Hey Hilltoppers, have you heard the news? 👀❤️ IT’S OFFICIAL! Save the date for November 14th and get ready to come home to the Hill!
BUT FIRST… we need your help! Drop your best theme suggestion in the comments below!
Blink and suddenly the semester is over 💌✨
From winter weather to warm spring days, Spring 2026 was packed with campus traditions, game days, events and celebrations! Here’s a look back at some of the memories that made this semester unforgettable.
Which moment was your favorite? ⬇️
#WKU #WKUSpring2026 #SemesterRecap
How does incorporating physical education into math affect learning?
Dr. YuChun “Jean” Chen, Associate Professor in Physical Education, and Jessica Hussung, Instructor II in the School of Teacher Education, recently set out to answer that question among a few others. More specifically, they wanted to know how the math test scores differ between classes taught by a pre-service teacher (PT) using TAGG-ED-integrated activities, a mentor teacher using TAGG-ED-integrate activities, and the same mentor teacher without TAGG-ED-integrated activities.
To research, Chen and Hussung, along with one mentor teacher and one pre-service teacher, compared data from math lessons taught at Cumberland Trace Elementary with and without physical education.
“We are trying to find out if the physical activity part will help their blood flow, which stimulates the brain function, so that they will learn better in the math concepts,” Dr. Chen said.
T’yanna Peabody, a WKU Education major, assisted with data analysis for the classes and saw how students would only answer two questions on the pre-assessment, but answered six, seven, or eight on the post assessment. “I felt a sense of pride. They did an amazing job,” Peabody said of the students.
Gabbie Houchens, a junior majoring in Special Education: Learning and Behavior Disorders and Elementary Education, and served as a mentor teacher. “It was incredible to see the jumps in the actual quantifiable ways,” she said. Houchens added that she realized, “Oh this student used a strategy that I taught them or an algorithm that I reinforced.”
“It’s neat to see this come to life and work across departments and work together to create something that I hope is engaging and students learn from,” Hussung said.
Dr. Chen and Hussung anticipate continuing their research in the fall with more classes.
#WKU #Research
It has been one week since we asked the Class of 2026 one simple question: “How does it feel to become a WKU alumni?” Their answers said it all. Grateful, emotional, exciting, full circle.
No matter where life takes them next, they’ll always have a home on the Hill. Welcome to the alumni family, Tops! ❤️
30 years of winning national championships!
Starting in 1996 with the team’s first national championship in Lincoln-Douglas debate, the WKU Forensics team has not only been using their words in competition; their words are shaping their futures.
“Speech has given me the amazing tools to connect with people,” junior Jade Ismail said. “I can do anything now. It was thanks to WKU, and it was thanks to forensics, that I can say that I feel confident in the person I am and the next journey I have.” Ismail placed third in the top 10 individual sweepstakes awards at the Asynchronous Speech Championship in April. Ismail was also first in Informative Speaking and Prose Interpretation, amongst other semifinalist recognitions.
Competition categories such as Dramatic Interpretation allow students like freshman Victory Okoroji, to research topics of interest and write remarks that allow them to speak on topics important to them. “The reason why I chose law is because speech planted a seed of advocacy in me,” Okoroji said. Okoroji was a semifinalist recently at the Asynchronous Speech Championship and placed second in Duo Interpretation with Somtoo Nkurumeh.
Also in April, Vaden Kumar earned national runner-up at the National Forensics Association National Championship Tournament. At the event, WKU Forensics was named sweepstakes champion. In debate, Kumar, a freshman, is told whether to present for or against a topic and has minimal time to prepare his speech. With such a challenging and competitive area, Kumar feels supported in reaching his goals.
“Coming to a college where there’s so many different people who have the same goal of succeeding and so many dedicated coaches who want to see nothing more but for us to strive as individuals both in and out of debate has just been great honestly,” he said.
Recently, WKU Forensics moved into its space at the new Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse. Complete with staff offices, meeting rooms, and practice spaces, the team looks forward to growing the program and championships.
#WKU #Forensics #College
Wise words. 📝
“Embrace curiosity.
Embrace nervousness.
Embrace the people.”
When Rush Robinson sat in the classroom, the lessons learned prepared him for empowering the next generation. Through his fraternity and organizations, his involvement shaped his character and quenched his desire to serve. And, as student body president and Big Red, he simultaneously worked for and cheered for Hilltoppers that he would never formally meet.
His life in four years looks different than most, because each Hilltopper journey is uniquely set apart. It can be what you make it.
Just remember, you will always have a home on the Hill. For “we have shared this common place, WKU.”
🏠 Benton, KY
🎓 Psychology, Philosophy, and Sociology
💛 @wkusigep
🔴 @wkuadmissions Ambassador
⚖️ @wkusga President
🔴 @wkuspiritmasters
#WKU #WKU2026 #wkualumni
Can’t forget the people behind the scenes who made Commencement possible ❤️🎓
From setting up chairs to planting flowers and preparing every detail, thank you to everyone who helped create a special day for the Class of 2026.
#WKU #WKUGraduation #WKU2026
The Class of 2026 had their moment!
Here is a look back at WKU’s College Recognition Ceremonies. Graduates crossed the stage for individual recognition, greeted the University President, captured graduation photos and celebrated this milestone with family, friends and classmates.
Tap the link in bio to read a recap of WKU’s College Recognition Ceremonies.
Narrated by @malachi.h4
#WKU #WKUGrad #ClassOf2026
Healthcare and human services leaders of tomorrow are ready to make their mark ❤️🩹 Congrats, @chhs_wku graduates!
Tap the link in bio for more photos from College of Health & Human Services.
#WKU #WKUGrad #CelebrateTheClimb #WKU2026
Future educators, counselors and leaders, your next chapter starts now! Congratulations, @wkucebs graduates!
Tap the link in bio for more photos from College of Education & Behavioral Sciences.
#WKU #WKUGrad #CelebrateTheClimb #WKU2026
Big ideas led you here, now it’s time to change the world 🌎 Congratulations, @wkuogdencollege grads!
Tap the link in bio for more photos from Ogden College of Science & Engineering.
#WKU #WKUGrad #CelebrateTheClimb #WKU2026
Your creativity, passion and voice will shape what comes next 🎨🎶 Congratulations, @wkupcal graduates!
Tap the link in bio for more photos from Potter College of Arts & Letters.
#WKU #WKUGrad #CelebrateTheClimb #WKU2026
