WKU Herald

12/08/2025

Charles Raymond Hayes, a Western Kentucky University alumnus and longtime business leader in western Kentucky, died Nov. 24 and left behind a legacy of education, compassion and community service.

Hayes was born in 1927 in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, but grew up in Louisville. He graduated from high school in 1943 and went on to WKU with an athletic scholarship in basketball and baseball.

Hayes served in World War II for two years and later used his GI Bill, a U.S. law that provides educational and other benefits to military veterans, to finish school and play baseball. He also met his wife, Juanita McIntosh, during his time at WKU.

“He loved Western,” said Marla Rafferty, Hayes’ daughter.

Charles Raymond Hayes, a Western Kentucky University alumnus and longtime business leader in western Kentucky, died Nov. 24 and left behind a legacy of education, compassion and community service. Hayes was born in 1927 in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, but grew up in Louisville. He graduated from high sc...

12/05/2025

WKU’s public-private housing partner would be a firm with roots in similar projects around the country, including projects WKU President Timothy Caboni admired, under a proposal Caboni will present to the Board of Regents next week.

Also at the Dec. 11 meeting, Caboni will recommend that WKU lease the Campus Flats apartment complex on Creason Street for at least two years while Hugh Poland and Douglas Keen halls are torn down and replaced with the first of several projects under the partnership.

The proposed partnership is with Gilbane, a Rhode Island-based international real estate developer, to “undertake financing, design, construction, management, and operations of a new housing development” at WKU, according to the Board of Regents meeting agenda. Gilbane will also be responsible for the renovation and operation of existing WKU housing.

The meeting’s 206-page agenda included Gilbane’s proposal to be WKU’s partner, and renderings for new student housing in Freshman Village and the Valley.

University Spokesperson Jace Lux said in an email to the Herald that “since the Board of Regents will not take action on either of these items until next Thursday, any statement prior to that time would be premature.”

WKU’s public-private housing partner would be a firm with roots in similar projects around the country, including projects WKU President Timothy Caboni admired, under a proposal Caboni will present to the Board of Regents next week. Also at the Dec. 11 meeting, Caboni will recommend that WKU lease...

12/03/2025

Editor’s Note: This story has been changed to clarify the opening timeline of Regents and Normal halls. Student Life Foundation Legal Counsel Tad Pardue said in an email to the Herald after the story’s publication that he was speaking on an estimated timeline of completing repairs, rather than the dorms’ estimated opening. “I should not have spoken to when they will reopen because after more thought, there might be timing and other considerations for reopening that may not allow for it immediately after repairs are completed,” Pardue said.

Editor’s Note: This story has been changed to clarify that SLF is not currently pursuing litigation against S.E. Engineering, the lead engineering firm for Hilltopper Hall, for the closure of Hilltopper Hall. Pardue said at Tuesday’s SLF meeting that SLF was in litigation with “the engineer and the general contractor,” but corrected himself in an email to the Herald after the story’s publication. The SLF is pursuing litigation against Sewell and Sewell, Hilltopper Hall’s architect, and the general contractor Scott, Murphy & Daniel.

The Student Life Foundation, the owning body of WKU’s dorms, hopes to finish repairs on Normal and Regents halls next academic year.

SLF Legal Counsel Tad Pardue said in an SLF meeting on Tuesday, “optimistically (the foundation is) shooting for next fall,” but the project could take as long as the spring semester.

Normal and Regents halls were built for $48 million in 2021. They closed in May following the discovery of structural issues in both buildings.

Brad Howard, chairman of the SLF board, said Reeves and Young, who are currently repairing Regents Hall, should have an estimated work cost by the end of the week.

Mark Rawlings, public finance banker with international private wealth management firm Baird, joined the Tuesday SLF meeting via Zoom. Rawlings said Morgan Stanley, an investment bank, has approved the SLF for up to $60 million in bonds, an increase of $5 million from the previous bond amount discussed in a Nov. 18 Board of Commissioners meeting and passed in Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, for the repairs to Normal and Regents halls.

“The intent was to give us latitude in case we were bad wrong on construction bids,” Rawlings said.

Rawlings said he is aiming to close on the bonds before the end of the year.

The Student Life Foundation, the owning body of WKU’s dorms, expects to reopen Normal and Regents halls next academic year. SLF Legal Counsel Tad Pardue said in an SLF meeting on Tuesday, “optimistically (the foundation is) shooting for next fall,” but the project could take as long as the spr...

12/03/2025

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12/03/2025

The WKU Student Government Association donned Christmas pajamas and Santa hats as they voted to pass a bill funding the SGA Winter Welcome Event.

The bill grants $50.10 for the event on Feb. 3, which hopes to raise student attendance at senate meetings by hosting an open house at the SGA office.

The WKU Student Government Association donned Christmas pajamas and Santa hats as they voted to pass a bill funding the SGA Winter Welcome Event. The bill grants $50.10 for the event on Feb. 3, which hopes to raise student attendance at senate meetings by hosting an open house at the SGA office. “...

11/29/2025

WKU Men’s Basketball wins final game in Atlantis

WKU Men’s Basketball snaps a two-game losing streak, defeating the Wichita State Shockers 75-70. The Hilltoppers leave Battle 4 Atlantis 1-2, moving to 5-2 on the year. Freshman guard Armelo Boone led the Hilltoppers with a career-high 22 points. Redshirt sophomore guard Teagan Moore, and senior f...

11/28/2025

A sea of purple didn’t dissuade many of the most dedicated Hilltopper fans from braving the bayou to cheer on WKU in Baton Rouge’s Tiger Stadium Saturday night.

