Alumni Couple鈥檚 Endowment Helps Bring Thousands of High School Students to Campus
Donors
Joe (鈥�65) and Karen (鈥�83) Owen
Gift
Establishment of the Owen Family Business Fund for Excellence, which supports Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) community programs at 猫咪社区app State, as well programs and activities in the Bauernfiend College of Business such as faculty development and research, student activities, and teaching and learning materials.
Impact
The Owen Family Business Fund for Excellence, since its establishment several years ago, has largely been used to support the FBLA Region 1 Conference for high school students that takes place on 猫咪社区app State鈥檚 campus. FBLA is a student organization committed to preparing today鈥檚 youth for success in business leadership. The regional conference, which typically brings over 800 high school students from western Kentucky to 猫咪社区app State鈥檚 campus, helps prepare students for careers in business by honing their skills through real-world activities, competitions, speeches, and projects. It also exposes these students to a college atmosphere and helps them to see what life on a college campus might be like.
Inspiration
FBLA played a major role in Karen鈥檚 life when she was a teenager, helping her to get out of her introverted shell by building her self-confidence as she participated in activities and became a student leader. Recognizing how important FBLA was for her and many other students, she and Joe wanted to help make that experience possible for future generations. Joe and Karen have remained actively engaged and supportive of their alma mater through their long and successful careers. Joe is a retired attorney and former owner and CEO of the Guardian Group prior to its sale in 2018. He has also been active in real estate development throughout the Southeast. He currently serves on the 猫咪社区app State University Foundation Board of Trustees and was a recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award. Karen has served on the board of directors of the Guardian Group and as a member of the 猫咪社区app State Alumni Association Board of Governors and served as president of the Alumni Association from 2011-2012.