Fulton Sun

Ken Lyle lives in Columbia, but he’s certainly a fixture in the Fulton community.

As Fulton State Hospital’s chief financial officer, he oversees the hospital’s resource budgeting, hospitality functions, support departments and maintenance. As an adjunct faculty member for William Woods University, he also teaches courses in leadership, organizational behavior, management ethics and other topics in Fulton and across the state.

His work in the latter capacity has earned him the schools’ first Graduate College Distinguished Professor Award.

Lyle received the award at the schools’ graduate college commencement ceremony, where he was the speaker. The award recognizes professors providing outstanding teaching and service to the graduate program.

Lyle became involved with WWU five years into his now 20-year tenure at the hospital.

“It was recommended I’d enjoy this by a former supervisor of mine, who was also a mentor,” said Lyle. “He said ‘you would love this.’ It helps pay for my kids’ schooling, and it’s also stimulating, both from the material and from the students. I learn so much.”

The master of business administration program Lyle teaches with is statewide, so he often finds himself instructing courses all throughout Missouri and even as far as northern Arkansas.