Saluting the Life of Dr. James Flynn
The Jim and Lana Flynn Study Abroad Scholarship Fund was created in 2014 by the late Jim Flynn and his wife Lana. Both Jim and Lana devoted much of their lives to WKU and had a deep love for all it promoted. Jim served as an English professor at WKU for 40 years, leading many study abroad trips during that time, while Lana was also a longtime employee of WKU who participated in many study abroad trips as well. Their passion for both WKU and studying abroad sparked the decision to create this fund; it attests to their strong belief that study abroad enriches an understanding of literature and their desire to make the opportunity for international study available to more students. Even though Jim is no longer with us, his legacy and zeal lives on through Lana and this fund; Jim will continue to expand students’ horizons and understanding of the world and of literature – forever changing lives for the better.
College Heights Foundation Guidelines for the Jim and Lana Flynn Study Abroad Scholarship Fund
- The Jim and Lana Flynn Study Abroad Scholarship was created to support students studying literature in English in an international setting.
- Recipients must be undergraduates majoring in English Literature or English for Secondary Teachers or graduate students specializing in literature.
- Recipients must have earned at least 30 hours of university credit (sophomore level) before travel and must have at least a 3.3 GPA in English courses.
- Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students at Western Kentucky University. Students nearing graduation who may need less than full-time Status to complete their degrees are still eligible. Need may be a factor in selection.
- Preference will be given to students applying to programs led by WKU English faculty members and to students without access to other study abroad scholarships.
- Applicants must provide a statement of no more than two pages, double-spaced pages, indicating what program(s) they are applying for and their reasons for wanting to study literature written in English— British, Irish, American, Colonial, and others—in an international setting. How can this study-abroad experience enhance their study of literature, their English major, and their personal goals? They may include any statement of need if applicable. Students must submit the most recent unofficial transcript (from online source).
- Applicants must complete a WKU Study-Abroad Scholarship application according to the WKU Study Abroad Office application schedule and indicate on their application that they are applying for the Jim and Lana Flynn Study Abroad Scholarship. Applications must be submitted to the EngliSh Department, attention Department Head, who will designate a review committee to evaluate the applications and report to the Department Head, who will forward recommendations to the University Scholarship Committee, copying the President of the College Heights Foundation.
- This Scholarship Fund is administered by the College Heights Foundation as an endowed account. This fund is established in honor of Jim and Lana Flynn.
- The principal will remain intact with only the earnings from investment used to make scholarship awards.
- The number and amount of awards will be determined based upon the development of the Fund, the rate of earnings, and other factors that affect the availability of funds.
- Award notification will be sent in the form of a letter from the University Scholarship Committee, with the letter to contain appropriate recognition of Jim and Lana Flynn.
