Catherine Tate Potter, C. Eastland Potter, and Dr. Kenneth Nicely

Catherine Tate Potter grew up in West Virginia. Known for its beauty, West Virginia’s landscape fueled Catherine’s love for nature and especially for wildflowers, which continued throughout her life. She was married to C. Eastland Potter. Eastland grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and as an adult, became an engineer. Catherine brought out the softer side of him, and they traveled together following her love for wildflowers. That love took them to many special places in West Virginia, such as Dolly Sods, Kate’s Mountain, and the Cranberry Glades.

Dr. Kenneth Nicely was born in 1938, and was a native of West Virginia. Kenneth developed a love of nature at a young age through hikes with his dad in the mountains around their home and of plants in particular through his mother’s decoration of their lawn with beautiful flowers. He achieved a Bachelor of Science before pursuing a Master of Science in biology at West Virginia University and a PhD in Botany at North Carolina State University. He then taught at Virginia Polytechnic Institute for three years before joining the faculty at WKU in 1966. He then spent 32 years on the Hill as a professor of botany and plant taxonomy. He passed away in 2011.

To honor the legacy of her parents and biology professor, Sarah “Sallie” Carwell established the Potter-Nicely Scholarship Fund. The fund assists deserving students at WKU in pursuing their academic goals. Through this fund, the memories of Catherine and Eastland Potter and Dr. Kenneth Nicely continue in perpetuity.