Dr. Curtis Englebright

Dr. Curtis Englebright was born on October 13, 1928, in Sangamon County, Illinois. Prior to beginning his professional career as an educator, he played professional baseball as a third baseman in the Kitty League. He taught junior high school and coached boys’ basketball in southern Illinois and served as the assistant superintendent of Wayne County Schools in Fairfield, Illinois. He completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the field of education at Southern Illinois University.

He joined the faculty of WKU in 1967 as the director of Reading Services. He taught graduate courses in Reading Education in the Department of Teacher Education and served as the departmental administrator for a total 23 years of service at WKU. In 1990, he became the dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. In this capacity, he ushered the college through its national accreditation. He directed a statewide study of teacher education in the 13 teacher education programs across the state. He was a talented administrator and teacher of teachers.

He resided in Bowling Green upon retirement in 1998 and was an active member of State Street Presbyterian Church and an avid supporter of Hilltopper athletics.

This fund was initiated in 1990 by friends and colleagues upon Dr. Englebright’s retirement from WKU. The scholarship fund continues to honor the memory of Dr. Englebright, and his many contributions to his family, his friends, his profession, and his community. The purpose of this fund is to benefit deserving students enrolled at Western who are pursuing a degree within the Department of Teacher Education. In addition, this action demonstrates a belief in the importance of education.