Members of the Princeton-Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce applauded the efforts of local leaders and achievers Friday in the Chamber’s annual luncheon.
The group also heard from Lyon County and Western Kentucky University basketball standout Ty Rogers, the luncheon’s guest speaker, and welcomed eight new members to the Chamber’s board of directors.
Three awards were presented at the luncheon, including a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Morgan family.
Mayor Gale Cherry presented the award, which was accepted by Dick Morgan on behalf of the family, which has operated Morgan’s Funeral Home for more than 100 years and lent financial and personal support to countless civic activities.
“When I think of important junctures in my life, they always seemed to be a supportive presence there,” Cherry said.
“As a family, you have embodied what, in my mind, it means to be a Christian,” she said. “You have accepted people as you find them, without judgment or condemnation, and you minister to their needs.
“You give without exception to anyone who needs it, and you don’t expect anything in return,” she said.
Steve Stewart presented the Ellouise M. Jaggers Women’s Leadership Award to Sherry Jordan.
Jordan served as Chamber executive secretary for 15 years before leaving in March to take a position with the Princeton Electric Plant Board.
The award recognized Jordan’s leadership in the community and her efforts to benefit Princeton.
The Chamber’s Unsung Hero Award went to Times Leader reporter Jared Nelson.
Times Leader Publisher Chip Hutcheson recognized Nelson’s volunteer service on the Relay for Life committee, the county cemetery board and other local and professional organizations.
The Chamber also approved the addition of eight new members to its board of directors.
The new members include: Richard Holland, Jeff Simms, Eric Griggs, Ty Englebright, Jared Nelson, Ty Harper, Torey Hammett and Bobby Brown.
Featured speaker Ty Rogers, whose three-point buzzer-beater to defeat Drake University in the NCAA basketball tournament this spring drew national attention and a $100,000 award to WKU, was introduced by Phil Van Hooser, who said “the shot pales in comparison to the person.”
Rogers thanked Caldwell County for the support it had shown him through his career in Lyon County and Bowling Green. “I’ve always felt at home here,” he said.
Rogers shared with the crowd some “common intangibles” between sports, business and life in general, characteristics that open the door for individual improvement.
The value of practice and preparation, goal-setting, a strong work ethic, avoiding complacency, a positive attitude, perserverance, unity and accountability were all emphasized.
“I believe that we are who and what we choose to be,” he said.
Rogers shared some of his own experiences as they related to those ideals, including the famous three-pointer, named the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the NCAA tournament.
“There was no doubt in my mind that we were winning the game,” he said.
The $100,000 scholarship given to WKU as a result has been named the Ty Rogers scholarship and will benefit graduating Lyon County High School seniors, Van Hooser noted.
The Chamber luncheon was held at the Princeton Golf and Country Club.
