The newsletter for the WKU community
February 22, 2024
WKU junior earns national recognition as Student Video Photographer of the Year
WKU Visual Journalism and Photography student Brett Phelps, a junior from Bardstown, has earned national recognition from the White House News Photographers Association®. Phelps, the web visuals editor for the Talisman and a double major in Photography and Strategic Marketing, was named the WHNPA Student Video Photographer of the Year in the association’s annual ‘Eyes of History®’ visual journalism competition student contest judging.

When told about his win by Student Video Chair Bethany Swain, Phelps said, “I am truly honored to have my work celebrated by this prestigious organization and to join a group of individuals I consider heroes in this profession. To be awarded this distinction is immensely humbling, and it reinforces my passion for bringing compelling visual stories to light through the lens of my camera.”
CLIMBING HIGHER
Future Educators for Inclusion (FEFI) is an online exchange program designed for college students in teacher training programs in the United States and Morocco. The second cohort of the FEFI program at WKU starts this month. Learn More
Spotlight: Art Show
The Kentucky Museum is serving as host venue for the Kentucky Art Education Association's Elementary & Middle School All-State Competition for 2024. This exhibit, featuring works by students in grades K-8 from across Kentucky, is on display through March 16.
WKU's sustainability efforts earn international recognition
WKU’s sustainability efforts continue to earn international recognition in the University of Indonesia GreenMetric World University Rankings. In the overall 2023 rankings, WKU was recognized as the 664th World’s Most Sustainable University out of 1,183 universities from 84 countries. WKU was one of 10 U.S. universities invited to participate. “I believe the most important feature of sustainability at WKU is that we are in a constant state of improvement and growth,” said Dr. Leslie North, Director of Sustainability for WKU.
WKU senior to present lecture
Julius Ayin, a senior studying anthropology and folklore at WKU, will present To Leave the Dead in the House: Deathways, Community, and Change in Yap Island as part of the Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology’s monthly Brown Bag Lecture Series. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, room 239.
Deadline is Sunday to submit proposals for AI Conference
The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning reminds members of the WKU community that midnight Sunday is the deadline to submit proposals for the upcoming Shape the Future: WKU AI Conference. The interactive Zoom conference on April 12 will explore the transformative power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education and the impacts of AI on teaching, research, student learning and critical thinking.
WKU Transfer Fair at OCTC
WKU representatives will be at Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday for a WKU Transfer Fair.
Student Scholar Showcase
Here’s a reminder for students interested in participating in this year’s Student Scholar Showcase that Tuesday is the deadline to submit an abstract for the April 6 event. How to Present at the Showcase, the final installment in the Showcase Workshop Series, will be held via Zoom from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. March 6.
Sellout Diddle
WKU Athletics announced its Sellout Diddle ticket promotion for Wednesday’s Hilltopper Basketball game vs. Louisiana Tech at Diddle Arena. Tipoff for the team's final home game is 7 p.m. All tickets (any open seat in Diddle Arena) are now just $10 and are available for purchase.
Athletics
February
22
Thursday
Faculty Senate

The WKU Faculty Senate will meet at 3:45 p.m. today at Downing Student Union, room 2081. Learn More
February
24
Saturday
Physics Olympics

The WKU Physics Olympics, a half-day competition for high school students, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Snell Hall, room 1108. Learn More
February
26
Monday
Student Success Summit

The Council on Postsecondary Education's 2024 Student Success Summit will open at 1 p.m. Monday at WKU's Knicely Conference Center and will continue Tuesday. Learn More
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