William E. Leonard

Dr. William “Bill” Leonard is a longtime professor in the theatre and dance department at WKU. Bill joined the WKU faculty in fall of 1969 as an assistant professor in the Department of Speech and Theatre. In 1987, he became the first department head of the newly formed Department of Theatre & Dance. He retired from that position in 2001, and was later appointed as Professor Emeritus. He is a past President of the Kentucky Theatre Association; former board member of the Southeastern Theatre Conference; founding member of Fountain Square Players and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Public Theatre of Kentucky.

To further his legacy at WKU, Bill established the William E. Leonard Scholarship Fund. The fund serves to assist WKU students majoring in theatre and dance. Through this fund, Bill continues to nurture the lives of students.