WKU in the News
Here is a selection of recent news stories about WKU:
April 9-17, 2024
NASA Science
- More Than 36,000 Volunteers Helped Do NASA Eclipse Science: Thank you for helping us out! Over 36,000 people helped do NASA Science during Monday’s total solar eclipse. Together, these volunteers submitted more than 60,000 vital pieces of eclipse data to NASA science projects. More than 30,000 volunteers with the SunSketcher project pointed their smartphones toward the Sun and recorded pictures of Bailey’s beads, flashes of Sunlight coming through valleys on the moon. These pictures will reveal the size and shape of the Sun to high precision.
Daily News
- Peruvian journalist to receive international reporting award at WKU: Journalist Manuel Calloquispe’s work in his hometown of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, has made him the target of angry gold miners and profiteers of the Amazonian rainforest’s destruction. His risky reporting earned him the seventh Fleischaker/Greene Award for Courageous International Reporting this year.
WBKO-TV
- Three Gatton Academy students to present research at international fair: Three students from Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science will travel to Los Angeles on May 11 to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, a globally renowned science competition.
WNKY-TV
- Sunrise Spotlight – WKU’s Day of Giving: For today’s edition of Sunrise Spotlight Ashlee Wilson is joined in-studio by Margaret Glaser to talk more about WKU’s Day of Giving. WKU’s Day of Giving takes place on Tuesday, April 23rd.
- Sunrise Spotlight: WKU Evening of Dance: For today’s Sunrise Spotlight, we got to learn all about WKU’s Evening of Dance with Olivia Frayder and Grace Becker.
- Western Kentucky University SunSketcher App collects eclipse data: Western Kentucky University students and volunteers went all over from Texas to Indiana to collect data from the solar eclipse. They used the SunSketcher app that will measure the size of the sun.
- After The Initiation into a Sorority, Fraternity, or secret society in Kentucky and Beyond: A new exhibit is open at Western Kentucky University, it includes professors and students collaborating to spread knowledge. “After the Initiation: Secret Societies, Fraternities and Sororities in Kentucky and Beyond” sheds light on some information that isn’t normally shared when it comes to organizations. This exhibit gives insight into the rituals and gives students who may not understand how these organizations function a new perspective.
Lane Report
- WKU in Glasgow adds social work, IECE majors to offerings: Students from the Glasgow-Barren County region who want to complete their degree close to home will have two new options beginning this fall.
March 26-April 8, 2024
Daily News
- 'New normal:" increased tornado activity seen regionally: A new study indicates Bowling Green has seen an increase in high-intensity tornadoes in the last 20 years, numbers that are part of a regional trend. Jerald Brotzge is a professor of meteorology at Western Kentucky University, director of the Kentucky Mesonet and the Kentucky State Climatologist. He said improvements in technology and population growth have allowed for more tornadoes to be reported.
- WKU exhibit highlights survivors of sexual assault: A bathing suit, a hoodie and sweatpants, basketball shorts and a T-shirt – it does not matter what a victim is wearing when they are sexually assaulted. Those outfits and more now hang in Western Kentucky University’s Downing Student Union for the “What Were You Wearing?” installation that opened Wednesday.
- Kentucky Science Center eyeing expansion into Warren County: Mike Norman, CEO of the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, said when it comes to expanding the museum into Bowling Green, “it’s no longer if we’re going to do it, it’s when are we going to do it.” To gauge community support, a group of Western Kentucky University students with the Hilltopper Consulting Group have created a public survey to learn where a suitable location would be for the facility.
- Upcoming events celebrate Autism Acceptance Month: April is Autism Acceptance Month, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs of those across the spectrum and the people who support them. The 17th annual LifeSkills Run/Walk for Autism is April 13 at Bowling Green Ballpark. Laura Reynolds, an administrator for Western Kentucky University’s Clinical Education Complex, said this will be her 10th year being involved and “it gets bigger and better and more fun every year.”
- WKU student selected for prestigious foreign affairs fellowship: Over 250 nominees from 147 universities nationwide applied to the Gaither Junior Fellowship with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an international affairs think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. Only 16 nominees were selected – including Tani Washington, a history and international affairs student at Western Kentucky University.
- Millions for Southcentral Kentucky in state budget: Hours before they went home for a 10-day break, Kentucky lawmakers on Thursday passed the biennial budget. Western Kentucky University earned funding for several projects.
- 'Hackathon' seeks young creators for tech competition: Ladies and gentlemen, start your computers – Bowling Green’s “Hackathon” is about to begin. Programmers, designers, innovators and everyone in between are invited to the first Imagine_BGKY Hackathon, where teams of creators will compete in a tech development race to make Bowling Green better. The first Hackathon, to be held May 11 at Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus, challenges participants to harness Bowling Green’s growing economic and cultural potential through technological solutions.
WBKO-TV
- WKU class gathering data for future Kentucky Science Center expansion to BG: A Western Kentucky University class is assisting with a potential expansion of the Kentucky Science Center to Bowling Green.
- WKU’s Hardin Planetarium hosting event for upcoming eclipse: Western Kentucky University’s Hardin Planetarium will be hosting an event for the eclipse on April 8, including a viewing area and eclipse-related activities.
- Kentucky Mesonet aids in tracking and reporting severe weather: Every five minutes, the Kentucky Mesonet provides real-time weather data. “It’s our real time data that makes the difference,” Kentucky Mesonet Outreach Coordinator Shane Holinde said. “We update data online every 5 minutes as opposed to other automated stations that may only update once an hour or at the top of the hour, and that’s very beneficial for National Weather Service, meteorologists and for Emergency Management personnel in these severe weather scenarios.”
WNKY-TV
- Celebrating Autism Awareness Month: Around the world, April is known as Autism Awareness Month where we celebrate differences and recognize individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex at WKU, the Kelly Autism Program offers the community and college students support if needed with a variety of things related to Autism. News 40 spoke to the director of the program and a student about Autism Awareness Month and the implications of the coming days.
- WKU student selected as university’s first Gaither Junior Fellow: Tani Washington, a 2024 Western Kentucky University graduate in history and international affairs, has been awarded a Gaither Junior Fellowship at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- The Kentucky Museum is installing a multi-media exhibit of south-central Kentucky’s musical heritage: A new exhibit at the Kentucky Museum is expected to be done in about a year, and the museum is asking for community support in their campaign. This exhibit, “Sonic Landscape,” has been a work in progress for the last five years, in hopes of showcasing the musical heritage in our region.
