WKU News

Greetings WKU Faculty and Staff, 

As we begin this upcoming academic year, it is the perfect time to reaffirm the core values of our community. At WKU, we strive to express the spirit of the modern comprehensive university by working to improve the lives of everyone on the Hill. Embracing our mission means embracing the Hilltopper Spirit of committing to serve our diverse public.  

Although some may question the value of higher education, we will continue to seize the opportunity to showcase how the work we do each day, meets the changing needs of society and the economy of Kentucky. Every one of us has a critical role to play in helping WKU realize its mission. Your passion for service, teaching, research, and mentorship positively impacts the lives of the communities we serve, and I thank you for this commitment to these ideals.  

Together we have accomplished so many remarkable achievements. As we start this new year, let us challenge one another to continue in that spirit and think about how else we can make a difference. What new doors can we open for students that we are not currently serving? How can we contribute to stronger and more robust civic engagement on campus and throughout our community? How can we make this campus a place where every faculty and staff member feel valued, supported, and included in the decisions that guide us? We have important work to do, and I look forward to the ways in which we can collaborate toward these goals.  

In that spirit and in service of our strategic goals and the interests of our many stakeholders, I will continue to actively listen, learn, and engage with you throughout the year. Thank you for being the reason WKU is a special place. 

Sincerely, 

Robert (Bud) Fischer
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs