James Ausie and Evelyn Yates Carpenter and Joy Ann Carpenter-Bell

James Ausie Carpenter was born on August 22, 1917, to Ausie Lycurgus and Laura Kent Carpenter. A Colbert County, Alabama native, James was a graduate of WKU and Peabody-Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was also a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, where he retired as a master sergeant of the Army and Air Force. He returned to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he served as director of College High School, associate professor emeritus, director of teacher admissions and assistant director of certification and student teaching.

James was active in his community as well, as a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club, Bowling Green City Library Board of Directors, and Phi Alpha Theta. He was a former lay speaker and Sunday school teacher, Kentucky Colonel, 1971 Kiwanian of the Year, and founder of the Kiwanis Club Independence Day Celebration and scholarship fund. He held all offices in Phi Delta Kappa and established the Scholarship for Worthy and Need Students. He was a member and registrar of Sons of the American Revolution, where he held all offices and was subsequently president of Third District Education. He was also an honorary member of both the W-Club and Prop and Wing, Air Force ROTC.

James was married to Evelyn Yates Carpenter. Evelyn was born on August 30, 1916, to Foster and Ezma Yates. She served as secretary of the Faculty Wives Club. She and James were married until her passing on April 21, 1999, and his on August 28, 1999. They had one child, Joy Ann Carpenter-Bell.

To further give back to the community, James established the James Ausie and Evelyn Yates and Joy Ann Carpenter-Bell Scholarship Fund in 1970. The fund assists deserving WKU students who are from Robertson and Sumner Counties. Through this fund, the Carpenter’s legacy on the Hill continues in perpetuity.