Today@WKU

News from Western Kentucky University

 

The newsletter for the WKU community -- May 27, 2026

2026 WKU Distinguished Educator Awards

WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences announced the winners of its 6th annual Distinguished Educator Awards, a program dedicated to honoring the exceptional P-12 teachers who form the backbone of the state's education system.


This year’s category winners are:


  • Elementary: Debra Hughes – Barren County Schools
  • Middle School: Amanda Bales – LaRue County Schools
  • High School: Kelsey Meece – Somerset Independent Schools
  • Exceptional Education: Ann Bolin – Bowling Green Independent Schools
  • Literacy: Shannon Ellis – Hart County Schools
  • PE/Health: Amber Pegram – Green County Schools
  • Visual and Performing Arts: Shelby Boggs – Barren County Schools
  • Innovation: Shelby Turner – Bardstown Independent Schools
  • Belonging: Lauren Goffinet – Daviess County Public Schools
  • Teacher Mentor: Amy Bell – Daviess County Public Schools
  • School Leader: Jeff Wesley – Somerset Independent Schools


More: WKU Distinguished Educator Awards; WKU Distinguished Educator Award Photos

$1M gift endows Forsythe Scholars to support WKU School of Teacher Education


Space Force leaders visit WKU to showcase educational film at planetarium


WKU launches INSIGHT teaching program


2 educators receive prestigious WKU Distinguished Educator Award


Hughes and Coleman Hometown Hero: Mark Clauson


Space Force leaders connect with public, present 'Always Above' at Western Kentucky University

CLIMBING HIGHER

Ten WKU students earned the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the March 2026 application cycle. Learn More

Noel appointed Executive Director for CEC


WKU has appointed Dr. Christina Noel as Executive Director of the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex (CEC).

TIP-KY honors top academic performers


The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU honored more than 400 students for outstanding academic achievement on Friday.

Student Spotlight: Lilian Branch

When Lilian Branch first arrived at WKU much of her future felt uncertain. “As a freshman… a lot of the dreams I had felt so far away and so lofty and unachievable,” she recalls. What she did have, though, was curiosity and a willingness to follow it.

INSIGHT Summer STEM Innovation Program


WKU will host INSIGHT, its inaugural five-day STEM teacher professional development camp, June 1–5, 2026.

Gatton recognizes Kentucky educators 


The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky recently recognized 14 educators from across the Commonwealth for their support of high ability students.

$1 million Forsythe Scholars Endowment supports WKU School of Teacher Education


In late 2024, Charlotte Forsythe and Jerry Fandetti of Rowley, Mass., made a $1 million gift to establish the Forsythe Scholars Endowment to benefit students pursuing a degree within the WKU School of Teacher Education.


The first awards from the Forsythe Scholars Endowment were made recently, bringing the couple’s dream to honor the Forsythe family legacy to fruition.


Erin Atwell (’25), a graduate student from Somerset, received a tuition scholarship through the Forsythe Scholars Endowment. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is now pursuing a Master of Science in Libraries, Informatics and Technology in Education (LITE). She is a teacher in the Warren County Public School system.

"Old Fashioned Sousa Band Concert"


The Southern Kentucky Concert Band at WKU will present an “Old Fashioned Sousa Band Concert” on Thursday, June 11, at 7:45 p.m. in the Downing Student Union auditorium. 

WKU Habitat chapter summer volunteer trip


Four members of the WKU Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter began their summer break with a volunteer project in Westerly, Rhode Island.

Alumni Spotlight: KJ Hall Kerr


For KJ Hall Kerr, what began as a casual interest in Mandarin Chinese at WKU quickly grew into a defining force in her academic and professional journey. Studying Public Relations, Asian Studies and Chinese, KJ discovered that language learning was more than a skill: it was a gateway into understanding culture, global relationships and her future career path. 

Follow Bike4Alz Team 14


Here's a reminder to follow WKU’s Bike4Alz Team 14 on its cross country ride to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease research.

Department honors award winners


WKU Department of Modern Languages congratulates WKU students in Russian 102 & 202 who competed at the 44th Annual National Russian Essay Contest earlier this academic year. The students brought home four gold medals and four silver medals. This spring, 20 students from both classes also participated in the ACTR Olympiada of Spoken Russian held at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. 

WKU Dance Program Newsletter


The WKU Dance Program recently shared highlights in their 2025-2026 newsletter.

WKU Faculty/Staff & Friends Golf Tournament

Campus Recreation & Wellness is hosting the 68th Annual Faculty/Staff & Friends Golf Tournament on July 10 at Crosswinds Golf Course in Bowling Green. The deadline to register is June 26.

Dental Hygiene Photos

Dental Hygiene students in DH 309 are gaining the skills necessary to effectively administer block and infiltration anesthesia, as well as nitrous oxide analgesia. Through supervised practice and real-world application, students learn the importance of pain control in dentistry and how to achieve anesthesia on a variety of patients.

Athletics

WKU Softball Places Four on CSC Academic All-District


WKU Baseball Puts Up Valiant Effort in CUSA Tournament Loss to Jax State


Four Legendary Teams To Be Inducted Into WKU Athletic Hall of Fame


WKU Athletics To Renovate Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex


Helton, Lewis & Upchurch To Represent WKU At CUSA Football Kickoff; WKU Football 2026 Away Game Tickets On Sale


Easterlin Named to CUSA All-Freshman Team


Three Track and Field Athletes Qualify For NCAA East Regional in Lexington; Hilltoppers Earn 12 Podium Finishes at CUSA Outdoor Championships


Women’s Golf Concludes Season at NCAA Simpsonville Regional


Women’s Tennis Signs Emily Meng

 

May

28

Thursday

Planetarium Show


The Hardin Planetarium will present “The Motion of the Spheres: How Everything Stays in Orbit” at 7 p.m. Thursday. Learn More

 

May

29

Friday

SOKY Dance Arts Fine Arts Gala


SOKYEnsemble of SOKYDA will host a benefit in Van Meter Hall on Friday at 6 p.m. featuring guest artists and community members of fine arts. Tickets are $20.

Learn More

 

May

30

Saturday

Kentucky Birthday Bash


The Kentucky Museum will host a “Kentucky Birthday Bash” on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free and family-oriented event will celebrate both Kentucky’s upcoming birthday and the approaching America 250 anniversary. Learn More

 
 
 
 
 
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