The newsletter for the WKU community
February 13, 2024
President's Message:
Student Success
Dear Colleagues,

We remain focused on our work to ensure that every student we enroll succeeds and ultimately graduates. We celebrate the beginning of our Hilltoppers’ college journey with us each fall and then celebrate their continuation on our Hill from semester to semester. The retention of our students illustrates the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives in enhancing student engagement; expanding support services; and deepening connections with peers, faculty and staff. Today, I am pleased to share with you the extraordinary rates at which our students returned from the fall 2023 semester:

  • An astounding 85.4% of our fall undergraduate degree-seeking students returned this spring, the highest percentage since WKU began tracking this data nearly a decade and a half ago.
  • 83.9% of our overall underrepresented minority population returned, the highest percentage since the 2010-2011 academic year.
  • Our first-time, first-year students returned at a rate of 91.6%, up from 91.1% a year ago. This represents a 5.3 percentage point increase since the 2017-2018 academic year and the highest returning percentage since the university began tracking this data in 2010.
  • First-time, first-year low-income students returned at a rate of 90%, an increase of nearly 5 percentage points since 2019.
  • 88.5% of first-time, first-year students who identified as first generation returned, an increase of 2 percentage points from last year and a 4.2 percentage point increase since 2019.
  • First-time, first-year students who participated in an LLC returned at a rate of 94.8%, compared to 90.4% among our non-LLC first-time, first-year students.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Three programs in WKU's Gordon Ford College of Business are ranked among the 2024 Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report. Learn More
Nine WKU students and recent graduates have been recognized as Semi-Finalists in the 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition. Learn More
Spotlight: Tiara Shellman
Tiara Shellman of Atlanta, Georgia, who is majoring in Corporate and Organizational Communication with a minor in Legal Studies, is among the 22 WKU students selected in October 2023 for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which broadens the student population that studies or interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. 
Hearts On The Hill
The WKU Alumni Association is sharing WKU love stories in its annual Hearts On The Hill series:
Supervisor Training Sessions
WKU’s Department of Human Resources has announced supervisor training for the 2024 Spring Semester. The C.L.I.M.B. Higher Equipping Supervisors for Success sessions aim to develop supervisor’s abilities to Coach, Lead, Inspire, Manage, and Build teams. Application deadline is February 27. The two-day training will take place April 9 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
February 2024 Staff Star Award Recipients
The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on February 7. The February 2024 recipients are Mary Evans, Program Developer, The Center for Gifted Studies; Jennifer Holland, Assistant Director, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement; and Suzanne Moore, Senior Academic Advisor, ACDC. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination
CITL Upcoming Events
Here’s a reminder from the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning about workshops this week. In addition to a focus on Blackboard and online social annotation, two sessions focus on WKU students -- Working with WKU’s Refugee Student Population and Teaching Gen Z: A Generative Conversation, which features a panel of students.
Registration open for Personal Finance Summer Camp
The Center for Financial Success (CFS) at WKU announced that registration is open for the 2024 Personal Finance Summer Camp targeted toward rising 10th-grade through 12th-grade students. Thanks to the generous and ongoing support of Abound Credit Union, the camp will provide a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in personal finance education and campus life.
Lost River Sessions Live
The Lost River Sessions Live series will feature Zachary Lucky with opening act Tramp at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Capitol, 416 E. Main St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15; students free with ID.
Metals Innovation Initiative
The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has taken a significant step toward advancing its sustainability goals with the issuance of two Requests for Information (RFIs) on February 2. These RFIs mark the initiation of two key initiatives within the organization's Sustainability strategic focus area.
Athletics
February
13
Tuesday
Kids' Science Night

The Gatton Academy will host Kids’ Science Night featuring Emily Calandrelli and the Kentucky Science Center at 6 tonight at Van Meter Hall. Tickets are sold out. Learn More
February
14
Wednesday
Global Learning Fair

WKU Global Learning & International Affairs will host the spring 2024 Global Learning Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Honors College & International Center Multipurpose room. Learn More
February
15
Thursday
IdeaFestival

The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU will welcome more than 850 middle and high school students to campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday for the 11th annual IdeaFestival® Bowling Green. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101