The newsletter for the WKU community -- April 8, 2026 | | U.S. News ranks 12 WKU graduate programs among nation’s best | |
Twelve Western Kentucky University graduate programss have been ranked among the best in the country in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings.
WKU graduate programs in the 2026 rankings include:
- Best Nursing Schools: Master’s, No. 117
- Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice, No. 139
- Best Speech-Language Pathology Programs, No. 139
- Best Physical Therapy Programs, No. 115
- Best Public Health Programs, No. 164
- Best Public Affairs Programs, No. 219
- Best Education Schools, No. 144
- Best Accounting Programs, No. 266
- Best Business Analytics Programs, No. 210
- Best Management Programs, No. 212
- Best Marketing Programs, No. 184
- Best Supply Chain Programs, No. 150
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Kara Glenn, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at WKU and Co-Director of Imagewest, has been appointed as the American Advertising Federation District 5 representative to the National Education Executive Committee.
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WKU to celebrate Student Scholar Showcase
The WKU Student Scholar Showcase will proudly present 254 graduate and undergraduate research and creative activity projects, including 157 posters/exhibits and 97 oral presentations this Saturday.
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Third WKU Day of Giving builds tradition
The third WKU Day of Giving was held Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as a way for the WKU community to give back for current and future students. In total, $719,398 was brought in for WKU Day of Giving, which continued the theme of “We Wear Red. We Show Up.”
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WKU Forensics wins at major competitions
WKU Forensics wrapped its policy debate season and Lincoln-Douglas debate regular season with key awards at multiple debate competitions.
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CHHS student researchers launch study
CHHS researchers launched a new community‑based research initiative titled Answering the Call: Stories of Everyday Heroes, a project designed to explore how civic engagement and volunteerism may improve mental health.
| | | WKU Mesonet unveils new look for website | | One of the country’s most expansive state weather and climate monitoring networks, operated within the Kentucky Climate Center at WKU, has just received the largest overhaul for its webpage in close to a decade. | |
32 students selected as WKU Spirit Masters
Thirty-two Western Kentucky University students have been selected as Spirit Masters for the 2026-27 year. Spirit Masters, known as the official student ambassadors of WKU, serve to preserve traditions, strive for excellence and make the spirit of WKU contagious. They do this through service to the university.
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LCCWEAR hosts awards ceremony
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research at WKU hosted the 2026 Child Welfare Expo on Thursday at the Knicely Conference Center. The event also included an awards ceremony recognizing individuals who had made outstanding contributions to child welfare in Kentucky.
| | | | | Student Spotlight: Emma Bunch | Last week, Emma Bunch was honored with the Mahurin Honors College's Thesis of the Year award for her innovative research that applied pure math to medicine; a project that was inspired by her pending patent on similar processess. Bunch had this to say about her project and this honor: "My experience completing a mathematics honors thesis at WKU was one that both challenged me and allowed me to grow as a researcher." | | |
Al-Halah gains leadership skills at WKU
“Transformative.” It is the one word that Kendall Al-Halah, a WKU junior, uses to describe her Hilltopper journey. After three years on the Hill studying psychology with a forensics concentration, Al-Halah said, “I would never have thought in high school that I would be where I am today, and that is all thanks to the opportunities I have been given at WKU.” Al-Halah takes part in Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Psi Chi, Psychological Sciences Club, Dynamic Leadership Institute, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences’ Ambassador program and academic research.
More: Watch Video
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CUSA Faculty Achievement Award
Amy Brausch, Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at WKU, has been named one of 11 recipients of the prestigious Conference USA Faculty Achievement Award.
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Honors College celebrates excellence
Mahurin Honors College community gathered last Thursday to recognize the faculty and students who are dedicated to service, leadership, creativity and innovation.
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In remembrance of Martin Cohron
Last week, Dr. Cathleen Web shared the news of the unexpected passing of Martin Cohron, a deeply valued and long‑standing staff member of WKU. "For twenty years, Martin provided a steady and trusted presence while he served as the Research Support Coordinator for the WKU Applied Research and Technology Program and at the WKU Innovation Campus," said Dr. Webb.
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Songs of SOKY is Saturday
Songs of SOKY will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kentucky Museum. This program features songs from Sonic Landscape that tell the story of Southcentral Kentucky’s musical traditions and innovations. It is presented by Dr. Liza Kelly and WKU’s premier a cappella groups, Redshirts and Treblemakers.
| | | Check out the latest WKU Week in Photos for a look at how spring is showing off at WKU! Photos by WKU Athletics and WKU Communications & Marketing. | Staff Senate Meet and Greet | All WKU staff members are invited to join the Staff Senate on Wednesday, April 15, at 10:30 a.m. at DSU Nite Class for the Spring Meet & Greet. There will be remarks and recognition of milestone years of service for WKU Staff members. | | | |
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Gatton Research Showcase
The Gatton Academy will host a Gatton Research Showcase and WKU Faculty/Staff Appreciation at 5 p.m. Thursday at Florence Schneider Hall, room 204.
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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 at 7:30 p.m. in Van Meter Hall. Additional showtimes include Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults; $5 students. Learn More
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LifeSkills Inc. Run for Autism
The 19th Annual LifeSkills Inc. Run for Autism at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Bowling Green Ballpark includes a four-mile run, a one-mile children's run, and a one-mile fun walk and one-mile fun run. Learn More
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2026 Boyd-Lubker Lecture
Dr. Brian Christian, author of The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning & Human Values, will give a talk entitled AI & The Challenge of Preserving Our Humanity on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in Gary Ransdell Hall Auditorium. Learn More
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