The newsletter for the WKU community
August 17, 2021
President delivers Convocation address
WKU President Timothy C. Caboni delivered his annual Convocation address Monday in Van Meter Auditorium, marking a return to an in-person Convocation after last year’s address was delivered virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his address, President Caboni provided a recap of the 2020-2021 academic year, while also previewing the year to come.

President Caboni praised the efforts of faculty and staff in delivering course content in innovative ways during the previous academic year. “We delivered our classes. We conducted research. We provided the WKU experience. And we continued to meet our mission as a student-centered, applied research university,” President Caboni said.

Hudson receives Spirit of WKU Award
WKU Volleyball Coach Travis Hudson doesn’t like surprises, but he got one Monday when he was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Spirit of WKU Award.

Members of the WKU Volleyball team joined President Timothy C. Caboni on stage at Van Meter Auditorium to present the award to Hudson.

“What we all know is that the Spirit of WKU takes heart,” President Caboni said. “And if you know Travis, you know his heart.”

Hudson, a 1994 WKU graduate who is beginning his 27th year as head coach, challenged the WKU community to remember “this place stands on a beautiful positive spirit of people helping people.”
HEALTHY
ON THE HILL
CLIMBING HIGHER
The WKU Alumni Association recently recognized 11 volunteers who completed their terms of service on the Young Alumni Council and on the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council in July 2021. Learn More
116 students competed for prestigious national scholarships
WKU students and recent graduates in a variety of majors and degree programs earned recognition in the nation’s most prestigious scholarship competitions during 2020-21. One hundred sixteen WKU students and recent graduates submitted 155 applications for nationally competitive scholarships. They earned recognition 63 times, totaling more than $653,627 in funding for graduate school, language study, public service and study abroad.
Spotlight: Rich Shumate
Rich Shumate, assistant professor in WKU's School of Media, received the 2021 Rising Scholar Award from American Journalism, the peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the American Journalism Historians Association. Shumate was recognized for his ongoing research titled Style, Spin, and Strategy: The Kennedy Press Conferences. 
Faculty member's research aims to help families, children
As a former Child Protective Services Worker, Austin Griffiths has first-hand knowledge of the challenges of child welfare work and the prevailing needs of children in South Central Kentucky. An Assistant Professor in the WKU Department of Social Work and Director of the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research, Griffiths is involved in facilitating several key research projects that are dedicated to combating child maltreatment and improving the lives of families and children in Kentucky.
August 2021 Staff Star Award Recipients
The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on Aug. 4. The August 2021 recipients are Dr. Lynette Breedlove, The Gatton Academy; Sandy Tinsley, Housing & Residence Life; and Belinda Wisdom, Counseling and Student Affairs. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination; Apply for Staff Leadership Institute
Paralegal Studies changes name, adds certificate
The Department of Political Science announced two significant changes to Paralegal Studies programs at WKU. Beginning fall 2021, the major in Paralegal Studies (B.A) degree will be rebranded as Professional Legal Studies. In addition, the Department has established an undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
View from the Hill
WKU’s First Year Village, anchored by two brand new residence halls, will be buzzing this semester. What’s unique about these halls is that they offer multiple Living Learning Communities as WKU’s Amy Bingham shows us in this week’s View from the Hill. (More: Campus Move-In Parking Advisory)
Athletics
August
17
Tuesday
Planetarium Show

PlanetQuest: Discovering Worlds Around Other Stars will be presented at 7 tonight at the Hardin Planetarium. Show times are 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Sunday through September 9. Admission is free. Learn More
August
17
Tuesday
M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Kickoff

The M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Kickoff and Class of 2025 Photo will begin at 8:30 tonight at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Learn More
August
19
Thursday
WKU Volleyball

WKU Volleyball will host defending national champion Kentucky in an exhibition match at 5 p.m. Thursday at Diddle Arena. Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101