WKU News

When choosing a college, high school seniors often consider many factors. When Audrey Griffin, a senior Marketing major from St. Leon, Indiana, was looking for a university, she wanted to find a place that felt like home and had a positive atmosphere, but Griffin had another piece to consider when visiting WKU's campus, whether or not to continue her running career on the Hill.

"I chose WKU because it felt right," said Griffin, "When I visited WKU, the campus immediately made a positive impression on me. I remember talking to my mom about how nice everyone was. By the end of my trip, I was ready to come to WKU before knowing if running was even an option."

Griffin is a four-time WKU Track and Field team member and a three-time Captain. The senior hurdler was recently honored by Conference USA as WKU’s Winter Spirit of Service recipient. The award recognizes the community service of efforts of student-athletes at each member institution each season. Griffin’s community service from this year included over 100 hours of service to organizations including Curbside Ministries, Bag of Blessings, Special Olympics, Read Across America and more. 

However, her time on The Hill has not solely focused on athletics.

"Throughout my four years, I've loved attending various sporting events to support other athletes, spending time attending Christian Student Fellowship, being a member of Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, being a Best Buddy and volunteering with Curbside Ministries," Griffin said.

Griffin believes all these opportunities have given her the ability to feel more confident in her knowledge and skills. She is particularly grateful for a chance given to her by WKU Management Department Chair and Associate Professor Whitney Peake. Dr. Peake reached out to Griffin when she was a sophomore and asked her to compete in the Belmont Reverse Pitch Competition.

"Our team consisted of me, a sophomore, as well as a freshman and three seniors. We had to develop an original idea for a plot of land addressing a specific concern for the community, said Griffin, "Although I was only in my second year at WKU, I was able to apply the knowledge I had already learned and develop a business plan with other Gordon Ford College of Business students."

Experiences like the Belmont Reverse Pitch Competition are preparing Griffin for life after college. She said Gordon Ford College of Business’s emphasis on quality work and student success prepared her for the future.

"Thanks to GFCB, I know how to carry myself professionally, and I am more confident in my work in a professional setting. I have received job offers from both my internships, and I attribute that to how GFCB prepared me," Griffin said.

Griffin's time on The Hill is not over. She plans to pursue her graduate degree and work as a Graduate Assistant in WKU Athletics under Student-Athlete Development. Regardless of where Griffin's path takes her, she knows she will take the Hilltopper Spirit with her.

"It is an unspoken feeling of living to the fullest, ‘life more life.’ I hope always to keep that Hilltopper Spirit alive, making the most of life's moments," Griffin said.

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To learn more about earning a degree in Marketing at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/marketing/