WKU News

WKU’s five academic colleges -- Gordon Ford College of Business, Potter College of Arts & Letters, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and College of Health and Human Services -- recognized more than 1,300 fall graduates in ceremonies Saturday (Dec. 14) at Diddle Arena.

During the daylong special recognition ceremonies, WKU conferred degrees and certificates to 1,366 graduates, recognized doctoral graduates, commissioned WKU ROTC cadets and honored the Ogden Foundation Scholar and other college scholars.

The graduates were individually recognized and shook hands with President Timothy C. Caboni. The fall graduates were encouraged to participate in Topper Walk as part of WKU’s 187^th Commencement ceremony on May 15.

• More: Photos will be available on the WKU Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wkunews; videos of the ceremonies are available on the WKU YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/wkunews and on the WKU Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wkunews

Gordon Ford College of Business

• Ogden Foundation Scholar: Aaron Jacobs, an Accounting major and Agriculture minor from Morgantown, was recognized as the Ogden Foundation Scholar. WKU’s top undergraduate academic award is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement. More: Simple things add up to success for Ogden Foundation Scholar
• ROTC commissioning: Commissioned as second lieutenant was (name, hometown, first duty assignment): Devin Gearlds of Tompkinsville, assigned to Army National Guard in Tompkinsville.
• Scholars of the College: Ashley Brinkley of Russellville, an Accounting major and daughter of Bill and Donitta Brinkley; Aaron Jacobs of Morgantown, an Accounting major and son of Jarrod and Becky Jacob; Mackenzie Mills of Philpot, an Accounting major and daughter of Brad and Melanie Mills; Kathryn Morrison of Cave City, an Accounting and Business Data Analytics major who is receiving dual degrees and daughter of Chris and Rhonda Morrison; Sydney Vogt of Benton, an Accounting major and daughter of Rich and Yvonne Vogt; and Chad Wilson of Cub Run, an Accounting major and son of Allen and Stacy Wilson.
• More: Accounting student will finish two degrees in four years; Marketing major seeks to solve problems; Marketing student finds her athletics niche; Finance student ready to go to work; Accounting student promotes value of internships; Student honored to carry flag for home country; Econ student achieves what others thought not possible; Hilltopper honors parents with grad cap

Potter College of Arts & Letters

• Scholars of the College: Ashton Adams of Shelbyville, an Anthropology major and son of Rick and Malissa Adams; Shelby England of Campbellsville, a Broadcasting major and daughter of Wes England and Trisha Hall; and Gabby Short of Glasgow, a Corporate & Organizational Communication major, daughter of Christopher and Pamela Short and fiancée of Zane Martin.
• More: Applied learning experiences, faculty support impact Anthropology graduate’s success; graduate receives degree after 42 years

Ogden College of Science and Engineering

• Scholar of the College: Nicole White of Louisville, a Mathematics and Science & Mathematics Education major who is receiving dual degrees, also a Scholar the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and daughter of Phil and Denise White.
• More: International student reflects on journey; Engineering student reflects on WKU experience

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences

• Educational Leadership Doctoral Program: Kerri Alexander Adkins of Eubank, Evaluation of Reasons That May Affect Whether Academically Capable Females Choose to Major in STEM; Carol Byrd Clark of Clarksville, Tennessee, Implementation of the FOCUS Act in Tennessee: A Case Study; Robert S.P. King of Elizabethtown, Principal Preparation Program Effectiveness: Novice Administrators’ Perceptions from One Regional University; Mark Jeffery Martin of Brandenburg, Superintendent Recruitment: Effects of Superintendent Job Status, School Councils (Principal Selection Models), District Wealth, And Signing Bonus on Applicant Rating of the Job; Lucinda McDonald of Lexington, The Impact of Campus Facilities on the Recruitment of Students in Higher Education; Carmen Varney Purpus of Bowling Green, Institutional Adoption and Implementation of a Mandated Community College First Year Experience Course.
• ROTC commissioning: Commissioned as second lieutenant was (name, hometown, first duty assignment): Justin Lawson of Elizabethtown, assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia. More: Cadet shares inspiring story of perseverance, leadership
• Scholars of the College: Nicole White of Louisville, a Science & Mathematics Education and Mathematics major who is receiving dual degrees, also Scholar the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and daughter of Phil and Denise White; and Emily Wyer of Franklin, Tennessee, a Psychology major, Mahurin Honors College graduate and daughter of Steve and Barbara Wyer.
• More: Mother, daughter graduate together

College of Health and Human Services

• Doctor of Nursing Practice: Brittany A. Black of Louisville, Perioperative Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes in Recognizing Suspected Child Abuse; Donna Lemaster Bredenberg of Park Hills, Sexuality and Romantic Relationship Assessment in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
• ROTC commissioning: Commissioned as second lieutenant was (name, hometown, first duty assignment): Derrick Sells of Glasgow, assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
• Scholars of the College: Baylee Akins of Bethpage, Tennessee, a Nursing major, daughter of Larry Keen and Tonia Sherrell and spouse of Chase Akins; Summer Davis of Bowling Green, an Environmental and Occupational Health Science major and daughter of Mike and Shellie Downing; and Erin Houchins of Bowling Green, an Exercise Science major and daughter of Larry and Traci Houchins.
• More: Family support and study abroad experience impact Nursing student

Contact: Registrar, (270) 745-3351