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Western Kentucky University
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Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier.
WKU has a student body of more than 19,000 students. Its main campus, College Heights, is in the midst of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of construction and renovation. Since 1997, dormitories have been renovated, new academic and athletic buildings have been finished, with more construction under way.
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Encyclopedia
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier.
WKU has a student body of more than 19,000 students. Its main campus, College Heights, is in the midst of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of construction and renovation. Since 1997, dormitories have been renovated, new academic and athletic buildings have been finished, with more construction under way. The university also has placed a premium on creating a parklike atmosphere, with parking lots on the interior of the campus replaced with greenspace, trees and other landscaping known as Centennial Mall.
WKU sits atop the highest point in south-central Kentucky, a hill called College Heights with a commanding view of the Barren River valley. The campus flows from the top of College Heights, also known as The Hill, down its north, south and west faces.
The university's mottos are "The Spirit Makes the Master" and "Life, More Life!" -- both phrases coined by WKU's founder, Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry.
WKU alumni have among the nation's highest rate of giving back to the university, both in money and time. WKU is in the midst of its second major capital campaign, the $200 million New Century of Spirit. It follows the university's first campaign, Investing in the Spirit, which had a goal of $75 million but raised more than $100 million.
Besides the main campus at College Heights, WKU operates a satellite campus in Bowling Green and regional campuses in Glasgow, Elizabethtown/Fort Knox and in Owensboro.
History
The roots of WKU go back to 1875 and the founding of the privately owned Glasgow Normal School. This institution moved to Bowling Green in 1884 and became the Southern Normal School and Business College.
The student body and building were transferred to the Western Kentucky State Normal School, when it was created by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 1906. The owner of the Southern Normal School, Henry Hardin Cherry, became the first president of the new school. Classes began on January 22, 1907.
The school moved to its present location in 1911. The property had been purchased in 1909 when the Pleasant J. Potter College closed.
In 1922, the school was authorized by the state to grant four-year degrees and was renamed as Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College. The first four-year degrees were awarded in 1924. In 1927, it merged with Ogden College, which occupied an adjacent campus.
The name changed again in 1930 to Western Kentucky State Teachers College. It was authorized to offer the Master of Arts degree in 1931. Another name change took place in 1948, when the school became more simply Western Kentucky State College.
WKSC merged with the Bowling Green College of Commerce, formerly the Bowling Green Business University, in 1963. Bowling Green Business University had originally been a part of the Southern Normal School and had been sold off by Henry Hardin Cherry when Southern Normal School was transferred to the state.
The structure of the institution changed at this time, dividing into separate colleges. Bowling Green College of Commerce maintained its identity in this way. The Graduate School also became a constituent college. In 1965, three additional colleges were created.
In 1966, Western Kentucky State College became Western Kentucky University.
Lowell H. Harrison, professor emeritus, serves as official University Historian.
Academics
WKU is divided into six undergraduate colleges:
- The Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University
- The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
- The Gordon Ford College of Business
- Ogden College of Science And Engineering
- Potter College of Arts and Letters
- University College
- College of Health and Human Services
An academic range of eighty majors and seventy minors are offered, toward the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of General Studies
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Music
WKU also offers seventeen associate degree programs and five certificate programs.
The Graduate School is now the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, which offers:
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Public Health
WKU's Nursing, Journalism and Photojournalism programs rank among the best in the country. The photojournalism department has won numerous awards. As of 2007, more than 25 alumni of WKU's photo and print journalism programs have been honored with the Pulitzer Prize. The school's twice-weekly newspaper, the College Heights Herald, regularly wins awards placing it among the top college newspapers in the nation, and even competes against commercial newspapers in the state's Associated Press competition.
WKU is also home to the largest American master's degree program in folklore; it is contained within the Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology. It is unique among American folklore programs for its public folklore program and is one of the few schools in Kentucky to offer a focus in historic preservation.
A cooperative doctoral degree program is offered with the University of Louisville.
WKU is on the semester system..
WKU's Forensic (Speech and Debate) Team won its fourth American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament in five years, sixth NFA National Tournament championship in debate as well as its fourth NFA championship in individual events, its eighth International Forensic Association title, the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Tournament and its 17th consecutive Kentucky Forensic Association State championship.
Extended campuses are operated in Glasgow, Elizabethtown/Fort Knox and Owensboro.
Western Kentucky University offers Distance Learning Degrees:
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky opened in the Fall of 2007. The project is based on the University of North Texas's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. The school accepts 60 juniors each year. As an incoming junior, one will be given the opportunity to earn at least 60 college credit hours during one's stint at the school.
The Gatton Academy has a curriculum of university courses. Students are required to take certain science and mathematics courses, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and humanities courses. Students are able to access many Western Kentucky University courses for elective credit. Gatton Academy students take WKU courses taught by professors, and many are open to other students on campus. All tuition, room, and board is paid for by the state with students responsible only for books and transportation.
