Spotlight Awards

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Midway University is pleased to announce it will host its 2021 Spotlight Awards in-person on Thursday, May 20. The event will honor two familiar faces to many in the Lexington area.

Donna Moore Campbell, a Midway University alumna and longtime Kentucky Educational Television (KET) broadcaster, will receive the Midway University Legacy Award. This award recognizes her many years of service and support to the University. She currently serves as the Chair of the Midway University Board of Trustees.

Well-known and recently retired WKYT-TV newscaster Barbara Bailey will be honored with the Pinkerton Vision Award. The award recognizes Bailey’s imprint on the Lexington (and Kentucky) television media during her 40 year career as a role model for many women in broadcasting and other professions.

About the Awards Evening

The Spotlight Awards evening is designed to highlight those who have been leaders in representing women’s issues; have made an impact that benefits women in the state of Kentucky and beyond, and innovative women in their chosen field. In addition, the awards ceremony is a time for the University to bestow honors on someone who has directly impacted Midway University.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour followed by dinner and award presentations for the Pinkerton Vision Award and the Midway University Legacy Award.

The Pinkerton Vision Award

This award honors the legacy of Dr. L.L. Pinkerton, whose vision of the Kentucky Female Orphan School in 1847 established it as the first formal education for orphaned girls on the site that is now Midway University. Criteria for consideration of award recipients includes: a) an individual or group (male or female) who has had a direct impact on improving the lives of women, b) a woman who has served as an outstanding role model, or c) a woman who has displayed great leadership, innovative thinking and influence in her chosen field. The recipient must be a Kentucky native, resident or organization located in Kentucky. A committee of college representatives will select the award recipient from the pool of nominations received.

The Midway University Legacy Award

This award honors a person or persons that have impacted Midway University over a period of many years by giving time, service, support, and/or resources.

About the Live Auction

Each year we pull together an exciting array of packages, experiences, and artwork to auction off during Spotlight Awards. All proceeds from the live auction support ongoing academic programming and student scholarships at Midway University.

Previous Spotlight Awards

Pinkerton Vision Award

Midway University Legacy Award

2019 – Lyle Wolf
2018 – Janet Green Hunter
2017 – The Parrish-Roach Family
2016 – The James C. & Ann Bowling Family
2015 – Libby Lloyd Jones
2014 – Mira Ball

: Dr. John Marsden presents the 2016 Pinkerton Vision Award to Isabel Yates, former Vice Mayor of Lexington.

: Board Chair Donna Moore Campbell presents Ann Bowling the 2016 Midway University Legacy Award for the James C. & Ann Bowling Family’s service to the University.