

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University holds a lot of history, and for one family, it holds four generations that date back to the late 1800s.

Kathy Ford, a 1980 and 1990 WKU graduate, says, “My grandmother was born in 1898. Had told us that she had attended the normal school in Bowling Green, which was the predecessor to Western Kentucky University.”

Her daughter, Leslie Ford, a 2025 WKU graduate, says, “It’s awesome. It’s super, super cool to be able to say that, you know, I’ve continued the legacy of going to Western.”

Going to school for women wasn’t common, and maintaining the tradition wasn’t an easy task, especially for Kathy’s mom, who was one of 14 women at her school.

Kathy Ford also shares, “My mom attended Bowling Green business college in the 1940s. After having worked at Wright-Patterson airfield during World War II. So she came back after World War II and went to school.”

It’s safe to say that times have changed, and Leslie was able to confidently join in the journey and continue her family’s tradition

Leslie says, “To be able to say, you know, I’m the, I’m the fourth or fifth generation that’s going here and you can, you can pull from your family’s experience with that college so that, you know, you’re stepping in and it’s new to you, but it’s not entirely new.”

The positive outcome not only encourages this family,  it can also inspire others.

Congratulations to all the WKU graduates.