The newsletter for the WKU community
February 3, 2021
Kentucky Museum reopening Thursday
The Kentucky Museum at WKU is reopening this week under coronavirus prevention measures outlined in WKU’s Healthy on the Hill guidelines.
 
The Museum will open to the public on Thursday (Feb. 4) and Friday (Feb. 5). To limit the spread of COVID-19, the following measures are in place:
 
  • Open hours for public visitation are Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times and maintain a minimum six feet distance from those not in their household group.
  • Visitors will follow a one-way path through the museum, provided via a printed map.
  • Visitors are encouraged to utilize hand sanitizer stations located throughout the museum.
 
The Kentucky Museum has implemented increased cleaning protocols. Additionally, the Museum has suspended all adult group tours or K-12 groups, due to COVID-19. No reservations or walk-ins will be accepted.

WKU faculty and students can visit the Museum during public hours or by making an appointment. Faculty should click here to schedule a Class Tour, or click here to schedule a Close Study of Collections session.

Visitors will notice other changes throughout the Museum. The exhibition A Star in Each Flag has been removed to make way for a new Teaching Gallery, set to open in Fall 2021 with exhibitions developed in partnership with Dr. Carrie Cox (Fashion Merchandising) and Dr. Tim Frandy (Folk Studies). Parts of the Teaching Gallery are now on view, including the newly opened A Seat at the Table and Kentucky Women Rising, which explore the history of Kentucky women in politics.
 
Visitors will also see Gazing Deeply: The Art & Science of Mammoth Cave, which explores how scientists and artists work together at Mammoth Cave National Park to address critical conservation issues.

Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for COVID-19 information, including FAQs, Reported Cases Dashboard, Symptoms & Health Checks and more. New today: A reminder about flu shots
CLIMBING HIGHER
Continuing our success with student retention, we are setting new records for the number of graduates. With the highest six-year graduation rate in WKU’s history, WKU is committed to helping students graduate. View an update on WKU’s Strategic Plan
Open forum for Provost finalist
Four finalists have been selected for the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and are participating in on-campus interviews. The fourth is Dr. Farshad Fotouhi, Dean of the College of Engineering, at Wayne State University. An open forum begins at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Downing Student Union Auditorium or via Zoom.
Spotlight: Jackson Medel
The Kentucky Museum welcomes Jackson Medel as the Luce Term Assistant Curator. Medel is a graduate of the University of Missouri, holding a PhD (ABD) in English with an emphasis in Folklore and Culture Studies. He previously worked with the Missouri Folk Arts Program and, from 2016 to 2019, served as Curator and Folklorist at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, Maryland.
Hearts On The Hill
The WKU Alumni Association is sharing WKU love stories as part of the #HeartsOnTheHill campaign.
After sharing smiles and chatting in Garrett Cafeteria, Jack Quire and Sheila Anderson found themselves walking beside one another on the way to their dorms in December 1979. Read their #HeartsOnTheHill story.
Amy Teta first met Kyle Smith at WKU during her sophomore year when their Greek organizations were paired together for a philanthropic dance competition. Read their #HeartsOnTheHill story.
They say love and politics don’t mix well, but classes in their mutual major of Political Science were a big part of Kyle Penman and Tonya Howell’s #HeartsOnTheHill love story.
Home healthcare program added to online career training lineup
With the addition of Home Healthcare Aide, WKU now offers six non-credit career training programs for adult learners interested in beginning a career in the healthcare field. The Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 34% increase in home healthcare aide job opportunities, and this training can help prepare professionals to fill a growing need throughout the community.
Nominations being accepted for Staff Excellence Awards
Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 12 for the 2021 Staff Excellence Awards. New categories for 2021 are 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.
Dance Big Red 2021
The Seventh Annual Dance Big Red, WKU's student-led dance fundraising event, will be held virtually from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 26. Since it began, Dance Big Red has raised nearly $300,000 for pediatric cardiovascular services and adolescent cancer care at Norton Children’s Hospital. The goal for Virtual Dance Big Red 2021 is to raise $40,000 and recruit 1,000 dancers. 
Athletics
February
3
Wednesday
3MT® Information Session

The Graduate School will host a virtual information session for its inaugural 3MT® competition at 3 p.m. today. Learn More
February
4
Thursday
Hardin Planetarium Show

Perseverance to Reach Mars will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at WKU’s Hardin Planetarium. Learn More
February
5
Friday
Gifted Studies Presentation

The Center for Gifted Studies will host Mental Health Experts Discuss the Social-Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners, a presentation by Brittany Dodds and Pokey Bowen, from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday. Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101