The newsletter for the WKU community
May 22, 2024
WKU recognizes outstanding educators
WKU's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) announced the recipients of this year's WKU Distinguished Educator Awards (DEA). These awards honor exemplary P-12 educators within WKU's service region in Kentucky who demonstrate remarkable dedication and contributions to the teaching profession. Now in its fifth year, the DEA received an overwhelming response with a total of 104 nominations across all 10 categories.
WKU maintains STARS Silver rating
For the fifth time since 2012, WKU has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. “We are proud to have earned another silver star rating for our AASHE STARS 2024 report,” said Dr. Leslie North, Director of Sustainability at WKU. “Our silver star rating is a testament to the culture of sustainability we maintain at WKU. We are about 4 points from achieving gold star rating."
CLIMBING HIGHER
Abigail Willhoite, a May graduate from Frankfort, will represent WKU as one of 15 candidates vying for the crown of 2024 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen this weekend in Pineville. Learn More
9 teachers selected as 2024 National STEM Scholars
Nine middle school teachers from eight states have been selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM Scholar Program, a unique professional development program providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, national network building and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide. The 2024 program will be hosted by The Gatton Academy May 26 to June 1.
Spotlight: Samuel Gorecki
Samuel Gorecki, a native of southside Chicago suburbs and a 2024 graduate of the Mahurin Honors College at WKU, is preparing to embark on his fifth year capstone experience in southeast Asia as part of Chinese Flagship Program requirements. His journey into this capstone year is supported by the David L. Boren Scholarship – a $25,000 scholarship to support language-focused study abroad during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Mary E. Hensley Lecture Series to host Dr. Peter Langman
The Mary E. Hensley Lecture Series will host Dr. Peter Langman, a renowned psychologist who has received international recognition for his extensive research on school shooters, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Gary Ransdell Hall Auditorium. The lecture, Identifying 3 Types of School Shooters, is part of a series of events on school safety being hosted by the WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative.
Gatton Academy honors 89 graduates in Class of 2024
On May 4, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science graduated 89 students from across Kentucky in its 17th graduating class. The ceremony took place at Van Meter Hall and was broadcast online for extended friends and family to enjoy.
Inaugural cohort completes Career Launch program
WKU celebrates the successful completion of its inaugural cohort of the Career Launch program, a transformative four-week immersive experience designed to equip students with essential skills for navigating the hidden job market.
WKU Libraries updates website
The WKU Libraries website has recently undergone an update that brings a modern and streamlined look. The updated website is more mobile-friendly and provides a seamless and efficient experience for patrons, offering a wealth of resources and services.
Enrollment and Student Experience presents awards
The WKU Division of Enrollment and Student Experience presented the following awards last week:
  • Outstanding New Program: South Lawn ‘til Dawn (co-organized by Chad Lawhorn)
  • Outstanding Collaboration: South Lawn ‘til Dawn (co-organized by Mike Dickinson)
  • Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Candice Douglas
  • Excellence in Customer Service: Julia Johnson
  • Outstanding Graduate Assistant: Abriana Sanchez
  • Outstanding Entry-Level Professional: Ashley Thompson
  • Outstanding Mid-Level Professional: Cassidy Counter
  • Outstanding Senior-Level Professional: Lana Kunkel
Honors Thesis Graduates
As the 2023-2024 academic year has come to a close, WKU recognizes the outstanding achievements of 2024 Mahurin Honors College capstone experience/thesis graduates.
Follow WKU Storm Chase
Here's a reminder to follow the WKU meteorology program’s 15th annual Field Methods in Severe Weather Analysis and Forecasting course, known as the WKU Storm Chase.
Follow Bike4Alz Team 12
Here's a reminder to follow WKU’s Bike4Alz Team 12 on its cross country ride to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease research.
A Look Back at Spring 2024
Take another look back at the Spring 2024 semester in this video by Cristina Betz and Cameron Witte.
Innovation Campus Newsletter
Check out the latest newsletter from the WKU Innovation Campus. More: Civic Imagination Co-Creation Event Series
Athletics
May
23
Thursday
Planetarium Show

The Hardin Planetarium will present Hubble’s 30th Anniversary Musical Redux at 7 p.m. Thursday. Learn More
May
24
Friday
Warren County Graduations

Warren County Public Schools will celebrate the Class of 2024 at graduation ceremonies Friday night and Saturday at Diddle Arena. (Other graduations at Diddle Arena: Logan County, 7 p.m. Thursday; Franklin-Simpson, 4 p.m. Sunday) Learn More
May
27
Monday
Memorial Day

WKU will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101