The newsletter for the WKU community -- December 3, 2025

President's Message: End of Semester and College Recognition Ceremonies

Colleagues,


As we near the end of the fall semester, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything you have done to make these past months successful. As always, your WKU spirit, your unwavering commitment to our students and your care for one another has been evident in every corner of our campus.


Our students’ success depends on the collective efforts of every member of our Hilltopper family. Whether you teach in the classroom, support operations behind the scenes or serve students directly in offices and programs across our campus, the work you do matters deeply. As finals approach, I ask that you continue to offer encouragement and support to our students. The home stretch of the semester can be an especially stressful time, and your empathy, patience and guidance often make the difference between a difficult ending and a successful one.


For some of our Hilltoppers, this month marks the completion of their academic journey with us. Their success is a direct reflection of your dedication and care. I invite you to join me in celebrating their achievements at our College Recognition Ceremonies on Friday, December 12. These ceremonies offer a wonderful opportunity to see the results of your hard work and to honor the transformational power of a WKU education. More information about times and locations for each ceremony is available here.

WKU String Academy gives children a chance to experience music


WKU Greek Life wraps gifts for Angel Tree students at Parker Bennett Curry


WKU to recognize fall 2025 graduates on Dec. 12


Hughes & Coleman Hometown Hero: Kelsey Myers


WKU’s Fresh Food Company earns 4 Star Certified Green

Restaurant recognition


Jude McTavish III Claims WKU Corgi Race title


WKU students learn city connections through downtown academy program

CLIMBING HIGHER

WKU Communications and Marketing and WKU Imagewest were recognized during the 2025 AMA Bowling Green Markie Awards for outstanding work in the field of marketing. Learn More

WKU to recognize graduates next Friday

Western Kentucky University’s five academic colleges will recognize more than 1,000 fall graduates in three ceremonies next Friday (December 12).

During the Fall 2025 recognition ceremonies at Diddle Arena, WKU will confer 1,040 degrees.

Ogden Foundation Scholar leaves legacy of service on the Hill

Serving others is Lindsey Sargent’s calling, and it was her little sister’s autism diagnosis that sparked her interest in the medical field and inspired her to pursue pre-med coursework at WKU.



Equity-Focused Workforce Development for Kentucky Medicaid


The WKU Institute for Rural Health and the WKU Center for Environmental and Workplace Health recently announced that a multidisciplinary team of faculty and academic leaders received $145,002.93 through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services State University Partnership Program for their project, Bridging the Gap: Equity-Focused Workforce Development for Kentucky Medicaid.

CEBS awarded funds for Project THRIVE


The U.S. Department of Education has awarded WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences $1,249,671 to launch Project THRIVE.

WKU toiletry and food drive


In partnership with WKU's five academic colleges, University Libraries, WKU Alumni Association, Housing & Residence Life, the Student Government Association, The Division of Student Experience/Dean of Students Office and the Office of Sustainability are coordinating a campus-wide food and toiletry drive through the end of the semester to help sustain the WKU Food Pantry. 

December 2025 Staff Star Award Recipients

The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting this morning. The December 2025 recipients are Katie Burchfield, Advising and Career Development Center; Teresa Jameson, WKU School of Media and Communication; and Braedyn Rutledge, Advising and Career Development Center. The Staff Senate's next meeting will begin at 10 a.m. February 4 at Downing Student Union, room 2081. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination

Fresh Food Company earns 4 Stars


WKU’s Fresh Food Company has achieved 4 Star Certified Green Restaurant® status from the Green Restaurant Association.

Graduate students present at conference


Alexis Shaffer and Chloe Snow, graduate students in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program, presented at the 2025 Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) conference in Louisville on November 3.

Faculty Spotlight: Katrina Burch

Congratulations to Dr. Katrina Burch, Interim Department Chair and Associate Professor in the WKU Department of Psychological Sciences, who was awarded the 2025 Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA) Researcher of the Year award.

Mark Ciampa joins board of directors


Dr. Mark Ciampa, a Professor of Analytics and Information Systems and the Program Coordinator for the Master of Cybersecurity Data Analytics at GFCB, is joining the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Center for Academic Excellence, with WKU joining as an Institutional Partner.

56th Student Scholar Showcase April 11


Undergraduate students at WKU are now invited to submit abstracts for the 56th Annual Student Scholar Showcase, set for April 11, 2026. The event provides students with the opportunity to present their research, creative work, and academic projects to the WKU community.

Exhibit award winners announced


Now through April 30, 2026, the Kentucky Museum will continue to host Equal Temperament, a national juried metalworking exhibition, in their new Sculpture Gallery. 

WKU Print Club Holiday Sale


WKU Print Club is currently hosting its first annual Holiday Sale, which includes variety of hand-printed goodies, including cards, T-shirts and fine art prints. The final hours of the sale are today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, room 166.

WinterDance Performance

Students lit up the stage in Van Meter Hall during the latest WinterDance production from WKU’s Department of Theatre & Dance. Check out photos of the performance from Chris Cox, WKU Communications & Marketing.

Registration open for PD Day

Registration is open for the 2026 WKU Professional Development (PD) Day on January 15. More: PD Day program

Athletics

WKU Volleyball Heads to Louisville to Take On Marquette in NCAA Tournament; Travis Hudson Weekly Press Conference - 12-1-25


Hilltopper Basketball Earns 75-70 Win Over Wichita State in Battle 4 Atlantis Finale; Boone Claims Third Consecutive CUSA Freshman of the Week Selection


Lady Topper Basketball Return to Diddle to Host Florida Atlantic


WKU Football Falls At Jax State In Final Game Of Regular Season; WKU Football 2026 Signing Day Central


WKU Track and Field Announces 2025-26 Indoor Schedule


Wilkinson Named to CUSA All-Academic Team


Six Hilltoppers Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

December

3

Wednesday

Performance


WKU Department of Theatre and Dance's production of Last Chance to Dance will open at 7 p.m. tonight at Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre and will continue at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $5. Learn More

 

December

5

Friday

Holiday Concert


Holidays on the Hill, a 90-minute concert featuring live performances by WKU’s orchestra, choirs and band, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Van Meter Hall. Learn More (More: Winterfest Choral Concert)

 

December

5

Friday

Finals Week


Finals Week for the fall semester will begin December 5. Learn More (More: Finals Week dining hours)

 
 
 
 
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