WVU/HR&E Eddie Kennedy

Catching Up with Dr. Eddie Kennedy By Patty Showers Ryan

One of the aspects of my work in development that I enjoy the most is meeting so many interesting individuals. Recently, I had the opportunity to arrange a visit for and alumnus who wanted to “catch up” with one of his favorite professors, Dr. Eddie Kennedy.

At 94 years old, Dr. Kennedy still welcomes former and current students to his home to visit. He spends time each day reading, writing, gardening, woodworking, and watching the History channel. Dr. Kennedy also enjoys playing his guitar, which the doctors tell him is great therapy for the wrist that he broke last summer.

While attending Glenville State College in 1932, Dr. Kennedy was the editor of the College paper for a semester. One day during class, his professor, Linn Hickman, bet Dr. Kennedy fifty cents that he couldn’t button up his vest within a certain amount of time. Dr. Kennedy agreed to the bet, completed the task, smiled at his professor, and waited to collect his winnings. His professor smiled back and said, “Kennedy, you buttoned down your vest, not up. I win the bet.”

This friendly relationship was important to Dr. Kennedy and he has always tried to treat his students in the same manner. Over the years, he made an effort to remember his student’s names, invite them over to his house for cookouts, and spend time tutoring and meeting with students. “I’ve learned so much from my students. I really enjoyed them,” he says.

In 1976, after 24 years of devoting his time to WVU and his students, Dr. Kennedy retired. He was so beloved that his students established the Eddie C. Kennedy Endowed Scholarship in his honor. The earnings from this fund provide a scholarship each year to a graduate student pursuing a degree in reading education. This gesture was a wonderful way to give tribute to a man that cares so deeply about students.

If you would like to make a gift in Dr. Kennedy’s honor to help a student pursuing a degree in reading education or would like to establish an endowment for someone special, please call me at (304) 293-3261 or send an email to patty.ryan@mail.wvu.edu.

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	Catching Up with Dr. Eddie Kennedy By Patty Showers Ryan One of the aspects of my work in development that I enjoy the most is meeting so many interesting individuals. Recently, I had the opportunity to arrange a visit for and alumnus who wanted to “catch up” with one of his favorite professors, Dr. Eddie Kennedy. At 94 years old, Dr. Kennedy still welcomes former and current students to his home to visit. He spends time each day reading, writing, gardening, woodworking, and watching the History channel. Dr. Kennedy also enjoys playing his guitar, which the doctors tell him is great therapy for the wrist that he broke last summer. While attending Glenville State College in 1932, Dr. Kennedy was the editor of the College paper for a semester. One day during class, his professor, Linn Hickman, bet Dr. Kennedy fifty cents that he couldn’t button up his vest within a certain amount of time. Dr. Kennedy agreed to the bet, completed the task, smiled at his professor, and waited to collect his winnings. His professor smiled back and said, “Kennedy, you buttoned down your vest, not up. I win the bet.” This friendly relationship was important to Dr. Kennedy and he has always tried to treat his students in the same manner. Over the years, he made an effort to remember his student’s names, invite them over to his house for cookouts, and spend time tutoring and meeting with students. “I’ve learned so much from my students. I really enjoyed them,” he says. In 1976, after 24 years of devoting his time to WVU and his students, Dr. Kennedy retired. He was so beloved that his students established the Eddie C. Kennedy Endowed Scholarship in his honor. The earnings from this fund provide a scholarship each year to a graduate student pursuing a degree in reading education. This gesture was a wonderful way to give tribute to a man that cares so deeply about students. If you would like to make a gift in Dr. Kennedy’s honor to help a student pursuing a degree in reading education or would like to establish an endowment for someone special, please call me at (304) 293-3261 or send an email to patty.ryan@mail.wvu.edu. Previous Development News Articles