The newsletter for the WKU community
September 16, 2021
26 Gatton Academy seniors recognized as National Merit Semifinalists
Twenty-six seniors from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as semifinalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Competition, breaking the 2019 record of the most students recognized in a single school year in the program’s history.

Since The Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, a total of 223 students have been named National Merit Semifinalists. 

“These students are remarkable in so many ways, not just in academics. They are great people and contributing community members. I am proud of the people they are and the citizens they are becoming,” stated Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “Kentucky is full of exceptional students. These students’ school districts have worked hard to provide them with a solid foundation launching them towards excellence.”
WKU education major completes student teaching as emergency substitute
WKU education majors have a long history of student teaching in local schools to gain experience and mentorship as part of their degree. In August, the Kentucky Educational Standards Board approved a waiver to allow substitute teaching to count toward student teaching during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. This semester, nearly 40 Hilltoppers, including Will Downing, are serving as emergency substitute teachers to help 12 local school districts as they navigate through another unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downing, an Elementary Education major from Bowling Green, is serving as a long-term substitute at Rockfield Elementary in Bowling Green.
HEALTHY
ON THE HILL
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for the latest updates, including COVID Cases Dashboard, Vaccine Information and more. Questions? Contact WKU's COVID Assistance Line at (270) 745-2019 or covid.help@wku.edu
CLIMBING HIGHER
Engineering students in the WKU Center for Energy Systems successfully completed and delivered their industry-sponsored project to Tempur-Sealy International, Inc., in Greensboro, N.C. Learn More
Spotlight: Dr. Qingfang Song
Dr. Qingfang Song, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, has been selected to receive an RCAP grant through the WKU Office of Research and Creative Activity. The RCAP funding will allow Dr. Song to continue vital research to advance child welfare as a Scholar in the WKU LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research.
2021 DiscoverWKU
WKU Admissions' 2021 DiscoverWKU events began this week in Louisville and Northern Kentucky. Prospective students and their families can learn more about the opportunities available at WKU during upcoming events in Lexington, Bowling Green, Nashville, Owensboro, Somerset/London and Elizabethtown.
Chorale Concert
The WKU University Chorale will present a livestream only performance of Sing a New Song, an afternoon of choral music, at 3 p.m. Sunday on the WKU Music YouTube Channel.
Film Screening
A film screening of Hillbilly and a Q&A with award-winning director Ashley York will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jody Richards Hall Auditorium. Masks are required.
Networking with Nonprofits
The Department of Sociology & Criminology and the Department of Social Work are hosting Networking with Nonprofits from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at HCIC Multipurpose Room and lawn. WKU faculty, staff and students are invited to visit with more than a dozen local nonprofit agencies. The event goals are to raise student awareness of the diversity of local nonprofit organizations offering social and human services to individuals, groups and society; allow students to network with potential internship placements and future employers; and provide organizations access to potential volunteers, student interns and future employees.
Majors and Minors Fair
WKU's Advising & Career Development Center will host the 2021 Majors and Minors Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 on the third floor of Downing Student Union. This event will provide students the unique opportunity to explore the vast departmental offerings of university majors, minors, concentrations, and careers associated with them.
View from the Hill
WKU is offering incentives to members of the campus community who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, including full tuition for five students. WKU’s Amy Bingham has more on the vaccine incentive program in this week’s View from the Hill.
Athletics
September
16
Thursday
Film Screening

A screening of A Line Unbroken: The Charles Forrester Story will begin at 6 tonight at the Capitol Arts Center in downtown Bowling Green. A panel discussion will follow. Learn More
September
17
Friday
Constitution Day

Members of the WKU community are invited to join the National Constitution Day Conversation at noon Friday via Zoom. Learn More
September
20
Monday
Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month activities will continue with a movie showing of In the Heights at 7 p.m. Monday on WKU South Lawn (rain location: DSU Auditorium). Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101