Western's alma mater, "College Heights," was originally written by 16-year old schoolgirl Mary Frances Bradley as a poem to be entered in a contest on the campus in 1924.
"College Heights" then became a song when Miss Bradley combined her poignant words with a beautiful melody composed by her father, Ben J. Bradley, an accomplished song writer and musician from nearby Franklin, KY.
On March 12, 1925, "College Heights" was first performed at chapel assembly in Van Meter Auditorium by Miss Bradley and, thus an alma mater was born.
The music was subsequently published and then copyrighted by Western in 1930. On the music is the notation that the song is dedicated to Western's first president, Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry.
"College Heights"
College Heights, on hilltop fair,
With beauty all thine own,
Lovely jewel far more rare
Than graces any throne!
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.
College Heights, we hail thee;
We shall never fail thee
Falter never, live forever,
Hail! Hail! Hail!
College Heights they noble life,
Shall e'er our pattern be,
Teaching us through joy and strife
To love humanity.
College Heights we hail thee,
We shall never fail thee,
Falter never, live forever,
Hail! Hail! Hail!