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WKU in the News


Here is a selection of recent news stories about WKU:

March 6-25, 2025

Daily News

WNKY-TV

WBKO-TV

  • Principal named for Warren County School District’s first designated preschool: Wednesday evening it was announced Stephanie Paynter, who boasts 27 years of educator experience, would be the first to take on the role for the Early Learning Academy beginning July 1. Paynter received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Masters of Arts in Education School Counseling/Guidance, Rank I Certification in Educational Administration and Leadership and Gifted Studies Endorsement, all from Western Kentucky University.
  • WKU in Glasgow announces Early College Class of 2027: WKU in Glasgow has announced the students for the Early College Class of 2027. This fall, 84 students from seven area high schools will begin an advanced academic journey during their junior year, studying alongside WKU students and their senior peers who are also enrolled in the program.
  • 19 WKU students awarded Gilman Scholarships to study abroad: 19 Western Kentucky University students earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in the October 2024 application cycle, more than any other college or university in Kentucky.
  • Gift made to endow WKU’s Dean of College of Health and Human Services: Western Kentucky Alumni Irene and Don Dizney of Ocala, FL, made a gift to establish the first endowed deanship at the university.

Kentucky Today

FOX News

The Lane Report

WHOP-AM, Hopkinsville

  • Senate Bill paves the way for doctoral programs at MSU, EKU and WKU: Murray State University is getting ever closer to their School of Veterinary of Medicine following the passage of Senate Bill 77. Senate Bill 77 paves the way for MSU, Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky University to start the process to create doctoral programs, while meeting certain performance criteria over the coming years. 

WKDZ-FM, Cadiz

  • Todd To Be Honored With Veterans Hall Of Fame Induction: Among Earlington’s finest citizens, 6-foot-8 Harry Todd can read from a long list of achievements, honors and awards scribbled down next to his name. Western Kentucky University’s top rebounder in 1960, 1961 and 1962, and later a member of its 2022 class for the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame.

February 15-March 5, 2025

Daily News

  • Wilson, Sales inducted into JA Hall of Fame: Two local community leaders will be inducted into Junior Achievement’s Hall of Fame on March 18.  Rick Wilson, former president and CEO of Bowling Green Bank and Trust Co. (now Truist), was selected for the 2025 Laureate Award. Dr. Martha Sales, dean of students and vice president of Student Experience at Western Kentucky University, was awarded the organization’s first ever Trailblazer Award.
  • ‘Seamless’ transfers expanded between KCTCS, WKU: A simple and easy process for transferring schools proved to be key to making Western Kentucky University more accessible for community college graduate Samuel Favela. 
  • Birds, photojournalism centered in new WKU gallery: For Steve Jessmore, a photojournalist of 50 years, the adage of giving a voice to the voiceless extends beyond people. Birds, too, lack a voice – that is, until they’re hurt or gone, he says. And birds will get an important part of the spotlight at Western Kentucky University’s newest gallery, featuring a variety of photography from Jessmore, twice a first-place winner in the wildly competitive Audubond bird photography contest.
  • WKU achieves record-high retention and graduation rates: Western Kentucky University’s fall undergraduate students maintained an 85.7% retention rate from fall to spring — the highest since WKU began tracking it 15 years ago, according to university President Tim Caboni.

WNKY-TV

  • Sunrise Spotlight: Dance Big Red 2025: On today’s edition of Sunrise Spotlight, News 40’s Ashlee Wilson is sitting down with Lilly Pottlitzer and Larkin Jarboe to talk about this year’s Dance Big Red.
  • WKU, KCTCS reaffirm transfer agreement: At a news conference this morning, Western Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System reaffirmed an agreement that will help more students across Kentucky easily transfer to WKU and earn four-year degrees.
  • Bowling Green Junior High School hosts Black History Month celebration: Wednesday at Bowling Green Junior High School, students took part in their Black History Month celebration. The event, led by Dr. Martha Sales of Western Kentucky University, featured the different African-American fraternity & sororities on campus telling students about their history and performing for them.
  • Lost River Cave to go green for St. Patrick’s Day: Next month, head no further than Lost River Cave to get into the spirit for St. Patrick’s Day. To celebrate, Lost River Cave officials say the water will turn green thanks to eco-friendly dye and some help from Western Kentucky University’s Crawford Hydrology Lab on March 15.
  • WKU hosts 12th annual IdeaFestival for students around Kentucky: From Bowling Green to Berea and Bullitt County to Simpson County, students from all over the Commonwealth made their way to Western Kentucky University’s campus for its annual IdeaFestival.
  • Junior Achievement names incoming inductees into Distinguished Hall of Fame: Two local community leaders will be inducted into Junior Achievement’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 18. The event, presented by Truist, is set to last from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Western Kentucky University’s Harbaugh Club. Dr. Martha Sales, dean of students and Vice President of Student Experience at Western Kentucky University, was awarded the organizations’ first ever Trailblazer Award.
  • Long-time WKU professor passes away: The Bowling Green and Western Kentucky University community is mourning the loss of one of their own.