- WKU announces inaugural Innovation Campus Scholar: On Friday, March 29, Western Kentucky University announced that Jana Michalik, a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, has been named as the inaugural WKU Innovation Campus Scholar.
- Historic Shake Rag items donated to WKU Special Collections Library: The City of Bowling Green has recently turned over around 800 items to Western Kentucky University’s Special Collections Library to preserve the history of the historic Shake Rag district.
- Kentucky Museum announces crowdfunding campaign for musical heritage exhibit: This is your chance to receive a backstage pass. Wednesday, The Kentucky Museum unveiled plans for a crowdfunding campaign for Sonic Landscape, a multimedia exhibit that showcases the music heritage of the south-central Kentucky region. The project will cover the 1900s to present day.
- Netflix show created by WKU graduate tops the rankings: What started off as just a research project for a journalism class, would eventually turn into a six year journey for the truth. Western Kentucky University graduate Christian Hansen started researching coincidentally the same suspicious activity that was being looked into by late reporter Danny Casolaro who died mysteriously back in 1991.
MSNBC
- You always wanted to be a scientist. The eclipse is your chance.: Despite our sun’s constant presence, remarkably, its precise shape is not known. A free phone app called SunSketcher will let volunteer observers along the eclipse’s path of totality — the thin region where the sun is completely blocked out — capture their views of the rare astronomical event. Researchers hope studying the images taken with these ubiquitous devices will reveal the last drops of sunlight, also known as Baily’s beads, that pass through the valleys on the moon’s surface just before and after totality. “You only need one piece of equipment, and that’s your phone,” Gordon Emslie, a professor of physics and astronomy at Western Kentucky University and leader of the SunSketcher project, told me.
NASA Science
- April’s Night Sky Notes: Participate in Eclipse Science: SunSketcher: If you’re traveling to totality, help the SunSketcher team measure the oblateness, or shape, of the Sun during the eclipse by timing the flashes of Baily’s Beads. You will need a smartphone with a working camera for this, along with something to hold the phone in place - don’t forget a spare battery!
WHAS-TV, Louisville
- Louisville student selected to participate in MIT's prestigious summer program: One talented Louisville student was just chosen to participate in MIT's prestigious, intensive STEM summer program this year. Emma Hyman, a junior at duPont Manual High School and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, was selected out of 2,500 applicants to be one of the 100 students who will gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this summer for the Research Science Institute (RSI).
Lane Report
- After productive ’23, Ky farmers hope for the same in ’24: Being at the mercy of Mother Nature is a challenge all farmers face each year and 2024 may turn out to be no different. Jerry Brotzge, Kentucky State Climatologist and Director of the Kentucky Climate Center and Kentucky Mesonet, said our weather pattern is shifting.
- Ky colleges show 4.4% enrollment growth; degrees, credentials up: The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) heard promising news about enrollment and credential production during its business meeting on March 28 in Frankfort. Enrollment, at all levels and sectors, grew from fall 2022 to fall 2023. Among action items, the Council approved new academic programs at the University of Louisville (UofL) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) that reflect growing workforce needs. WKU added baccalaureate programs in data science and neuroscience.
- WKU creates innovation campus scholar role: Western Kentucky University announced that Jana Michalik, a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, has been named as the inaugural WKU Innovation Campus Scholar.
AgWired
- Agri-Pulse Welcomes Rebekah Alvey: Agri-Pulse is pleased to welcome Rebekah Alvey as an associate editor. Alvey, who has experience covering energy and environment issues and Capitol Hill, comes to Agri-Pulse from Politico’s E&E News, where she reported on a broad swath of issues including electric vehicles and endangered species regulation, and she helped cover the House speaker race in October 2023. Alvey earned degrees in journalism and Arabic from Western Kentucky University.
WalletHub
- Best States to Work from Home: What is the work-from-home outlook for 2024 and beyond? Work-from-home will only continue to increase in 2024 and beyond. This is because organizations that allow remote work options will increase the available talent pool for positions and perhaps have a better capacity to attract top talent. – Dr. Katrina Burch, Associate Professor, WKU Department of Psychological Sciences; Director, Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Program
March 12-25, 2024
WBKO-TV
- WKU alumnus reflects on the creation of his hit Netflix docuseries ‘The Octopus Murders’: Western Kentucky University’s very own alumnus, Christian Hansen, has taken on the mystery of the Octopus Murders, a conspiracy involving the death of a journalist and all the politics and secrets that came with it. After 10 years of fascination, research and investigative journalism, Hansen and his friend Zachary Treitz were able to release their findings in their Netflix docuseries, “American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders.”
- WKU alumna helps create sharp looking gardens at ‘Pop-Up Succulent Bar’: Before the pandemic hit, Western Kentucky University alumna Jill Thornell was an HR Manager, but knew she wanted something more. Though it was only when she needed to find a COVID-friendly alternative to a lemonade stand for her son, that she found her spark.
Spectrum News 1
- Western Kentucky University creates an eclipse-catching app: Dr. Gordon Emslie loves astrophysics. So much so that he and a group of Western Kentucky University students are working on an app to capture the eclipse. The app is called SunSketcher and it will take 101 photos of the sun during the eclipse automatically. Using the app will be as simple as propping up a phone.
Daily News
- 'Civic Imagination' incubator returns with six new storytellers: From tales of Appalachian life to tabletop games to blues music compendiums, the Accelerate KY “Civic Imagination Team” incubator is pioneering new ways of storytelling. Sam Ford, executive director of Accelerate KY and co-creator of the incubator, said the incubator connects participants to professionals across the region to make their projects a reality.
WKU Public Radio
- For some Kentucky farmers dealing with stress can be unbearable. One group is working to give them hope: Kim Link, the Director of Rural Health at Western Kentucky University and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, said a prevailing mentality among many in the farming community is that you shouldn't talk about your problems or struggles. It’s a stigma that she said can lead to bigger issues.
Lane Report
- 82 high school sophomores admitted to Early College at WKU in Glasgow: Eighty-two local high school sophomores have been selected for the next Early College at WKU in Glasgow class.
- Education: The Numbers Tell a Story: Recently released data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) indicate Kentucky had the highest fall-to-fall total enrollment gains in the nation this past school year. Like many other Kentucky colleges, the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University is adapting to change and promoting the commonwealth as a top-drawer higher education choice.
