WKU News

As an incoming first-year scholar, Jakob Briggs (MHC ‘25) sat in the crowd of the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) Honors First-Year Orientation Retreat (H₄ for short) looking up to his older cousin, Ashira Gibbs (MHC ‘23), on stage with all the counselors. Just a year later, Jakob would be standing on the same stage alongside Ashira; this time as a counselor himself. Peering out into the new class of incoming scholars, Jakob immediately noticed his younger cousin, Caelen Gibbs (MHC ’26). The sense of a full circle moment dawned on both Jakob and Caelen as they realized the exciting times they would have together on the Hill.  

Jakob, from Nashville, TN, is a second-year scholar majoring in Business Economics. Caelen is a first-year scholar from Brentwood, TN, majoring in Dance and Asian Religions and Culture. Even though they had never intended on coming to college together, Jakob is thankful for the opportunity to act as a role model for Caelen at WKU.

“Getting to be an H₄ counselor for Caelen and his friends was so much fun,” said Jakob. “The first year students asked me a bunch of questions and I would always keep it real with them. I’d tell them the secrets of campus like which lines to stand in for food.”

With it being his second year on the Hill, Jakob has been able to put himself in Caelen’s shoes as an incoming student and use that to help him however needed. 

“I’ve advised Caelen to manage his time wisely and focus on that. My first semester I got really involved and had a bunch of things going on. Time management is something I’ve done better with, but I definitely have more room to improve.”

Jakob currently serves as a WKU Spirit Master and a sophomore Senator for the Student Government Association (SGA).

Prior to coming to WKU, Caelen had talked to Jakob and knew he wanted to apply for the MHC. Hearing about the support he received and the interpersonal connections, Caelen knew it was right for him. 

“My sister and Jakob would tell me stories about them in Minton Hall hanging out,” said Caelen. “I always thought it was cool how Minton builds that kind of community within the MHC for first-year scholars. You find some of your friends for all four years of college.”

Caelen is aiming to do a thesis centered around anthropology on the relationships with people, dance, culture, and religion. He is also applying to Spirit Masters as well as the dean’s council for PCAL. 

When asked what advice they have for current or incoming scholars of the MHC, Jakob and Caelen agreed it comes down to getting involved. 

“The more you are involved in the MHC, the more opportunities you’ll have to succeed in academics, and through your four years at Western,” said Caelen. “Being able to interact with people and work for scholarships will definitely help.”

The MHC is extremely proud of both of you, and we are excited to see all that you accomplish with the rest of your time on the Hill! Keep up the good work, Jakob and Caelen!

For those first-year scholars looking forward to H₄ this fall, the camper applications will go live May 1.  Counselor Applications (for those returning MHC scholars) go live on March 1, and will close on March 27.  We are looking forward to a fun few days prior to the 2023-24 academic year getting started.