The newsletter for the WKU community |
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President's Message: Thank You for a Successful Start to Fall 2022 Semester |
Dear Colleagues,
This fall marks the most typical start to a semester on our Hill since fall 2019, and once again we find our campus bustling with activity. After greeting thousands of Hilltoppers during the last two weeks, from our freshmen, student-athletes and Kelly Autism Program participants to members of our marching band and forensics team, I can assure you of one thing – our students are ready for full immersion into the WKU Experience.
Helping our students settle in requires all of us, and I appreciate the myriad events across our university designed by our faculty and staff to embrace and welcome our students home. Thank you to all who helped host a successful M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan to assist our newest Hilltoppers in their transition to campus life. And thank you to those volunteering to help with Topper Directions last week to make sure that our students navigated campus successfully during the first days of the semester.
For our returning students, coming back to the Hill enables them to reestablish important social and academic connections as they pursue their WKU degree. For our new students, the beginning of the fall semester represents the start of a life-changing journey. While excitement abounds for most, for some, the college experience presents new challenges that may heighten anxiety. As such, we must remain attentive to the needs of each student. I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the resources available to ensure that our students succeed, and, when necessary, connect them to the appropriate assistance. Our Advising and Career Development Center, WKU Counseling Center and Dean of Students are each committed to supporting our student communities.
Finally, last week, The Commons at Helm Library became a hub for our campus community, providing a venue for socialization, sharing meals and learning. This Wednesday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m. we will gather for the formal dedication and ribbon cutting of this special space.
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Jordan Basham of WKU Public Media has been selected to participate in the Public Media Diversity Leaders Initiative, a program of the Riley Institute at Furman University. Learn More
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Gatton Academy student Brody Johnson completed the Undergraduate Research Education Program at the Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory. He was one of 11 students selected for the summer program. Learn More
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Provost's Message: Invitation to Participate in QEP Focus Groups |
The Provost Office invites you to take part in a focus group discussion to provide perspectives on what should be WKU’s next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Western Kentucky University will submit its 10-year documentation for reaffirmation of regional accreditation to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2025. Part of the reaffirmation process is the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which, “reflects and affirms a commitment to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue that the institution considers important to improving student learning outcomes and/or student success.” As a part of our initial stage of determining the next QEP, we are reaching out to key stakeholders to obtain ideas and insights into possible QEP topics that can improve student learning and/or student success across campus. Your important input will be used to guide the determination and design of a comprehensive QEP project for WKU. |
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Spotlight: Marissa Ashbaugh |
“I originally chose WKU for its dance program and beautiful campus! After taking a recreation class for my minor, I realized I loved it and switched my major to Recreation Administration with a minor in Arts Administration.” -- Marissa Ashbaugh, Guest Services Coordinator for Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center |
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Kentucky Museum receives Neiman Foundation grant |
The Kentucky Museum will upgrade its art print collection storage with support from the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. The $10,000 grant will provide funding to rehouse the Museum’s contemporary print collection, including purchasing environmentally secure cabinets to protect the prints from potential damage. |
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2022 WKU Sisterhood grant application available |
The 2022 WKU Sisterhood grant application is now available. WKU-affiliated projects are invited to apply, and applications are due Oct. 1. Applications may be downloaded at the WKU Sisterhood website.
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Professor co-authors study in Nature Communications
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University Distinguished Professorship nominations due Sept. 1 |
The University Distinguished Professorship program is designed to recognize faculty members who have served the University with distinction and have compiled an outstanding record of achievement in teaching, research, and service. By providing additional support for their work, the program seeks to enable recipients to pursue more professional opportunities and to increase the leadership role of these faculty at WKU. Faculty may be nominated for a University Distinguished Professorship by a faculty member, department head/chair/director, dean, or self-nomination. Nominations should be submitted to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and include the following information: Name of Nominee; Nominee’s Home Department; Nominee’s e-mail address; and a brief summary of why you feel the nominee should be considered for a University Distinguished Professorship. For additional details, visit the Policy on University Distinguished Professor Selection & Appointment. Nomination deadline is Thursday, Sept. 1.
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Theatre & Dance offers ticket bundles for 2022-23 season |
WKU Theatre & Dance offers discounted ticket bundles for faculty, staff, students and seniors. The 2022-23 Mainstage season includes She Kills Monsters, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, WinterDance: Toyland!, The Menagerie – An Opera Gala, and Evening of Dance.
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Staff Leadership Institute |
Attention WKU staff: The deadline to apply for the 2022-2023 Staff Leadership Institute is September 6. |
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Check out the latest WKU Week in Photos for a look at Big Red Rush, the first WKU Football game of 2022, Welcome Back WKU, breakfast with the WKU Spirit Masters, the Fall Welcome for the College of Health and Human Services at WKU, the White Oak Basket Workshop at the Kentucky Museum, WKU President Timothy C. Caboni greeting Hilltoppers, and more!
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WKU Volleyball
WKU Volleyball will host Louisville in its home opener at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Diddle Arena. Learn More
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Planetarium Show
Lives of the Stars will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hardin Planetarium. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Sunday through September 8. Learn More
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Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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