Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro is the recipient of a $4 million estate gift from a graduate of the school.
Luellen Pyles passed away in late December at her home in Maysville. The 1944 Kentucky Wesleyan alumna taught English and Spanish in Kentucky and Ohio high schools before joining Burke Marketing Research in Cincinnati, where she became an executive vice-president.
Kentucky Wesleyan President Bart Darrell says Pyles led a life filled with great accomplishments.
“She was a pioneer for women in business on the ground floor of Burke, which is closely associated with Proctor & Gamble. She was a global businesswoman, and has done so many incredible things in her lifetime.”
During her time at Burke, Pyles helped open offices in Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy and Mexico.
Wesleyan plans to use the estate gift to support teacher education scholarships and alumni programming efforts.
Darrell says he spoke at Pyles funeral, something he called a “true honor.”
“One of her last requests was that she be buried in her Kentucky Wesleyan gown, and her 50-year alumni medallion. So, she embodied everything that we want in a Kentucky Wesleyan alum,” Darrell said.
