The newsletter for the WKU community
February 26, 2021
Burks crowned 2021 Coming Home King
Bradon Burks (center) was crowned 2021 Coming Home King. Jashaun York (right) was first runner-up. Reed Breunig (left) was second runner-up.
Bradon Burks of Glasgow was crowned WKU’s 2021 Coming Home King on Wednesday.

Burks, the son of Barbara Burks, Scott Burks and Kim Proffitt-Burks, is an Agriculture Education major and was sponsored by WKU Student Alumni Ambassadors. He was one of 22 candidates for Coming Home King.

First runner-up was Jashaun York of Covington. York, the son of John Lane and Michelle York, is a Criminology and Sociology major and was sponsored by National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Second runner-up was Reed Breunig of Springfield. Breunig, the son of Larry and Pam Breunig, is a Healthcare Administration major and was sponsored by Alpha Gamma Delta.
Student interns at military defense company
Casandra ‘Faith’ Rollins, a graduate student from Goodlettsville, Tennessee, who is earning a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, spent last summer interning for Military Systems Group (MSG), a military defense company in Nashville.

During the internship, Rollins assisted the company with their compensation strategy and recruitment and led a safety committee project in collaboration with MSG’s sister company, Richland Industries in southern Tennessee.
 
"The internship aspect of the program is so important because it allows our cohort to distinguish ourselves after graduation and refine our career interests,” Rollins said. “At MSG, I was able to develop multiple safety committees and implement behavior-based safety training policies for both MSG and Richland.”
CLIMBING HIGHER
WKU has been named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative transfer pathways for community college transfer students. Learn More
STEM + Critical Languages program earns national recognition
The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky’s STEM + Critical Languages program has been nationally recognized by the America’s Languages Guide. America’s Languages is an initiative of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences designed to showcase exemplary language education programs across the USA. The development of the guide is overseen by the American Councils for International Education. The Gatton Academy is one of the first five educational programs in the nation to be recognized.
Spotlight: Studio Series 2021
WKU Theatre & Dance will present Studio Series 2021 next weekend. The streaming performances of four one-act plays directed, acted and designed by WKU students, will begin at 2 p.m. March 6, 7 p.m. March 6 and 2 p.m. March 7. Tickets are $10.
WKU to offer HACCP workshop
This April, WKU will offer a virtual Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) workshop for food manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and others responsible for meat and poultry products production. The workshop is accredited by the International HACCP Alliance, which ensures consistent USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service regulations compliance.
View from the Hill
WKU’s women’s soccer program is in its 20th season and the same coach has been at the helm since the beginning. WKU’s Amy Bingham talks with Jason Neidell about that distinction and about navigating the pandemic in this week’s View from the Hill.
Athletics
February
26
Friday
Dance Big Red

The Seventh Annual Dance Big Red will be held virtually from 6 to 10 tonightLearn More
February
26
Friday
Classical Jazz Concert

The WKU Symphony and the WKU Jazz Band will perform at 7:30 tonight at Van Meter Hall. Seating is limited. Tickets are $12; email wkusymphony@gmail.com to reserve tickets. Learn More
February
28
Sunday
Planetarium Show

The Hardin Planetarium will present Invisible Universe at 2 p.m. SundayLearn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
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