The newsletter for the WKU community
June 26, 2019
WKU receives 2019 Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education
image of cherry hall with a red overlay and the words philanthropy and alumni engagement
WKU has been recognized for persistent fundraising success by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with the 2019 CASE Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to exceptional fundraising programs at educational institutions in the United States. 

CASE is the global association for professionals in advancement—alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and advancement services—who share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society.

“WKU is fortunate to have an incredibly effective philanthropic enterprise made up of individuals who consistently deliver the vision of our institution to alumni and friends,” said WKU President Timothy C. Caboni. “We value genuine connections and real relationships with the entire WKU community. This is who we are as a Hilltopper family.” 
CLIMBING HIGHER
Matthew Johnson, a student at the Gatton Academy of Math and Science , from Smithfield, is investigating hormone levels of cortisol and insulin to understand the effects of exercise on maternal and neonatal health. He is working with Dr. Rachel Tinius of the Exercise Scienc e program.
Hardin Planetarium to celebrate 50th anniversary of moon landing
A free outdoor festival celebrating the  50th anniversary of the first Moon landing  will be hosted at WKU’s  Hardin Planetarium  from 1 to 10 p.m. July 20. The event features dozens of interactive exhibits, challenges and activities for all ages.
Image of a footprint on the moon with the text Moon Landing Celebration
36th year of VAMPY hosts 157 students
The Center for Gifted Studies welcomed 157 students to WKU for the  Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth  (VAMPY), a three-week program that runs from June 23 to July 13.
student attending the VAMPY camp listen to a teacher
Students attending VAMPY will be on campus through July 13.
3 WKU students recognized by Freeman-ASIA scholarship
Courtney Morgan of London and Jayden Thomas of Glasgow are two WKU students who will study abroad with support from the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA): Paige Wells of Georgetown has been designated an alternate.
three students recognized by the freeman-asia scholarship fund
Courtney Morgan, Jayden Thomas, and Paige Wells were recently recognized by the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia.
WKU Regents approve 2019-2020 budget
On Friday, June 21, The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents approved a $387.7 million budget for 2019-20.
WKU soccer camps begin soon
The Hilltopper Soccer Academy will begin its summer camps in July. These highly instructional camps serve many ages and skill levels. Each camp is designed by age and gender and is instructed by the college staff at WKU.
student helping senior during bingocize
Research Spotlight: CASHA
When studying a topic as broad as aging, there’s no doubt an interprofessional approach is the most effective way to explore aging-related questions and help identify solutions. That’s why enabling interprofessional collaboration is among the principal catalysts of WKU’s Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging, which opened last fall.
SCATS 2019: Camp Blog
Leaders in the 37th annual  Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students  (SCATS) find enrichment in helping advance the minds of participants. More: Camp Blog
student teaching as students look on
REMINDER: Blackboard Upgrade
WKU Blackboard is scheduled for an upgrade/migration to the cloud June 29 through July 1. Blackboard will be unavailable those three days. All Blackboard operations are expected to be fully restored by 8 a.m. July 2. Faculty will be able to create Fall 2019 course sites beginning July 2. 
62nd Annual WKU Faculty & Staff Golf Tournament July 12
Campus Recreation & Wellness (formerly Intramural-Recreational Sports) will host the 62nd Annual WKU Faculty & Staff Golf Tournament on July 12 at Cross Winds Golf Course. The tournament is open to all faculty, staff, retirees and their immediate family members. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the department’s student development fund.
Summer Dining Hours
Here's a reminder from the WKU Restaurant Group about what on-campus restaurants are open to serve you this summer:




group of student storm chasers standing in front of a storm cloud
View from the Hill
For the tenth year in a row WKU sent a storm chasing crew to the mid-West to put their forecasting skills to the test.
But this trip had a couple of new additions as Amy Bingham explains in this week’s View from the Hill. 
July
4
Thursday
University Closed for Independence Day

In observation of Independence Day, WKU will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2019. The university will reopen for regular business hours on Friday, July 5, at 7:30 a.m.
July
7
Sunday
Hilltopper Hall Opens for Summer Residents

Hilltopper Hall opens for summer residents on Sunday, July 7. Available only to students who have a Fall 2019 Hilltopper Hall assignment. More Info
July
11
Thursday
Fall 2019 TOP

Topper Orientation Program (TOP) is a required one-day orientation for new students. They will get their student ID and schedule classes . More Info
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