HALL OF
Hilda Willis Jenkins Honored for 30 Years of Teaching in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Lindsey Wilson
College alumna Hilda Willis Jenkins
touched thousands of lives during her
more than a quarter-century in the class-
room. And on Feb. 10 the retired educa-
tor was recognized for her contributions
as she was inducted into the Gov. Louie
B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of
Fame.
Jenkins, of a Bowling Green, Ky.,
was one of five outstanding educators
who was inducted into the Hall of
Fame’s second class at a ceremony held
in the State Capitol Rotunda.
A Columbia, native, Jenkins taught
for a combined 30 years at Russellville
High School, North Warren High
School and Warren East High School.
She taught mathematics and music,
and she also worked with several stu-
dent groups. In 1981, she was named an
outstanding alumna of Lindsey Wilson.
The daughter of the late Ruth and
Ralph Willis of Columbia, Jenkins was
literally the last person to graduate from
Columbia High School -- at the school’s
1953 commencement, she was the final
LWC alumna Hilda Willis Jenkins was joined by State Senate
President David Williams of Burkesville (left) and Kentucky
First Lady Jane Beshear (center) when she was inducted Feb.
10 into the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of
Fame.
FA M E T E A C H E R
LWC alumna Hilda Willis Jenkins is joined by family members and friends following the Feb. 10
induction ceremony for the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame, held in the State Capitol Rotunda.
person to cross the stage and receive a “Simply stated, Hilda Jenkins
diploma. was born to be a teacher. ...
Hilda had and has the God-
In addition to Lindsey Wilson,
Jenkins earned a bachelor’s degree from given talent to reach and teach
Union (Ky.) College and a master’s others in a very effective man-
degree from Western ner.”
Kentucky University.
– Fred Carter ’70,
“Simply stated, Hilda retired educator
Jenkins was born to be a
Kentuckians, both living and deceased,
teacher. ... Hilda had and
who spent a significant portion of their
has the God-given talent to
career in Kentucky and have made
reach and teach others in a
made significant a contribution to the
very effective manner,” said
teaching profession.
retired superintendent of
Glasgow Independent In addition to Jenkins, the Kentucky
Schools Fred Carter, a 1970 Teacher Hall of Fame 2009 class
Lindsey Wilson alumnus. included: Theresa Cowherd, longtime
“She knew how to multi- Bowling Green teacher; DaleFaughn ,
task before that even who has taught in Caldwell County for
became a word.” the last 58 years; Jessie Pearl Comer
Jackson, longtime Monroe County
Established in 2000 by a
teacher; and Rosemary Weddington,
gift from former Gov. Louie
who taught Spanish in high school and
B. Nunn and housed at
college for 55 years.
Western Kentucky, the
Kentucky Teacher Hall of
Fame recognizes