WKU News

A WKU Finance major with a concentration in Personal Financial Planning, Tanner Redmon's Hilltopper journey centers on the power of community and giving back to others.

While attending Western Kentucky University was not his initial plan, Redmon selected WKU because it would allow him to earn his degree without amassing a large amount of student loan debt. He also shares a Hilltopper connection with his parents, who are both WKU alumni.

"Within the first few weeks on campus, I knew this was exactly where I belonged," Redmon shared.

From coaching fellow Hilltoppers in the WKU Center for Financial Success to joining a cross-country bike ride for Alzheimer's research, many of Redmon's key experiences hinged on choices made during that first semester on the Hill.

A chance meeting sparked his interest in the social fraternity experience, a path that he originally did not envision for himself.

"I had no intention of going through rush in college. I did not feel like it was for me. Throughout my freshman fall semester, I met a few guys who had pretty good heads on their shoulders. They all seemed very intelligent and driven, and they had a bond that was seemingly unbreakable. The common factor was that they were all members of the same fraternity," Redmon noted.

Redmon ultimately joined his friends as a member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), an international social fraternity with a chapter on WKU's campus.

"After joining FIJI, I have experienced the impact of brotherhood, the power of networking and what serving others truly looks like," Redmon shared.

The foremost example of all three in action is Redmon's time on Team 12 of Bike4Alz, a cross-country bike ride to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease research.

Redmon felt called to join the team through conversations with his roommates, who were members of Team 11, and in honor of his grandfather, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2022.

"This trip changed my life. I was pushed to my limits physically (climbing the Rockies will do that), mentally (106 degrees in Kansas), and spiritually. I learned so much about my teammates and myself," Redmon reflected.

Before the first bicycle hits the road, riders and the home support team work tirelessly to facilitate a smooth ride. In addition to training for the ride, Redmon served as a bookkeeper and route coordinator. Drawing all the turn-by-turn routes for the trip in Strava, Redmon also kept notes on adjustments to share with the future Team 13.

In addition to strong internal team connections, Bike4Alz forges strong community relationships through networking and visits to local care facilities. And perhaps even through a random conversation in line for a hot dog.

Redmon discovered this firsthand through an accidental meeting at a San Francisco Giants game. A chance conversation in line at the game with Gary Brickler, a former Kentuckian living in Folsom, California, turned into an unforgettable moment for the team.

"Three days after I met Gary in San Fransisco, the team was staying in Folsom over Memorial Day weekend. Local campsites were all full, and we were going to have to camp on the side of the road. Gary reconnected with the team and invited us to stay with his family for the night," Redmon shared.

Gary Brickler and his wife Susan not only provided a place for the team to stay, but also served food, purchased supplies before one of the team's toughest three-day stretches and shared tips for long-distance cycling. Gary even rode with the team for the first 15 miles the next day.

"I kept in contact with Gary throughout the trip, sending him photos when we reached new states and telling him how we were doing," Redmon shared.

Redmon also felt the impact of Bike4Alz's work through volunteer work and visits to senior living facilities along their route.

"We visited various care facilities across 11 states, leaving our impact on each state that we traveled through. These visits were eye-opening to the devastating effects of Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. Although our ride is over, the fight is not," Redmon shared.

Giving back to the community didn't start or end with his Bike4Alz ride. Building on his supportive experiences and service work with youth ministry in high school, Redmon also joined Hope Collective, a local college ministry connected to Living Hope Baptist Church.

"Hope Collective has provided me with community, opportunities to serve and guidance as I navigate these few short years in college," Redmon noted.

Redmon also connected with mentors in the organization who welcomed and uplifted him.

"Hunter Sewell, the College and Young Adults Pastor, has spent hours with me, teaching me and challenging me. It has been so cool to see how the Lord placed mentors in my life, and now I can act as a mentor to others as well," Redmon said.

Redmon continues to pay it forward by volunteering in the community and meeting with younger members to offer guidance and support.

"We're not designed to do this life alone. The ability to have others around you who will rally around you in times of need and also challenge you has totally shaped how my college years have turned out," Redmon shared.

Providing support is also a critical part of Redmon's Finance major, as he utilizes his analytical skills and passion for financial literacy to serve the community.

After finding his pathway in personal financial planning, Redmon joined the WKU Center for Financial Success (CFS) as a Financial Coach. He works one-on-one with clients to develop budgets, navigate student loans and take steps toward financial independence. Additionally, Redmon leads presentations on financial literacy topics with campus and community organizations.

"This has given me an incredible opportunity to use the knowledge I have gained in the classroom and translate it into helping people with real financial problems," Redmon shared.

Redmon also witnesses the transformative impact of financial counseling on his clients' lives.

"There have been testimonies of students that we have helped save thousands on student loans, pay for the next semester, navigate job offers and even pay for grad school in cash," Redmon noted.

Through his efforts, Redmon was promoted to Coaching Program Coordinator, leading weekly staff meetings and overseeing the all-student coaching team. Redmon highlighted Zach Jones, the CFS Program Coordinator, as another mentor who shaped his WKU experience.

"Zach has been so helpful in the Center for Financial Success. Not only is he my boss, but he is a friend. He has challenged me, encouraged me and helped me become a better person," Redmon shared.

Looking to the future, Redmon hopes to continue his path to becoming a financial advisor through a summer internship and continuing to lead as Vice President of the WKU Financial Planning Association.

For more information on majoring in Finance at Western Kentucky University, visit https://www.wku.edu/finance/