WKU News

Dr. Peggy Crowe, director of the WKU Counseling Center and the Student Accessibility Resource Center, has been recognized by state and local organizations for contributions in the field of higher education. 

Dr. Crowe was selected as a 2024 inductee into the College Personnel Association of Kentucky (CPAK) Hall of Fame and received the Ambassador of Education (Higher Education) award at the Bowling Green-Warren County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala. 

CPAK, which hosted its annual conference October 11 at Bellarmine University in Louisville, conducts a fundraising campaign each year to honor and recognize Hall of Fame inductees and to support the state organization. CPAK remains committed to the education and development of professionals in the varied areas of student affairs, student services, campus life, academic support, and higher education administration throughout Kentucky.

Qualifications for Hall of Fame selection include a minimum of seven years of professional service and leadership with an institution or agency of higher learning in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; a distinguished tenure of leadership and service to their students, colleagues, and institution; a sustained commitment and contribution to state, region, national and international professional associations; and outstanding achievement and service in scholarship and teaching in the field of higher education. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, she came to WKU in 1996 to pursue a master’s degree in Student Affairs and was a member of the Housing & Residence Life professional staff for more than six years. She earned a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University and returned to WKU in 2004 where she worked in Housing & Residence Life and the Division of Student Affairs. Dr. Crowe has served as the Director of the WKU Counseling Center since 2015 and as the Director of the WKU Student Accessibility Resource Center since late 2020.  

Previous CPAK Hall of Fame inductees from WKU include Dr. Monica Burke, a professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs; Dr. Charley Pride, Director of Student Activities; Dr. Martha Sales, Dean of Students; Dr. Aaron Hughey, University Distinguished Professor, Counseling and Student Affairs; Dr. Gene Tice, past Regional Campus Chancellor at WKU in Owensboro; and Howard Bailey, past Vice President of Student Affairs.

Freedom Fund Gala

OneWKU (Where EVERYONE belongs) was a Diamond Partner for the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala on October 19 at the Knicely Conference Center.

The annual Freedom Fund Gala is one of the largest fundraisers of the year and the proceeds support NAACP scholarships for local graduating high school students. “Lift Every Voice” was the theme of this year’s gala as scholarship recipients and award winners were recognized.

Dr. Crowe was among four WKU faculty and staff members who were nominated for the Ambassador of Education (Higher Education) award to recognize significant contributions and dedication to the community. Other nominees included Dr. Aquesha Daniels, Director of Engagement & Impact and Associate Professor of Management, WKU Gordon Ford College of Business; Dr. Kimberly Green, Department Head of WKU Communication Sciences and Disorders; and Michelle Jones, Associate Professor of Mathematics and WKU Faculty Ombudsperson.