WKU News

Classes begin Monday for WKU’s fall semester and 2,100 first-year students are spending this week getting familiar with campus.

WKU’s Amy Bingham has more on MASTER Plan’s kickoff event in this week’s View from the Hill.

The First Year Village Lawn is providing the perfect location for MASTER Plan students to begin their journey on the Hill.

“Stand up and cheer….”

It’s the beginning of their Hilltopper journey and these students are pumped!

“I am very excited you know, just to tell my kids and my grandkids, like you know, where I went to school at.”

A welcome ceremony, that felt more like a pep rally featuring all the college deans, kicked off a full week of orientation.

“This event will help us establish expectations on both sides.  We want to continue to ignite the excitement they have, lessen some of their fears and anxiety.”

“Are y’all ready to climb?”

Beginning with the end in mind, MASTER Plan students then started their Hilltopper Journey with a Topper Walk similar to what they’ll do at Commencement.

“In four years from now you’re gonna make your last Topper Walk down the Hill, you’re gonna walk into the stadium, you’re gonna shake my hand and you’re gonna get your degree.”

Assembling for the Class of 2026 photo, the excitement for this new adventure was palpable.

“I see it every year. They’re nervous, they’re anxious but at the same time they’re excited and they really just need a smiling face.”

It’s what MASTER Plan is all about. Reassuring the newest class of Hilltoppers that they’re ready for the journey.

“We are in this together. They do not have to climb alone.  We are Hilltoppers and again that’s what we do, we climb, together.”

“T-O-P-S, Tops Tops Tops.”

Data show on-time graduation rate goes up by 15% for students who attend MASTER Plan. 

MASTER Plan goes out with a bang Friday night when Topper Fest is held on the South Lawn for the entire WKU community.

• More: MASTER Plan; Topper Fest