NASA
- Sketch the Shape of the Sun for Science During the Solar Eclipse: Calling all eclipse admirers! The SunSketcher team is looking for one million volunteers to capture photos on their cell phones during the April 8 total solar eclipse. These images will help scientists learn about the size, shape, and inner structure of the Sun.
Popular Science
- NASA needs your smartphone during April’s solar eclipse: Listening for crickets isn’t the only way you can help NASA conduct research during the total solar eclipse passing across much of North America on April 8—you can also lend your smartphone camera to the cause. The agency is calling on anyone within the upcoming eclipse’s path to totality to participate in its SunSketcher program. The program will amass volunteer researcher data to better understand the star’s shape. To participate, all you need is NASA’s free app, which uses a smartphone’s camera coupled with its GPS coordinates to record the eclipse. But why?
Wallet Hub
- Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Bad Credit: I would look for cards offering a very low or 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on balance transfers, allowing you to pay down the balance without accruing additional interest charges. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the credit card issuer you select reports to all three major credit bureaus. Reporting to these bureaus is important for helping you rebuild your credit. – Jonathan Pliszka, Visiting Assistant Professor, WKU Department of Finance
March 2-11, 2024
WKU Public Radio
- Western Kentucky University partnering with NASA to map the sun during April eclipse: On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible along a 2,000 mile stretch from Texas to Maine. Western Kentucky University will play an important in documenting this rare, celestial event. Faculty, staff, and students have developed a smartphone app called SunSketcher.
Daily News
- Upcoming lecture features WashPo photographers from WKU: Jabin Botsford and Demetrius Freeman became friends at Western Kentucky University a decade ago. Now, they see history unfold first-hand as photographers for The Washington Post. Botsford and Freeman will return to WKU on Wednesday for a gallery showcasing the top shots of their careers and a lecture on their experiences in the field, titled “Roommates: From Western to The White House.”
- WKU students raise nearly $94,000 for Norton Children’s Hospital at 10th annual Dance Big Red: Hundreds of Western Kentucky University students gathered at WKU’s Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on Friday night, March 8, 2024, for the 10th annual Dance Big Red marathon to benefit Norton Children’s Hospital. The students raised $93,851.99 at the six-hour dance fundraiser for pediatric cardiovascular services and adolescent cancer care at Norton Children’s Hospital.
- Tech-savvy students flock to Robot Royale: Hundreds of local tech-savvy K-12 students flocked to Western Kentucky University for Warren County Public School’s fourth annual Robot Royale event Thursday.
- April's total eclipse to skip southcentral Kentucky: Nearly seven years after a solar eclipse darted across the United States, another will move across the country on April 8. Gordon Emslie, a professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Western Kentucky University, said unlike the total eclipse in 2017 this one will not fully pass over southcentral Kentucky. The only major cities in Kentucky in the eclipse’s path of totality – the strip of land where a total solar eclipse is visible – are Paducah and Henderson.
- Regents eye state funding hike, new programs: Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents met for their quarterly meeting on Friday with legislative updates on several state bills.
WBKO-TV
- WKU Director of Student Financial Assistance advises caution with student loans: In the most recent Biden Administration student loan announcement, about 1.2 billion dollars of debt are being canceled for borrowers. They have to be enrolled in the SAVE plan, have been in repayment for at least ten years and have taken out $12k or less in loans for college. WKU Director of Student Financial Assistance Bryson Davis emphasizes that people must meet these specific requirements, and that those who don’t meet them, cannot just request forgivable loans.
- Researcher and humanities speaker explores the ‘high art’ of quilts in Kentucky: The Kentucky Museum hosted the “Quilt Art: Examining The Narrative in KY Quilts” presentation on Saturday. It was given by Kentucky Humanities Speaker and Independent Researcher, Dr. Pearlie Johnson.
- Over 350 WCPS students participate in ‘Robot Royale’ competition at WKU: Today, over 350 Warren County Public Schools students participated in a ‘Robot Royale’ competition at Western Kentucky University.
- First-Gen Initiative hosts luncheon for first-generation students: Around 30 percent of undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University are first-generation. On Wednesday, some of those students, faculty, and alumni gathered at WKU’s “F1rst Gen Intergenerational Lunch” at Downing Student Union.
- WKU students and staff collaborate to create app for tracking, photographing solar eclipse: The 2024 solar eclipse is 37 days away. With the help of a free app, currently in development, the everyday person can be part of documenting the eclipse as it moves around the U.S. using your cellphone. The app ‘Sunsketcher’ was designed by a team of computer science and design students at Western Kentucky University. On Friday, the team and their professor presented the app to the WKU Board of Regents during their first quarterly meeting of the calendar year.
WNKY-TV
- Dance Big Red helps Norton Children’s Hospital for the 10th year: Friday night, students at Western Kentucky University gathered for the annual Dance Big Red event.
- WKU Literacy Ambassadors deliver books to Bristow Elementary: Future teachers studying education are developing literacy for students of all ages across South Central Kentucky.
- WKU students develop an app for a NASA Science Project: A grant from NASA is allowing faculty and students at Western Kentucky University to participate in a NASA science project, by developing, testing, and implementing a new app, Sunsketcher, that will collect images during the April 8th solar eclipse.
WEHT-TV, Evansville, IN
- WKU students work together for NASA-funded “SunSketcher” project: Ahead of April 8’s eclipse over the tri-state, students at Western Kentucky University are developing the SunSketcher app. These students and a faculty member are asking for the public’s help to be a part of the larger experiment throughout the eclipse path of totality from Texas to Maine.
Paducah Sun
- WKU Students create app to calculate the sun's shape during total solar eclipse: A group of students at Western Kentucky University are working with NASA to develop and test a new app that will collect images of the sun during the total solar eclipse on April 8.
WPSD-TV, Paducah
- WKU Students create app to calculate the sun's shape during total solar eclipse: A group of students at Western Kentucky University are working with NASA to develop and test a new app that will collect images of the sun during the total solar eclipse on April 8.
NASA
- SunSketcher: Our Sun is not quite a perfect sphere. Knowing our Sun’s true shape would give scientists new clues about its mysterious interior and test theories of gravity. But precisely measuring the shape of this enormous nearly-round object has been challenging - until now. Join the SunSketcher team and help make these measurements during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024!