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky also offers research opportunities to students during the year and during the summer.
The Gatton Academy provides an environment designed for academically talented adolescent students and supports extracurricular activities that reflect the interests of Academy students.
All Gatton Academy students are required to live in the residence hall even if their homes are within commuting distance. Gatton Academy students are housed in Schneider Hall. Approximately one weekend each month, students go home to be with their families. Schneider Hall has state-of-the-art technology. On May 10, 2008 there were 54 graduates of the inaugural class.
Fight Song and Alma Mater
Western Kentucky University’s fight song, Stand Up and Cheer, and its Alma Mater, College Heights:
Stand Up and Cheer
Stand up and cheer
Stand up and cheer for dear old Western
For today we raise
The red and white above the rest
Our team is fighting
And they are bound to win this fray
We’ve got the team
We’ve got the steam
For this is dear old Western’s day!
College Heights
College Heights on hilltop fair
With beauty all thine own
Lovely jewel far more rare
Than graces any throne
(Refrain) College Heights, we hail thee
We shall never fail thee
Falter never, live forever
Hail! Hail! Hail!
College Heights with living soul
And purpose strong and true
Service ever is thy goal
Thy spirit ever new.
Refrain
College Heights thy noble life
Shall e’er out pattern be
Teaching us through joy and strife
To love humanity
Refrain
Athletics
The men's athletic teams are known as the Hilltoppers and the women's teams as the Lady Toppers. Their mascot is known as Big Red. The mascot of the WKU Hilltoppers, has become one of the most popular characters in collegiate sports, even appearing in a series of ESPN promotions. In most sports, WKU has been a member of the Sun Belt Conference since 1982. During the years 1948-82, it was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
The men's basketball program, led by Former Hilltopper & Texas assistant Ken McDonald, has the 16th most victories in the history of the NCAA. The school has made one appearance in the NCAA Final Four, in 1971. WKU also made three appearances in the NIT Final Four while it was the premier post-season tournament. It is very competitive in the Sun Belt Conference, usually finishing near the top of the conference and regularly competing for the conference championship. In fact, in Street & Smith's publications, "100 Greatest Programs", WKU ranked #31. In the 2008 NCAA tournament WKU entered the tourney as a 12th seed and went on to upset the #5 seed Drake Bulldogs in the first round with a last second three-pointer in the corner. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating the #13 seed San Diego Toreros in the second round of the tournament. They then went on to lose a closely contested and well played game to the #1 UCLA Bruins in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.
The women's basketball team, coached by former player Mary Taylor Cowles, is a storied program with a bright future ahead. The team has made three NCAA Final Four appearances. In 1992, coach Paul Sanderford's Lady Toppers advanced to the national championship game before bowing out to Stanford. The Lady Toppers are known for their postseason prowess, appearing in a postseason tournament in 19 of the last 20 seasons. Their last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2008.
The Hilltopper football team belonged to what was then known as the Gateway Football Conference until 2006, and, in 2002, won the NCAA Division I-AA, now known as Division I FCS, National Football championship. In 2002, they renewed their annual rivalry game against cross-state rival Eastern Kentucky University. In 2006, the school voted to move the team to the Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A). After two years of provisional status, the team will compete in 2009 as a member of the Sun Belt conference.
On November 2, 2006, the WKU Board of Regents voted to approve a proposal by the school's president, Gary A. Ransdell, to move the football program to Division I FBS, formerly known as Division I-A, in the Sun Belt Conference. The Hilltoppers began Division I FBS play as a reclassifying Independent school, joining Army, Navy, and Notre Dame in that respect, in the 2007 season. They will be eligible for post-season play in 2009. One of the major reasons for the move is, ironically, to meet Title IX requirements. At the time of the Regents vote, WKU was one of the few schools in the nation out of Title IX compliance because it offered too few scholarships for men's sports.
The Western Kentucky swim team consistently places in the top 5 in the Mid-Major National Rankings. In 2006 their men were undefeated in dual meets and were Sun Belt Conference Champions. The women won five consecutive championships from 2001–2005.In 2005, after 37 years as head coach, Coach Bill Powell became the assistant coach, and holds record for being the second winningest coach in men's swimming in NCAA dual meet history.
Western Kentucky Men's Basketball team defeated Middle Tennessee State in the 2008 Sun Belt Conference tournament championship game to get a bid into the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Hilltoppers won their first-round contest against Drake University on a last-second three-pointer, and won their second round game against the University of San Diego, before losing by 10 points against UCLA in the Sweet 16. It was the 'Toppers' third appearance in the Sweet 16 but their first since 1993.
