Carmen Willoughby Dearing

Carmen Willoughby Dearing attended WKU or one of its cohorts from first grade through high school, graduating from College High in 1964. She earned bachelor’s degrees in both English and political science from WKU in 1968. In the spring of 1969, she was named Scholar of the University while pursuing graduate studies, earning a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in political science. Carmen met her late husband, Dennis Dearing, at College High. He was a 1968 WKU graduate with degrees in both mathematics and physics.

Carmen lived at home throughout her college years on Normal Drive, where the Adams Whitaker Student Publications Center is now located. Despite living off-campus, she remained very active in campus life. She served as Panhellenic president from 1967 to 1968 and represented her sorority, Phi Mu, on the Panhellenic Council for three years from 1965 to 1968. Additionally, she was secretary of the Student Government’s first set of elected officers from 1966 to 1967. Carmen contributed to student publications, serving as assistant editor of the Talisman in 1967 and as editor in 1968. In 1967, she became the first recipient of the Outstanding Greek Woman award, then known as Athenian Queen. She also served as a graduate assistant in the Dean of Students’ Office from 1968 to 1969.

As an alumna, Carmen has remained dedicated to her alma mater, serving on the national WKU Alumni Board of Directors. She is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and proudly states that she has “been a Hilltopper her entire life.”
In her professional career, Carmen taught high school English for 12 years, primarily in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. In the early 1990s, she returned to school and earned certification in library media instruction. She retired as a high school librarian in 2007, completing over 20 years of service in high school education. Afterward, she continued to work part-time for the Baltimore County Public Library system, retiring again in 2020 after 25 years of service.

This fund was established by Carmen Willoughby Dearing. The purpose of this fund is to assist deserving students exhibiting leadership at WKU with first preference to females. The establishment of this fund demonstrates Carmen’s devotion to WKU and her belief in the importance of education.