Celebrating Excellence: WKU Alumni Honored at Homecoming 2024

Bowling Green, Ky. – Honoring WKU Alumni at Homecoming 2024

In a celebration of outstanding contributions to the Western Kentucky University (WKU) community, two distinguished alumni will receive top honors during the Hilltopper Excellence Awards. This event is set to take place on Thursday, November 14, at the Knicely Conference Center as part of the Homecoming 2024 festivities.

Celebrating Service and Dedication

The Hon. Ronald “Ronnie” W. Clark will be presented with the Distinguished Medal of Community and Public Service. Ronnie Clark, who graduated from WKU with degrees in Geography and Education, has had a remarkable career spanning several sectors including education, banking, and local government. He is also a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Barry Williams will receive the Distinguished Medal of WKU Service. A 1970 graduate with a degree in Business and Mass Communication, Barry has made a name for himself in the broadcasting industry, owning and operating numerous radio stations in the area.

A Night of Recognition

The Hilltopper Excellence Awards ceremony will not only honor these two impactful leaders, but will also celebrate the contributions of the 33rd Class of the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Alumni achievement will be recognized, and attendees will await the announcement of the 2024 WKU Philanthropist of the Year.

This annual event is sponsored by Franklin Bank & Trust and promises to bring together the WKU community for a night of celebration and recognition.

Spotlight on Ronnie Clark

Ronnie Clark, a native of Henderson, Ky., has dedicated much of his life to serving others. His impressive career began in education when he took on roles as a teacher and coach at Auburn High School. Notably, he became the Principal during a challenging time of school integration in the late 1950s, leading with compassion and strong leadership.

In 1962, he accepted a position as Principal of Franklin-Simpson High School, and later transitioned into the business world by joining Holt, Rinehart and Winston, a textbook publisher. His financial expertise led him to the Franklin Bank & Trust Company where he took on various leadership roles, eventually serving as President and CEO.

Furthermore, Ronnie served as Mayor of Franklin from 2011 to 2018, a period that saw him earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Over the years, he has also contributed to local sports programs and served on the WKU Board of Regents. His dedication to the community was recognized when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both the Franklin-Simpson and Henderson County High School.

Barry Williams’ Broadcasting Legacy

On the other hand, Barry Williams has had an influential career in broadcasting, beginning at the young age of 15 at WLBJ in Bowling Green. Founder and owner of Communications Systems LLC, Barry has been instrumental in the construction and consulting of over 250 radio stations. His commitment to the community has been unwavering, as he has held numerous leadership roles in civic organizations, including the Southern Kentucky Fair and the United Way of Southern Kentucky.

Known as the voice of Lady Toppers Basketball, Barry provided play-by-play commentary for 33 seasons, reaching a milestone of calling his 1,000th game during the 2016-2017 season. His contributions to WKU have included teaching broadcasting as an adjunct professor and being an integral part of several university committees.

Attending the Event

The festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with registration and a reception, followed by a formal program and dinner at 6:15 p.m. Tickets for the Hilltopper Excellence Awards can be purchased for $100 each or $1,000 for a corporate table seating eight. Business attire is requested for attendees.

For information regarding participation, interested individuals can get in touch with the WKU Alumni Association at 270-745-2586. This event not only recognizes remarkable individuals but also strengthens the ties within the WKU community.