Oak Ridger, Oak Ridge, TN
- Matt Rice named Tennessee solicitor general, state's chief appellate attorney: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has selected Matt Rice to be the state's next solicitor general. The solicitor general is the state's chief appellate attorney. Rice is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
Lane Report
- WKU Regents approve degree programs in neuroscience, data science: Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents approved a number of new academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Science in Data Science on Friday at its first quarterly meeting of the calendar year.
Kentucky Teacher
- Record number of students participate in 2024 Educators Rising Kentucky conference: A record number of 771 high school students attended the 2024 Educators Rising Kentucky State Conference, held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on March 6. Colin Anderson, a junior at Franklin-Simpson High School (Simpson County) and member of the Western Kentucky University Young Male Leadership Academy, was part of a group that participated in the public service announcement (PSA) competition, where the students devised a PSA to recruit teachers. He said Educators Rising has helped him with his public speaking to pursue his goals after high school.
WalletHub
- Best Student Checking Accounts: Navigating the transition from high school to college marks a significant milestone in a traditional college student's life, often heralding a period of newfound independence and responsibility. Among the multitude of changes and challenges students can encounter, managing one’s finances emerges as a crucial skill that every student must learn to master. As such, gaining knowledge about checking accounts becomes indispensable. – Dr. Monica Galloway Burke, Professor, WKU Department of Counseling & Student Affairs
February 21-March 1, 2024
Daily News
- WKU announces dean of business college: Western Kentucky University announced Evelyn Thrasher as the new Gordon Ford College of Business dean on Friday.
- Warren County Public Schools Hall of Distinguished Alumni announced: On April 12, Warren County Public Schools will induct 12 individuals into its Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Inductees include several WKU graduates.
WNKY-TV
- Sunrise Spotlight: Dance Big Red: For today’s Sunrise Spotlight, we met with Dance Big Red Co-Chairs Hannah Adams and Grant Oller. They told us all about the next upcoming Dance Big Red event.
- What is the importance of a Leap Day? Local expert weighs in: Shane Holinde, the outreach manager of Kentucky Mesonet, says without a Leap Day, the seasonal equinoxes would be thrown “completely out of whack.” In other words, Holinde says we would eventually see summer in the middle of winter.
- Tommy on the Town: What’s Going Down at the Kentucky Museum in 2024: For this week’s edition of Tommy on the Town, we got to meet up with Brent Bjorkman and Tiffany Isselhardt. They let us know what we can expect to see at the Kentucky Museum this year and what’s already there to check out!
WBKO-TV
- WKU student designs community center for City of Franklin’s 30-year-plan for a local park: Ever since she was a child, Western Kentucky University senior, Alex Lahman, has been interested in architecture and drawing. She now has the opportunity to help out the local community and accomplish part of the Capstone program in the architectural science major’s curriculum, where students are challenged to design any building of their choice.
- BGPD officer Kendra Woodard highlights her career journey in law enforcement: She thought she would end up in law school, but when she became a cadet, Kendra Woodard found her true passion: being a police officer. Originally from Hopkinsville, Woodard came to Bowling Green to attend Western Kentucky University in 2014 as a criminology major, and after being sent an application her senior year, applied to be a cadet.
- WKU hosts 22nd annual Physics Olympics: Today, WKU hosted their 22nd annual Physics Olympics at Snell Hall. Physics Olympics is a half-day competition between teams from surrounding high schools. It consists of challenging, problem-solving activities that involve physics.
- Bowling Green Junior High hosts WKU fraternities and sororities as part of Black History Month: Bowling Green Junior High welcomed several historically African American WKU fraternities and sororities to their school as part of Black History Month.
WKU Public Radio
- Second annual concert benefiting Margaret Munday Scholarship returns to WKU: A concert featuring a diverse set of performances is back at Western Kentucky University for a second year. The show raises funds for the Margaret Munday Scholarship overseen by the Mu Iota Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI). In addition to helping music students from diverse communities pursue their dreams, the scholarship also honors the legacy of Margaret Munday.
Lane Report
- WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business names new dean: Dr. Evelyn Thrasher has been named as the new dean of Western Kentucky University’s Gordon Ford College of Business, Provost Bud Fischer announced Friday.
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
- OHS' Ladwig named a National Merit finalist: Owensboro High School student Jacob Ladwig has been named a 2024 National Merit finalist. Ladwig attends Gatton Academy on the campus of Western Kentucky University.
Louisville Courier Journal
- Stresses of farm life taking toll on farmers' mental health. What's being done to help?: Sponsored by Raising Hope, Susan Jones, professor emerita at Western Kentucky University’s School of Nursing, created an online course to teach health care professionals how to prevent farmer suicide through cultural understanding. Over 600 people have completed the training to date.
February 8-20, 2024
WNKY-TV
- Sunrise Spotlight: SCATS and VAMPY at WKU: For today’s Sunrise Spotlight, we met with Dr. Julia Roberts who told us all about how you can get your high schooler involved in academically driven programs at Western Kentucky University.
- Expert shares view regarding wrong categorization of state rock and mineral: In 1998, students from Louisville requested that the State Legislature change the designation of coal from the state rock to the state mineral. Later, in 2000, Kentucky Agate, or Chalcedony, was designated as the state rock. Both of these designations are categorically inaccurate – coal, which is organic in nature, cannot be a mineral. Even though it may contain millions of them, it is a rock. Agate is crystalline in nature and contains predominantly one substance, primarily quartz, itself being a mineral, which makes agate a mineral. Geologists like Michael May, a professor of Geology at WKU, have been upset with this decision for decades.
- The infamous sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum reaches 10-year anniversary: In 2014, a natural disaster in Bowling Green fueled a global conversation about the National Corvette Museum and a little-known fact about our unique landscape in south central Kentucky. James Polk, director of the Center for Geo-environmental Studies at Western Kentucky University, says “We are in a karst area, which means we have lots of caves, lots of sinkholes, lots of underground streams, it’s a very dynamic landscape. So, that means things are constantly happening underground, beneath our feet that you might not see, and that includes the potential development for sinkholes, pretty much anywhere you are in this part of the world and south central Kentucky.”
WBKO-TV
- WKU hits record-high retention rates going into the spring semester: Western Kentucky University’s retention rates for undergraduate students are at their highest since the university began tracking the data in 2010.
