The newsletter for the WKU community
April 25, 2024
WKU Forensics wins NFA national title
WKU Forensics took first in Open sweepstakes at the National Forensics Association National Tournament on April 18-22 hosted by Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Sixty-one colleges and universities attended the competition. WKU sent 27 students to the tournament who prepared 105 entries in speech. Of the 105 speech entries, 78 advanced to the Octofinals (Top 48), 44 advanced to the Quarterfinals (Top 24), 26 broke to the Semifinals (Top 12), and 14 entries were finalists (Top 6).

Two students won national championships in their categories: Jade Ismail in After Dinner Speaking and Cecilia Alali in Dramatic Interpretation. Three students placed in Pentathlon, given to students with five or more events in at least two of the three speech categories (public address, interpretation of literature, limited preparation): Christian Butterfield, 2nd; Cecilia Alali, 5th; and Mauricio Patiño, 15th.

WKU entered seven students in the Lincoln-Douglas debate competition. Five advanced to the Top 32, two advanced the Top 8, and one advanced to the Top 4. WKU placed second in Lincoln-Douglas Debate sweepstakes, behind Washburn University.

Three students were named top speakers in Lincoln-Douglas debates, given to students who earned the most points from judges in the preliminary rounds: Antonina Clementi, 3rd; Rae Fournier, 7th; Chase Shockley, 9th.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Dr. Bruce Schulte, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, will be featured on a special series from The Deal With Animals podcast. Dr. Schulte, who conducts research on human-elephant conflict in Kenya, participated in an episode of the Anthropogenic Behavior Change series that will be available May 6 for download and streaming on all major podcast platforms. Learn More
WKU senior awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
WKU senior Vivian Rivera of Burlington earned the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. NSF Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance to the scholar's graduate institution.
3 named alternates in Fulbright US Student Program
In addition to the three graduating seniors offered Fulbright US Student grants this spring, 2022 graduate Isabel Pergande, senior Jack Galloway and senior Vivian Rivera have been named alternates. Alternates may be upgraded if additional funding becomes available.
Spotlight: Last Chance to Dance
The Department of Theatre & Dance will present Last Chance to Dance, an informal showcase of works by students in WKU Choreography courses, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center’s Russell H. Miller Theatre. Tickets are $5.
#WKUGrad: Psychology major makes impact at WKU, beyond
For Luke Wininger, a Mahurin Honors College student from Bowling Green who graduates in May, coming to WKU was an easy decision. “I chose to attend WKU because of the merit scholarship opportunities, study abroad programs through the Mahurin Honors College and to stay closer to my brothers for a little longer as they positively influence and motivate me,” he said. Following his innate curiosity, Wininger explored different course offerings at WKU, a strategy he said served him well.
#WKUGrad: Civil engineering major builds firm foundation
By honing skills during project-based learning opportunities, cultivating a strong support network on campus and giving back through leadership roles, graduating senior Carelynn Hartmann, a Civil Engineering major from Dry Ridge, built a strong foundation for her future at WKU.
WKU extends scholarship acceptance deadline to May 15
WKU is extending its scholarship acceptance deadline to May 15 for new students who plan to enroll for the fall 2024 semester.
Honors College Spotlights
The Mahurin Honors College is highlighting students in a series of spotlights:
 
WKU Regents to meet May 2
The WKU Board of Regents will hold a quarterly meeting at noon Thursday (May 2) in the Martin Regents Room of Jody Richards Hall.
Faculty/Staff 2024-2025 Parking Permits On Sale
Here's a reminder from WKU Parking & Transportation Services that faculty and staff may order 2024-2025 parking permits online. More: Commencement Event Parking; College Recognition Ceremonies Event Parking
CHHS faculty win poster fair
Challenging Conversations: Ethical Approaches to Team-Based Care, presented by Dr. Melissa Travelsted and Dr, Kurt Neelly from WKU's College of Health and Human Services, was awarded the best poster in the Communication Strategies, Empathy category at the 2023 Interprofessional Education Collaborative Poster Fair.
Special Collections Library will host Preservation Week event
WKU Special Collections Library will host a Preservation Week presentation by Joe Shankweiler, Special Collections Librarian, and Nancy Richey, Special Formats Librarian, at 10 a.m. Wednesday (May 1) in the WKU Special Collections Library on the second floor of Raymond Cravens Library.
Students earn national honors
Three student leaders in WKU Student Publications -- Emma Bayens, Rhiannon Johnston and Abby Loftus -- were honored by College Media Business & Advertising Managers during an awards ceremony April 19.
Athletics
April
25
Thursday
WKU Film Festival

The 2024 WKU Film Festival, showcasing works by WKU students, will begin at 6 tonight at Jody Richards Hall Auditorium. The festival will continue Friday night at JRH Auditorium and Saturday night at The Capitol. Learn More
April
26
Friday
Choral Concert

The Department of Music will present a Choral Masterworks Concert, featuring the WKU Symphony, WKU Chorale and Southern Kentucky Choral Society, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $15. Learn More
April
29
Monday
Finals Week

Finals Week for the Spring 2024 semester will begin Monday. Learn More
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