The newsletter for the WKU community
May 5, 2022
2022 Commencement
Western Kentucky University’s 2022 Commencement is scheduled tonight at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium and will be held rain or shine. WKU is monitoring weather conditions this afternoon. If severe weather is in the area, WKU will communicate delay information via the Commencement website, emergency alert text messaging, email and WKU social media.
 
WKU will celebrate 3,713 graduates -- 2,527 spring/summer 2022 and 1,186 fall 2021 -- during its 191st Commencement exercises.
 
Commencement is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. with Topper Walk along the Avenue of Champions. The ceremony will begin once students have been seated on Feix Field. Each college will acknowledge its graduates, and President Timothy C. Caboni will present the graduates to the Board of Regents for the conferral of degrees. More: WKU News Commencement preview; #WKUGrad series

On Friday, WKU's academic colleges will host College Recognition Ceremonies at Diddle Arena. Friday's schedule is: College of Health and Human Services, 8 a.m.; Potter College of Arts & Letters, 10:30 a.m.; Ogden College of Science and Engineering, 1 p.m.; College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, 3:30 p.m.; and Gordon Ford College of Business, 6 p.m. More: Event traffic advisory; parking/traffic updates
CLIMBING HIGHER
The Kentucky Museum at WKU has received a $7,000 grant from the Kentucky African American Heritage Council, part of the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office, to support its ongoing documentation and interpretation efforts related to the Jonesville neighborhood, called the Jonesville Memory Project. Learn More
The Office of Research & Creative Activity announced the awardees of the 2022 Research & Creative Activities Program (RCAP). Learn More
Message from Provost Fischer
It has been over two years since the pandemic compelled an unprecedented university shutdown that lasted longer than we could have ever imagined.  Members of the WKU family have faced many personal and professional challenges during this time, and all I can say is that I am proud of and impressed with your hard work and dedication throughout to ensure that we continued to deliver a quality education. I extend my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done to help us continue to transform the lives of our students.
Spotlight: Parker Cassady
“From the beginning, I knew that I wanted to do something where I could use my skill set to help others. This healthcare profession is ever-changing, hands-on, and requires compassion and care,” said Parker Cassady, a WKU senior from Glasgow. Cassady will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He has already accepted a job as a registered nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital in the medical intensive care unit.
Meteorology student awarded NOAA Hollings Scholarship
WKU student Abraham Tekoe is one of 120 undergraduate students selected nationwide for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. He will receive up to $9,500 to support two years of academic study and a paid summer internship at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility. Tekoe is a senior graduating in Spring 2023 with majors in meteorology and geographic information systems.
Regents award Provost Emerita status to Dr. Cheryl Stevens
The WKU Board of Regents voted to award Provost Emerita status to Dr. Cheryl Stevens at its quarterly meeting today.
View from the Hill
WKU has a powerful exhibit at the Kentucky Museum called “Freshman Guided Pathways” and for many students featured, their journey is coming to an end. Behind every image is a unique story and WKU’s Amy Bingham tells us one of them in this week’s View from the Hill.
Athletics
May
6
Friday
Recognition Ceremonies

WKU's academic colleges will host Recognition Ceremonies beginning at 8 a.m. Friday at Diddle Arena. (Parking/traffic advisory) Learn More
May
7
Saturday
Gatton Academy Graduation

The Gatton Academy Class of 2022 will graduate at 2 p.m. Saturday at Van Meter Hall. Learn More
May
8
Sunday
Planetarium Show

Starry Tales for a Summer Night will open at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hardin Planetarium. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Sunday through June 16. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
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Bowling Green, KY 42101