News Summary
Dr. Stephen King, a WKU alumnus, has donated an estate gift to support the university’s music department. This contribution aims to benefit future music students, reflecting King’s gratitude for the education he received. King, who graduated in 1964, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a music educator and believes in nurturing the next generation of musicians. His estate gift symbolizes the commitment of alumni to foster opportunities in arts education and give back to their alma mater.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Dr. Stephen King, an alumnus of Western Kentucky University (WKU), has made a significant contribution to the university’s music department by donating an estate gift intended to support future music students. This donation stems from the educator’s desire to give back to the institution that played a pivotal role in his life and career.
Dr. King graduated from WKU in 1964 and has since established a notable career as a music educator, making substantial contributions to the field throughout his professional life. Through this estate gift, King aims to ensure that upcoming music students have access to the same opportunities that shaped his own experience at the university.
King’s relationship with WKU began when he visited the campus as a prospective music major. Encouraged by his high school band director, Robert Griffith, King chose WKU over another university in Kentucky. His initial visit left a lasting impression due to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by both the faculty and students. This friendly environment solidified his decision to enroll.
Traveling to WKU with his friend Walt Lawrence, who was also seeking admission, King met with Dr. Tom Stone, the then-Head of the Department of Music. To support his studies, Dr. Stone offered King a position as a “turnkey,” responsible for supervising the music building during the evenings. This job, combined with financial backing from his parents, made his education attainable even with tuition at just $25 per quarter at that time.
During his time at WKU, King majored in Instrumental Music, focusing on the clarinet and bass clarinet while also participating in the marching band as a bass drum player during his senior year. After graduating, he faced the challenge of securing his first position as a high school Band Director, which he accomplished thanks to a connection from a classmate. He undertook a 14-hour bus journey from Louisville to Coeburn High School in Wise County, Virginia, for an interview and was hired based on his expressions of enthusiasm for the role.
Following four years at Coeburn High School, where he also met his late wife, Linda, King served as the Band Director at William Byrd High School in Roanoke County for 17 years. In addition, he obtained a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Radford University and later held the position of Fine Arts Supervisor for Roanoke County Schools for a decade. He pursued further education, completing a doctorate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
In a notable turn, King transitioned to academia after retiring from K-12 education, joining the Music Education faculty at Virginia Tech, where he taught master’s level students for 21 years, including his final four years dedicated to this role. His extensive career has included active participation in various state music associations, and he has found joy in working with music education students, further emphasizing his commitment to the field.
Reflecting on his career, King felt a strong sense of responsibility toward future generations of music educators. His recent estate gift to WKU symbolizes his commitment to nurturing the next wave of musicians and educators and embodies the spirit of paying it forward.
This gesture underscores the ongoing need for financial support in arts education and highlights how alumni can create opportunities for students while expressing gratitude for their own formative experiences.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Retired Music Educator Creates Scholarship at WKU
- Wikipedia: Music Education
- WBKO: Two WKU Students Awarded Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
- Google Search: Music Education Scholarships
- Kentucky Living: The Bobby Driver Scholarship – Music Through the Decades
- Google Scholar: Music Educators Scholarships
- WBKO: 19 WKU Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships for Study Abroad
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scholarships for Music Education
- WKU News: Music Top Scholars
- Google News: Music Education Funding
