September 19, 2001

WKU To Honor American Spirit With New Homecoming Theme

Bowling Green, Ky. - In an effort to honor the American spirit displayed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Western Kentucky University has changed the theme for Homecoming 2001 to "American Spirit-WKU Unites."

"Given the events of the last week, and the resolve and resiliency shown by the American people, we felt it appropriate and necessary to change the focus of our Homecoming celebration," said WKU President Gary Ransdell.

Homecoming week at Western is Oct. 15-21 with the Homecoming football game scheduled for Oct. 20. The original theme was "There's No Place Like Home," taken from the "Wizard of Oz."

"The idea of patriotism and the American spirit is a natural theme for Homecoming 2001," said Mary Beth Frith, associate director of Alumni Relations and co-chair of the Homecoming Committee. "The change of theme is just one way Western can honor the fortitude of our great country."

Homecoming events will continue as scheduled, and participants are being encouraged to incorporate the new theme into their activities, Frith said.

A list of Homecoming activities is available from the WKU Web site at www.wku.edu.

For more information, contact Mary Beth Frith at (270) 745-4395. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.