Today@WKU Newsletter -- June 25, 2025

Today@WKU

The newsletter for the WKU community -- June 25, 2025

Gatton Academy student participates in USA Biolympiad National Finals at Harvard

Varshith Kotagiri, a Class of 2025 graduate of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, is competing in the 2025 USA Biolympiad (USABO) National Finals at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 22 to July 4, 2025.

“CEE’s USA Biolympiad program encourages excellence in biology education and challenges students and their teachers to reach the gold standard in science,” said Joann DiGennaro, President of the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), which runs the USABO program.

Finalists participate for ten days in high-level biology instruction inclusive of laboratory training and conceptual understanding followed by two days of testing. Ultimately, four students will earn the honor to represent the United States at the 36th International Biology Olympiad, a worldwide competition involving student teams from over 80 countries. It will be hosted July 20-27 in Quezon City, Philippines.

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WKU IN THE NEWS

Topper Tuesday: Year in review with Todd Stewart

Johns receives TVA’s Power Play Scholarship

WKU offering excel classes in Glasgow

WKU, Abound partner for personal finance camp

Hilltop String Festival Concert fills Historic Railpark with music

More WKU News

CLIMBING HIGHER

The Center for Gifted Studies team members, Hasan Akdeniz, Tyler Clark and Julia Roberts recently published research on the capability of artificial intelligence tools to generate questions aligned with Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. Learn More

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Clark earns grant from Mensa Foundation

Tyler Clark, Assistant Director of Operations for the Center for Gifted Studies, was awarded the Early Career Researcher Mini-Grant by the Mensa Foundation for his research project, Exploring Overexcitabilities and Openness to Experience in University Honors Students.

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Spotlight: Andrew Blosser

For Andrew Blosser, college isn’t about choosing between passion and practicality—it’s about making space for both. Now entering his sophomore year at WKU, Andrew is pursuing a unique combination: a degree in Mathematical Economics on the actuarial track and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. From marching band drills to econometric models, he’s navigating life with rhythm and precision.

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Dr. Elmer Gray: Celebration of Life

Dr. Elmer Gray was a long-time fixture on WKU’s Campus which included serving as Dean of the Graduate School in addition to being a faculty member in Agriculture. There will be a Celebration of Life event held at the L.D. Brown Ag Expo located on WKU’s University Farm this Sunday at 3 p.m. The event will include a time of fellowship with family and friends from 3-4 p.m. with a time for sharing beginning at 4 p.m.

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WKU Faculty/Staff & Friends Golf Tournament

Campus Recreation & Wellness is hosting the 67th Annual Faculty/Staff & Friends Golf Tournament on July 11 at Crosswinds Golf Course in Bowling Green. The deadline to register is June 27.

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Honors student works toward triple major

Veronica Butler of Lexington is an International Affairs, Political Science and Mandarin Chinese triple major. In high school, she was in the International Baccalaureate program and knew she wanted to be in an honors program in college.

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PTS 20th Anniversary Celebration

Join Parking & Transportation Services on July 1 at 1 p.m. in the DSU ground floor lobby to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Parking & Transportation Services at WKU.

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Follow Bike4Alz Team 13

Here's a reminder to follow WKU’s Bike4Alz Team 13 on its cross country ride to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease research. The team is scheduled to arrive in Bowling Green on July 7 with a fund-raising event on July 8 at White Squirrel Brewery.

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