Student Engagement Focus Of
WKU Freshman Assembly
August 20, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - Student engagement and civic responsibility will be the themes of a special event Aug. 29 for first-year students at Western Kentucky University.
The Freshman Assembly will begin at 7 p.m. at the Guthrie Bell Tower. Foxhole, a band composed of WKU graduates, will play at 6:30 p.m. (In case of rain, the event will be held Aug. 31.)
Community leader Abraham Williams, executive director of the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, will be the featured speaker. Graduate student Evelio Silvera, a former member of the WKU forensics team, will briefly share his thoughts on getting involved with campus and community activities.
President Gary Ransdell and Provost Barbara Burch will host the assembly.
Dr. Ransdell will conduct a pinning ceremony as first-year students receive a specially designed lapel pin that symbolizes their beginnings as members of the academic community and expectations of them for academic excellence and social responsibility.
"This event is a part of the campus's renewed emphasis on student engagement and the quality enhancement plan that focuses on 'Engaging Students for Success in a Global Society,' " Dr. Burch said. "It is a part of the University's commitment to ensure that the Western experience for all students is one that prepares them for success professionally and personally, but also prepares them as leaders who exemplify responsible citizenship."
All first-year students are expected to attend. The event is open to faculty, staff, other students and community members.
"The assembly will emphasize the importance of students becoming engaged in many ways that add value to their Western education through participation in such areas as service learning, civic engagement, cultural and international experiences, applied research, diversity engagement and other engagement opportunities," Dr. Burch said. "The goal of this renewed emphasis on engagement is to enhance the educational experience of Western students, and enable them to be, and to become, responsible citizens of the nation, the world and their communities."
Student seating for the Freshman Assembly will be on the Downing University Center South Lawn. Students with disabilities who need accommodations to attend the events should contact Matt Davis at (270) 745-5004.
For more information, contact Mark May at (270) 745-7007. 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.
