Colleagues,
Cultivating a thriving WKU community that includes our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and partners remains critical to the success of our university and our Hilltoppers. During Faculty and Staff Convocation last month, I stressed the importance of togetherness because the connections we establish with one another and across our campus strengthen our community.
During the last five years, we made significant changes to our first-year student experience, beginning with M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, to ensure that our newest Hilltoppers feel a strong sense of belonging from their first day on our Hill. We launched Topper Fest so our Hilltopper Family could gather to celebrate the beginning of the academic year. And we continue our work to create physical spaces on campus conducive to collaboration and community building.
As we begin our fifth week of the semester, we have new opportunities to support our students and to gather as a community as they share their artistic and creative endeavors. Our theater and dance programs create several productions each semester; our music ensembles perform regularly through the term; and our art department routinely curates exhibitions of our students’ work. Our students have shared consistently how meaningful it is for them when faculty and staff show up to support them as audience members. As you make entertainment plans for the coming months, you can find a list of campus events here.
Finally, in summer 2021, I established a Jonesville Reconciliation Working Group. This group, including WKU alumni, WKU employees, descendants of Jonesville and individuals from the Bowling Green/Warren County community, is planning the first of many events to celebrate the people of Jonesville and the important role that the Jonesville community played in our institution’s history. I hope you will plan to join our campus community on October 27 from 4-6pm at the Kentucky Museum for an exhibit and reception to honor the families and descendants of Jonesville. More event details will be shared soon.
Thank you for a terrific start to the fall semester.
Go Tops!
Best,
Timothy C. Caboni