WBKO-TV

WKU Public Radio

Spectrum News

Elizabethtown News-Enterprise

  • WKU, KCTCS reaffirm transfer agreement: Western Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System reaffirmed an agreement that will help more students across Kentucky easily transfer to WKU and earn four-year degrees.
  • Volunteer work impacts college student’s goals: When Cecelia Madrigal made the choice to volunteer at Warm Blessings Community Kitchen, she had no idea how life-changing the decision would be for her. “We moved here from New Jersey in 2012, and after I graduated from LaRue County High School, I went to (Western Kentucky University),” Madrigal said. “My sister and I signed up to volunteer at Warm Blessings in 2020 as a way to keep in touch and stay connected.” Madrigal has been so impacted by her work at Warm Blessings, she changed her major at WKU to social work.
  • Two new WKU degrees now offered at ECTC Robbins University Center: WKU in Elizabethtown and the Robbins University Center at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College have signed an amendment to their existing agreement, expanding the number of WKU degrees available in the Hardin County region.

Education Week

  • ‘Pre-Apprenticeships’ Give Teachers a Taste of What It’s Like to Be a Principal: The path to the principalship isn’t straightforward for many educators. It can be a significant investment of time and money. Plus, some educators, unless tapped by their bosses, may not see themselves in leadership roles or want to leave the classroom. A group at Western Kentucky University’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is trying to change that by creating new pathways to the principalship.

Kentucky Today

  • WKU, KCTCS work out transfer partnership: Western Kentucky University (WKU) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) have reaffirmed an agreement that will help more students across Kentucky easily transfer their credits to WKU and earn four-year degrees.

Dayton (OH) Daily News

  • ‘Bingocize’ gets older folks, those with disabilities moving and socializing: Across, diagonal or four corners can all lead to excited shouts of “bingo,” but with Bingocize, everyone is a winner, regardless of how many spaces they fill on their card. The socially engaging group-based game was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, co-director and co-founder of the Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. Crandall’s research found that more than 90 percent of the older adults who played two times a week for 10 weeks, “significantly improved physical, social and mental health.”

WalletHub

  • Credit Card interest rates guide: Do you have any tips for avoiding interest charges on credit cards?: The best approach is to pay off your balance in full each month. – Dr. Golnaz Motie, assistant professor of Economics, WKU Gordon Ford College of Business

January 25-February 14, 2025

Daily News

WNKY-TV

WBKO-TV

WCLU-FM, Glasgow

  • Degrees, credentials increase by more than 6 percent: The Council on Postsecondary Education announced that total degrees awarded by Kentucky public and private institutions increased by 6.4 percent during the 2023-24 academic year. During the 2023-24 academic year, Southcentral Community and Technical College reported a graduation rate of 43.1 percent and the U.S. News and World Report stated Western Kentucky University had a 4-year rate of 42 percent.

January 9-24, 2025

Daily News

  • Behind the push for ‘R2’ designation at WKU: On Jan. 8, State Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, proposed enabling Western Kentucky University to offer up to five research doctoral degree programs deemed “directly affect(ing) the workforce and economy of Kentucky.” 
  • Bill filed to allow research doctorates at WKU: A bill proposed last week would allow Western Kentucky University to offer up to five research doctoral degree programs. They must be in areas the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) deems “directly affect(ing) the workforce and economy of Kentucky.” 

