Monday, November 17, 2025
WKU retention up, enrollment down preliminary numbers say
WKU President Timothy Caboni announced in an email Friday that WKU has reached record retention and graduation rates, alongside its lowest enrollment since 2000, for the 2024-25 academic year.
The announcement contained a preliminary analysis of university statistics that will be sent to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. WKU’s first-tosecond year retention was 79.4%, putting the university 0.6% away from its 2028 goal of 80% retention, according to a Nov. 14 press release from WKU News.
Read more by Anthony Clauson
(FILE PHOTO) WKU
President Timothy Caboni addressed criticism for renderings depicting Cherry Hall’s planned renovations during a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Jody Richards Hall (Von Smith)
WKU President Timothy Caboni and the Board of Regents discussed Friday how Artificial Intelligence can be better utilized throughout campus instead of ignored.
Provost Robert Fischer said AI has changed higher education. He said “everybody is concerned” about AI and how it’s being used.
Fischer said there is a committee at WKU constantly discussing AI and its role on campus.
Local salon hosts food drive in response to SNAP cuts
Talecia Barker stocks bags with chicken while Brittany Griffith, the owner of Addiction’s Salon and Spa, styles a clients hair on Thursday, Nov 13, 2025 (
Brittany Griffith has been running a food bank out of her salon for nearly four years. With rising uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, she decided to take action.
Griffith’s salon, Addiction’s Salon and Spa, hosted a food drive Thursday, offering free bags of fresh ingredients from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It started from a basket, to a couple of shelves… Now it’s progressed to 50 with poultry this week, next week it will be 50 with sausage.” Griffith said.
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Jonah Savage)
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Hilltoppers take down Blue Raiders in final regular season home game
WKU Football outpaced Middle Tennessee 42-26 in a 643-yard offensive explosion at Houchens-Smith Stadium on senior night Saturday evening.
Defense was optional in this edition of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry, with both teams combining for 1,183 yards on the night.
Freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. put together a masterpiece, throwing for 371 yards and three touchdowns, along with one rushing touchdown. The only mistake was an interception at the Blue Raiders’ 10-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Amorion Walker (8) gets tackled by Western Kentucky defense during WKU’s game against MTSU on Saturday, Nov 15, 2025, in HouchensSmith Stadium The Hilltoppers were up 21-10 at halftime (Summer Crawford)
Read more by Austin Rice
View the gallery by Summer Crawford and Libby Simpson
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the score of the game
The Hilltoppers defended their home court in a hard-fought Sunday afternoon shootout with the Tennessee State Tigers, 95-82.
Despite the momentary scare of a 13-4 run, which cut the Hilltopper lead to six with 14 minutes to play, the Hilltoppers were in control for all 40 minutes. WKU outscored the Tigers 34-21 after that run, closing out the game with a 16-point lead.
The Hilltoppers maintained a comfortable lead through the first half, entering halftime up 51-43. Redshirt sophomore guard Teagan Moore, with back-to-back 3-point plays, pulled WKU out of an early 19-19 tie; the Hilltoppers wouldn’t give up another tie, and the Tigers never led
Local artist uses art to connect nature, femininity
Western Kentucky University forward Blaise Keita (1) attempts grab the ball after a rebound during the basketball game against Tennessee State in E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky, on Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 The Hilltoppers were up 51-43 at halftime (Summer Crawford)
Read more by Nathan Mueller
Local artist Alexis Erskine (center) held an art gallery reception at the Capitol Theatre on Sunday, Nov 16 in honor of being awarded the Kentucky Foundation of Women’s Art Enrichment Grant (Libby Simpson)
Local artist Alexis Erskine held an art gallery reception at the Capitol Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 16 in honor of being awarded the Kentucky Foundation of Women’s Art Enrichment Grant.
Erskine’s gallery “A Feminine Nature” reflected on how relationships with others impact one’s sense of self. The body of work used moss and other outdoor mediums like clay and sticks to connect to the women in Erskine’s life.
“The moss in each of these pieces, like a mycelium network, connects Lexie to these women and herself through themes of grief, resilience, compassion, creativity and more,” the gallery description stated.
WKU Volleyball closes out regular season with weekend sweep
The team celebrates after scoring a point during WKU’s game against Delaware in E A Diddle Arena on Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 (Jonah Savage)
WKU Volleyball closed out its regular season with a weekend sweep against Liberty on the road.
Strong defensive and offensive plays from the Hilltoppers led the team to victory Freshman right side hitter Kaira Knox and sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore ended the weekend with double-digit points across the two days.
Read more by Peyton Reid and Morgan Larkins
Read more by Libby Simpson
Graphic by Shelbi Bale
Undergraduate tuition and fees are the largest single revenue source for WKU’s current academic year, accounting for 46% of the university’s revenue, according to the budget.
Every WKU undergraduate student pays the same baseline tuition per semester, which accounts for $323 million of the $798 million total revenue. For the 2025-26 academic year, tuition is $6,036 for an undergraduate resident or border state student per semester, and $13,500 for an undergraduate, non-border state student.
This year, WKU undergraduate students paid $298 million in tuition, a 1% increase from the previous fiscal year.
WKU MSA hosts Muslim professor panel
As the rest of DSU quieted for the night, the SGA chamber was lively with conversation over a table of refreshments as WKU’s Muslim Student Association, WKU professors, and a local religious leader settled in for a night of thoughtful discussion.
On Friday, Nov. 14, Muslim professors from various WKU departments joined MSA to discuss the interaction between their faith and career paths, and answer questions from attendees.
Read more by Caroline
Read more by Josh Baumgardner, Diego Alcaraz-Monje and Isaiah Merricks
Western Kentucky University’s Muslim Student Association hosted a panel between Muslim professors and various departments in the Senate Chambers on Nov 14, 2025 (Caroline Chubb)
Graduating Seniors Exhibition set for rest of semester
Fall 2025 Graduates of the College of Art and Design will have their work displayed in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center beginning this week.
The exhibit will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every weekday from Nov. 17 until Dec. 12.
Top of the Week: 100 miles of hate, food drive in Bowling Green community
(FILE PHOTO) WKU holds the second annual Art & Design Alumni Exhibition from Jan 21 until Feb 28 in the University Gallery room in FAC (Kaitlyn Webb)
Read more by Isaiah Merricks
Graphic by Shelbi Bale
This week, News reporter Isaiah Merricks talks WKU football and Lady Toppers Basketball, as well as campus
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