The newsletter for the WKU community -- March 4, 2026

Student Success, Summer Hours and Complimentary Tickets

Dear Colleagues,


During the past several years, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations about what success truly means for WKU. Institutions of higher education are often judged by the number of students they enroll. However, as I have shared before, we have intentionally shifted away from measuring ourselves primarily by headcount toward a more meaningful measure of institutional effectiveness.


Institutions can always widen the front door. But too often that approach means admitting students we know are not yet positioned to thrive. And in some cases, it may mean investing scarce scholarship dollars simply to reach an arbitrary number.


Since 2017, we have made deliberate and sometimes difficult decisions - strengthening admissions standards, adding additional support mechanisms for students who may be at risk and aligning our resources more intentionally around student success. Those decisions reflect our commitment to inviting students to WKU who are prepared to succeed while ensuring that we surround them with the academic support, mentoring and engagement opportunities necessary to help them flourish.

SoKY’s Choice: Celebration of the Arts now open at Kentucky Museum


WKU Student From Harned Named Finalist For Prestigious Truman Scholarship


WKU Innovation, CREATE partner to grow tech economy in Bowling Green


WKU neurodivergence center to make big impact in Romania

CLIMBING HIGHER

Amanda Trabue, Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement at WKU, was recently named the 2026 Bill Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award recipient by CASE District III. Learn More

WKU Student Scholar Showcase


The WKU Student Scholar Showcase is right around the corner—taking place on Saturday, April 11—and we need your support to make this a truly outstanding celebration of student achievement.

Kentucky Museum receives IMLS grant


The Kentucky Museum at WKU has received a $246,233 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Museums for America program, to support inventorying and cataloging the Museum’s collection.

WKU students to showcase research


The Office of Research and Creative Activity is proud to announce that four outstanding undergraduate research projects have been accepted for presentation at the 24th annual Posters-at-the-Capitol event on Thursday.

Student Spotlight: Jillian Tabler

For Jillian Tabler, a visual arts major from Louisville, studying abroad wasn’t always a guaranteed part of college—it was a dream waiting for the right support to come to life. “I’d always kind of wanted to study abroad, but it didn’t feel like a very achievable thing,” Jillian admitted. “It was just like, ‘Oh yeah, maybe one day.’” That changed during her first week on the Hill.

March 2026 Staff Star Award Recipients

The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting this morning. The March 2026 recipients are Amber Boards, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Daniel Minton, WKU Police Department; and Rachel Salyer, TRIO Student Support Services. The Staff Senate's next meeting will begin at 10 a.m. April 1 at Downing Student Union, room 2081. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination.

Student research leads to discovery


Student-driven research overseen by Dr. Steve Huskey has found that piranhas possess the highest bite stress of any vertebrate ever measured, outshining even the T.rex.

Gatton students earn national recognition


Eight students from the Gatton Academy participated in the Forty-Fourth Annual National Russian Essay Contest organized by the American Council of Teachers of Russian.

Save the Date: WKU Day of Giving March 31


WKU Day of Giving is March 31! Wear red and show up for the Hilltopper community. Learn more at wku.edu/dayofgiving. 

Gifted Education Month comes to a close


February is recognized as Gifted Education Month in Kentucky. The Center for Gifted Studies hosted and supported several events, which provided enrichment for students and professional learning for educators.

Alumni Spotlight: Emily Shulten Weekley


Emily Shulten Weekley has pursued her love of writing from seemingly every possible direction. She published three books of poetry, won the 2023 Wine Poetry Prize, and is the winner of the 2024-2026 poet laureate of Key West, Florida.

Cultural Enhancement Series is tomorrow


This year's PCAL Cultural Enhancement Series will continue with disability advocate, educator and best-selling author, Rebekah Taussig as she presents Why Accessibility is Important to All of Us at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in Chandler Hall, Houchens Industries Auditorium. Admission is free.

Challenging Conversations: Building Resilience in a Digital Age


Join the CHHS Interprofessional Education Workgroup for a panel discussion, Challenging Conversations: Building Resilience in a Digital Age tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Downing Student Union, room 2081.

Experiencing Business Speaker Series


Join GFCB for the Inaugural Experiencing Business Speaker Series featuring Dion Houchins, CEO & Chairman of the Board, Houchens Industries, Inc. tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in Chandler Hall, Houchens Industries Auditorium.

Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse Building Dedication & Ribbon Cutting


The Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse Building Dedication & Ribbon Cutting will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at 10 a.m. 

WKU Week in Photos

Check out the latest WKU Week in Photos for a look back at last week's activities, including scenes of the Abound Credit Union Celebration of the Arts Opening Reception from Katie Corbin, WKU Communications & Marketing.

WKU Innovation Campus Events

Check out a listing of upcoming events at the WKU Innovation Campus.

Athletics

Hilltopper Track and Field Manages Best Finish at CUSA Championships Since 2017


Tim And Sarah Ford Fieldhouse Building Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Set For March 24


Women's Golf Wraps Up Final Day at Daniel Island Invite


WKU Tennis Claims 6-1 Win Over Tennessee State


WKU Baseball Falls to Cincinnati Tuesday


Erica Houge and Annie White Earn CUSA Player of the Week Honors; Houge Throws No-Hitter in Win Over IU Indy


Moore Earns Second Straight CUSA Player of the Week Selection; Trio of 20-Point Scorers Power Hilltopper Basketball to 97-65 Win Over UTEP on Senior Day


Lady Topper Basketball Falls at Liberty


Bitowf Named CUSA Video Coordinator Of The Year For Second Straight Season

March

5

Thursday

Hatcher Modern Language Lecture Series


The Department of Modern Languages invites the community to the 2026 Hatcher Modern Language Lecture Series featuring Dr. Mei Li Inouye, Assistant Professor of Chinese and founder of the Chinese Program at Centre College tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the Honors College and International Center, room 1011. Learn More 

 

March

6

Friday

Concert


The WKU Symphony will perform Obscure Classics on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $12. Learn More

 

March

11

Wednesday

Strategic Plan Virtual Open Forum


WKU faculty and staff are invited to the strategic planning virtual open forum at 9 a.m. on March 11.  Learn More

 
 
 
 
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