WNKY-TV

  • WKU releases Fall 2024 Dean’s and President’s lists: Western Kentucky University has released the honors lists for the fall 2024 semester.
  • WKU selects 15 for 2025-26 Cherry Presidential Scholarship: WKU has selected 15 students as recipients of the 2025-2026 Cherry Presidential Scholarship, the school’s most prestigious academic award. The scholarship is valued at $16,000 annually and worth $64,000 over a four-year period.
  • The 2025 Planetary Alignment now visible: For the next two and a half months, you’ll have the opportunity to see several planets in the night sky without the need for a telescope. Every 4 to 5 years, a planetary alignment occurs, allowing us to view Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars all at once. Planetarium specialist Chris Chandler notes that these planets are visible to the naked eye, making them easily accessible to everyone.
  • WKU online programs earn top national rankings in 2025 U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized Western Kentucky University among the top institutions for online learning, ranking WKU’s online bachelor’s programs No. 71 in the nation.
  • WKU’s Big Red Marching Band Returns from London: The WKU Big Red Marching Band (BRMB) is back on the Hill after an once in a lifetime journey to London for the iconic London New Year’s Day Parade.
  • Global Child Travel & Purpose comes to Bowling Green: A top international travel organization filmed in Bowling Green just a few months ago and is continuing to make a big splash. The episode aired Christmas Day of 2024 in 65 airports across America and will continue to play into February. News 40 spoke to Global Child show creator Augusto Valverde and Western Kentucky University’s Innovation Campus Director Buddy Steen about the production, both who said it was unbelievable.
  • WKU grad to appear in next season of ‘The Voice’: Locals may recognize a face on this upcoming season of “The Voice.” Jordan Allen, a Western Kentucky University graduate and London, Kentucky native, is trying his shot at the blind auditions.
  • App created by breast cancer survivor helps early breast cancer detection: As conversations surrounding the causes of cancer continue to rise, more attention is being placed on early detection and prevention. In light of these discussions, News 40 sat down with cancer survivor Jessica Baladad, a Western Kentucky University graduate who is going above and beyond to educate men and women about breast cancer. After her own diagnosis, Baladad created the app “Feel For Your Life,” providing users with countless tools to stay proactive about their breast health.

WBKO-TV

WCLU-FM, Glasgow

  • WKU ranks in top 100 for online bachelor programs: Western Kentucky is in the top 100 institutions for online learning, according to the U.S. News and World Report.
  • Local students earn WKU honors: Western Kentucky University has released the honors lists for the fall 2024 semester. Full-time undergraduate students with a semester grade-point average of 3.4 to 3.79 are named to the Dean’s List. Students with a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0 are named to the President’s List.
  • WKU awarded $56,300 for healthcare-related summer programs: Western Kentucky University was one of the 12 colleges and universities that received funds from the Council on Postsecondary Education for summer residential programs.

Beech Tree News, Morgantown

  • Area students on WKU Fall 2024 Dean’s/President’s List: Western Kentucky University has released the honors lists for the fall 2024 semester. Full-time undergraduate students with a semester grade-point average of 3.4 to 3.79 are named to the Dean’s List. Students with a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0 are named to the President’s List.

Louisville Courier Journal

Northern Kentucky Tribune

  • BE NKY 2025 Economic Development Forum Feb. 6 to feature author, economic commentator: BE NKY Growth Partnership on Monday announced author and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon serve as keynote speaker at BE NKY’s 2025 Annual Economic Development Forum with a presentation, “People, Vibes and Automation – Trends Affecting NKY’s Prosperity” on February 6 at Northern Kentucky University. Scanlon graduated from Western Kentucky University with bachelor’s degrees in economics, finance, and data analytics.

Lane Report

  • Kyla Scanlon to keynote BE NKY economic forum: Author and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon will keynote BE NKY’s 2025 Annual Economic Development Forum with a presentation, “People, Vibes and Automation – Trends Affecting NKY’s Prosperity” on February 6 at Northern Kentucky University, BE NKY Growth Partnership announced today. Scanlon graduated from Western Kentucky University with bachelor’s degrees in economics, finance, and data analytics.

WOMI-AM, Owensboro

  • Expanding Educational Opportunities with New Degree Programs: The expansion of educational opportunities in the area heralds a new era for students and professionals alike. With Western Kentucky University leading the charge, there is an increasing emphasis on offering diverse programs that cater to the evolving demands of both the community and the job market. By introducing bachelor's degrees in fields such as social work, the university is set to enhance its educational footprint significantly.

January 1-8, 2025

WBKO-TV

WNKY-TV

December 13-31, 2024

Daily News

WNKY-TV

Kentucky Living

  • Like father, like daughter: Lyndsey Thompson didn’t intend on a lifelong military career. But like father, like daughter. Lyndsey is an active-duty lieutenant colonel serving as the battalion commander of U.S. Army Mission Support Battalion in Fort Knox. Her father, Mark Thompson, a Nolin RECC consumer-member, is a retired U.S. Army master sergeant who began and ended his military career in Fort Knox.  Lyndsey, a self-described “army brat,” moved multiple times during her childhood before her parents decided to settle down in Radcliff, when Lyndsey turned 14. She graduated from Fort Knox High School in 2000 and attended Western Kentucky University on an academic scholarship.

Lane Report

  • Henderson names Dylan Ward as next city manager: Dylan Ward has been hired as the City of Henderson’s next City Manager. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Ward obtained a B.S. in civil engineering and a masters in public administration. He is a Kentucky licensed professional engineer.

SOKY Happenings

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 Last Modified 3/25/25