The newsletter for the WKU community
February 3, 2022
WKU ROTC names renovated cadet lounge in memory of Eric D. Yates
The WKU ROTC program dedicated a renovated and refurbished cadet lounge Tuesday morning in memory of 1st Lt. Eric D. Yates, a 2008 graduate from Rineyville who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

Kathy Yates said her son would have been proud but humbled by the recognition. “Eric loved this school,” she said. “This is the best place to honor him.”

Eric Yates was killed in action Sept. 17, 2010, after an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Yates served in the Army’s 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell.

Yates’ mother has made it her mission that his service and sacrifice are not forgotten. “We do what we can every day to honor him and keep his memory alive,” she said.

Col. Morgan Greene, Professor of Military Science, said the 1st Lieutenant Eric D. Yates Cadet Lounge is a second home for cadets and serves as a reminder “to never forget those who have gone before you.”
Twin brothers take WKU journey together
For many, college is a time of separation from siblings and family members to pursue one’s own path. However, for WKU juniors Jacob and Zach Skillman, college is a journey the brothers and best friends knew they would take together. The identical twin brothers from Katy, Texas, are both Business Economic majors with minors in Computer Information Systems.

The 900-mile journey to WKU began with a gentle nudge from their father, Trent Skillman, a 1994 graduate. WKU is like a second home, said Zach Skillman, “Alumni sentiment is a great metric of school spirit and community; I think WKU does a brilliant job of creating this very community that my dad has always spoken of.”

The brothers have worn multiple hats during their time at WKU. Both spent time on WKU’s Cross Country/Track and Field team. However, once the twins hung up their spikes, they had to shift their focus.

“I was left with quite a large void to fill, but I chose to turn nearly all my pursuits into increasing my involvement in the Gordon Ford College of Business (GFCB),” said Jacob Skillman.
WKU will close at 4:30 p.m. today; all evening classes are canceled. All WKU campuses will be closed and classes canceled Friday. Learn More
HEALTHY
ON THE HILL
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for the latest updates, including COVID Cases Dashboard, Vaccine Information and more. New today: Update from WKU Employee Wellness & Benefits on Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests.
CLIMBING HIGHER
LaMario Moore, Assistant Director of Programming and Special Initiatives for the Intercultural Student Engagement Center at WKU, has received the NAACP Ambassador of Education Award for Higher Education from the Bowling Green/Warren County NAACP Branch. Learn More
IdeaFestival Bowling Green scheduled for Feb. 16 at WKU
The ninth annual IdeaFestival Bowling Green, hosted by The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU, will be held in the Van Meter Auditorium and Downing Student Union on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Spotlight: PRISM Concert
PRISM, the WKU Department of Music’s annual showcase spectacular, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 18 in Van Meter Hall. General admission tickets are $15 and are available online, through the WKU Department of Music Office and at the door the night of the concert.
Nominations due by Feb. 14 for 2022 Staff Excellence Awards
Each year, WKU recognizes staff members who demonstrate outstanding and meritorious service with Staff Excellence Awards. Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 14. Categories for 2022: Customer Service Award; Teamwork Award; Student Support Award; Inclusion Award; Unsung Hero Award; WKU Affiliate Award -- Aramark, Sodexo and Barnes & Noble Employees; and Part-Time Award.
February 2022 Staff Star Award Recipients
The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on Feb. 2. The February 2022 recipients are Vickye Heater, Division of Strategy, Operations and Finance; Melissa Allen, Educational Talent Search; and Aurelia Spaulding, WKU Communications & Marketing. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination
CITL Upcoming Events
The Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning (CITL) will be hosting a variety of workshops this semester for WKU faculty and staff. Session information and registration links for upcoming events are available on the CITL Events page.
Hearts On The Hill
The WKU Alumni Association is sharing WKU love stories in Hearts On The Hill:

She served on the WKU Board of Regents and taught Special Education for 30 years. He’s a Grammy-award-winning WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductee. But for Larnelle and Cynthia “Mitzy” (Sloan) Harris, their love story began at freshman orientation at E.A. Diddle Arena. And he really caught her eye when she heard him sing “Georgia on My Mind.” (Read more Hearts On The Hill stories)
Basketball Event Parking
Lady Topper Basketball will host Charlotte this afternoon and Old Dominion on Saturday afternoon. Check out this reminder about event parking.
View from the Hill
A non-traditional student at WKU is “weighing” in on all the blessings God has given him. In this week's View from the Hill, WKU’s Amy Bingham has more on how this husband, father, student and now amateur boxer is rolling with the punches.
Athletics
February
5
Saturday
Dance Project

Due to inclement weather, the WKU Dance Program has adjusted the schedule for Dance Project 2022. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre. All tickets are $7. Learn More
February
6
Sunday
Planetarium Show

Eyes on the Early Universe: James Webb Space Telescope will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hardin Planetarium. Learn More
February
7
Monday
What in the Health

As part of Black History Month, WKU will host What in the Health: Black Health Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Downing Student Union second floor. Learn More
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