The newsletter for the WKU community
November 15, 2022
President's Message:
The Importance of Philanthropy
Dear Colleagues,

At WKU, we enjoy a rich history of giving dating back to our earliest days as an institution. In 1920, Lalla Boone, a history teacher at Western Kentucky State Normal School (which later became WKU), gave $100 to President Henry Hardin Cherry and requested that he loan it to students in financial need. This gift led to the establishment of the College Heights Foundation, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next summer. Ms. Boone’s act of generosity launched a spirit of giving that thrives today and opens doors for our students, faculty and staff.

Today, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day, providing us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of giving and how our personal philanthropic choices change lives and shape our future. Then, on Tuesday, November 29, we celebrate Giving Tuesday at WKU, allowing us to focus even more intentionally on philanthropy across our university – from scholarship funds and research to athletic programs and the Alumni Association.
WKU celebrating Philanthropy Week
As part of WKU Philanthropy Week, WKU is recognizing alumni and friends who give back to the University. The week will culminate with the announcement of the 2022 WKU Philanthropists of the Year and the presentation of the 2022 WKU Sisterhood Grants. Then on Nov. 29, WKU will celebrate Giving Tuesday.
CLIMBING HIGHER
WKU graduate Charlotte Buskill received a $25,000 national Milken Educator Award on Nov. 10 in Owensboro. Buskill, who earned a Master of Arts in literacy education in 2020, is a third-grade teacher at Newton Parrish Elementary School and was the only Kentucky recipient of the award for 2022-23. Learn More
WKU XR Lab students honored
Students from the WKU XR Lab received awards for their research presentations Friday at the Mid-South ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Spotlight: WinterDance
The WKU Dance Company will kick start the holiday season this weekend with WinterDance: Toyland! Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $16; $12 for students/seniors (62+); and $10 for children 12 and under.
Modern Languages awarded $200,000 grant for workshop
The Department of Modern Languages in the Potter College of Arts and Letters (PCAL) at WKU was awarded a $200,000 Teacher Training Workshop grant from the Institute of International Education (IIE). The grant will allow the department to host a five-day residential program workshop on May 31 to June 4, 2023, that focuses on the best practices to teach Chinese literacy.
WKU Forensics Team wins largest tourney of semester
The WKU Forensics Team was crowned team sweepstakes champion at the largest tournament of the fall semester Nov. 5-6 in Peoria, Illinois.
WKU observes Veterans Day
WKU hosted its annual Veterans Day program Friday “to honor the heroes who answered the call to defend our freedom,” President Timothy C. Caboni said.
Innovation Campus to host Summit of the South
Summit of the South is back for the second year. The daylong free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the WKU Innovation Campus, 2413 Nashville Road. Summit of the South will feature motivational speakers, entrepreneurs and experts from across Kentucky with breakout sessions on topics such as raising venture capital, exporting grants, tax incentives, inventors workshop and more.
WKU Food Pantry
The WKU Food Pantry is preparing to support the WKU community during the holiday season. To schedule an appointment to drop off donations, contact Dr. Leslie North. Through Dec. 9, WKU Libraries will forgive $1 of overdue fines for each non-perishable food item donated at the Cravens Library circulation desk.
Save the Date: Professional Development Day set for January 12
Mark your calendars for WKU’s inaugural Professional Development Day, set for January 12, 2023. Hosted by the Divisions of Enrollment and Student Experience, Academic Affairs, and Strategy, Operations and Finance, this event replaces the former Student Success Summit and will offer all faculty and staff a broad range of meaningful learning opportunities. Professional Development Day 2023 was created in response to campus feedback indicating a need for additional professional development opportunities across all divisions. More: How to Submit a Presentation Proposal
Course Evaluations
The Office of Institutional Research reminds WKU students to complete all course evaluations by December 1 to receive early access to grades on TopNet.
Conference USA Volleyball
WKU will host the Conference USA Volleyball Championship Friday-Sunday at Diddle Arena. WKU will open the tournament against MTSU at noon Friday.
Athletics
 

 
 
 
 
November
16
Wednesday
Hope on the Hill

WKU Housing and Residence Life will host Hope on the Hill, its annual mental health awareness program, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Downing Student Union Courtyard. Learn More
November
16
Wednesday
Post-Election Analysis

WKU Political Science will host a post-election analysis with Dr. Saundra Ardrey and Dr. Joel Turner at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Cherry Hall, room 302. Learn More
November
17
Thursday
Faculty Senate

The WKU Faculty Senate will meet at 3:45 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101