FACING THE FRESHMAN YEAR: Essential Conversations

August 10, 2019 - July 1, 2025

This exhibit is designed to convey the stories of the freshman year, allowing authentic student voices to speak to the complexity of navigating the transition to higher education. The photographs and accompanying comments are meant to orient guests toward an appreciation of what it means to be a freshman in the modern university. Exhibit sections include: belonging, expectations, why WKU, successes, letter to me, advice to faculty, my worst day and more.

All students featured in this exhibit are participants in a student success initiative known as the WKU Freshman Guided Pathway (FGP) - a cohort program comprised of first-time, full-time students who graduated from one of the five high schools in Warren county.  These students represent the typical WKU freshman in terms of their academic achievement prior to admission and their demographic makeup.  

FGP assists students as they negotiate the often difficult affective and academic shifts between high school and college.  Program participants agree to complete weekly study hours on campus, interact with an FGP Guide (WKU employee) dedicated to their mentorship, and actively participate in a number of opportunities bolstering their professional growth, networking, and leadership.

Facing the Freshman Year is presented by the Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education and The Kentucky Museum in partnership with the office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and the WKU Center for Literacy.

WKU professors interested in scheduling a class tour, click here. Professors interested in sending students individually to visit the exhibit for class credit, please contact Christy.Spurlock@wku.edu 270-745-6082. All other group visits, please complete an online reservation request.

More Exhibit Photos

August 22 Event Photos