A Champion of Higher Education: Dr. Elizabeth Henderson King ’76

---

Dr. Elizabeth Henderson King ’76

Wichita, KS

Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Henderson King ’76 always knew she would go to college. Her family highly valued education, and many attended Wheaton College, so despite Wheaton being half a world away from her home in the Philippines, she enrolled. King went on to earn a master’s of education and a Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of North Texas.

Pursuing higher education wasn’t an easy path for King, however. Paying for college proved a financial challenge, and King worked 20 hours per week while carrying a full academic load to afford tuition. She worked full-time as she pursued her master’s and doctorate.

“Working diminished my opportunity to participate in a number of activities I might have enjoyed,” she said. This experience gave her a new grasp on the importance of alumni-funded scholarships for students, and fueled her passion for university advancement.

After college, King led a successful career in advancement. When she transitioned to Wichita State University, she became the youngest VP they had hired, and their second female VP.

King spent over 30 years at WSU, first in the advancement department, then as the President & CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. During her tenure, King grew the foundation’s assets from $50 million to over $400 million, and expanded the staff to over 60 people. Her list of accolades is long, including the 2020 Wichita Business Journal’s Executive of the Year and a 2024 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame inductee.

King knows that without her degrees, her life would look dramatically different. “Those who choose to get a college degree unlock a whole other world,” King said. “Once I started working in higher education, I knew it was where God wanted me to be.”

King’s involvement in higher education advancement doesn’t stop at her professional life, extending also to her personal convictions. King and her husband, Donald (Don) King ’76, support numerous scholarships at Wheaton, including the Donald L. King Fellowship Endowment for the Doctoral Program in Biblical and Theological Studies, and the Donald and Elizabeth King Scholarship. They are particularly passionate about alleviating financial burdens for missionary kids like King, allowing them to freely experience all that college has to offer.

“Our philanthropy would not have been possible if it had not been us as a couple, united in what we support,” King said. “I tell young people all the time: The key to marriage is that you are united in your values and the Lord.”

King is semi-retired now, working as a consultant with the Association of Governing Boards and serving on several other boards. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with Don, participating at church, traveling, spending time with their Wheatie friends, and visiting their sons, Lance and Brandon, and their families. She also enjoys the continued opportunity to mentor.

“Staying engaged with your alma mater doesn’t just have to be financial,” King said. “Wheaton has such a vast array of alumni with incredible experiences and jobs, and offering that network connection for students is another way alumni can give back. A vibrant, engaged alumni base makes a healthy institution.”

Learn how to support future Wheaties.