- WKU music instructor discusses Black impacts on country music: During the Super Bowl, pop sensation Beyoncé announced “Act II”, the second album in her Renaissance trilogy. This was accompanied by two country singles, Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, though many music stations and media platforms have been reluctant to call the songs country. John Martin, a Senior Music Instructor at Western Kentucky University, said Queen Bee’s snub on the country music scene more than likely stems from a dislike of change within the community.
- Gatton Academy partners with Kentucky Science Center for ‘Kids’ Science Night’: Gatton Academy certainly worked up a passion for science Tuesday evening, teaming up with the Kentucky Science Center for ‘Kids Science Night’ at Van Meter Hall. The evening was all about bringing science to life and helping foster an interest with the younger generation.
- Emmy-award-winning TV host Emily Calandrelli speaks at WKU: This evening, Emily Calandrelli spoke with children at Western Kentucky University in Van Meter Auditorium for the Kids Science Night.
- WKU’s School of Nursing hosts KANS Nursing Conference: WKU Nursing students got the unique opportunity to hear from industry experts at the KANS nursing conference.
- Kentucky Museum presentation highlights African American suffragettes: As Black History Month continues, the Kentucky Museum hosted Dr. Kathy Bullock’s presentation “I Got a Right to the Tree of Life: Women’s Suffrage and African American Women’s Voices” Wednesday evening.
Spectrum News 1
- Famous ‘Space Gal’ visits Western Kentucky University: Children attending Western Kentucky University’s Kids’ Science Night came for a night they won’t soon forget.
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
- Oller named Coming Home King at WKU: Grant Oller’s involvement in numerous organizations at Western Kentucky University helped him be named WKU’s Coming Home King on Thursday during halftime of a men’s basketball game at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Owensboro Times
- Owensboro’s Oller named WKU ‘Coming Home’ King: Owensboro’s Grant Oller was crowned Western Kentucky University’s 2024 Coming Home King on Thursday night. Oller is a 2020 graduate of Daviess County High School.
Lane Report
- WKU once again celebrates historic fall-to-spring retention successes: In what has become a familiar trend in recent years, Western Kentucky University students again returned to campus for the spring semester at record rates, President Timothy C. Caboni announced on Tuesday, February 13. Among the university’s retention successes, 85.4% of fall undergraduate degree seeking students who were enrolled in the fall returned for the spring semester, the highest percentage since the university began tracking this data in 2010.
- WKU Gordon Ford online programs recognized: Three programs in Western Kentucky University’s Gordon Ford College of Business (GFCB) are ranked among the 2024 Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.
- WKU Online recognized among top Online Bachelor’s Programs in state, nation: U.S. News & World Report has ranked Western Kentucky University among the top 100 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation – and No. 2 in Kentucky.
WSON-AM, Henderson
- City of Henderson names new assistant city manager: Dylan Ward has been named the city of Henderson’s new assistant city manager. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Ward obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Public Administration. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Kentucky.
Georgetown News-Graphic
- New City Attorney works for community: Georgetown’s new city attorney is a Kentucky native, who has worked for both the Covington and Lexington governments. Emilee Buttrum’s focus in her new role has been continuous improvement. Buttrum’s first job after graduating from Western Kentucky University was in economic development with the Chamber of Commerce in her hometown, Bowling Green.
Online Ed.D. Programs
- Interview with Dr. Kimberlee Everson: In addition to her research and teaching roles at WKU, Dr. Everson serves as Chair of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate’s (CPED) Dissertation in Practice Award Committee.
January 27-February 7, 2024
Daily News
- Hannah appointed new director of UT Press: Katie Hannah has been appointed as director of the University of Tennessee Press. She received her Master of Arts in English from Western Kentucky University.
- After 22 years, SOKY Book Fest coming to an end: The Warren County Public Library has announced its decision to end the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, with plans to refocus its efforts on a series of author events throughout the year. Over the past 22 years, the library had partnered with Barnes & Noble and Western Kentucky University to bring the event featuring national and regional authors and related events to Bowling Green. The event has typically drawn thousands each spring.
- Cybersecurity data analytics vital in higher education: WKU’s Cybersecurity Data Analytics graduate program offers a master’s degree in Cybersecurity Data Analytics, as well as certificates in cybersecurity data analytics and in data analytics. These degrees and certificates are vital as we navigate an era where our personal and professional lives are increasingly connected to the digital realm.
- Beshear tours WKU Innovation Campus: Gov. Andy Beshear visited Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus on Thursday after a stop at Tyson Food’s bacon facility opening earlier that day.
WBKO-TV
- Remembering WKU’s first African-American faculty members: February is Black History Month. Locally, there are numerous men and women who’ve played a crucial role in the black history in the city. Dr. Mable Anderson, Dr. James Beck, and his wife Jacqueline were the trailblazers who paved the way for African-American Faculty at WKU.
- WKU conducting a survey on driving the roundabout: If you’ve ever had an opinion about the roundabouts in Bowling Green, now could be your chance to speak your mind and be heard. Western Kentucky University is currently conducting a survey for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to hear the public’s opinions about roundabouts and any issues Kentuckians have faced when coming across one while driving.
- Once in a lifetime cicada double brood emergence to occur this year: Cicadas are the annual sound of the summer, but this year the volume could be dialed up to 11. For the first time since 1803, the United States will see a double brood event where the 13-year and 17-year “periodical” cicadas will emerge from the ground during the same year. Western Kentucky University Distinguished Professor Dr. Keith Philips says it is a spectacular biological phenomenon in the country.
WNKY-TV
- House Bill 10 filed in Kentucky to address maternal mortality rate: A bill relating to maternal health in Kentucky is currently awaiting to hit the House floor. Rep. Kim Moser, along with colleagues, has worked on a bill to help address Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate. News 40 spoke to Rachel Tinius, an associate professor of exercise science at Western Kentucky University and CEO of “Bumpt Up”, an app that helps to keep women physically active and in better health during their pregnancy and offers health information.
Elizabethtown News-Enterprise
- Central Hardin senior heads to MIT on scholarship: Earning not one but two scholarships, Central Hardin High School senior and Gatton Academy student Cameron Miller will be heading to MIT next fall.
Yahoo News
- Yes, there are more potholes on Kentucky roads after winter. A scientist explains why: Come springtime, you’ll likely see more crews out patching potholes or notice bigger cracks along Kentucky’s roadways. To understand why this is and the role water plays in the process, we spoke with Chris Groves, Ph.D., the director of the Crawford Hydrology Laboratory at Western Kentucky University and a university distinguished professor.
