The newsletter for the WKU community -- July 2, 2025

WKU finishes third overall in national ASCE concrete canoe competition

WKU’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter placed third overall at the 2025 ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championship.


WKU was among 19 teams that competed at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, on June 27-29, 2025.


This accomplishment was the fourth consecutive year WKU placed in the top five at the national competition.


“The hard work, creativity, and leadership of the ASCE student chapter and WKU Concrete Canoe team continue to bring national attention to WKU and serve as a model of excellence for student organizations across the country,” said Jason Wilson, Civil Engineering Instructor and faculty advisor for the WKU ASCE student chapter. 


In canoe contests, WKU placed third in Technical Paper, Final Product, and Overall.


The theme for the canoe, named Sweet Crete, is chosen by the team members and selected to honor Duncan Hines. 


“We picked Duncan Hines because he’s a Bowling Green native, a WKU alum, and someone who turned cake into a legacy,” Evan Brittenham, a senior from Bowling Green and captain of the concrete canoe team, said. “We’re honored to celebrate and share his story, especially as students walking the same campus he once did.”

Forecasting firm to bolster WKU atmospheric sciences


New-look Tops give back to local community at Hank Plona Basketball Camp


MIT students host STEM camp at WKU


The Center for Gifted Studies hosts more than 100 students at VAMPY


Duncan Hines Days gives Bowling Green $2M boost


Local students attend SCATS camp

CLIMBING HIGHER

WKU students will have a new opportunity for hands-on learning about weather and climate, thanks to technology developed right here in the state. Climavision, a Kentucky company on the global forefront of weather surveillance and AI-driven weather prediction, is investing in scientific education in the Commonwealth by making some of its cutting-edge technology available to WKU for teaching and research. Learn More

July 2025 Staff Star Award Recipients

The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting this morning. The July 2025 recipients are Landon Rager, Public Health; LaShenna Shelton, School of Nursing; and Logan Stanfield, Information Technology Services. The Staff Senate's next meeting will begin at 10 a.m. August 6 at Jody Richards Hall, room 242. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination.

Under 40 at the Top honorees announced


The WKU Young Alumni Council leadership recognizes five outstanding alumni as part of the latest cohort of the Under 40 at the Top program.

Spotlight: Hailey Stapleton

“I was a double major in international affairs and studio art—with a concentration in painting and ceramics—and I had a minor in political science,” said Hailey Stapleton, a recent WKU alumna (WKU ’25) from Prospect. “It sounds like a lot, but it actually made sense in my head.”

For Hailey, college wasn’t just about checking boxes—it was about finding the intersection between what mattered to her and what drove her curiosity.

Young Alumni Council Members honored


The WKU Alumni Association will celebrate the dedicated young alumni who will complete their terms on the Young Alumni Council this summer.

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan seeking volunteers


WKU Housing & Residence Life is seeking volunteers to assist with move-in. Help WKU roll out the Big Red Carpet and assist our Hilltoppers with moving into their new home on the Hill. 

Gifted Studies hosts over 100 at VAMPY


The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University is home to more than 100 campers for the 41st annual Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY).

WKU Alumni Association honors eight exceptional volunteers


The WKU Alumni Association will honor eight exceptional volunteers who are concluding their service on the Association’s Board of Directors.

Lee Robertson Scholarship recipients


Two WKU students, Emma Durham and Marissa Mudd, who are both seniors, have been named recipients of the Lee Robertson Scholarship. 


Emma, a native of Beech Bluff, Tenn., who is majoring in Art History and Visual Studies with a minor in American Sign Language Studies, and Marissa, a native of Crestwood, Ky., who is majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in Criminology, were both awarded a $1,500 scholarship designated for upper-class students at WKU who exemplify the WKU Spirit.

Innovation Campus Newsletter


Check out the latest newsletter from the WKU Innovation Campus for information on upcoming events and more.

Early Arrival Meal Plans

WKU Restaurant Group is providing meal plan options for students that need to be on campus or in the area before the fall semester begins.

Athletics

Record-Setting Eight Athletes Earn CUSA Scholar Athlete Award


Three Programs Earn CUSA Sport Academic Award


From The Desk of Todd Stewart: July 1, 2025


WKU Baseball Adds Assistant Coach Brett Neffendorf to Staff; Rardin Ranks Second in Wins Among 2023 DI Baseball Coaching Hires


Women's Softball Signs Two to 2026 Squad

July

4

Friday

Fourth of July Holiday


WKU offices will be closed July 4 for the Independence Day Holiday. Learn More

 

July

6

Sunday

Planetarium Show


The Hardin Planetarium will present Spaceship Earth at 2 p.m. Sunday; admission is free. Learn More

 

July

10

Thursday

Strong Community, Strong Coffee


The Women's Business Center of Kentucky will host Strong Community, Strong Coffee at 9 a.m. next Thursday in Room 129 of the WKU Innovation Campus, 2413 Nashville Road. Learn More

 
 
 
 
Facebook  X  Instagram  Youtube  Linkedin