The newsletter for the WKU community
March 8, 2022
Martens make leadership gift to WKU; Alumni Center named in their honor
Eva and Jim Martens, ardent supporters of WKU alumni initiatives, athletics and scholarships, have made a commitment of more than $5 million to benefit the WKU Alumni Center and WKU Athletics through both current support and a provision in their estate plans.

The Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center will be named in recognition of their gift.

“Western means a lot to us,” Jim Martens said. “The welcoming spirit of Western Kentucky University that was extended to me more than 50 years ago is still alive and well. I can’t describe how much I love Western.”

“It is such a great honor,” Eva Martens said of the naming plans. “I’m thrilled.”

Jim Martens, who received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from WKU in 1972, is a commercial real estate investor who owns shopping centers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. A current member of the WKU Foundation Board of Trustees, the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation and the WKU Real Estate Corporation, Jim Martens is also a past member of the Football Endowment Committee.

“The Martens’ gift launches a new era of the Alumni Center while also providing support for other areas of campus that are dear to Eva and Jim,” WKU President Timothy C. Caboni said. “The Alumni Center has been an important part of campus since it opened in 2013, and this opportunity to celebrate the Martens’ leadership and longtime support also allows us to highlight this space and encourage alumni to return to the Hill.”

WKU will honor Eva and Jim Martens for their transformational gift at a celebration on April 22.
Regents approve Alumni Center naming
The WKU Board of Regents voted Friday to name the university’s Alumni Center after two longtime supporters. At its first quarterly meeting of the calendar year, the Board approved naming the building the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center. The naming honors a philanthropic gift of more than $5 million from the Martens, which was also announced at the meeting by WKU’s Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Amanda Trabue.

The Board also approved a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Data Analytics program; approved University Distinguished Professor status for Dr. John Cipolla, WKU Professor of Music; recognized the National Champion WKU Cheer Squad and coaches; honored the late Randy Capps; and approved honorary degree recommendations for Angela Alexander Townsend and Abraham Williams.
HEALTHY
ON THE HILL
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for the latest updates, including Masking Guidance, COVID Cases Dashboard, Vaccine Information and more.
CLIMBING HIGHER
The Department of Communication is accepting nominations for the Jeffries Award for Excellence in Diversity-Enhancing Communication. Submit nominations to communication@wku.edu; deadline is Friday. Named in honor of the late Dr. Tammy Jeffries, the award will go to the WKU undergraduate or graduate student who best exemplifies excellence in diversity-enhancing communication. Learn More
WKU recognized as a Gold Military Friendly® School
WKU has been named a Gold Military Friendly® School by Victory Media for the first time, increasing its ranking by three levels. Only 162 schools were selected as a Gold institution. WKU has been named Military Friendly® School for the past 13 years and has been listed in the field’s most comprehensive database for career training, education, and family resources.
19 Gatton Academy seniors named National Merit Finalists
Nineteen seniors from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Competition. “I applaud these students for their academic accomplishments during these unprecedented times. Despite the pandemic and shift to online instruction, these students continued to perform at a remarkably high level and that has been recognized by their being named National Merit Finalists,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy.
Spotlight: Landon Hampton
Landon Hampton, a 2010 WKU graduate, has given back to the Meteorology Program through both his philanthropic support and his time. “It’s very important to me to stay involved and to provide opportunities for students in the program. Adding value to others is what it’s all about, and WKU Meteorology is a testament to that.”
Housing & Residence Life receives award for LLCs
WKU Housing & Residence Life won the Academic Collaboration Award for its Living Learning Communities at the 2022 Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) annual conference, which took place in Asheville, North Carolina, during the first week of March. 
US Bank Celebration of the Arts exhibit open through April 9
The US Bank Celebration of the Arts exhibition is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until April 9 at the Kentucky Museum.
Creative Writing Reading Series features fiction author
The WKU English Department kicked off the Spring 2022 Creative Writing Reading Series last week by hosting fiction author Holly Goddard Jones. More from English: EST Major Ellie Schueler Wins Award in Excellence in English/Language Arts Instruction; Professional Writing Club Discusses Preparing for Job Searching
WKU Week in Photos
Check out this week’s installment of WKU Week in Photos by Clinton Lewis of WKU's Division of Communications and Marketing.
Women's History Month
Today is International Women’s Day 2022. WKU is celebrating Women’s History Month with several activities, including a Self Care event by Sister Act Mentoring Program at 6 tonight at Downing Student Union, room 3020. More: A Conversation with Women Historians at 4 p.m. today
Athletics
March
8
Tuesday
Theatre Production

The Department of Theatre & Dance will present Studio Series A: How Absurd! at 7:30 tonight at the Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre. Tickets are $8. Learn More
March
9
Wednesday
Music DEI Colloquium

The Department of Music's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Colloquium will continue with Music for Oboe and Piano by Black Composers at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, room 189. Learn More
March
10
Thursday
GRE Workshop

The Graduate School will offer a free GRE Strategy Workshop for WKU students from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101