America’s Best Racing
- John Asher: Dedicated Kentucky Derby Ambassador and Friend to All: More than five years after his sudden passing, John Asher lives on in the sport he cherished, his love of family, friends, and the Kentucky Derby and its home his lasting legacy. After graduating with a journalism degree from Western Kentucky University, he went to work for radio stations in Bowling Green and then Louisville, his knowledge of the Derby making him a natural fit for covering the race each year.
Credit Donkey
- What are key economic factors that investors should look out for before investing in a 5-year CD? Although it is hard to pinpoint what are the key economic factors to consider, inflation is probably one of them. The Fed battles inflation through interest rates. When the Fed raises interest rates to combat inflation, that has an upward impact on interest rates paid to CD holders. -- Dr. Sebastian Leguizamon, Associate Professor of Economics, WKU
January 18-26, 2024
Daily News
- Chamber announces tech council at 89th annual celebration: The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce announced the creation of a new regional technology council at its 89th annual celebration on Tuesday. CEO Ron Bunch said the project will be a partnership with Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus to better connect and attract emerging technology companies in the area.
- WKU, other universities join to support kids: Western Kentucky University’s student-led charity event Dance Big Red has joined with DanceBlue at the University of Kentucky and RaiseRED at the University of Louisville for the fourth annual Commonwealth Cup, a statewide fundraiser that supports pediatric cancer and heart care.
- 'Topper Social' bar set to open in February: Jordan Greene originally wanted an office job. Now he is the owner of two bars in downtown Bowling Green, with a third coming in late February. Greene, a 2018 graduate of Western Kentucky University and the current owner of both Dublin's Irish Pub and The Copper Bar, is planning to open Topper Social in the building once occupied by Hideout on Center Street close to campus.
- WKU to close Hilltopper Hall after building 'shifted': Students at Western Kentucky University who live in Hilltopper Hall have until Feb. 4 to move out of the dorm after personnel with WKU Facilities Management found some exterior masonry had “shifted out of place” earlier in the academic year.
WKU Public Radio
- Gov. Andy Beshear visits new Tyson Foods plant in Bowling Green, WKU Innovation Campus to tout economic development: Gov. Andy Beshear was on hand Thursday for the official opening of a new multi-million dollar Tyson Foods processing plant in Bowling Green. Beshear also stopped at Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus during his stop in Warren County. The Innovation Campus is designed to attract businesses to Bowling Green while providing students an opportunity to gain experience through internships and collaboration.
WNKY-TV
- WKU helps students in Hilltopper Hall find new residences: Students who had been living in Hilltopper Hall were recently informed that due to a shift in the facade of the building they would need to find new places to stay.
- Jonesville Academy Tie Ceremony: This weekend saw Jonesville Academy’s second Tie Ceremony, with many young boys recognized for their academic and personal achievements.
WBKO-TV
- Governor Andy Beshear tours WKU’s Innovation Campus: Today, Governor Andy Beshear visited the WKU Innovation Campus in Bowling Green. Representatives from the university gave Beshear a tour of the 280,000-square-foot facility that acts as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and investment in the community.
- Hilltopper Hall residents and parents react to relocation: On Jan. 18 Western Kentucky University sent an email out to Hilltopper Hall residents and parents, explaining that some “exterior masonry work” had shifted out of position and residents would have to relocate from the hall. Hilltopper Hall resident Jazmine Fletcher described the air in the hall as devastating following the news.
Spectrum News 1
- Western Kentucky University closes dorm due to structural damage, forcing relocation of students: Residents of Hilltopper Hall at Western Kentucky University (WKU) will soon need to find new housing.
Foreign Policy
- What Is Taiwan’s New President Going to Do About China?: On Jan. 13, Taiwan hosted the first of many critical elections in 2024—elections that may reshape the global political order. In the first close three-candidate race since 2000, current Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defeated Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je. (By Timothy S. Rich, a professor of political science and the director of the International Public Opinion Lab at Western Kentucky University.)
Taipei Times
- US, China views key for Lai: expert: Achieving a consensus on how Taiwanese view the China threat and US security commitments to Taiwan would be challenging for president-elect William Lai, a US academic said in an article published on Wednesday. In an article in Foreign Policy, Timothy Rich, a professor of political science and director of the International Public Opinion Lab at Western Kentucky University, analyzed how Taiwanese public opinion would affect the incoming administration.
Yahoo Finance
- OneAmerica® Appoints New Board Member George Nichols: George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services, has been appointed to the OneAmerica® Board of Directors. The OneAmerica Board of Directors has oversight to the long-term direction of the financial services organization. Nichols received his associate's degree from Alice Lloyd College, a faith-based liberal arts school in eastern Kentucky, before earning his bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University.
MoneyGeek
- Expert Insights on Federal Funds Rate: Is it important for the average consumer to understand how the federal funds rate works? Why or Why not? From the economist's point of view, it is always important that people understand concepts like the Federal Funds Rates. These "target" rates are the rates banks use to lend and borrow from each other to meet the daily reserve requirements. -- Dr. Sebastian Leguizamon, Director, Center for Applied Economics, and Associate Professor of Economics, WKU
January 9-17, 2024
Daily News
- WKU Panhellenic Council donates $10k for Nepalese women's education: A donation from Western Kentucky University’s Panhellenic Council will help 90 female students stay in school on the other side of the world.
- Media consultancy company finds home at WKU: Memes and fandom culture may seem like simple fun, but for a new local company, they’re the focus of decades of research and experience. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce announced this week the formation of a new “storytelling and engagement consultancy,” Suspenders of Disbelief, at Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus.
- WKU Music Department's 28th annual PRISM Concert Jan. 26: The Western Kentucky University Department of Music will present the 28th annual PRISM Concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at Van Meter Hall.
WNKY-TV
- WKU police participate in active shooter training: The Western Kentucky University Police Department took part in a two-day active shooter training scenario in order for the members of the department to be able to better respond to a chaotic event.
- Combat your holiday debt with a spending plan: The holidays can be mentally and financially draining and may leave you needing a plan to pay off holiday debt. Director of the Center for Financial Success at Western Kentucky University, Andrew Head, says “Staying out of debt requires staying on top of the expenses that you have and making sure that you’ve got a plan for them.”
