WKU News

WKU is preparing for two major events on Aug. 21 -- the opening of the fall 2017 semester and the Great American Eclipse.

To accommodate visitors to campus for the total solar eclipse, WKU has delayed the start of classes on all campuses until 4 p.m. Aug. 21. Offices at all WKU campuses will observe regular hours that day.

The path of totality will stretch across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina in a roughly 100-mile wide band. In Bowling Green, totality starts at 1:27:23 p.m. and ends at 1:28:39 p.m.

Eclipse viewing events for K-12 students, community members and WKU students, faculty and staff are planned at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, WKU South Lawn and WKU Farm.  A VIP event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the stadium’s Jack and Jackie Harbaugh Club.

As part of its 10^th anniversary celebration, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will host alumni, current students, families and friends for a Solar Eclipse Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at South Union Shaker Village. 

For more about the eclipse and events at WKU and the region, visit http://www.wku.edu/eclipse/

Here is a list of other events as WKU prepares for the fall semester:

ISEC Academy Aug. 11-13

The Intercultural Student Engagement Center will host the ISEC Academy Aug. 11-13. The program assists first-year students who identify as students of color (Black, Hispanic/Latin, Asian, Native American, Multiracial) and/or who are first-generation, Pell eligible, and have some academic need with their transition, persistence and graduation from WKU. ISEC Academy includes peer mentoring and a living learning community in Keen Hall.

Orientation weekend events at Downing Student Union include a welcome and opening session, family and student orientation sessions, kickoff dinner, personal development sessions and social activities. The ISEC Academy will conclude with a luncheon Aug. 13 at the Mahurin Honors College.

Class of 2021 arrives Aug. 12-13 for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan

About 2,300 first-year students in WKU’s Class of 2021 will begin arriving Aug. 12 for the 25^th year of M.A.S.T.E.R. (Making Academic and Social Transitions Educationally Rewarding) Plan activities. (More: Residence hall move-in guide; check out the list of move-in times for residence halls.) M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan events begin Aug. 13 and continue through Aug. 17.

Since M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan’s first year in 1993, more than 43,000 students have participated in the program designed to help first-year students make a successful transition to WKU. A Birthday Bash to celebrate the program’s 25^th anniversary will be held at 8 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Preston Health and Activities Center.

The M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan schedule features educational workshops and informational sessions as well as numerous other activities including Opening Convocation, Class of 2021 photo, CloseUp Theatre Troupe performance, a performance by hypnotist/comedian Ben Seidman, Big Red’s Blitz community service event, Campus and Community Involvement Fair, TopperU Closing Ceremony and a concert.

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan for Commuter Students Aug. 13-14

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan for Commuter Students will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at Downing Student Union. The event is designed to provide the information first-year commuter students need to help make their WKU experience as successful as possible. Commuter students will participate in the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Opening Convocation at 8 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan educational sessions for first-year commuter students will be held Aug. 14.

President will welcome students, other groups to WKU

In addition to welcoming the Class of 2021 on Aug. 13 during a Meet and Greet for students and parents at noon and during the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Opening Ceremony at 8 p.m., WKU President Timothy C. Caboni will welcome new WKU faculty members at 6 p.m. Aug. 16; Gatton Academy 10-Year Anniversary attendees at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19; Kelly Autism Program students at 3 p.m. Aug. 20; and student-athletes at 4 p.m. Aug. 20.

International Student Orientation Week

International Student Orientation Week activities will be held Aug. 14-18 with a Welcome Back Picnic for international students from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Kereiakes Park.

Global Hands-On Universe conference begins Aug. 15

WKU will host about 50 international teachers and astronomers for the 2017 Global Hands-On Universe Conference and the Galileo Teacher Training Program international workshop Aug. 15-19. Presentations and workshops for the scientific/educational program will be held at Snell Hall, Thompson Complex Central Wing and Hardin Planetarium. Activities include WKU’s total solar eclipse viewing event Aug. 21.

Events at WKU Regional Campuses

The following events are planned at WKU’s Regional Campuses:

• WKU Elizabethtown will participate in a Week of Welcome, hosted by Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Aug. 14-17 at the ECTC Science Building Courtyard.
• WKU Owensboro will host student orientation sessions from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the WKU Owensboro campus. These orientation sessions introduce resources and opportunities available to students on the WKU Owensboro campus.
• WKU Glasgow will host Welcome Back WKU Glasgow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 and a Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5 at the WKU Glasgow campus.

Residence halls open Aug. 17

Residence halls open for all non-M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan participants at 8 a.m. Aug. 17. Residents are encouraged to move in by Aug. 20 to avoid traffic/congestion during the solar eclipse on Aug. 21. More: Residence hall move-in guide.

Topper Orientation Program Aug. 10 & Aug. 17-18

TOP (new student orientation) sessions for fall 2017 will be conducted Aug. 10 and Aug. 17-18 at Downing Student Union.

Graduate student orientation and reception Aug. 17

The WKU Graduate School will host graduate student orientation program at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 17 at Jody Richards Hall Auditorium followed by a welcome reception for graduate students from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Augenstein Alumni Center.

President’s Opening Convocation Aug. 18

The President’s Opening Convocation for faculty and staff will be held Aug. 18 at Van Meter Hall. Entertainment by Mt. Victor Revue will begin at 8 a.m.

Gathering on the Hill Aug. 18

Following the convocation, WKU Regional Campuses will host a meet and greet at WKU’s Faculty House. Remarks will begin at 10:15 a.m.

The Gatton Academy’s 10^th Anniversary Aug. 19-21

In addition to the Solar Eclipse Festival, The Gatton Academy will celebrate its 10-year anniversary Aug. 19-21 with several events including alumni classes; a presentation by Dr. Tim Gott, The Gatton Academy’s first director; a welcome reception; class reunion dinner; alumni service project; and an alumni prom.

Head for The Hill Aug. 26

On Aug. 26, WKU's Office of Admissions will host Head for The Hill, an open house event for prospective students that offers a comprehensive look at WKU’s academic offerings, student activities and campus. Sessions are offered to provide information about life on The Hill, and an information expo allows students and their families the opportunity to personally connect with representatives from different academic departments, student services, housing, financial aid and more. Register at http://www.wku.edu/headforthehill.

Welcome Back WKU Festival Aug. 30

The annual event, hosted by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 30 on the WKU South Lawn.

Student Organization Fair Aug. 30

WKU Student Activities will host DISCOVERfest, the fall 2017 student involvement fair, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30 in Downing Student Union.

International Year of Bosnia and Herzegovina

WKU will celebrate its International Year of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2017-18 academic year. Featured events include Bosnian Café, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28 at Centennial Mall; Bosnia 101 on Aug. 29; A Culture Carried: Bosnians in Bowling Green, an exhibit featuring stories from Bowling Green’s Bosnian community, Sept. 29-June 30 at the Kentucky Museum. Visit the IYO featured events calendar for the latest information about activities and programming.

WKU Football season opener Sept. 2

The Hilltopper football team opens the 2017 season against Eastern Kentucky at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

WKU on social media

Many offices and departments at WKU are using social media to connect with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Learn more at WKU’s Social Media directory at http://www.wku.edu/social/

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Contact: Public Affairs, (270) 745-4295