The newsletter for the WKU community
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#WKUGrad: International graduate student finds second home on the Hill
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Getter Marie (Gigi) Lemberg, an international student from Tartu, Estonia, first learned about WKU at an international track and field meet in the summer of 2015.
After speaking with Erik Jenkins, former coach of the WKU Track and Field program, Lemberg accepted a scholarship to attend WKU in late 2015. Her WKU journey started with a rapid transition from Estonia to the United States in the spring of 2016. “I didn’t have time to be anxious about it or really think about it too much. It was just a quick decision. I do not regret it,” Lemberg said.
As her final year at WKU ends, Lemberg is grateful for the entire experience that studying abroad has offered. “I can really call people around here my family. Bowling Green and WKU is a home away from home,” Lemberg said.
Lemberg plans to continue her graduate studies by pursuing a Ph.D. program at the University of Tartu, located in her hometown of Tartu, Estonia.
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#WKUGrad: Minton Award recipient grateful to mentor, others at WKU
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Ava K. Fergerson of Bowling Green is wrapping up her WKU career at the top as the recipient of the 2019-2020 John D. Minton Graduate Student Award.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Fergerson, who will earn her master’s degree in Psychological Sciences this week. “I’m really grateful to my mentor for nominating me. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities through Psychological Sciences and my mentor, Dr. Amy Brausch.”
Fergerson, the daughter of Linda Brown and Trent Fergerson, received her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from WKU in May 2018 and has spent the past four years working with Dr. Brausch in the Risk Behaviors & Suicide Prevention Lab.
“It really is validating and encouraging to see my work recognized,” she said.
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Amid the challenges of the pandemic, teachers and administrators have met challenges they never expected. Amanda Walker is the School Counselor at Gateview Elementary in Portland, Tenn., and her husband, Stephen Walker, is Assistant Principal at Rucker-Stewart Middle School in Gallatin, Tenn.
Learn More
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#WKUGrad: Theatre graduate shows character on and off stage
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“My time in the Theatre & Dance Department has taught me three things that I will carry with me for the rest of my career. They are kindness, determination, and have fun,” said WKU graduating senior Cavan Kyle Hendron from Lexington. On Friday, Hendron will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in performing arts with a concentration in musical theatre. “I do theatre because I have the honor of sharing stories. I get to be a conduit for a character to speak through,” Hendron said. “And through all of this, these stories allow audiences of all religions, races, shapes, sizes, etc. to come together as one to escape the real world for a period of time and experience these stories. Stories of those who were the underdog, the one in love, or even the one who was misunderstood. And on top of all of this, theatre has led me to some of the best experiences I’ve ever had with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.”
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#WKUGrad:
WKU to confer degrees in virtual ceremony Friday
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Hilltoppers, as we count down the days until we come together for
Commencement
this fall, join us in celebrating our nearly 2,700 spring 2020 graduates virtually. On Friday, the WKU Board of Regents will accept the recommendation of President Timothy C. Caboni and Provost Cheryl Stevens to confer degrees upon graduating students. This ceremonial process will be streamed online at 4 p.m. CDT on
Facebook
and
YouTube
.
More:
#WKUGrad feature stories
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WKU Regents to meet Friday
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The
WKU Board of Regents
will conduct its second quarterly meeting Friday. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be conducted via Zoom. It can be viewed
here
.
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Spotlight: Dr. Bruce Schulte
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Dr. Bruce Schulte was featured on the International Elephant Foundation's Ask A Conservationist series. Dr. Schulte discussed his conservation story and his multifaceted approach to helping elephants in Kenya.
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Accelerator programs offer support for students, businesses
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For students with business ideas across the country, there is one common barrier that can stop even the most brilliant ideas from coming to life: knowing where to begin. At WKU’s Center for Research and Development (CRD), the Student Business Accelerator program is in many ways a “one-stop shop” capable of breaking through this barrier and dozens of others that students might face when considering entrepreneurship. The CRD’s director, Jeff Hook, has overseen both the Student Accelerator and the Small Business Accelerator programs since their inception. The Business Accelerator program offers similar support to local businesses looking to grow, while fostering invaluable relationships between students and these local employers that often lead to internships and job offers post-graduation.
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WKU in Owensboro student isolates in tent, continues studies
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When her family members were diagnosed with COVID-19, Bachelor of Social Work student Emiley Fallaway didn't miss a beat. She pitched a tent in the back yard and, with laptop in tow, continued her studies. Emiley's father is an essential worker, so he had to continue reporting to work. He, along with his wife and daughter, eventually contracted the virus, putting Emiley at risk. She wanted to maintain a safe distance, so a tent was a way to isolate herself and still be close to her family. "She hasn’t missed an assignment or a due date," said her professor, Dr, Whitney Harper. "She attends every zoom session – and with positivity." Living in a tent was challenging, but Emiley toughed it out until extreme rain and wind made it impossible to keep the tent secure. "I was only able to keep the tent up for about four days before the wind and the rain caused me to have to take it down," she said. "I am back in my room now, staying isolated from my family as much as I possibly can. Luckily I have not experienced any fevers or symptoms myself," she said.
More:
WKU's COVID-19 website
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WKU Beta Gamma Sigma chapter inducts new members
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The WKU chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society in Business will induct 30 students into its chapter this academic year. Chapter honoree this year is WKU Volleyball Coach Travis Hudson. Faculty initiate is Dr. Whitney Oliver Peake, professor in the Department of Management.
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Gifted Studies moving summer programming to online format
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Given the current COVID-19 situation, The Center for Gifted Studies is moving its summer programming away from an in-person format. Join us online for SCATS and VAMPY 2020! Visit
https://www.wku.edu/gifted/summer/
to register for VAMPY Online or request information about SCATS Online when it becomes available.
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Order parking permits online
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WKU faculty and staff can order their 2020-2021 parking permit online now. Due to precautions of the COVID19 pandemic, permit sales are online only. Please choose to have your permit mailed. Pre-ordered permits will be mailed beginning mid-July.
More:
Faculty/Staff Parking Map;
Faculty/Staff permit options
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WKU Film is hosting an end-of year screening at the Franklin Drive-In movie theater at 8 p.m. Thursday. Check our students’ amazing shirt films, our film contest finalists, and a tribute to our graduating seniors! Admission is free.
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Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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