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
- 2019 – Ouita Michel
- 2018 – Dress for Success Lexington
- 2017 – Margie Samuels
- 2016 – Isabel Yates
- 2015 – Jean R. Hale
- 2014 – Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Kemper
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.
- Board Chair and Alum, Donna Moore Campbell ’62, presents Libby Lloyd Jones with 2015 Legacy Award.
- Elizabeth “Libby” Lloyd Jones won the Legacy Award during 2015 Midway Spotlight Awards in Midway, Kentucky.
- Jean Hale receiving the L.L. Pinkerton Vision Award from Dr. John Marsden during 2015 Midway Spotlight Awards.
- Jean Hale accepts the L.L. Pinkerton Vision Award during 2015 Midway Spotlight Awards.
- Dr. John Marsden and Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Kemper at 2014 Spotlight Awards
- Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Kemper, 2014 Pinkerton Vision Award Recipient at Spotlight Awards
- Mira Ball, 2014 Midway Legacy Award Recipient
- Members of The Parrish-Roach Family Accept 2017 Legacy Award
- Dr. John Marsden presents the 2017 Pinkerton Vision Award to Rob Samuels for his grandmother, Margie Samuels.