Bement Schloarship Fund

Maurice Bement was born in 1913, in McCracken County, Kentucky. He graduated from Murray State University in 1934, and began teaching at Lone Oak High, Paducah Kentucky. During his professional career he acted as Executive Director of the Committee for Kentucky, the National Citizen’s Council for Better Schools, and the Joint Alumni Council of Kentucky Universities. Maurice served as Executive Director of the Kentucky School Boards Association before his retirement in 1977. His belief in quality education and opportunities for all was a guiding premise of his life.

Maurice was supported by his wife, Loraine. When his secretary became ill, he asked Loraine to come to the office to type a letter. She completed that task and remained as his secretary until their retirement 10 years later. Loraine shared his passion for creating exceptional schools and successful citizens.

To honor the lives of Maurice and Loraine, his daughter, Carole Bement Harned, and her husband, Norman Harned, established the Bement Scholarship Fund. The fund assists deserving full-time WKU students from Kentucky who are elementary education majors and have demonstrated financial need. Through this fund, the Bements’ legacy at WKU continues in perpetuity.