College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Amy and David Chandler Hall, WKU’s new home of the Gordon Ford College of Business, was celebrated today (Sept. 19, 2025) with a dedication and ribbon cutting. It was announced on Aug. 6, 2025, that the building would bear this name in recognition of a $7.5 million leadership gift from Amy and David Chandler of Bowling Green, Ky.

To date, 35 additional spaces within Amy and David Chandler Hall have been philanthropically named by WKU alumni and friends.

Named spaces throughout the building include:

• Baird Lobby in recognition of a gift from Baird of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Barker Family Sales Classroom in recognition of a gift from Anne and Andy Barker of Bowling Green, Ky.
• An office featuring the names Joe Dan and Laura Beavers in recognition of a gift from Joe Dan and Laura Beavers of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Gary and Gail Broady Classroom in recognition of a gift from Gary and Gail Broady of Franklin, Ky.
• Browning Family Reflection Pool in recognition of a gift from Craig and Deborah Browning of Smiths Grove, Ky.
• Paul B. and Ann R. Calico Faculty and Staff Lounge in recognition of a gift from Paul B. and Ann R. Calico of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Center for Financial Success sponsored by Abound Credit Union in recognition of a gift from Abound Credit Union of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Cerity Partners Financial Planning Program in recognition of a gift from Cerity Partners of Louisville, Ky.
• An office featuring the names Drs. Philip and Melissa Chapman in recognition of a gift from Drs. Philip and Melissa Chapman of Melber, Ky.
• An office featuring the names Bob and Janet Davis in recognition of a gift from the Estate of Bob and Janet Davis of Summit, Miss.
• Don and Irene Dizney Classroom in recognition of a gift from Donald R. and Irene S. Dizney of Ocala, Fla.
• An office named in memory of Jonathon Ford, grandson of Gordon Ford and Glenda Dangremond
• Forvis Mazars Coffee Lounge in recognition of a gift from Forvis Mazars of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Franklin Bank & Trust Company Boardroom in recognition of a gift from Franklin Bank & Trust Company of Franklin, Ky.
• Jimmie Gipson Classroom in recognition of a gift from Joe and Charla Reeves of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Rick and Ann Guillaume Classroom in recognition of a gift from Ann Guillaume of Louisville, Ky., and the late Rick Guillaume.
• An office featuring the name Thomas Lanier Harned in recognition of a gift from Tom Harned of Russellville, Ky.
• Shirley and Jack Henry Student Lounge in recognition of a gift from Shirley and Jack Henry of Gallatin, Tenn.
• Houchens Industries Auditorium in recognition of a gift from Houchens Industries of Bowling Green, Ky.
• An office featuring the name Kirby & Moore, LLP in recognition of a gift from Kirby & Moore, LLP of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Drs. Harold and Cassandra Little Collaboration Space in recognition of a gift from Drs. Harold and Cassandra Little of Bowling Green, Ky.
• A bench featuring the names Carolyn and John Long in recognition of a gift from Carolyn and John Long of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Douglas Gordon Martin Courtyard in recognition of a gift from Doug Gordon Martin of Cape Coral, Fla.
• Ronald E. Musick Conference Room in recognition of a gift from Susan M. Musick of Huntsville, Ohio
• Franklin K. Perkins Collaboration Space in recognition of a gift from Franklin K. Perkins of Corbin, Ky.
• Suzanne and Steve Reed Terrace in recognition of a gift from Suzanne and Steve Reed of Franklin, Tenn.
• Dr. Christopher Shook Student Success Lobby in recognition of a gift from John W. Cullum of Birmingham, Ala., in honor of Dr. Chris Shook
• An office featuring the names Dr. Shane and Angela Spiller in recognition of a gift from Dr. Shane and Angela Spiller of Bowling Green, Ky.
• A bench featuring the names Stifel, Hull and Martin Wealth Management Group in recognition of a gift from the Hull and Martin Wealth Management Group of Bowling Green, Ky.
• Brian Godfrey Sullivan Management Conference Room in recognition of a gift from Dr. Brian Sullivan of Bowling Green, Ky.
• 13’ers Fraternity Classroom in recognition of a gift from members of the 13’ers Fraternity.
• Linda and Garry Watkins Classroom in recognition of a gift from Linda and Garry Watkins of Leitchfield, Ky.
• An office featuring the names Johnny and Glenna Webb in recognition of a gift from Johnny and Glenna Webb of Bowling Green, Ky.
• A bench featuring the names J. Adam Yates and Dr. Mariah Yates in recognition of gift from J. Adam Yates and Dr. Mariah Yates of Bowling Green, Ky.
• An office featuring The Terry A. Young Living Trust in recognition of a gift in memory of Terry Young of Brea, Calif.

Many of these donors, including the building’s namesakes, were in attendance at an event held on Sept. 18 in Amy and David Chandler Hall where they were recognized for their giving.

Donors who made gifts to be included on the donor wall were also recognized at the event. To date, 76 alumni and friends have made gifts to the Gordon Ford College of Business Building Enhancement Fund and are included on the donor wall in the building.

“We thank you not only for your investment but for allowing your name – or the name of your organization – to inspire our students,” WKU President Timothy C. Caboni said at the event. “Your recognition on this wall and on these spaces serves as a daily reminder of the importance of paying it forward and giving back. Through your philanthropy, you demonstrate to our students what can be accomplished with a WKU degree.”

“Each name on the donor wall is more than a name—it is a belief in the mission of the Gordon Ford College of Business and a vote of confidence in the dreams and potential of every student,” said Dr. Evelyn Thrasher, Dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business. “Your generosity turns ambition into opportunity, ideas into action, and classrooms into launching pads for the business leaders of tomorrow. For this unwavering support and vision, we are profoundly grateful.”

Amanda Trabue, Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, and a two-time alumna of the Gordon Ford College of Business, also spoke at the event and thanked donors for their support.

“We know that the world-class education we received in the Gordon Ford College of Business from dedicated, passionate faculty can only be elevated with such a space as Amy and David Chandler Hall,” Trabue said. “Our experiences in Grise Hall shaped us, just as these students’ experiences in Chandler Hall will shape them.

“Thank you for investing in the students of today and the students of tomorrow—because that’s what your philanthropy at WKU is—an investment in opportunities for our students and an investment in growth for our entire WKU community,” Trabue said.

Named spaces in the facility remain available, and names can be added to the donor wall.

For more information, please contact WKU Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement at philanthropy@wku.edu.

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, our students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.