The newsletter for the WKU community -- April 1, 2026 | | Four WKU students offered Critical Language Scholarships | |
Four WKU students have been offered 2026 Critical Language Scholarships, and two have been designated alternates.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS), a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.
Recipients spend eight weeks abroad in intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment designed to promote rapid language gains and cultural proficiency in one of nine critical languages.
WKU’s recipients are among approximately 315 undergraduate and graduate students selected nationwide from a pool of more than 4,500 applicants.
| | The Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association awarded Dr. Leigh Anne Roden the Johanna B. Hancock Award, the highest honor bestowed by KSHA. Learn More | |
WKU announces faculty awards
Each year, the Office of the Provost and the Division of Academic Affairs invite nominations to honor faculty members who have served the University with distinction and demonstrated exceptional achievement in teaching, research, and service.
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CHHS announces restructuring
Dr. Tania Basta, the Donald R. and Irene S. Dizney Dean of the WKU College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), announced that CHHS will be restructuring effective July 1, 2026.
| | | Thank You! Day of Giving 2026 | | Thank you to all who showed up for WKU Day of Giving! Your support of our students and our campus shows in the work you do each day and how you give back to our community. Learn more at wku.edu/dayofgiving. | | April 2026 Staff Star Recipients | | The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting this morning. The April 2026 recipients are Beth Gafford, Materials Management & Campus Mail; Cindy Smith, Office of Institutional Equity; and Sherry West, Student Publications. The Staff Senate's next meeting will begin at 10 a.m. May 6 at Downing Student Union, room 2081. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination | |
Dr. Taylor to serve as CHHS Associate Dean
Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Ritchie Taylor will serve as Associate Dean of WKU’s College of Health and Human Services.
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WKU Student Scholar Showcase April 11
The Student Scholar Showcase is Saturday, April 11. Students will present original work through oral presentations, video performances and posters.
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Midnight on the Hill raises over $122,000
Midnight on the Hill, a student-led philanthropic initiative, concluded its annual fundraising campaign with a successful campus event held on Friday at the Preston Health and Activities Center. The event generated over $122,000 in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
| | | | | Student Spotlight: Nora Windsor | For Nora Windsor, being a WKU student means staying curious, staying busy, and staying grounded in purpose. A Lexington native, Windsor is pursuing an ambitious academic path—marketing with a concentration in strategy, a second major in economics, and a certificate in AI and analysis—while remaining deeply engaged in campus life and community-based work beyond the Hill. | | |
Nunez-Garcia finds her home on the Hill
From her first steps on campus, Diamond Nunez-Garcia recalls that she “immediately felt at home” on the Hill.
Fast forward to her sophomore year, and Nunez-Garcia is passing along her love for WKU to future Hilltoppers as a student ambassador for GFCB and WKU First Gen Hilltoppers. “Getting to speak with prospective students and share my experiences is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy connecting with students and helping them see themselves here,” Nunez-Garcia shared. More: Watch Video
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GFCB marks passing of Dr. Robert Jefferson
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Robert W. Jefferson, former dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business. He passed away on March 25, 2026, at the age of 86.
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Dr. Jean Chen honored with SHAPE awards
Dr. YuChun (Jean) Chen of the WKU College of Health and Human Services is the recipient of the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Southern District Scholar Award and the Kentucky SHAPE College/University Educator Preparation Award.
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Applications open for Teacher Hall of Fame
The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2026. This prestigious honor celebrates outstanding educators across the Commonwealth who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their students and the teaching profession.
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2026 KY Small Business Person of the Year
John Harnage, owner of Kentucky Thermal Institute, has been named the 2026 Small Business Person of the Year for Kentucky by the U.S. Small Business Administration, one of the nation’s highest honors for small business leadership.
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WKU earns two 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School Top Ten Designations
After being named a Military Friendly® School for the past 17 years, WKU is excited to announce that it has been designated a Top Ten 2026-2027 Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly School.
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WKU Opera Theater:Trial by Jury
Join the WKU Opera Theater for Trial By Jury, a special performance on-site at the Warren County (Bowling Green) Justice Center located at 1001 Center Street in downtown Bowling Green on Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5.
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Evening of Dance is April 23-26
WKU's Department of Theatre & Dance will present Evening of Dance on Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Russell Miller Theater in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center. Additional showtimes include 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.
| | | Check out the latest WKU Week in Photos for a week full of milestones, memories and Hilltopper spirit! Photos by WKU Athletics and WKU Communications & Marketing. | WKU Innovation Campus Events | Check out the latest news and events from WKU Innovation Campus. | | | |
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2026 Child Welfare Expo
LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research at WKU will host the 2026 Child Welfare Expo on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the WKU Knicely Conference Center. Learn More
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Valleypalooza
WKU Housing & Residence Life will host Valleypalooza on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Gilbert Lawn. This decades-long tradition will give students the opportunity for some stress relief and fun. Learn More
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The WKU Department of Theatre and Dance will present Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Van Meter Hall. Additional showtimes include Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 12, at
2 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults; $5 students. Learn More
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