Today is an exciting day for Kacy and me as we officially begin our new chapter at Western Kentucky University. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and we look forward to making Bowling Green and the WKU campus our new home.
During the five-month transition period, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and community leaders to learn about their WKU experiences and to understand their aspirations for our university. Guided by a team of representatives from across the institution, we explored many opportunities that this transition presents and studied the challenges we will need to overcome together.
What emerged was a clear consensus that our university is a remarkable institution with a tremendous future and unlimited possibilities. As with all universities, there are issues with which we will grapple, but the consistent sentiment expressed was one of optimism, promise and excitement for the next phase in WKU's growth.
We are well positioned as a student-centered applied research university to take a leadership role in the national conversation around the value of higher education. We will convey persuasively and directly to our stakeholders how the WKU experience transforms the lives of our students; how the usable knowledge we create drives innovation; and how, in collaboration with community partners, we elevate our region, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ultimately our nation and the world.
Finally, a theme to which we will return many times during this year is how we will work together to create a roadmap for the next decade of WKU's growth. For the next several weeks, as we prepare for the launch of a comprehensive strategic planning process, I invite you to share your ideas for how we can move WKU forward via email at president@wku.edu or on the web at wku.edu/president.
Best wishes for a safe Independence Day holiday.
Timothy C. Caboni
