The newsletter for the WKU community
October 23, 2019
WKU Meteorology & GIS major putting knowledge into meaningful practice
Dallas McKinney, a senior from Mayfield with a double major in Meteorology and Geographic Information Science (GIS), is involved in many activities and organizations at WKU, including the Ogden College Student Ambassadors, Meteorology Club, Mahurin Honors College and the Student Government Association.

McKinney said that he chose WKU because of the programs offered and the university’s proximity to his hometown. “Studying at WKU has involved learning about physical processes and phenomena and then putting that knowledge into meaningful practice by creating products, such as research papers, posters, web pages, and maps just as I hope to do in my future career as a meteorologist,” he said.

McKinney has also applied knowledge outside the classroom through four different internships, which include interning for NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program in southern California and studying lake effect snow through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Senator Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Dr. Michael Ann Williams, WKU University Distinguished Professor of Folk Studies, Emeritus, was awarded the Kenneth Goldstein Award for Lifetime Academic Leadership at the 2019 American Folklore Society Annual Meeting on Oct. 17 in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn More
WKU had record-breaking year for matching gifts in FY2019
WKU had a record-breaking year for matching gifts with $143,023 for Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019). A gift is “matched” when a donor’s employer recognizes their employee’s philanthropy by making an additional gift to support the same organization.

By taking advantage of matching gift opportunities, a donor can maximize their personal contributions to WKU and increase the impact of their gift. Some employer’s matching gift policies offer to match the original gift dollar-for-dollar, while some double or even triple the amount of the original gift.

In Fiscal Year 2019, WKU received 165 matching gifts from 37 companies to match 42 donors’ original gifts.
WKU hosting State Marching Band Championships Saturday
WKU will host the Kentucky Music Educators Association State Marching Band Championships on Saturday (Oct. 26). The state finals in five classifications will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
In addition to the state finals, WKU will host the Class AAAAA semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday. More: Event parking/traffic advisory
Parking & Transportation Sustainability Day activities
In support of Sustainability Day at WKU, Parking & Transportation Services is giving away donuts this morning at two commuter bus stops (Parking Structure 3 and Park Street Lot) as a thank you for using Topper Transit. PTS and VeoRide also will have a table set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Centennial Mall to promote the VeoRide bike share program, including VeoRide's new E-bikes. 
WKU Regents to hold special called meeting Friday
The WKU Board of Regents will hold a special called meeting on Friday (Oct. 25), prior to its regular committee meetings. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Martin Regents Room, Jody Richards Hall.
Spotlight: Suit-Up Event
The Advising and Career Development Center is partnering with JCPenney to offer the JCPenney Suit-Up Event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the Greenwood Mall. WKU students, new alumni, faculty and staff who shop in the store will receive an extra 30 percent off of select professional clothing. Bring your WKU ID to get your special discount card.
Human Library event Nov. 12
WKU Libraries is partnering with The Human Library Organization to host a Human Library event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 on the second floor of the Cravens Library. The Human Library event, which originated in Denmark, allows participants to check out “human books” to read the personal perspectives of their lives.
October
23
Wednesday
Potter College Fall Festival

The 2019 Potter College Fall Festival will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheatre. More Info
October
23
Wednesday
Hope on the Hill

Hope on the Hill, a mental health awareness program, will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Downing Student Union Lawn; the Hope Walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. More Info
October
24
Thursday
Election 2019 Panel Discussion

The Department of Political Science and the Political Engagement Project will host Scott Jennings and Matt Jones for an election panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. at Grise Hall's Guillaume Auditorium. More Info
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101