The newsletter for the WKU community
September 28, 2023
2 alumni to be recognized for service at inaugural Hilltopper Excellence Awards
Two WKU alumni will be recognized for their service to the University and the community at the inaugural Hilltopper Excellence Awards during Homecoming 2023.
 
According to Dr. Anthony McAdoo, Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association, Paul J. Just (’69, ’72) will receive the Distinguished Medal of WKU Service, and Romanza O. Johnson (’60, ’68) will receive the Distinguished Medal of Community and Public Service.
 
“The Hilltopper Excellence Awards, presented by Franklin Bank & Trust, will be held on Thursday evening, Nov. 9 at Knicely Conference Center,” Dr. McAdoo said. “The premier event will include presentation of these prestigious Distinguished Medals, induction of the 32nd Class of the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni and additional awards that celebrate alumni achievement and philanthropy.”

The Hilltopper Excellence Awards will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 with registration and a reception in honor of previous Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductees, with the program and dinner to follow at 6:15 p.m. Registration is open at alumni.wku.edu/HEA23
CLIMBING HIGHER
A team of WKU students and professors is developing "SunSketcher," a free smartphone app for photographing the next total solar eclipse, which will occur on April 8, 2024. The WKU team is planning to perform a beta test of the app during the annular eclipse of October 14, 2023, visible in the Western United States. Learn More
2023 Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame inductees announced
The Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame is set to welcome four new members. Jesse Brown, Helen Russell, Kimberlea Embry, and Donna Smith, who were chosen by a statewide selection committee, are scheduled to be officially inducted on December 1 during a ceremony on the WKU campus.
Spotlight: Willie Rascoe
The Kentucky Folklife Program, in partnership with the WKU Department of Folk Studies & Anthropology and the Kentucky Arts Council, will host folk artist Willie Rascoe on Thursday (October 5) at the Pioneer Log Cabin.
Football Event Information
WKU Football will face Middle Tennessee at 6:30 tonight at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. The game is a Red Out and will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. Here are some reminders about event parking, traffic and tailgating:
 
Applications due October 1 for 2023 WKU Sisterhood grants
Here’s a reminder that applications for 2023 WKU Sisterhood grants must be submitted by Sunday, October 1.
Nominations due October 4 for 2023-24 Faculty Awards
Nominations for WKU full-time and part-time faculty members are being accepted for the 2023-2024 college and university-wide Faculty Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is October 4.
Fall Break Parking/Transit
Check out a reminder from WKU Parking & Transportation about changes for Fall Break parking and transit on Monday and Tuesday. (More: Fall Break dining hours)
James Lang Presentation
WKU will host a presentation and workshops by Dr. James Lang, author of Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It, on October 13. Lang's keynote presentation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Downing Student Union Auditorium. Afternoon workshops will be held at 1 and 2:30 in DSU, room 3024.
Athletics
September
28
Thursday
Theatre Production

Turning Points: Three Short Plays will be presented at 7:30 tonight at the Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre. Admission is $8. Learn More
October
2
Monday
WKU Fall Break

WKU offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday for Fall Break. Offices reopen and classes resume Wednesday. Learn More
October
7
Saturday
Hammer In

The Kentucky Museum will host Hammer In, a free community event celebrating the metal workers' trade, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 7. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
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