Alumnus Bill Straus ’70 starts scholarship to support choral program that ‘played a very significant part in my life.’
by Duane Bonifer
COLUMBIA, KY. (07/15/2026) Bill Straus ’70 did not come to Lindsey Wilson College to sing.
But singing became a big part of his Lindsey Wilson experience after he joined the Lindsey Wilson Singers shortly after arriving on campus in the spring 1968 semester.
Straus wants future Lindsey Wilson students to enjoy the benefits of being part of the school’s selective choral program, so he created the Bill Straus Endowed Scholarship to support members of the Lindsey Wilson Singers.
“Being part of the Singers played a very significant part in my life while I was a Lindsey Wilson student,” said Straus, who lives in Lexington, Kentucky. “I want the Singers to continue to have an impact on students’ lives at Lindsey Wilson.”
Straus was recruited to the Lindsey Wilson Singers by his roommate, Mark Gettinger ’70. Gettinger introduced a somewhat hesitant Straus to the legendary Fred Taylor, who was a music professor and director of the Lindsey Wilson choral program.
“I still remember Mark taking me over to Fred Taylor to audition,” said Straus.
Straus said that while he might not have had the strongest voice in the choral group, he grew a great deal from Taylor’s strong leadership and guidance. And he benefited just as much from the new group of friends he made in the ensemble.
“Joining the Lindsey Wilson Singers gave me an instant group of friends, all of whom were really good people,” said Straus.
Straus said that Taylor, who was affectionately known as “Coach Taylor” by the students because of his discipline, helped the group “achieve something really special.”
The ensemble’s repertoire included a mixture of popular and sacred music, with an occasional piece that pushed the students’ vocal skills.
“Fred had one piece that was in Latin, and we only had a day to put it together,” said Straus. “He admitted that he gave us music that was very difficult to sing, but we did it anyway because we believed in his leadership. He knew how to help us work together to achieve something that we didn’t realize was possible.”
During Straus’ involvement with the Lindsey Wilson Singers, one of the highlights was a Christmas concert held on campus and also at Columbia United Methodist Church.
“Those were very popular events both on campus and in town as well,” he said.
In the spring, the Singers went on a tour to perform in churches in Louisville, Kentucky, and Ohio.
“That was a lot of fun,” said Straus. “We had a good time traveling between cities, and we got to stay with some terrific people. We had such great camaraderie. Every time we performed, we got a standing ovation.”
Straus finished his Lindsey Wilson degree in December 1969 and returned to campus the following spring for commencement. After Lindsey Wilson, he earned a business degree from Western Kentucky University before embarking on a distinguished and award-winning career as a professional photographer.
About 25 years ago, Straus and many of his fellow Singers alumni returned to campus for a reunion during homecoming weekend, which included an appearance by Coach Taylor.
“We got a great level of confidence from being in the Singers,” he said. “We learned so many valuable lessons from Fred Taylor, such as, ‘Let’s work on something and get it right.’ I carried on that approach in my professional career. My attitude was that if you get involved with a project, then make it the best you can. That was something I learned from being in the Singers.”
Lindsey Wilson University alumnus Bill Straus ’70 of Lexington, Kentucky, has started the Bill Straus Endowed Scholarship to support members of the Lindsey Wilson Singers.
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.
View Online: http://lindseywilson.meritpages.com/news/Scholarship-Honors-Legacy-of-Lindsey-Wilson-University-Singers/60674
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)