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The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky Honors Jim & Rita Scott as the 2021 South Central Kentuckian of the Year
Monday, November 8, 2021


The South Central Kentuckian of the Year Award honors an individual for excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work and inspiration of others. The purpose of this award is to honor ordinary people in our community who are making significant contributions through their life’s work, everyday people in our community who make a difference. We want to celebrate these people who make giving back a priority for themselves, their family and their business.

Jim & Rita Scott believe in the adage of not just helping organizations in the community with money but in giving time, energy and ideas towards furthering various philanthropic causes like hosting the Mason Cup tournament for the last 4 years at Olde Stone and mentoring athletes in the WKU’s sports programs etc.

Scotty has been honored with many awards through the years. In 2001, Scotty founded the Scott Center for Construction and Engineering including the James D. Scott Professorship which was the first fully endowed chair at Western Kentucky University providing students valuable opportunities for engineering degrees.

Rita has enthusiastically supported the Senior Medication Program at the Commonwealth Health Free Clinic - a program that provides free prescription medicine to Seniors in need, with her time, talent, and financial resources. She spearheaded fundraisers for the Common wealth Health Foundation as a board member to help set them on course to achieve phenomenal results.

The Scotts most recently gave a million-dollar donation to Arts of Southern Kentucky to help ensure their future and to name the Concert Hall ensuring the music of Orchestra Kentucky will live on.

The Community Foundation is proud to honor the Scotts as the 2021 South Central Kentuckians of the Year. 

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