The newsletter for the WKU community
March 3, 2022
President's Message:
Commencement & Summer Hours
Dear Colleagues,

Commencement represents an important milestone in our students’ lives and provides them with an opportunity to reflect on their time on The Hill, bid farewell to friends and educators, celebrate successes and prepare for what lies ahead. It also marks the second largest annual gathering of alumni on our Hill, eclipsed only by Homecoming.

In December, we anticipated celebrating our fall 2021 graduates. However, the tornadoes that tore through Bowling Green on the morning of the College Recognition Ceremonies forced an unexpected day-of cancellation. To that end, we look forward to recognizing our fall graduates alongside our spring and summer graduates this year throughout our May Commencement activities.

We begin on Thursday, May 5, at 6:30 pm with our traditional Topper Walk down the Avenue of Champions followed by our university-wide Commencement ceremony in Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium and Big Red Bash on South Lawn. Then, on Friday, May 6, each of our academic colleges will host their individual recognition events. You can access the full Commencement schedule and find additional details on our Commencement website.

Looking beyond Commencement, we will continue our tradition of a reduced 34-hour workweek for employees during summer 2022. The summer period runs Monday, May 9, through Friday, August 12, 2022. Official business hours across our campuses will remain 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. As in the past, employees should work with their supervisors and within their units to create their individual summer schedules, including the option of enjoying a three-day weekend each week, while accommodating both their personal needs and the needs of WKU offices and units.
HEALTHY
ON THE HILL
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for the latest updates, including Masking Guidance, COVID Cases Dashboard, Vaccine Information and more.
CLIMBING HIGHER
The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to the WKU Food Pantry. The grant proposal was submitted by WKU Facilities Management in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability. Learn More
Spotlight: Adrianne Browning
Adrianne Browning, Career Coach at the Gordon Ford College of Business, believes that Hilltopper spirit is all about transformation. “Attending WKU is a process. If people truly invest themselves, the experience transforms them into their best selves,” Browning said.
WKU senior finds unique experience through ROTC
Abe Poku, a WKU senior from upstate New York who will graduate this year, said the ROTC program is the main thing that shaped his time as a Hilltopper. “It has given me opportunities to learn new skills, gain tools for success, and give back to a great group of people.”
March 2022 Staff Star Award Recipients
The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on March 2. The March 2022 recipients are Catie Weaver, The Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning; Candice Douglas, Campus Recreation & Wellness; and Heather Thomas, Advising and Career Development Center. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination
ISEC Exhibition
An opening reception for Black & Brown Lives Matter Juried Art Exhibition will begin at 4 p.m. today at the Intercultural Student Engagement Center, DSU 2041.
WKU Jazz Band
The WKU Jazz Band, featuring the Conner Eisenmenger Quintet, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $5.
Street Closing Tonight
Beginning at 7 tonight, one lane of State Street will be closed at College Heights Boulevard (from Kiss-Me-Quick Alley to Mimosa Alley) while BGMU completes road repair.
View from the Hill
A WKU alum who studied interior design played a huge role in choosing the furniture for The Commons at Helm Library. WKU’s Amy Bingham takes us inside the reimagined space for a look at her work in this week’s View from the Hill.
Athletics
March
3
Thursday
Panel Discussion

WKU's Department of Political Science, Mahurin Honors College and Diplomacy on the Hill will host a Russia Invasion of Ukraine Panel Discussion at 3 p.m. today at Grise Hall, room 138, and livestreamed on Zoom. Learn More
March
4
Friday
Board of Regents

The WKU Board of Regents' quarterly meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Friday in the Martin Regents Room of Jody Richards Hall. Learn More
March
4
Friday
WKU Symphony

The WKU Symphony will present All Beethoven: A Concert You Cannot Refuse at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $12. Learn More
March
7
Monday
Theatre Production

The Department of Theatre & Dance will present Studio Series A: How Absurd! at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre. Tickets are $8. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101