The newsletter for the WKU community
February 7, 2023
Provost's Message: SACSCOC Update
Dear Colleagues, 

A team from WKU recently returned from the annual Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission On Colleges (SACSCOC) meeting where we went through orientation for the Class of 2025 – our year for reaffirmation of SACSCOC accreditation. WKU has been continuously accredited since 1926. The institutional accreditation cycle is every 10 years with an interim report on the fifth year that includes a report on our QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan.)  

Accreditation is an important component of WKU because it defines us as a university with quality academic programs, student success programs, and highly qualified faculty. Accreditation is also important because it is one of the ways we demonstrate compliance with federal regulations that allow our students to use federal financial aid. Without institutional accreditation, we wouldn’t be able to serve students who need financial aid to access higher education. 

Beth Laves, our Institutional Accreditation Liaison, has begun putting together writing teams who will receive training and begin roughing out the first draft of the off-site report this spring. Writing will continue until the report is due in September 2024 which will come all too soon as we put together narratives and collect documentation of our university’s work according to 73 different standards identified by SACSCOC. We won’t have time to rest as we prepare for our on-site visit on February 24-27, 2025. The SACSCOC Board of Trustees will announce the decision at their annual meeting in December 2025. A website with resources and information about our process is now up https://www.wku.edu/sacscoc2025/.

CLIMBING HIGHER
WKU Tennis head coach Greg Davis received the Bennie Purcell Coach of the Year Award at the USTA Kentucky Awards on January 28 in Louisville. Learn More
GFCB graduate recognized as 2023 AACSB Influential Leader
The Gordon Ford College of Business (GFCB) announced that 2012 WKU graduate Chase Carpenter is one of 25 business school graduates honored by AACSB International (AACSB) in its 2023 Class of Influential Leaders. 
Spotlight: WKU Week in Photos
Check out the latest installment of WKU Week in Photos by Clinton Lewis of WKU's Division of Communications and Marketing.
WKU archaeologist receives award for public engagement
Dr. Gwynn Henderson, Education Director for the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, is the 2023 recipient of the Society for American Archaeology Distinguished Achievement in Public Archaeology Award.
ISEC to host opening reception for art exhibit this afternoon
As part of Black History Month, the Intercultural Student Engagement Center will host an opening reception for MELANIN, an Illustrative Gallery Show by Artist Aaliyah Ellis, at 3:30 p.m. today at Downing Student Union, room 2041.  The exhibit will be on display through February 28. Born in Louisville, Aaliyah Ellis has enjoyed illustrating for many years, but it wasn’t until her admission to WKU’s Department of Art & Design that she discovered her unique style. “My style has to be my own. I’m not here to copy anybody. I’m here to be me.” Aaliyah draws creative inspiration from her life, popular culture, and historical events.
Hearts on The Hill
The WKU Alumni Association is sharing WKU love stories in its annual Hearts on The Hill series.
Matthew & Ashlynn Barr
Ashlynn Evans and Matthew Barr met in 2017 during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week and have been inseparable ever since. The two were married in July 2022.
Adrian & Brittany Boone
Though Brittany Prather and Adrian Boone knew one another from growing up in the same church, they were really like strangers.
Curt & Andrea Ingram
Andrea Biller and Curt Ingram began their love journey on the Hill during their freshman year in 2006. They got engaged during their senior year at WKU.
Luke & Kayla Least
Kayla Ditto met Luke Least on the Hill during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week, when they were both chosen to be leaders in WKU’s club tennis team.
2023 Celebration of the Arts entry deadline February 10
The Abound Credit Union Celebration of the Arts juried exhibition continues in 2023, hosted at the Kentucky Museum. This competitive exhibition is open to all residents 18 years of age or older, living in a Kentucky county which falls within a 65-mile radius of Bowling Green. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Apply by April 1 for Social Work cohort at WKU in Elizabethtown
Future social workers can now apply for Fall 2023 admission into the WKU Social Work program at WKU in Elizabethtown. WKU faculty will teach select courses in-person at the Elizabethtown campus where students will have access to their faculty, on-site WKU in Elizabethtown student support staff, and WKU student amenities. Students must be admitted to WKU and then apply for acceptance into the BSW program. The deadline for applying to the WKU Social Work program is April 1.
Take Our Kids to Work Day
WKU Human Resources announced that Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD) is scheduled for April 27. TOKTWD is a campuswide event for the children and grandchildren, grades 2-12, of WKU employees. Human Resources is looking for campus departments, colleges, and organizations to host fun, hands-on and interactive educational experiences that highlight campus.
WKU Night at the Preds
Show your WKU Spirit for WKU Night at the Nashville Preds on February 28 as the Predators host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena. Students, alumni and fans are invited to celebrate WKU at a pregame reception from 5 to 7 with remarks by President Timothy C. Caboni and puck drop at 7 with on-ice promotions featuring WKU personalities.
Athletics
February
7
Tuesday
Workshop Series

The WKU Student Scholar Showcase workshop series will begin with How to Write an Abstract at 5 p.m. today. Learn More
February
8
Wednesday
Cultural Enhancement Series

A presentation by Dr. William H. Turner, author of The Harlan Renaissance: A Memoir of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns, will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Jody Richards Hall Auditorium. Learn More
February
8
Wednesday
Black Excellence Exposition

The Black Excellence Exposition, sponsored by the WKU African American Studies Program and WKU Forensics, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, room 189. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101