- New storytelling consultancy announces headquarters in Bowling Green: A new storytelling consultancy announced Monday its founding and establishment of its headquarters in Bowling Green. The company, Suspenders of Disbelief, will be housed in the Collaborative SmartSpace of the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus HQ, according to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.
CNBC
- U.S. and China keep a close watch as Taiwan heads to the polls: “Regarding relations with China or the US, my concern would be that it provides an opportunity for mixed messages from Taiwan, one that China may try to exploit,” said Timothy S. Rich, a professor in political science at Western Kentucky University.
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN
- Highlights from Tuwanda Coleman's career at NewsChannel 5: Our very own Tuwanda Coleman announced last week that after 41 years, she will be retiring from NewsChannel 5 and Talk of the Town. She joined the NC5 family in 1981. Tuwanda grew up in Cadiz, Kentucky, and majored in Broadcasting with an emphasis in news reporting at Western Kentucky.
WalletHub
- Non-Owner Car Insurance: What kind of drivers should consider Non-Owner Car Insurance? Non-owner car insurance is typically recommended for those who do not own a car but either borrow cars from someone else or rent cars often. -- J. Sebastian Leguizamon, Associate Professor of Economics, Gordon Ford College of Business, WKU
January 1-8, 2024
Daily News
- Hill's-eye view: Caboni sees continuing enrollment success, more capital projects: Western Kentucky University’s President Timothy Caboni nears his seventh year in the role. For him, the new year was a chance to look back on what’s been done and what’s to come.
- Education forum at WKU seeks to gauge progress: The Kentucky Student Voice Team will seek input from Bowling Green students, teachers and parents through its ongoing series of education-centered forums. Organizers will host their third Rose Revival Campaign forum in partnership with Western Kentucky University at the Jim & Eva Martens Alumni Center from 2:30-4:45 p.m. Jan. 13 to collect feedback on the state’s educational progress.
- Final interim education committee brings up several recruitment ideas: Dr. Corinne Murphy, dean of the WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, said that she'd like to strengthen the connection between universities and recent graduates.
WNKY-TV
- Locally created app for pregnant, postpartum women has launched: A new app to change health outcomes for mothers and newborns has just launched. BumptUp Labs is a new app that helps pregnant and postpartum women become and stay active with tailored workouts, social support, and yoga classes, as well as weight, calorie and symptom tracking. Western Kentucky University associate professor of exercise science, mom of four, and BumptUp CEO, Rachel Tinius, says “I’ve been doing research with exercise during pregnancy through all four of my pregnancies, the app was in the works over the past two. And I’ve definitely utilized my own personal experiences to help form a lot of features of the app.”
Elizabethtown News-Enterprise
- Local artist creates extraordinary from the ordinary: Countless children and teenagers in our community have been inspired by the artistry of one woman, Regina Williams. Hosting art classes in her quaint cottage studio in Glendale for the past 20 years, Williams seems to possess an endless supply of ideas and creativity. “I went to Western (Kentucky University) in 1971 and majored in art education to teach,” she said. “I graduated in May of 1975 and got a call from a good friend who was an artist at Fort Knox.”
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
- Bare Linens online only — for now: Lindsey Ioia picked up her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Western Kentucky University this summer and launched her own business — Bare Linens — on Oct. 1.
City-County Observer, Evansville, IN
- Preston to serve as USI Interim Director of Public Safety: Sam Preston has been named Interim Director of Public Safety at the University of Southern Indiana, effective January 6. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University.
December 13-31, 2023
Daily News
- Renowned local author, folklorist Lynwood Montell dies at 92: Local award-winning author and folklorist William Lynwood Montell died last week, leaving behind a wife, two children, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a long list of books penned over his 92-year life. Montell was renowned for documenting life across Kentucky. He played a crucial role in forming Western Kentucky University’s folk studies masters program, where he taught for over 30 years, and dedicated much of his time to studying the Upper Cumberland region.
- Experts discuss December tornado trend: Climatologists and meteorologists across the region are trying to make sense of an increase in December tornadoes across southcentral Kentucky in recent years.
- Still hilltoppin': WKU grads complete hiking 'triple crown': Those Western Kentucky University students who complain about having to hike uphill to get to class could get a dose of humility from a pair of WKU graduates: Garrett and Savannah Anderson.
- WKU senior recognized for non-profit e-learning company: Nessa Unseld, a 20-year-old Western Kentucky University senior, may be the youngest CEO at WKU’s Innovation Campus.
- WKU holds signing day for WCPS teachers seeking certification: Athletes aren’t the only students at Western Kentucky University to get a signing day. Educators from across the county joined WKU leaders Tuesday for a signing event celebrating the first cohort of Warren County Public School teachers seeking certification through the university’s Grow Your Own program.
WNKY-TV
- Warren County Public Schools and Western Kentucky University providing opportunities for future teachers: The education system is expanding in so many ways. Warren County Public Schools and Western Kentucky University are coming together, and allowing future teachers to become leaders in the public school system.
- WKU student creates Coleus Academy, an adulting encyclopedia: Adulting is about to get easier thanks to a Western Kentucky University senior who is helping many young adults with necessary life lessons for free.
WBKO-TV
- WCPS and WKU hold joint signing for Grow Your Own program: With Kentucky facing a massive teacher shortage, Warren County Public Schools and Western Kentucky University team up to help out by holding a joint signing for Grow Your Own scholarships.
- WKU student creates adult-readiness website for soon to graduate students: College students looking for resources on the adjustment to life after school will now have an answer. Janessa Unseld is a student at Western Kentucky University that found a lack of career readiness resources she thought were much needed for soon to graduate students. Like any college student, she began coding, two years ago. She recently published the soft launch of her new website, Coleus Academy.
Spectrum News 1
- Hardin County School District combats teacher shortage, helps staff reach its goals: School districts across the Commonwealth are getting creative when it comes to dealing with teacher shortages. Several districts are using "grow your own" programs to fill vacancies at a fraction of the cost. In Hardin County, the school district is partnering with Western Kentucky University (WKU) to help its staff get teaching certified, or get their master’s degree.
WFIE-TV, Evansville, IN
- Ohio Co. schools host first choir concert in nearly a decade: Ohio County schools hosted their first choir concert since resurrecting their choir and drama departments on Thursday. Director Ryan Himes explained that finally being offered the job to bring choir and drama back was a dream come true. “The whole reason I went to WKU to be a music teacher was to be a choir director at Ohio County,” he said.
