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Lindsey Wilson University Faculty Look Forward to Start of 2026-27 School Year

President Luckey: 'I want you to know how excited I am about the ownership and the leadership this faculty is taking at this university.'

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/21/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University faculty celebrated the school's recent successes while looking ahead to measures that will continue to secure the university's future at their 2026 fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. The 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

The university's 128 faculty members heard from Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr., who commended them on contributing to what he said was "an incredible" 2025-26 school year.

In addition to awarding a school record 1,741 undergraduate and graduate degrees over three commencement weekends -- including the university's first summer commencement -- in 2025-26, Lindsey Wilson enjoyed another strong year financially by finishing once again with a balanced budget.

Luckey said that was achieved in part by having another strong enrollment of residential students and overall undergraduate students on the university's A.P. White Campus in Columbia, solid enrollment in graduate programs and keeping expenses in line.

The university was also buttressed in 2025-26 by an impressive year in fundraising, in which more than $6 million was raised, including the largest estate gift in the school's 123-year history -- a $1.84 million unrestricted bequest from the late Evlyn Komosa of Adair County.

The Lindsey Wilson endowment continued to grow as well, closing out the 2025-26 school year valued at more than $60 million. Meanwhile, the university's debt continued to be reduced, shrinking to $13 million.

"This is easily the strongest we have ever been financially," said Luckey, who is beginning his 29th year as Lindsey Wilson's eighth president and is the longest-serving college or university president in Kentucky.

Beyond the university's financial strengths, however, were the numerous achievements throughout the school year by Lindsey Wilson faculty, who presented at national conferences, had work published and worked with students on numerous special projects.

The university's faculty also approved new undergraduate majors in agribusiness and sport performance, which have started this school year. Lindsey Wilson is the first Kentucky school to offer a sport performance major and the second in the nation.

"I want you to know how excited I am about the ownership and the leadership this faculty is taking at this university," said Luckey. "And we will only go as far as you, our faculty, will carry us."

New faculty, new students

Faculty were also presented nine individuals who have joined the university for the 2026-27 school year:

* Ashley Adamson, instructor of nursing;

* Macaela Bloyd, assistant professor of business;

* Paisley Bolin, agribusiness program coordinator;

* Harold Bosstick, assistant professor of English;

* William Bowes, assistant professor of Christian ministries;

* Courtney Carter, assistant professor of sport performance and sports management;

* Michael Davis, assistant professor of math;

* Sabrina Evans, assistant professor of counseling;

* and Sarah Mendoza, assistant professor of counseling.

Those new faculty members will join their returning colleagues who will officially welcome more than 500 new Lindsey Wilson students to campus on Saturday, Aug. 22.

A big reason for another strong entering class is the commitment of Lindsey Wilson faculty to the university's mission, which focuses on serving "every student, every day."

"You are mission-driven, and that's what it takes to be successful in this higher ed environment," said Mason Dyer, who is president of the 18-member Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities, which includes more than 60,000 students and 8,000 faculty and staff.

As Dyer noted in his address to the faculty, "It goes without saying that this is a challenging time for higher education, but we have been through challenging times before."

He said that schools who will be able to navigate the current higher education environment are those with a clear, focused mission.

"What you do matters," he said. "Lean into your mission and continue to serve your region."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

The Lindsey Wilson University community had nine new members of its faculty for the 2026-27 school year. Pictured, from left: Ashley Adamson, instructor of nursing; Sabrina Evans, assistant professor of counseling; Courtney Carter assistant professor of sport performance and sports management; Harold Bosstick, assistant professor of English; Sarah Mendoza, assistant professor of counseling; Macaela Bloyd, assistant professor of business; Paisley Bolin, agribusiness program coordinator; and William Bowes, assistant professor of Christian ministries. Not pictured: Michael Davis, assistant professor of math. The LWU 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr. addresses the university’s faculty at the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Lindsey Wilson’s 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr. addresses the university’s faculty at the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Lindsey Wilson’s 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

Lindsey Wilson University Vice President for Academic Affairs Ray Lutgring opens the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Lindsey Wilson’s 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities President Mason Dyer addresses the Lindsey Wilson University faculty at the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. “You are mission-driven, and that’s what it takes to be successful in this higher ed environment,” said Dyer.

Lindsey Wilson University biology professor Sara Ash and mathematics professor Michael Ratliff confer during a break in the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Lindsey Wilson’s 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

Lindsey Wilson University Executive Assistant to the President Amy Thompson-Wells, left, presents an LWU T-shirt to communication professor Jennifer Furkin before the start of the 2026 faculty fall biannual meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 20, in Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. All LWU faculty were presented with a university T-shirt. Lindsey Wilson’s 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.

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