The newsletter for the WKU community
April 13, 2020
Updates from the Provost
I hope that you and your families are doing well and have had the opportunity to enjoy some time outside. Spring is the most beautiful time in Kentucky and the new life of this spring is truly symbolic as we enjoy the warm weather and the blooming trees, flowers, and gardens. While we navigate these interesting times, celebrating and acknowledging our successes is particularly important. To that point, I am thrilled to announce the WKU Faculty Award winners for this year.

  • University Faculty Award for Teaching: Dr. Erin Margarella, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education, CEBS
  • University Faculty Award for Public Service: Dr. Richard Gelderman, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, OCSE
  • University Faculty Award for Part-time Teaching: Cody J. Turner, Part-Time Faculty - Department of Marketing, GFCB
  • University Faculty Award for Research & Creativity: Dr. Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Associate Professor, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, OCSE
  • University Faculty Award for Student Advisement: Dr. Amy Brausch, Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences, OCSE

A celebration is being planned for early in the Fall semester. Many thanks to the five awards committee members for their service - especially virtually.
VOTE FOR BIG RED
Big Red has advanced to the Final Four in the College Sports on SiriusXM Mascot Bracket. Big Red is facing Oklahoma's Boomer and Sooner. Voting is open through 11 p.m. CT Tuesday.
CLIMBING HIGHER
WKU Testing Centers has been recertified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA). Criteria for certification are rigorous and are based on the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines, which were developed to guide post-secondary test centers in the delivery of quality testing programs. Learn More
WKU senior Morgan McElroy achieves victory off the field
Some people know WKU senior Morgan McElroy, from Madisonville, as an accomplished student. Others know her as an accomplished WKU softball athlete. She would rather be known as someone of good character. “I feel like I want to be known for [being] more than the student and the athlete. I feel like I want to be known for my character rather than who I am as a student or athlete,” McElroy said.
Spotlight: Jacky Killian
WKU English undergraduate alumnus and graduating MA student Jacky Killian has been accepted into the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program, a highly competitive program that accepts applications worldwide from prospective teachers looking to teach English in Japan.
Board of Regents to conduct committee meetings Friday
The WKU Board of Regents will conduct committee meetings at 1 p.m. Friday (April 17).
Hilltoppers Who Help
As our communities face the COVID-19 pandemic, members of our WKU Family are rising to the challenge to go above and beyond, providing services that truly demonstrate what it means to be a Hilltopper. The WKU Alumni Association is excited to share stories of Hilltoppers Who Help .
Athletics
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101