Women's Studies Program

Photo: Eleise Theuer

Teressa Rerras, a women's studies minor, has been awarded one of twelve national scholarships from the Overseas Press Club of America for her photography.

The founder and director of The Learning Through Photography Foundation, Teressa says that the purpose of this organization is "to teach literacy through photography to children from war-torn countries."

Teressa has travelled to Botswana, Cameroon,  Gabon, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates to chronicle women's lives around the globe. In April 2008, Teressa attended International Women's Day Conference held in Afghanistan where she began work on a documentary that will explore the changes in the lives of Afghan women and girls after the war. Teressa's work to better the lives of women and girls is just beginning. As Teressa explains, "even though I have had the privilege to travel to over forty-two countries, I feel that I am only now beginning to comprehend the full gamut of my responsibility. I want to speak for those who  cannot speak for themselves."

ALIVE Center

Sarah Miller, senior at WKU majoring in Health Care Administration, minoring in American Humanics, and seeking a certificate in Leadership Studies, has been volunteering in the Bowling Green community since her first week on the Hill during Master Plan.

When Sara's not busy studying, volunteering, or engaging in other campus activities, such as student organizations for her major and minor or College Republicans, you may find her working on a national pilot project funded by the Institute of Medicine that supports a healthy foods campaign for middle- and high school students in Bowling Green. Sara works with faculty and staff from three different departments on campus (Public Health, Nutrition and the ALIVE Center) to implement the "Smart Bites" project, which ties in with her Honors Thesis on Childhood Obesity. Sara was awarded "Outstanding Undergraduate in the Social Sciences" at the WKU Student Research Conference last Spring for her research and poster presentation on Childhood Obesity.

 Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Allison Clark graduated in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree. She was the 2007 Scholar of the University College and a finalist for the Ogden Scholar Award. Clark says she had a hard time choosing just one major and was excited about the opportunity to study so many different topics. She hopes to attend medical school and believes that a background in a variety of subjects help her relate to a variety of patients. “This degree allows you tailor your educational experience to your individual interests,” she says, “and really experience the many interdisciplinary opportunities that Western has to offer.”

Leadership Studies Program

Amanda Loviza is a News/Editorial Journalism and Spanish double major with a minor in Religious Studies, a member of the WKU Honors College, and enrolled in the Leadership Certificate program. She is active in the WKU Catholic Campus Center, serves as Vice President of the Kentucky Catholic Student Coalition, and writes for Arete, the Honors newsletter. Amanda enters Phase II of the Dynamic Leadership Institute this semester and works as a peer advisor in the Academic Advising and Retention Center.

This summer she chose a non-paying internship with a sports ministry organization called Uncharted Waters (UW). UW trains adults with athletic backgrounds to run Christian sports camps for kids across the U.S. and internationally. For nine weeks she coached 4-12 year olds in soccer while traveling to Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Illinois, and Guatemala.

Master of Administrative Dynamics

Brentni Henderson earned the Master in Administrative Dynamics in December, 2007, as well as the Graduate Certificate in Leadership Studies. She’ll finish her MBA in December, 2008. While serving as president of the WKU SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), the club received Top 10 national recognition for their efforts in community service, serving the student body, and academic achievement. The group of 25 conducts mock interviews for students in Gordon Ford College of Business, to help prepare them for jobs after graduation. They also work locally with Salvation Army and the March of Dimes. Brentni grew up in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, and is getting ready to marry her high school sweetheart. Brentni would like to stay in the area and aspires to be a top executive in a global organization. In her words, “We all need to dream big.” Brentni especially thanks Dr. Speer and Dr. Garmon for mentoring her over the past two years.

Master of Administrative Dynamics

David Newsom, who received the 2008 Staff Excellence Award in the Skilled/Technical/
Paraprofessional Category, will earn his second Master’s degree from WKU this December, in Administrative Dynamics. The first Master’s degree was in Agriculture with an emphasis on animal science, which he earned in December 2003. David teaches courses in Beef Production, which is his favorite area of agriculture because “it’s a dynamic industry and is fast-paced and challenging.” David is equally excited about his students.  He feels it is rewarding to mentor his students and see how much they grow during their college years.  David recently saw his first group of students graduate. 

David credits WKU for giving him the tools for success.  “I want my students to receive the same great experience I have received at WKU.” David has been an assistant farm manager at the University farm since 2003.  His wife Parker works in WKU's Student Services.

Women's Studies Program

Herndon and Kaya, along with Western Carolina University and North Georgia College and State University students, placed 1st runner up in a "Think Tank" competition, challenged to create a diversity education project that could be completed across the different campuses represented. Crystal Kaya was nominated to be the graduate student representative on the ADP South board of directors from fall 2008 through fall 2009.

Student Doers & Deeds from Affiliated Areas

 Honors College

Ashley Belcher, an Owensboro junior and student assistant in the Honors College, is a News/Editorial Journalism and Spanish double major and an active member of the WKU Honors College. In the fall of 2007, Ashley received $5,000 through the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to help fund her study abroad experience in Madrid, Spain, where she studied both journalism and Spanish.

While she enjoys studying in both of her fields, Ashley has found a true community in the WKU Honors College. As Coordinator of Events for HonorsToppers, the ambassadorial group to the Honors College, Ashley organizes all service hours of the members. She has also graduated from two phases of Honors Dynamic Leadership Institute and is currently in Phase III. Ashley also helped organize the first Honors Freshman Orientation Retreat (H4) last summer.