The newsletter for the WKU community
May 2, 2024
2024 Commencement This Evening; College Recognition Ceremonies Friday
WKU will celebrate the Class of 2024 at this evening’s 195th Commencement at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. WKU will confer 3,112 degrees and certificates to spring and summer 2024 graduates -- 86 associate, 2,039 bachelor’s, 533 master’s, 55 doctoral and 15 specialist degrees, and 288 undergraduate certificates and 96 graduate certificates. Commencement will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Topper Walk along the Avenue of Champions from the Charles Hardcastle Kentucky Building to the stadium. The ceremony will begin once students have been seated on Feix Field. During the ceremony, each college will acknowledge its graduates, and President Timothy C. Caboni will present the graduates to the Board of Regents for the conferral of degrees. The Commencement celebration will conclude with The Big Red Bash on the South Lawn. More: Commencement preview; event parking information; parking map

On Friday at Diddle Arena, WKU’s five academic colleges will host recognition ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates who will walk the line and shake hands with President Caboni. The ceremony schedule is: Gordon Ford College of Business, 8 a.m.; Potter College of Arts & Letters, 10:30 a.m.; Ogden College of Science and Engineering, 1 p.m.; College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, 3:30 p.m.; and College of Health and Human Services, 6:30 p.m. WKU is expecting heavy traffic throughout the day. More: Event parking information; parking map; live event parking updates
CLIMBING HIGHER
Ogden College of Science and Engineering announced that Dr. Matthew Nee will serve as the next Chair of the Department of Chemistry at WKU. Learn More
7 Gatton Academy students selected for NSLI-Y program
Seven students at The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science have been offered nationally-competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarships for immersive, critical language study this summer. This marks the 14th consecutive year for Gatton Academy students to receive NSLI-Y scholarships.
Spotlight: LifeWorks at WKU
LifeWorks at WKU has received $4.4 million in funding from the Kentucky General Assembly to support its two-year living-and-learning Transition Academy and to expand services by establishing the Bridge Program for autistic young adults.
#WKUGrad: Graduate sings praises of Music Department
As Maddie Miller looks back at her WKU experience, the graduating senior from Louisville says the classes, connections and community in the Department of Music have prepared her for the next step. “I chose WKU because out of all the schools I auditioned at and toured this was the only one where I immediately felt like the faculty were invested in my future both as a student and as a person,” said Miller, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education. “The music faculty and students welcomed me with open arms before I had even committed to coming to WKU, which says a lot about the culture of the department."
WKU in Somerset celebrates Elementary Education grads
WKU in Somerset students Amber Whittemore and Whitney Reid were recognized Monday at an event celebrating completion of their bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. More: 70 WKU in Owensboro students complete degrees; 46 WKU in Glasgow students complete degrees
May 2024 Staff Star Award Recipients
The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on May 1. The May 2024 recipients are Linda Cantrell, Office Assistant, Housing & Residence Life; Jordan Myers, Specialist, Budget, KRS; and Ashley Thompson, Specialist, The Learning Center. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination
From the Dominican Republic to the Hill: A senior's journey
Exceptional students have graduated from the Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) over the years and soon, senior Emily Then-Torres will be among them. The Spanish and International Business double major first came to Bowling Green from the Dominican Republic when she was in high school. She decided to attend WKU for college to remain close to her mother, who, at the time, was the only other member of her family in the United States. However, since arriving on the Hill, Then-Torres has found an amazing community that has supported her and helped her carve out her current path.
The Heart of Honors: Senior reflects on WKU experience
Graduating senior Ella Schleuning is stepping off campus and into the next chapter of her adventure. The native of Louisville is a forensic psychology major, with a clinical and community behavioral health minor.
Class of 2024 leads nation with 10 Pacemaker Awards
The 21 members of the WKU Student Publications staffs who are graduating this week have won the most prestigious national honor in student media, the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award – 10 times.
WKU Habitat chapter members to work on project in Arizona
Five members of the WKU Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter will begin their summer break with a volunteer project next week in Phoenix, Arizona. The WKU group will be working with Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona on a new home for the Landaverde Lovatos Family in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria.
WKU Board of Regents
The WKU Board of Regents will hold a quarterly meeting at noon today in the Martin Regents Room of Jody Richards Hall.
Athletics
May
4
Saturday
Residence Halls Close

WKU residence halls will close at 10 a.m. Saturday. Learn More More: Summer parking map; WKU Restaurant Group May 6-May 31 hours of operation
May
4
Saturday
Gatton Academy Graduation

Graduation for The Gatton Academy Class of 2024 will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Van Meter Hall. Learn More
May
7
Tuesday
Graduate School Info Fair

The WKU Graduate School will host a Virtual Info Fair from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101