The newsletter for the WKU community
April 30, 2020
Updates from the Provost
As I reflect on this unusual semester and all that our faculty, staff, and students have navigated, I am reminded of many challenges but, more importantly, I am reminded of the successes. Together, our faculty and students have done amazing things this semester and will forever be connected by this experience. This makes it more important than ever to celebrate all that has been accomplished - especially for May graduates! I have been impressed by the creativity of faculty and families in how they express their pride, affection, and love for our students through socially distanced and innovative celebrations. Some examples are:

  • Celebratory photos on social media
  • Gift or card showers for our graduates
  • Zoom parties with refreshments
  • Zoom awards ceremonies complete with speakers
  • Zoom concerts to celebrate our musicians
  • Congratulatory yard signs
  • Graduation photos on our beautiful campus

I encourage you to borrow these ideas or others to celebrate with your students in whatever ways work for you. While celebrating student success is invaluable, please keep in mind that we still have a couple of weeks and a final exam period left in this semester. As we approach this final but critical period of the semester, please keep in mind our goals - flexibility, student success/learning, and completion. Many students are still struggling and need continued support to be successful.
#WKUGrad: Ogden Foundation Scholar takes advantage of opportunities
Dallas McKinney has certainly taken advantage of his opportunities at WKU. He has majored in Meteorology and Geographic Information Science; has been a student in the Mahurin Honors College; has earned a prestigious national scholarship, interned with federal agencies and conducted research projects; and has served on the Student Government Association and as a tutor for WKU TRiO Student Support Services. Now, the first-generation college student from Mayfield is being recognized as the spring 2020 Ogden Foundation Scholar. More: View from the Hill
CLIMBING HIGHER
The WKU Spanish Program has released the second issue of Sopa de letras . The magazine was created and written by Spanish majors/minors in the SPAN 471 Advanced Composition course and is the “official” magazine for course offered every two years. First issue ; second issue
To aid in the COVID-19 fight, Robb McMahan and his wife, Lisa, have transitioned a portion of their gel mat industrial facility to manufacture much-needed equipment for front-line medical workers. Learn More
WKU GIS program playing key role in COVID-19 response
WKU’s GIS program is playing a key role in connecting volunteers with people in need as part of an online COVID-19 Community Action Center for Bowling Green and Warren County. More: WKU COVID-19 information
Gatton Academy students earn science, engineering recognition
Gatton Academy juniors Gloria Huang and Diksha Satish recently qualified for the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) . Meanwhile, 10 other Gatton Academy students earned state and regional awards at the Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair (LRSEF) and at the virtual Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair (KY-SEF) .
Spotlight: Tony Minton
WKU Owensboro Connect Facilitator Tony Minton has worked with WKU for 13 years and thinks of himself as “the eyes and ears” of instructors on the WKU Owensboro campus.
Omega Phi Alpha establishes Taylor Kay Grider Scholarship
To honor the memory of a sister, Omega Phi Alpha has established the Taylor Kay Grider Memorial Scholarship Fund to support WKU students who are members of the sorority and represent the values of the chapter. Taylor Kay Grider was born March 18, 1999, to Tim and Tami Grider of Russell Springs, Ky. She passed away suddenly on Oct. 13, 2019.
English Department wraps up National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month. The WKU English Department usually celebrates by hosting the annual Goldenrod Poetry Festival, inviting guest poets to share their work, and handing out poems in Cherry Hall on Poem in Your Pocket Day. Obviously, we had to adapt, like so many of us have during these unprecedented times, but we didn’t let this keep us from celebrating poetry and the connection that it can provide.
WKU Grad Pack
Attention WKU Seniors: Be sure to snag your FREE WKU Grad Pack compliments of the WKU Alumni Association! Simply visit alumni.wku.edu/2020gradpack and register to have it sent straight to your door!
Athletics
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