November 29-December 12, 2023
Daily News
- WKU to seek additional state funding due to inflationary pressure: Western Kentucky University President Timothy Caboni said the university’s top legislative priority going into January will be seeking additional base and performance funding from the state.
- Teacher Hall of Fame celebrates four local inductees: Educators from across the region converged on Western Kentucky University’s campus to celebrate the induction of four local teachers to the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
- Drakes Creek names new principal: Drakes Creek Middle School students and staff welcomed their new principal to the school on Wednesday with cupcakes and a resounding “Go Gators!” Bonnie Spears, who currently serves as principal of Chandler’s School in Logan County, will begin the formal transition to Drakes Creek in January. Spears graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education. She received her Master of Arts in Education in 2010 and obtained her Rank 1 in Leadership and Administration in 2018 from WKU as well.
- WKU Greek Orgs wrap gifts for 34 Parker-Bennett-Curry students: The sounds of Bing Crosby lilted across Downing Student Union as dozens of Western Kentucky University students busily wrapped footballs, plushies, sweaters and coloring books. WKU’s Greek Organizations, around 30 in total, came together Tuesday for the culmination of the Christmas Angel program — preparing gifts for 34 Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary students.
WBKO-TV
- WKU hosts 2023 Fall College Recognition Ceremonies: Western Kentucky University students and their loved ones gathered in E.A. Diddle Arena today to celebrate the university’s Fall College Recognition Ceremony.
- Logan County Schools announces new superintendent: The Logan County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to hire a new superintendent. Logan County High School and Western Kentucky University alumni Dr. Dan Costellow will be the new superintendent of Logan County Schools starting Jan. 1.
- Experts talk cause and local effects of record high global temperatures: Dr. Jerry Brotzge, Kentucky’s state climatologist, believes that these record temperatures in 2023 are due to a combination of three factors. He and other leading experts believe that two of those factors include a natural planetary warming trend that began in the 1800s and rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to human activity beginning in the Industrial Revolution.
- Four inducted into Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame: Four educators were inducted into the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame on Friday in a ceremony at Western Kentucky University.
- WKU Greek life sponsors 34 Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary Christmas Angels: Western Kentucky University’s Greek life has embraced the season of giving by gathering Tuesday evening to wrap gifts for their third annual partnership with Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary’s Christmas Angel Program.
WNKY-TV
- New superintendent named for Logan County Schools: Dr. Dan Costellow, Ed. D. has been named the new superintendent of Logan County Schools. He obtained his superintendent certification and doctor of educational leadership from Western Kentucky University. He also obtained his master of arts in secondary education and a bachelor of science in agricultural education from WKU.
- Meet Hunter Lee, future meteorologist and viral TikTok star: There’s a local talent in town spreading weather knowledge. A WKU student is taking his love for weather and sports to a whole new level across the United States and going viral for posting his journey on TikTok.
- The Book Donation Extravaganza giving students at Parker Bennett Curry reading opportunities: An elementary school in Bowling Green celebrated the joy of reading today by giving those who are less fortunate the opportunity to dive into a book. At Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School thanks to the special book extravaganza. WKU Literacy Ambassadors are providing elementary students with limited access to books the chance to read at home by partnering with the Bowling Green Rotary Club and Half Price Books.
- The importance of Heimlich maneuver training: From the senate chamber to right here at home, anyone can learn to do the Heimlich maneuver. After Sen. Rand Paul saved a fellow senator’s life in the chamber by using the move, learning how to properly help someone when they are choking can prove to be critical. Gerita Cook, a WKU CPR training coordinator says, “What happens when a person choke, that airway is restricted, so knowing the Heimlich allows that airway to get back open and free so that we can save and maintain that life. Everyone needs to know this, and I take great pride in every person I train here at Western, especially my nursing students, because I know I’m training the next generation of health care professionals to be saving lives.”
- Annual Teacher Hall of Fame hosted at Western Kentucky University: Teaching is not an easy job by any means, and many students don’t appreciate what teachers do until later on in life. Every year since 2000, Western Kentucky University makes a difference for teachers by honoring educators and inducting them into the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
- Bonnie Spears named as new principal of Drakes Creek Middle School: The Warren County Public Schools District announced Bonnie Spears Wednesday as the new principal of Drakes Creek Middle School. Spears graduated in 2003 with a bachelor of science in middle grades education. She received her master of arts in education (summa cum laude) in 2010 and obtained her Rank 1 in leadership and administration in 2018 – all from Western Kentucky University.
- WKU Greek Life gift wrapping event: Fraternities and sororities gathered inside Downing Student Union to wrap presents they bought for students at Parker Bennett Curry Elementary.
Spectrum News 1
- Young farmer and his family hope to inspire a passion for farming in other young people: The Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farm Family of 2023 is working to change that trajectory in the Bluegrass state. Matt and Molly Adams won the award for their work and dedication to farming. He began raising cattle in high school and paid his way through college at Western Kentucky University by going home on the weekends to run a hay business.
- Four Kentucky teachers inducted into teacher hall of fame: Four Kentucky teachers are now a part of the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
WCLU-FM, Glasgow
- Four inducted into Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame: Four exceptional educators, two of which taught in Glasgow and Barren County Schools, who made an impact in their classrooms and their communities were inducted into the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame on Friday, December 1, 2023 in a ceremony at Western Kentucky University.
New York Times
- Events to Shake, or Gently Rattle, the World in 2024: UNITED STATES, MEXICO AND CANADA, April 8: Don your eclipse glasses and watch the moon and the sun align in a cosmic kiss as the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, part of the United States, Canada and the North Atlantic plunge into daytime darkness. It will be the last solar eclipse in the United States for more than 20 years. Celebrate it at the Total Eclipse of the Heart Festival in Arkansas or the Portal Eclipse Festival in Mexico. Wherever you are, download SunSketcher 2024, an app developed by NASA to allow observers in the path of totality to capture images at varying angles and contribute to NASA’s heliophysics research.
WDKY-TV, Lexington
- Kentucky couple completes ‘Triple Crown of hiking’: You can’t write the love story of Garrett and Savannah Anderson without including their passion for the outdoors and hiking. “We went to school at Western Kentucky University near Mammoth Cave,” Savannah explained. “So, we did a lot of hiking there and that’s actually where he proposed to me. So, the outdoor kind of scene has always been part of our background.”
More: WKU in the News Archive
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