The newsletter for the WKU community
June 29, 2021
WKU launches The Beacon Project to help alumni of state's foster care system
The Beacon Project, a new program at WKU, is lighting the way to college success for students who were part of the state’s foster care system.

“We are really excited to launch this program to help these students reach their potential and to help the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Sarah Haught, Assistant Director for Recruitment and Retention. “Our state is dedicated to providing for the needs of former foster youth – we see this program, in partnership with the Department of Community Based Services, as the continuation of that support toward independence.”

WKU is home to many students who were and are still part of the foster care system, including about 25 in fall 2020. The Beacon Project could serve 25 to 50 foster care alumni each year.
WKU PBS nominated for Emmy Awards
WKU PBS, WKU’s Public Television Service, has been nominated for awards in four categories for the 57th Annual Ohio Valley Emmy Awards. The nominations include the first two from a WKU PBS collaboration with WKU Athletics. Logan Fry and WKU student Josh Thomson are first-time award nominees. Four others -- Darius Barati, Jeff Petrocelli, Hannah Wilcutt and Neil Purcell -- are nominated for their work on Lost River Sessions, a series that explores the music scene from the roots up by featuring musical talents in the Folk, Bluegrass and Americana genres performing intimate live sets in iconic venues across southcentral Kentucky. More: WKU senior receives scholarship
CLIMBING HIGHER
For the ninth consecutive year, WKU has earned national recognition as a “Best for Vets” school by Military Times. WKU is ranked 24th in the nation and second in the Appalachia region in the 2021 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges rankings. WKU has ranked as a “Best for Vets” school every year since 2013. Learn More
Kentucky Museum completes restoration project on Felts House
The Kentucky Museum has finished restoration work on the 1810 Felts House, a historic log cabin originally from Logan County that now resides on WKU’s campus. The restoration was supported by a grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and a gift from WKU alum Allen Shipp. Andy Mills of the American Antique Company completed restoration work over the last four months, as one of his final projects before retirement.
Minding My Math Business
From June 14-17, professors in WKU’s Math Department and WKU’s Counseling and Student Affairs program set out to engage youth in mathematics during a four-day inclusive summer program for Black and Brown teens called Minding My Math Business.
WKU, Gleim Exam Prep partnership offers discounts
WKU Continuing & Professional Development is partnering with Gleim Exam Prep to expand program opportunities and discounts for the local accounting community. Through this partnership, Gleim continuing professional education (CPE) courses for CPAs and exam prep courses are available to the WKU community at a 20% discount.
12 to join WKU Alumni Association Board of Directors
The WKU Alumni Association recently elected nine new board members for 2020-2021 and recognized three members who will serve in one-year appointments.
View from the Hill
A unique study space that reflects the Arabic culture has been dedicated at WKU’s Mahurin Honors College. WKU’s Amy Bingham has more on the impact this space will make on students in this week’s View from the Hill.
Campus Traffic Advisory
Here’s an advisory from WKU Parking & Transportation: Beginning Wednesday, Faculty House Drive will be closed for demolition work on Garrett Conference Center. During the closure, the driving lane to Old Fort Lot will become a two-way traffic lane.
Athletics
June
29
Tuesday
Gifted Studies Summer Programs

VAMPY (The Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth), hosted by The Center for Gifted Studies, continues through July 10; Advanced Placement Summer Institute will conclude Friday; Camp Explore will begin Monday. Learn More
July
1
Thursday
Patriotic Concert

The Southern Kentucky Concert Band will present a Patriotic/Americana Band Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday on WKU's Centennial Mall. The concert is free and open to the public. Learn More
July
5
Monday
Independence Day Holiday

WKU offices will be closed Monday for the Independence Day holiday. The Kentucky Museum will be closed Saturday-Monday for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The Hardin Planetarium will be closed Sunday.
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101