The newsletter for the WKU community
October 21, 2020
Connecting through Technology
From small gatherings to athletic games with thousands in attendance, WKU hosts many events each year. In 2020, connecting through technology provided new ways for individuals to safely engage while still celebrating the WKU Spirit.
 
WKU’s largest annual donor recognition event, Scholarship Celebration, typically brings together more than 500 scholarship donors and student recipients each spring. Even though gathering together was no longer an option, WKU students and scholarship donors were still able to connect through ThankView, a platform to create and send personalized videos.
 
“Our scholarship donors truly look forward to Scholarship Celebration,” said Jessica Carver, Vice President of the College Heights Foundation, which administers scholarships at WKU. “They love getting to meet their scholarship recipients, and recipients are glad to be able to say ‘thank you’ in person for the scholarship they received.”
Student gains leadership experience through Spirit Master organization
When Michael ‘Briar’ Holt, a biology major and senior from Hodgenville, began his college journey as a freshman in fall 2017, he set his sights on becoming a Spirit Master. Not only did he achieve that goal, this past spring, he also began serving as Spirit Master Chair, the top student leadership role in within the organization.
 
Holt said he first learned about the Spirit Master organization during the Mahurin Honors College’s H4 program. The Honors Freshmen Orientation Retreat, H4, is a chance for students to become familiar with the college and get to know other students, as well as counselors, faculty and staff. 
 
“As a freshman, I decided I wanted to dive into the college experience,” Holt said. “During the H4 retreat, I asked the counselors how to be involved, and that’s where I first learned about the Spirit Master organization.”  
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for COVID-19 information, including FAQs, Reported Cases Dashboard, Symptoms & Health Checks and more. Flu shots: WKU is making it easier to get your flu shot.
CLIMBING HIGHER
The WKU Forensics Team reached the final round in Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the virtual Central Missouri University “Missouri Mule” Oct. 16-17. The team will compete this weekend in a Mid-America Forensics League tournament, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa. Learn More
WKU experts to share COVID-19 insights in online discussion
WKU Alumni Association will host Expert Exchange: The History, Science, Public Health and Math of COVID-19 at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
 
Join the online conversation with some of WKU’s experts whose fields of research provide insight on public health, viruses, drug development, mathematical modeling and history of disease. Register online and submit questions by noon Friday to have them addressed during the panel’s discussion. Panelists are Dr. Susan Eagle, an anthropologist now teaching and researching in Public Health; Dr. Audra Jennings, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Office of Scholar Development; Dr. Bruce Kessler, Professor of Mathematics at WKU and Head of the Mathematics Department; Dr. Rodney King, Professor of Biology and University Distinguished Professor; Dr. Kevin Williams, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry.
Celebration of Writing
The 24th Annual Mary Ellen & Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday via Zoom. The 10 finalists in this year's poetry contest will be recognized and guest poet/judge Joy Priest will read from her newest work Horsepower.
Spotlight: Zach Cook
WKU alumnus Zach Cook returned to the Hill to pursue his Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.
Business & Professionalism Week activities continue
Gordon Ford College of Business students are participating in Business and Professionalism Week, a chance for Hilltoppers to prepare for job interviews and learn valuable workplace skills.
Regents committees to meet
The WKU Board of Regents will conduct committee meetings Friday starting at 9 a.m. in the Martin Regents Room of Jody Richards Hall and via Zoom. More: Agendas and supporting materials
Event Parking Advisory
Several parking lots will be reserved in preparation for Saturday's WKU Football game. The Hilltoppers host Chattanooga at 3 p.m. More: Reserved Lots and Road Closings Map
Breast Cancer Awareness Month event Sunday
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Kentucky Cancer Program, Abound Credit Union and WKU’s Office of Continuing and Professional Development will host a drive-thru event for breast cancer survivors at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Knicely Conference Center Parking Lot, 2355 Nashville Road. Survivors will bring their own decorations and have 30 minutes to decorate their cars and then will drive in procession to a judging area. Awards will be announced at 4:30 p.m. Register in advance by calling KCP at (270) 745-2033.
Hilltopper Highlights
Athletics
October
21
Wednesday
Hip Hop Monologues

The Why Knot Us Black Male Initiative will host Hip Hop Monologues at 6 p.m. today at Downing Student Union, room 3020. Learn More
October
22
Thursday
Graduate School Workshop

The Graduate School will host a My Individual Development Plan (myIDP) Workshop from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday. myIDP is a free career-planning tool to help STEM graduate students define and pursue their career goals. Learn More
October
23
Friday
Benefits Open Enrollment

Benefits open enrollment for WKU’s Health Plan ends Friday. All benefit-eligible employees must enroll for coverage effective January 1, 2021. Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101