Dr. Kent Campbell

Dr. F. Kent Campbell was born to Sam and Eula Campbell. The Elizabethton, Tennessee, native graduated from the University of Kentucky and received graduate degrees from the University of Illinois. While serving in the military, he was a member of the Third Army Band, stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta.

Kent began his teaching career as band director in Henderson, Kentucky, and at Eastern High School in Jefferson County, Kentucky. He then taught at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, Maine. He came to WKU in 1971, where he served as band director and a professor of music until retiring in 1993.

Upon retirement, he became a member of the Bowling Green Rose Society, serving two terms as president. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Rose Society and served as district director of the rose societies in Kentucky, Tennessee, and eastern Arkansas. Not only did he exhibit roses, but he also served as a judge of rose shows and as a consulting rosarian. He was named Outstanding Consulting Rosarian of the Year, Outstanding Judge of the Year and received the Bronze Medal from the local society.

He also served two years as president of the Kentucky Music Educators Association and received awards as Collegiate Teacher of the Year in Music and the Distinguished Service Award. He belonged to the Bowling Green Elks Association and served as Exalted Ruler. He served as president of the Kentucky Elks Association as well. He was married to his wife Claire until his passing on May 11, 2011, at the age of 80. They had two children, Karen and Keith.

To honor his memory, the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia established the Dr. Kent Campbell Scholarship Fund. The fund assists deserving WKU students who are majoring in music, play an instrument, and are members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Through this fund, Kent’s legacy on the Hill and beyond continues in perpetuity.