ALTON LITTLE - Former WKU professor

Since arriving in Bowling Green, Dr. Alton Little has devoted countless hours to public service in the community, and without Little, the Parks and Recreation program would not be what it is today.

Little, a North Carolina native, joined the faculty at Western Kentucky University in 1971 as a Department of Physical Education and Recreation professor and taught for 31 years.

Little’s extensive public service to local organizations began soon after coming to Bowling Green.

He was one of the first two people in the state to be honored with the Professional Administrator Certification, and served for 16 years with the Bowling Green Board of Parks and Recreation Department.

In 1989 Little also founded the Bowling Green Chapter of Mended Hearts, a local organization that supports people undergoing heart procedures, and holds monthly meetings.

Little was a supporter of many youth projects, including the War Memorial Boy’s Club of Bowling Green, and was the Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year in 2002.

Another way Little has touched the lives of others is through Riverside Christian Church, of which he has been pastor for the past 36 years.

“For Alton Little, it can truly be said that he is always ready to step up and lend a helping hand wherever and whenever needed,” says Margaret Isenberg, president of the local Mended Hearts Chapter.