Hilltopper Happenings

 

The newsletter for the Western Kentucky University community | September 16, 2026

President's Message: Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars

The first phase of Elevate WKU - our complete reimagining of student housing and the broader student experience on the Hill - is now underway. We are calling this first phase the Southern Gateway, and it represents an important step in transforming the way students live, learn and connect on our campus.


We will celebrate this important milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on Tuesday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. I hope you will join me for this exciting day as we begin bringing this vision for the future of housing at WKU to life.

 

Parent and Family Weekend is September 25-26, and we are expecting thousands of families to visit campus to spend time with their students and experience life on the Hill.


Athletics provides another opportunity for us to build community and show our students that we are behind them. As a reminder, all WKU faculty and staff can receive two free tickets, two free drinks (soda or bottled water) and two free food items (hot dog or popcorn) for two home football games this fall. The dates are:


  • October 8: WKU Football vs. Missouri State
  • October 27: WKU Football vs. Delaware


You may also purchase additional tickets to these two football games for just $10. To receive your complementary tickets, visit the Diddle Arena ticket office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or on game day until noon. Please note that you must pick up tickets and concession vouchers in advance.

WKU IN THE NEWS

WKU receives more than $4.2 million gift for scholarships, golf programs


Topper Tuesday: WKU President Timothy Caboni


16 Gatton Academy seniors, including some local, named National Merit Semifinalists

CLIMBING HIGHER

Nominations are being accepted for the 2026-2027 college and university-wide Faculty Awards. The deadline is October 1. Learn More

Representatives of the Robert and Mary Tincher Charitable Foundation announced a gift of more than $4.2 million to benefit students at WKU at a press conference in Bowling Green, Ky., on Sept. 3, 2026. Learn More

16 named National Merit Semifinalists


Sixteen seniors from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.

5-for-5 Connection Challenge


Inspired by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's strategy to combat loneliness, which relies on a national framework centered on rebuilding social connection as a public health priority, Dr. Martha Sales and Provost Bud Fischer personally invite you to participate in our university's "5-for-5 Connection Challenge."

Tyler Hubbard to perform free concert


Country music artist Tyler Hubbard will perform a free pregame concert at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the WKU South Lawn before WKU Football's home game against Delaware.

More: Provost's Message: Delaware Game/Concert Early Campus Modifications

Professors awarded NSF Grant


Dr. Guangming Xing and Dr. Huanjing Wang, both Professors of Computer Science, have been awarded a $305,326 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a tool designed to transform how students learn introductory programming.

Student Spotlight: Zachary Fuquay

Zachary Fuquay, a junior majoring in Meteorology in the WKU Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences, was recently awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®


An estimated 500 fourth-graders from Warren County will participate in the 31st annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Days® program on September 24 at WKU’s L.D. Brown Agricultural Exposition Center.

WKU Varsity Esports


​WKU Esports is looking for WKU student volunteers to assist in day-to-day operations for the program. Students who are interested may fill out the student volunteer interest form.

Save the Date: Market on the Avenue


The Market on the Avenue, hosted by the WKU Office of Sustainability and the WKU Restaurant Group, will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downing Student Union Courtyard.

WKU Week in Photos

Check out the latest WKU Week in Photos from WKU Communications & Marketing for scenes from last week's activities.

Hilltopper Assist Scholarship

​WKU Volleyball continues with Hilltopper Assist, a student scholarship raffle made possible by a scholarship donation from the Wiseman Family.

Athletics

WKU Volleyball To Host Louisville and WKU Invitational; Baron Named CUSA Defensive Player of the Week; WKU VB: Head Coach Travis Hudson | Weekly Media Availability; Hilltoppers Fall to EKU Saturday


WKU Soccer Returns Home to Host SEMO Thursday Night; Bellair's Goal Helps WKU Earn Draw at Lipscomb


WKU Football Back On The Road To Face No. 4 Indiana On Saturday; WKU FB: Head Coach Tyson Helton | Weekly Media Availability; Hilltoppers Fall On The Road At No. 2 Georgia


Shop The Big Red, White and Blue Store


Men’s Golf Claims Second Place at ANF Fall Classic


Women’s Golf Completes Badger Invitational


WKU Softball Announces 2026 Fall Ball Schedule


WKU Tennis Announces 2026-27 Schedule

Upcoming Events

 

September

16

Wednesday

Fall Global Learning Fair


WKU Global will host a Global Learning Fair today until

3 p.m. in the Honors College and International Center Multipurpose Room. Learn More

 

September

16

Wednesday

Art Exhibit


Between One and Many: Exhibition of Contemporary Japanese Art will be on display through September 23 in the main gallery on the second floor of the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center. Gallery Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Learn More

 

September

19

Saturday

Eric D. Yates Memorial Run


The WKU ROTC program will host its 16th Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 19, at Chaney's Dairy Barn, 9191 Nashville Road. In-person registration begins at 8 a.m. Learn More

 

September

26

Saturday

WKU Preview Day


WKU Admissions will host WKU Preview Day, an open house event for prospective students, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26, at Diddle Arena. Learn More

 

More events: Check WKU Events calendar or What's Happening at WKU

 
 
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