The newsletter for the WKU community
October 9, 2020
WKU celebrating Homecoming 2020
It may not be a normal Homecoming due to COVID-19, but WKU is still celebrating Hilltopper traditions with Maskerade. Events include the following:
 
Hall of Distinguished Alumni: John Asher, Jack Britt and Travis Hudson will be inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni at noon today in a private event that will be livestreamed on WKU Alumni Association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wkualumni/ and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WKUAA/.
 
ISEC Unity Parade: The Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC), in collaboration with several student organizations, is sponsoring a Homecoming Unity Parade at 4 p.m. today. The walk will begin at the Diddle Statue on the Avenue of Champions.
 
Homecoming Queen: The 2020 queen will be crowned at 6:30 tonight at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Video from the ceremony will be shown during halftime of Saturday’s game.
 
WKU vs. Marshall: The Hilltoppers will face the Thundering Herd at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. More: Gameday Guide; Where to Watch; Event Parking; Reserved Lots & Road Closings Map
 
Celebrate on social media: Share your Homecoming celebrations or Tailgate@Home photos on social media and tag #WKUHC2020 and #WKUMaskerade. Follow WKU Alumni on Facebook and Instagram
2020 Annual Campus Security and Fire Report
The 2020 Annual Campus Security and Fire Report is available on the WKU Police website. In addition to crime and fire statistics for 2019, this report details policies about the police department and how to report fires and crimes to the police. This report also provides information from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety on campus fires and fire safety.
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for COVID-19 information, including FAQs, Reported Cases Dashboard, Symptoms & Health Checks and more. Reminder: Flu shots are available at GGC@WKU by scheduling an appointment or walking in to the clinic.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Folk Studies graduate student Taylor Burden is interning this fall with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Due to COVID-19, Burden is completing her internship online under the supervision of Betty Belanus, Education Specialist and Curator. Learn More
Reminder: Benefits open enrollment begins on Monday
Benefits open enrollment for WKU’s Health Plan will begin Monday and end Oct. 23. All benefit-eligible employees must enroll for coverage effective January 1, 2021. Log in to the Benefits Portal early to view the 2021 Benefits Guide, plan documents and information before you enroll.
 
Join the Employee Wellness & Benefits Team and vendor representatives to learn more about benefits, resources and the enrollment process. Recordings of the webinars will be available on the Benefits Portal for viewing at your convenience.

The webinar schedule is as follows:

  • Monday: 10-10:15 a.m., Medical Benefits (Anthem)
  • Monday: 2-2:15 p.m., Rx Drugs (Know Your Rx Coalition)
  • Tuesday: 10-10:15 a.m., Enrolling in Benefits (WKU Human Resources)
  • Tuesday: 2-2:15 p.m., New Wellness Portal (Vitality)
  • Tuesday: 3-3:30 p.m., HSA/FSA/HRA (HealthEquity)
 
The 2020-2021 Top Life Employee Wellness program year began Oct. 1. For details, see the 2021 Benefits Guide. If you need help enrolling, email benefits@wku.edu to schedule an enrollment assistance session via Zoom.
Spotlight: Hanna Van Winkle
Hanna Van Winkle, a WKU senior from Slaughters, is double majoring in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and Communication Studies. She is also enrolled in WKU’s Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Program (JUMP) in Student Affairs.
Design lecture series Oct. 15
WKU Department of Art and AIGA Nashville will host a virtual lecture by Britt Davis, Senior Designer for the Atlanta Falcons, at 6 p.m. CT Thursday (Oct. 15) as the kickoff event for Interconnected, a new, statewide design lecture series for the 2020-21 academic year. This year’s focus is Black Voices in Design.
CITL Upcoming Events
Here's a list of Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning webinars:
 
  • Engaging Students and Assessing Student Learning in Real-Time Through The Use of Polling; 2-3 p.m. Oct. 15.
  • How to Prepare Electronic and Dynamic Continuance and Tenure Packets; 3:45-4:45 p.m. Oct. 20-21.
  • Keeping it after COVID: Lessons Learned That We Might Apply Post-Pandemic; 1:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
WKU Football event parking
In preparation for Saturday night's WKU Football game, several parking lots will be reserved and road closures will occur. The Hilltoppers host Marshall at 6:30. More: Reserved Lots and Road Closings Map
View from the Hill
Maskerade is the theme of Homecoming this week at WKU. It’s extremely fitting for 2020 as WKU’s Amy Bingham explains in this week’s View from the Hill.
Athletics
October
14
Wednesday
Graduate School Virtual Fair

The Graduate School will host the WKU GRAD Virtual Fair from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Learn More
October
14
Wednesday
ISEC Career Ready Session

The Cynthia and George Nichols III Intercultural Student Engagement Center will host Career Ready for ISEC Junior Scholars at 5 p.m. Thursday at Downing Student Union, room 3024. Learn More
October
15
Thursday
Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate's October meeting will begin at 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101