Jerry E. Baker Foundation named 2024 WKU Philanthropist of the Year
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Jerry E. Baker Foundation, established through the estate of generous, longtime supporter Jerry E. Baker, will be recognized as Western Kentucky University’s Philanthropist of the Year, which honors the generosity, leadership and commitment of the recipients, at the Hilltopper Excellence Awards during Homecoming 2024.
In 1951, Jerry graduated from Bowling Green Business University, a predecessor of Western Kentucky University, with a degree in Accounting, and he received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from WKU in 2001.
From 1999 to 2010, he was Chairman of Airgas Mid America, and he was then a consultant for the company until 2013. He received many awards and honors for his service to the community, including induction into the Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky’s Business Hall of Fame and induction into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2011.
Announced in 2006, Jerry’s estate plans offered the University the choice of management of his residence, the Baker Arboretum and the Downing Museum or a $10 million endowment for student scholarships. After Jerry passed away in 2017, University officials and Baker Foundation leadership elected for WKU to utilize the scholarship endowment.
In 2018, the Foundation established the $10 million endowment to enhance awards from the Jerry E. Baker Student Scholarship Fund, which was initially created by Jerry. Combined with his previous support for scholarships, the Jerry E. Baker Student Scholarship Fund annually awards more than $500,000 in scholarships to students pursuing a major or minor in Art, Dance, Music, Theatre or Horticulture, and available scholarship funds are divided among the five programs. Recognized as Baker Scholars, more than 200 WKU students received the Jerry E. Baker Student Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Since 2018, more than 1,300 students have received support from the Baker Student Scholarship Fund – creating access and opportunity and fostering student success.
For the Baker Foundation team, meeting the WKU students who benefit from Jerry’s philanthropy is truly special. They work to ensure his wishes come to fruition, and they know he would have loved that more than 200 students receive his scholarship each year to pursue their dreams in fields that were meaningful to him.
The Philanthropist of the Year award has been presented since 2000. Previous recipients are Richard Frockt, Eva and Jim Martens, Robert P. Ramsey, Tim and Sarah Ford, Belle Lady Hunt, George and CJ Nichols, Laura Dugas, C.M. “Bill” Gatton, Linda and John M. Kelly, Houchens Industries Inc., Dale Augenstein, Dorris “D.B.” and Lula Burchett, Dixie and Pete Mahurin, Rick and Ann Guillaume, Donald J. and Jennifer Waddle Greulich, Suzanne Vitale, Jerry E. Baker, Lowell Guthrie, Bud Layne, Don S. Vitale, Leon Page, Gordon Ford, and Raymond B. and Hattie Preston and the Preston Family Foundation.
The Hilltopper Excellence Awards, presented by Franklin Bank & Trust, will be held on Thursday evening, Nov. 14 at Knicely Conference Center. In addition to the Philanthropist of the Year, the premier event will include induction of the 33rd Class of the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni and additional awards that celebrate achievement and service.
Registration is open at alumni.wku.edu/HEA24 at a cost of $100 per ticket or $1,000 for a corporate table of eight. Business attire is requested.
