The newsletter for the Western Kentucky University community | September 2, 2026 | | President's Message: Week Two | |
Dear Colleagues,
As we move into the second week of the fall semester, I want to thank each of you for the many ways you helped create a welcoming and supportive start to the academic year. The energy and care you have shown to our students, especially our newest Hilltoppers, during these first weeks remain an important part of what makes WKU such a special place!
Each academic year offers many opportunities for the Hilltopper Family to gather on campus, from engaging lectures and inspiring theater performances to student recitals, athletic events and so much more. As a reminder, all WKU faculty and staff can receive two free tickets, two free drinks (soda or bottled water) and two free food items (hot dog or popcorn) for one home volleyball game and two home football games this fall. Event dates are:
- September 17, WKU Volleyball vs. Oklahoma
- October 8, WKU Football vs. Missouri State
- October 27, WKU Football vs. Delaware
You may also purchase additional tickets to these two football games for just $10. To receive your tickets, visit the Diddle Arena ticket office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or on game day until noon. Please note that you must pick up tickets and concession vouchers in advance.
| | Save the date as we break ground on Phase 1 of Elevate WKU. Join us on Tuesday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. C.T. at the Southern Gateway of campus, a new, roughly 1,000-bed residential complex will rise on the former site of Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland Halls. Learn More | |
Provost's Message: Welcome Back
Every fall, we have the privilege of beginning a new academic year. You can see and feel the energy across campus as a new year gets underway. Throughout the summer, teams across the University have worked behind the scenes, coordinating and attending to the countless details that make this moment possible.
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Honorary Degrees: Call for Nominations
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs invites the campus community to submit nominations for recipients of honorary degrees. Nominations may be made by students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, or friends of the University. Nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 3.
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WKU, UCSK expand degree opportunities
WKU and the University Center of Southern Kentucky at Somerset Community College signed a memorandum of agreement Tuesday, Sept. 1, making WKU's Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management available at WKU in Somerset.
| | | September 2026 Staff Star Award Recipients | | The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting this morning. The September 2026 recipients are Jolee Campbell, Career Development; Brian Taylor, Application and Programming Services; and Jane Tua, Communications and Marketing/Office of General Counsel. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination | |
MSS to host September events
WKU Military Student Services and the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success are hosting several events to engage with students, veterans, and the community.
Welcome Brief - September 3 at 2:30 p.m. – Members of the Louisville Slugger Warriors will speak
WKU Night at the Hot Rods - September 3 at 6:35 p.m. – MSS will have a reserved section. Email military@wku.edu for tickets.
MSS Open House – September 9 at 11:30 am – Meet the staff, find resources, and tour their space in Gary Ransdell Hall.
VA Veterans Resource Fair – September 9 at 4:00 p.m.
Veterans Show with Thom Tran – September 11 at 7:00 p.m. – Veteran and Performer Thom Tran
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ROTC to host Eric D. Yates Memorial Run
The WKU Army ROTC program will host its 16th Eric D. Yates Memorial Run/Walk on September 19.
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Parent & Family Weekend Sept. 25-26
WKU will celebrate Parent & Family Weekend September 25-26 with numerous events, highlighted by recognition of the 2026 Family of the Year during WKU Football’s game against Mercyhurst.
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Professor publishes research on generosity
Dr. Yi Lu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at WKU, worked with a team of collaborators at Cornell University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong to publish this research, “Prosociality Across Adulthood: Social Discounting and Donations in the U.S. and China,” in the journal Psychology and Aging.
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Kyle Perkins ('94) and Scott Fuller ('81):
Two friends give back to the Hill
For Kyle Perkins, WKU was more than just a stepping stone to his professional life. “My time at Western gave me a strong academic foundation in business and accounting,” Perkins shared. “But just as importantly, it exposed me to new people, new ideas and new relationships that have lasted well beyond my college years.”
| | | | | Student Spotlight: Allison Wahl | A new Registered Student Organization on campus is bridging the gap between science and community health right here in Bowling Green. Allison Wahl, a senior from Ferdinand, Indiana, majoring in Biochemistry with a Pre-Med concentration, has founded The Balanced Box Project, aimed at making nutritious meals both affordable and approachable for local families. | | |
Kentucky Folklife magazine seeks proposals
The Kentucky Folklife digital magazine is now accepting proposals for articles, photo essays, documentary film, audio, interviews, oral histories, and performances that explore and document Kentucky’s folklife for the Fall 2026 Issue.
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Staff Leadership Institute deadline extended
The Staff Leadership Institute seeks to enhance job performance and personal development skills by challenging the spirit of each participant. Applications for the 2026-2027 Staff Leadership Institute will be accepted until Friday (September 4).
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Fall Global Learning Fair: Globechella
Students interested in studying abroad are welcome to attend the Global Learning Fair on Wednesday, September 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Honors College & International Center Multipurpose Room.
| | | Take a look back at the first week of the Fall 2026 semester in this WKU Week in Photos album from University Photography. | WKU Night at the Hot Rods | WKU and the Bowling Green Hot Rods will team up for WKU Night at the Hot Rods tomorrow. Gates at Bowling Green Ballpark open at 5:30 p.m., with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Tickets are $10, including fees, when purchased in advance using promo code WKU. | | | |
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WKU DiscoverFest
WKU Student Activities will host DiscoverFest today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Centennial Mall. Students will learn about different clubs/organizations, university departments, campus partners and community organizations. Learn More
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Staff Senate
The WKU Staff Senate will meet at 2 p.m. today at Downing Student Union, room 2081. Learn More
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