The newsletter for the WKU community
February 10, 2021
Kentucky Folklife Program receives NEA grant for statewide outreach project
The Kentucky Folklife Program, in the Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology at WKU, has been awarded $20,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts to further its Kentucky Folklife Network magazine project and continue its efforts to work with community scholars and others involved in community-based documentation to share their cultural research statewide.
 
“It is an honor for the KFP to be recognized again by the NEA for our work helping to share the voices of Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Folklife Program Director Brent Bjorkman. “Last year with funding from the NEA and the efforts of our KFP team, a Kentucky Folklife Network and digital platform were created, and so far we have produced two editions of the magazine. This grant will allow us to continue to seek and publish important research by community scholars and regional documentarians which shines a light on the diverse cultural landscape of our state.”

The Kentucky Folklife Program’s project is among 1,073 projects across America totaling nearly $25 million that were selected during this first round of fiscal year 2021 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects funding category.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support this project from Western Kentucky University’s Kentucky Folklife Program,” said Arts Endowment Acting Chairman Ann Elders. 
Winter Weather Communications Plan
With winter weather in the forecast tonight and Thursday, here’s a reminder that WKU provides a number of ways you can find out if classes are delayed, canceled or if a campus is closed.
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for COVID-19 information, including FAQs, Reported Cases Dashboard, Symptoms & Health Checks and more. New today: Updates from Provost Cheryl Stevens
CLIMBING HIGHER
Continuing the spirit of providing access and opportunity, WKU President Timothy C. Caboni announced the creation of the WKU Opportunity Fund in 2017, a focused campaign to raise $50 million to support WKU students. Now, the WKU Opportunity Fund nears its $50 million target -- years ahead of schedule. Learn more
Updates from the Provost
As we move through the early part of the spring semester, I have been reflecting on how long we have been navigating these most unusual times. Many of us have changed our behaviors and changed our expectations. I even find myself noticing on television who is/is not wearing masks and in what situations. Mask wearing and physical distancing have become a norm for us at WKU, and I do believe they have had a huge influence on our relatively low incidences of COVID-19.
Spotlight: Noah Moore
WKU senior Noah Moore studies Public Relations, as well as Spanish and Arabic. His interest in foreign languages began in high school Spanish class, but he was inspired to expand his language study due to how “globally-focused” WKU was. Reflecting on the Department of Modern Language’s faculty, he says, “I love that there is a wide array of faculty that are waiting in the wings for their students to achieve and do well.”
Hearts On The Hill
The WKU Alumni Association is sharing WKU love stories as part of the #HeartsOnTheHill campaign.
Date nights studying at DSU, eating at Chick-fil-A or going to football tailgates were a big part of Mackenzie Terry and Kyle DeVary's #HeartsOnTheHill love story.
After years of having friends in common but never quite noticing one another, a GroupMe chat brought Shantel Pettway and Marcus Stubbs together. Read their #HeartsOnTheHill story.
Vashon Broadnax and Chrisonia Thomas first got to know one another working at NiteClass.
Read their #HeartsOnTheHill love story.
Rotary Club presents donation to Center for Gifted Studies
The Bowling Green Rotary Club presented The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU with a donation as part of their Rotary Flags for Kids Program.
WKU Forensics Team wins Eastern Michigan tournament
The WKU Forensics Team took first in sweepstakes at the Judy Sturgis Hill Tower Invitational hosted virtually by Eastern Michigan University Feb. 6-7.
WKU Graduate School to host diversity conference on Feb. 17
In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the WKU Graduate School will host a Diversity in Graduate Education Conference from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 17. The conference will include opening remarks from Dr. Ranjit T. Koodali, Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Education; welcome remarks from George Nichols III, member of WKU’s Board of Regents; an update on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at WKU from Michael P. Crowe Jr. and Dr. Molly Kerby, Co-Chief Diversity Officers; a report on the Distinguished Minority Fellowship Program and Graduate Student Success from Dr. Gregory Ellis-Griffith, Faculty Coordinator for the DMF Program; and a Roundtable with Former Distinguished Minority Fellows.
WKU's Epsilon Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma wins national step show
Congratulations to WKU’s Epsilon Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., for its first-ever national step show win. The WKU chapter won first place and a $750 prize in the competition, hosted by the Alpha Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Chapters were invited to submit 4- to 8-minute videos performing an original step show. Once submitted the videos went to a panel of judges. During the Virtual 2021 Orchid Ball on Jan. 30, videos were viewed and step show results were announced.
Staff Excellence Awards
Here’s a reminder from WKU Human Resources that the nomination deadline is Friday (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.
Athletics
February
10
Wednesday
WKU GRAD Recruitment Fair

The WKU Graduate School will host a Virtual Recruitment Fair at 3 p.m. today. Learn More
February
11
Thursday
Black History Month

Black History Month events continue with Black Love Ain't Real?, a discussion of Black love and relationships, at 7 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. Learn More
February
11
Thursday
Hardin Planetarium Show

Perseverance to Reach Mars will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at WKU’s Hardin Planetarium. Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101