As was probably to be expected with an SEC school, LSU was no forgiving environment; however, with the reported attendance over 100,000, it was a pleasant surprise to see some splotches of red throughout.

Despite a good turnout from the Tops, when WKU first stepped on the field, they were greeted with a not-so-subtle threat. A group of LSU fans spelled out “we have a tiger” in body paint.

While the Hilltoppers may not have left the bayou with a win, the pregame tailgate saw many fans in red enjoying an SEC environment.

I found myself with plenty of time before the press box opened up, letting me explore and talk to some of those brave souls venturing away from their high ground on the Hill.

I’d still love to highlight some of my favorites.

A sea of purple didn’t dissuade many of the most dedicated Hilltopper fans from braving the bayou to cheer on WKU in Baton Rouge’s Tiger Stadium Saturday night. As was probably to be expected with an SEC school, LSU was no forgiving environment; however, with the reported attendance over 100,000...

11/25/2025

Hundreds of patrons packed White Squirrel Brewery all day Saturday for 17 live performances from local bands at the inaugural Pints for Public Media.

White Squirrel opened its doors to the event free of charge, for a day of music that spanned genres, including Bluegrass, classic rock, R&B, funk and jazz fusion. The event, organized by local musicians and community figures Alan Simpson, Ernie Small and Eddie Mills, raised more than $25,000 for WKU Public Media.

“Live music and public media do the same thing, they bring people together,” said Jordan Basham, interim executive director of WKU Public Media. “I think we’ve seen that hundreds of times over tonight.”

Kayla Mulliniks, White Squirrel’s beverage director, says the staff likes to call White Squirrel “Bowling Green’s living room.”

“We’re in a position where we can provide a space,” Mulliniks said. “It’s part of our values… We are supporters of public media.”

Hundreds of patrons packed White Squirrel Brewery all day Saturday for 17 live performances from local bands at the inaugural Pints for Public Media. White Squirrel opened its doors to the event free of charge, for a day of music that spanned genres, including Bluegrass, classic rock, R&B, funk and....

11/25/2025

The WKU Student Life Foundation will borrow up to $55 million to pay for repairs of Normal and Regens Halls after the Bowling Green City Commission approved issuing bonds to the SLF, the nonprofit that owns WKU’s residence halls, last week.

The repairs follow the May closures of both Regents and Normal due to structural issues. Both halls will be closed for at least the 2025-26 academic year.

The SLF also received $42 million in bondsfrom the city in 2019 for the initial construction of Normal and Regents halls. WKU also used bonds from the city in 2010 for renovations to Di**le Arena.

The bonds will have an adjustable interest rate with a maximum interest of 10%. The SLF will have to pay interest for two years, after which they are expected to be refinanced, said Mark Rawlings, speaking on behalf of the SLF at the meeting.

Rawlings is a director of public finance at Baird, an international financial services firm. Rawlings and Jeff Meisel, Bowling Green city manager, both clarified that the city has no liability for the debt.

The WKU Student Life Foundation will borrow up to $55 million to pay for repairs of Normal and Regens Halls after the Bowling Green City Commission approved issuing bonds to the SLF, the nonprofit that owns WKU’s residence halls, last week. The repairs follow the May closures of both Regents and N...

11/24/2025

Hilltopper Dynasty: WKU Volleyball wins 3rd straight Conference USA Tournament

For the third straight season, the Hilltoppers took home the CUSA championship. WKU Volleyball defeated the FIU Panthers 3-2 in an instant classic Sunday for the Conference USA tournament championship. Sophomore Outside Hitter Alivia Skidmore had a career night, leading WKU with 25 kills. Skidmore w...

11/24/2025

Dancers twirled, tapped and traversed the rainbow road among sugary scenery in “WinterDance: Candyland adventures.”

The production, which ran from Friday to Sunday in Van Meter Auditorium, showcased 10 dances tailored to each of the boardgame’s sections and characters. WinterDance combines a “variety of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance choreography,” the Fine Arts Box Office stated.

“Being able to see them cross genres is quite incredible, and that shows the diversity of the dancers that we have,” said Director Meghan McKinley, a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. “It’s a cohesive whole.”

Scenes comprised the introduction of the game pieces, plumpy trolls, Mr. Mint, sour patch kids, Lady Licorice, Princess Lolly, Gloppy, Gramma Nut, Jazzy Nuts, Queen Frostine and the finale at King Kandy’s Candy Castle. Game pieces appeared in brief transitions traveling between lands.

Dancers twirled, tapped and traversed the rainbow road among sugary scenery in “WinterDance: Candyland adventures.” The production, which ran from Friday to Sunday in Van Meter Auditorium, showcased 10 dances tailored to each of the boardgame’s sections and characters. WinterDance combines a ....

11/22/2025

The Budget and Executive Committee discussed questions about employee salary increases on Thursday at the Faculty Senate meeting in the Student Government Association Chambers.

Kurt Neelly, Faculty Representative for the BEC, said WKU President Timothy Caboni announced at the Board of Regents meeting on Friday, Nov. 14, that compensation salaries would change from 2% salary increases to a salary increase of $1,680 per faculty or staff member throughout the university.

Provost Bud Fischer said this bonus will benefit around 80% of employees.

The Budget and Executive Committee discussed questions about employee salary increases on Thursday at the Faculty Senate meeting in the Student Government Association Chambers. Kurt Neelly, Faculty Representative for the BEC, said WKU President Timothy Caboni announced at the Board of Regents meetin...