WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Student Government Association (SGA) has allocated $1,500 to create funding for underrepresented minority scholars in The Mahurin Honors College (MHC).  This funding will cover the MHC membership fee for twelve scholars during the Fall 2021 semester.  

Passed in the Spring 2021 semester, Senate Bill 9-20-S seeks to create opportunities for MHC scholars who have faced adversity throughout their lives while encouraging a more diverse campus and honors college. 

“We are grateful for the Student Government Association investing in The Mahurin Honors College and our scholars,” stated Dr. Craig T. Cobane, Executive Director of The Mahurin Honors College (MHC).  “The MHC has continued our focus on recruiting scholars from all walks of life.  The diversity that comes from different lived experiences allows for the MHC community to grow stronger.  This scholarship helps us further our goal of supporting diversity within The Mahurin Honors College.”

The scholarship was divided among twelve MHC scholars.  The scholarship recipients of the first MHC-SGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Membership Fee Scholarship:

• Jackson Ansari (MHC ‘24) – Biochemistry major from Louisville, KY
• Lori Bessinger (MHC ‘22) – Chinese major from Auburn, KY
• William Brunt (MHC ‘24) -  Physics and Computer Science double major from Burlington, KY
• Dylan Carmona (MHC ‘25) - Biology major from College Grove, TN
• Kevin Diaz-Cruz (MHC ‘23) – Exercise Science major from Hartford, KY
• Alyssa Gorman (MHC ‘23) – Social Work major from Louisville, KY
• Brianna Harness (MHC ‘23) – Biochemistry major from Elizabethtown, KY
• Kiana Jackson-Banks (MHC ‘25) – Criminology major from Versailles, KY
• Ariana Martinez (MHC ‘23) – Nursing major from Hopkinsville, KY
• Malique Miller (MHC ‘24) – Biochemistry major from Bowling Green, KY
• Keziah Monk (MHC ‘25) – Psychology major from Smyrna, TN
• Matthew Rafla (MHC ‘22) – Management major from Crestwood, KY

Senate Bill 9-20-S was authored by senator and current Graduate Assistant in the MHC Roderick Maul, in addition to Senator Kyle Phillips.  The bill was sponsored by the SGA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

“Roderick has been a valuable addition to our team in the MHC, and I want to thank him for his hard work on this initiative.” stated Dr. Cobane.  “I also want to send my gratitude to fellow bill author Senator Kyle Phillips, along with the SGA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for sponsoring this bill. We look forward to working with the SGA in future semesters to support diversity in the MHC and WKU as a whole.”

For more information about The Mahurin Honors College, visit http://www.wku.edu/honors or call (270) 745-2081.

About The Mahurin Honors College: Established as Kentucky’s first independent honors college in 2007, The Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University is a national leader in honors education for academically motivated and high potential learners from all communities.  The MHC is dedicated to helping each scholar Ascend Toward Excellence by fostering excellence in all forms of expression through research and experiential learning, critical thinking, active citizenship, and international engagement.