COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference is pleased to announce Kentucky Wesleyan as the inaugural Great Midwest Community Engagement Award recipient. This is the second consecutive year the Panthers have claimed the Community Engagement Award.
The Community Engagement Award is an award conceptualized by the Great Midwest Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The award recognizes an institution within the conference for its success in community service hours and the impact the contributions have on the community.
“To say I’m proud of our student athletes would be an understatement, they are absolutely outstanding,” said Kentucky Wesleyan SAAC president Corina Conley. “To receive the G-MAC Community Engagement Award two years in a row is a true testament to our athletes’ commitment to our community, our campus, and each other. Raising $10,000 for Make-a-Wish, completing 4,007.5 hours of community service, and having outstanding attendance at competitions is unheard of at other institutions. We have a unique group of athletes that not only compete at the highest level, but also understand how important it is to give back to those who support us. The sky is the limit, and they aren’t stopping here. I’m so excited for the growth and accomplishments this year has in store!”
The Panthers completed more than 4,000 hours of community service during the 2022-23 academic year. Kentucky Wesleyan student-athletes participated in various events in the Owensboro community and coordinated multiple activites on campus to not only reach, but surpass their Make-a-Wish goal.
“We are consistently impressed with the performances our student-athletes put forth on the field and in the classroom, and this award recognizes the additional efforts our entire membership conducted to engage their local communities”, said Great Midwest Comissioner Tom Daeger. “They have built tremendous relationships and brought their communities onto campus to illustrate the great environments our schools provide. Kentucky Wesleyan has again led the pack in their community engagement and service efforts. Our congratulations to the KWC family, led by their Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and all of the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have embraced this aspect of their Division II experience.”
The award was presented to Kentucky Wesleyan SAAC members last week at the annual Great Midwest SAAC summit held in Columbus, Ohio.