.......for a World Class Faculty

Support for faculty is also an important priority of the New Century of Spirit Campaign.
Distinguished faculty committed to scholarship and excellence in teaching, research, public
service and civic engagement stimulate students and strengthen the WKU experience.

Endowed faculty positions make a direct contribution to the quality of learning at WKU, enabling academic endeavors that would not otherwise exist. The capacity to attract and retain nationally prominent faculty is essential to WKU’s success in being an effective steward of its region and preparing highly skilled graduates who will be leaders around the globe.

In addition, faculty excellence endowments are also a critical campaign priority. One of the
most lasting gifts one can make to a university, such endowments recognize high levels of faculty performance and programs that contribute to the continuing quality improvement of curriculum, students, and faculty. Specific needs include training and development, research support, technology, and travel.

Likewise, visiting scholars contribute to the intellectual life of the campus by facilitating
stimulating exchanges of ideas between the scholar and WKU’s faculty and students. Visiting
scholar endowments are a priority as the University seeks to provide greater access to
distinguished and innovative scholars, artists, researchers, and writers—individuals who can
offer a unique perspective and energize both faculty and students while providing focused
attention on timely issues.

.......for the Best and Brightest Students

Providing a quality educational experience for its students is a WKU tradition. The University is engaged in a strong competition with its peer institutions to recruit the nation’s top scholars. WKU is committed to providing endowed funds for competitive student scholarships, fellowships, and awards in order to recognize the academic achievements of its best and brightest applicants.

Since the cost of an education is rising, and the cost may quickly become out of reach for many students, needs-based scholarships and awards must also be made available to deserving students.

Undergraduate and graduate research support is also an important priority for the New Century of Spirit Campaign. WKU’s mission has changed as its strategic plan embraces a bold responsibility for applied research, public service, and civic and global engagement. Gifts in support of faculty and student research can help bright WKU minds identify and solve problems which affect the quality of life in the region and beyond. Likewise, the civic and global engagement of its faculty, staff, and students forms one of the central dimensions of WKU’s development as it enters its second century of excellence.

.......for a World Class Library System

WKU Libraries--Helm-Cravens Library, the Kentucky Library and Museum, Glasgow Campus Library, and the Educational Resource Center--support the University’s focus on global
issues. The libraries maintain and expand the University’s roles of teaching, research, and
public service by serving as a comprehensive source of information access and education.
As the WKU Libraries respond to educational, social, cultural, and economic development
needs, they become the gateway to an everexpanding universe of information.

WKU Libraries feature an extensive collection of books, journals, artifacts, and electronic
databases, and they create innovative, pioneering models of electronic library products.
For example, WKU was the first university in the Commonwealth to develop a Web site, library blog, and library podcast. Further, WKU is the first in Kentucky and among the first in the nation to create and expand an electronic library portal. This portal is a means to find the very best local, regional, national, and international Web sites in more than 30 categories, and it encompasses WKU’s and the Kentucky Virtual Library’s electronic resources and Web accessible catalogs, both including and exceeding commercial Internet service providers.

Additionally, WKU offers the first centralized digital repository in the state that is dedicated to scholarly research, creative activity, and other full-text learning resources that merit permanent access. WKU Libraries continue to provide innovative opportunities for WKU faculty, staff, and students. By utilizing these advanced library resources, all will be encouraged both to initiate research and to publish their findings for future researchers.

Expansion of libraries collections and services guarantees a bright future for WKU and enhances its ability to attract the best of the best. Its vision of providing more valuable, high-quality information to more people in more ways continues to develop as WKU becomes a leading American university with international reach.