Student body profile
WKU had a total enrollment in the Fall Semester of 2007 of 19,215 students. Out of Fall 2006's enrollment figure of 17,818 Out of this total, 12,984 were full-time and 15,234 were undergraduates. WKU now has the second largest under-graduate population in the commonwealth of Kentucky, behind the University of Kentucky. Ethnic and racial minority enrollment was 16% at 1,920 students. This is a 21% increase since 2002. About 3 of every five students are female..
Non-traditional students (undergraduates aged 25 and older) make up 19.2% of the undergraduate student body.
The average high school grade point average for entering freshmen in 2006 was 3.15 and 24.6% had an ACT score of 24 or above.
Greek life
Fraternities
Sororities
Professional/Service Fraternities and Sororities
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is made up of three branches, the Executive Cabinet, the Senate, and the Judicial Council. The SGA is governed by its Constitution and By-Laws. All members of the student body are members of the Student Government Association and have the right to vote in SGA elections.
The Executive Cabinet is composed of a President (who serves as Student Regent to the WKU Board of Regents, and serves as Student Body President), Executive Vice President (Who serves on the Student Life Foundation, and serves as Student Body Vice President), Administrative Vice President, Chief of Staff, Director of Academic and Student Affairs, Director of Public Relations, and the Director of Information Technology. The President, Executive Vice President, and Administrative Vice President are elected by the student body each spring; the other positions are chosen by the President after his or her election. The Speaker of the Senate, who is the leader of the Senate, serves as an ex officio member of the Executive Cabinet.
The Student Senate is composed of student senators, the Secretary of the Senate, the parliamentarian, the sergeant at arms, and its leader, the Speaker of the Senate. The Senate meets weekly and discusses legislation in the forms of bills and resolutions in the standing and ad hoc committees. There are five standing committees, which each have a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary. Those committees are Academic Affairs, Campus Improvements, Legislative Research, Public Relations, and Student Affairs. Each committee meets weekly to discuss and create legislation.
The Judicial Council is made up of four associate justices and one Chief Justice. Their major role is to interpret SGA's governing documents.
Student Government Association celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2006.
Media and publications
- College Heights Herald, Since 1924,WKU's student-run newspaper, routinely named one of the best in the nation
- Talisman, WKU's award-winning yearbook
- Rise Over Run Magazine, WKU's online magazine for independent culture
- , WKU's Alumni Magazine, published three times each year
- WWHR, Revolution 91.7 - WKU's College Radio Station
WKU Student Publications (Herald and Talisman) moved into a state-of-the-art new facility, the Adams-Whitaker Student Publications Center, in December 2007. The $1.6 million complex was built through a partnership between alumni, who raised more than $1 million, and the university. The building, across Normal Drive from the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, is named for Robert Adams and the late David B. Whitaker.
Notable alumni
Business
History
Movies and television
Music
- Michael Card, Contemporary Christian music artist
- Steve Gorman, rock drummer, The Black Crowes
- Larnelle Harris, gospel singer
- The Hilltoppers (1950s popular singing group composed of WKU students including Billy Vaughn)
- Bill Lloyd, country/pop/rock musician and composer. Half of Foster & Lloyd with Radney Foster
- The Muckrakers (band), rock and roll band
- Nappy Roots, rap group
- Chris Knight, Country music singer/songwriter
- Chris Carmichael (musician)
- Will Hoge, Nashville-based musician (attended, but did not graduate)
Politics
Sports
- Virgil Livers Played for Chicago Bears
- Courtney Lee Current Orlando Magic Shooting Guard
- Joe Bugel, assistant offensive head coach for the Washington Redskins
- Romeo Crennel, head coach for the Cleveland Browns
- Coach E. A. Diddle, basketball coach
- Clarence Glover, former National Basketball Association player and current Assistant Principal at Farnsley Middle School in Louisville, KY
- Clem Haskins. former Chicago Bulls National Basketball Association player and former NCAA basketball coach for both WKU and the University of Minnesota
- Crystal Kelly Current Forward - Sacramento Monarchs
- Dan "Mr. Do Work" Davis Former NFL player
- Jeremi Johnson, Full Back for NFL's Cincinnati Bengals
- Jim McDaniels, basketball player who went on to a career in the ABA and NBA
- Hector Ortiz, former track star, and cross country coach at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, Texas, holds the Ohio Valley Conference record for a mile (4:00.4), and the school record for the two mile (3 km), and three mile (5 km) runs
- Kenny Perry, professional golfer
- Bobby Sippio, football player
- Rod Smart aka "He hate me", football player
- Chris Turner, former Major League Baseball catcher
- Darrin Horn Head Mens Basketball Coach, University of South Carolina. Former Head coach at WKU
- Ken Waller Former bodybuilder featured in the 1977 movie Pumping Iron. Played football at WKU.
Other notables
Bibliography
- Western Kentucky University by Lowell H. Harrison. University Press of Kentucky, 1987. ISBN 0813116201
External links
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