HALL OF FA M E T E A C H E R

Hilda Willis Jenkins Honored for 30 Years of Teaching in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Lindsey
Wilson College alumna Hilda Willis
Jenkins touched thousands of lives dur-
ing her more than a quarter-century in
the classroom. And on Feb. 10 the
retired educator 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.
LWC alumna Hilda Willis Jenkins was inducted Feb. 10 into the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky
She taught mathematics and music, Teacher Hall of Fame Tuesday afternoon in the State Capitol Rotunda. From left: State Senate
and she also worked with several stu- President David Williams ofBurkesville; Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear; Jenkins; Deputy
dent groups. In 1981, she was named an Secretary of the Health and Family Services Steve Nunn; and House Speaker Greg Stumbo of
outstanding alumna of Lindsey Wilson. Prestonsburg.

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
person to cross the stage and receive a
diploma.
In addition to Lindsey Wilson,
Jenkins earned a bachelor’s degree from
Union (Ky.) College and a master’s
degree from Western Kentucky
University.
“Simply stated, Hilda Jenkins was
born to be a teacher. ... Hilda had and
has the God-given talent to reach and
teach others in a very effective man-
ner,” said retired superintendent of
Glasgow Independent Schools Fred
Carter, who is a Lindsey Wilson alum-
nus. “She knew how to multi-task
before that even became a word.”
Established in 2000 by a gift from
former Gov. Louie B. Nunn and housed
at Western Kentucky, the Kentucky
Teacher Hall of Fame recognizes
Kentuckians, both living and deceased,
who spent a significant portion of their
career in Kentucky and have made
made significant a contribution to the
teaching profession.
In addition to Jenkins, the Kentucky
Teacher Hall of Fame 2009 class
included: Theresa Cowherd, longtime
Bowling Green teacher; DaleFaughn ,
who has taught in Caldwell County for
the last 58 years; Jessie Pearl Comer
Jackson, longtime Monroe County
teacher; and Rosemary Weddington,
who taught Spanish in high school and
college for 55 years.

LWC alumna Hilda Willis Jenkins is joined by her family members and friends following the Feb.
10 induction ceremony for the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame 2009 class, held in the State
Capitol Rotunda.