Frances Richards

Frances Richards was born on November 8, 1893, to Edwin Lovin Richards and Minnie Dixon Richards in Allen County, Kentucky. After spending her young life in Simpson County, Frances came to Bowling Green in 1921 to begin her Hilltopper legacy at the Western Kentucky State Normal School (now WKU). Upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree in 1925, she accepted a teaching position in WKU’s English department. Miss Richards quickly became woven into the fabric of WKU: working as the faculty sponsor of the Leaper English Club; serving as the first editor and advisor of WKU’s student newspaper, The College Heights Herald; and becoming instrumental in the development of The Talisman, WKU’s nationally recognized yearbook.

Miss Richards taught English and Journalism at Western for nearly 40 years, taking leave only in 1929-1930 to earn her Master’s degree from Indiana University. She remained active throughout her career at WKU, continuing her work as beloved professor and Herald advisor until her retirement in 1964. After leaving WKU, she extended her talents beyond WKU, teaching in the classrooms of schools in Warren, Simpson, and Allen counties and even writing the inscriptions on several historical markers in Simpson County and other areas of the state.

Because of her dedication to education, Miss Richards has received numerous awards and recognitions. She was the first recipient of the Herald Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism and is recognized on the Hill as the true pioneer in the building of WKU’s Journalism program. A group of Richards’ students also honored her when they established a scholarship fund in her name in the fall of 1974. She was also inducted posthumously into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1992.

Frances Richards died in Franklin, Kentucky, in April of 1991. Her legacy lives on in perpetuity as other Journalism students are assisted through her scholarship.