Governor Edward "Ned" Breathitt signed legislation on February 26, 1966 elevating Western Kentucky State College to university status. Since that time the number of degree-granting programs has increased significantly and the school offers many classes in area communities such as Glasgow, Elizabethtown and Owensboro. Today, new technology enhances students and faculty interaction and learning. (learn more) Red towel carried by Western alumnus and astronaut Terry Wilcutt in the space shuttle Endeavor, 1994. Home l Early History l Agriculture l Business l Industry l Education l Health and Medicine l Recreation l Religion l Transportation l War l Timeline l Map l Sponsors   Updated December 15, 2000 Created by Donna Parker with contribution from Sandy Staebell, Laura Harper Lee, Lynne Ferguson and Jon Kay. Send comments to KyMus@wku.edu Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 Western Kentucky University All rights reserved. URL: http://www.wku.edu/Library/onlinexh/rrr1/Pages/Secpages/ed_western.html