About H4 Orientation
H4 is more than an orientation. It’s your first opportunity to build friendships, meet mentors, connect with faculty and staff, and discover what it means to be part of the Honors community at Western Kentucky University. Through engaging programs, traditions, team activities, and plenty of fun (yes, including the beloved honors skits), you’ll gain the confidence, support system, and insider knowledge to navigate your first year with purpose.
During H4, you will:
- Connect with fellow honors scholars, peer mentors, faculty, and staff
- Learn how to make the most of your Honors experience both inside and outside the classroom
- Explore opportunities like research, leadership, education abroad, service, and campus involvement
- Get comfortable navigating campus and college life before classes begin
- Build lasting friendships and become part of a supportive community from day one
Since 2007, H4 has a become a shared experience for nearly two decades of honors students. Don't miss this important experience as you join the Honors Hilltopper family.
- H4 Dates: August 15–18, 2026
- Early Move-In for Residential Students: Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Commuter Students: Absolutely welcome and encouraged to participate
- Registration Deadline: July 27, 2026
- Cost: Free
Directional and Small Group Planning Time
- All students will be assigned to a direction and a direction leader, along with a subset of counselors, who will be your peer guides during H4. These grouping are made on the basis of majors so that you can find peers in your academic field and meet with others who are not. In your small groups, you will do guided discussions, ice breakers, and of course, create and perform your skit. You will learn of your direction group in late July when the counselors reach out to you via text and when you check-in.
Social Events
-
Nightly social events provide you with lasting memories made with your new friends. There is something for everyone, with events including a movie night, karaoke, trivia night, nighttime campus tour, and crafts. You do not want to miss out on the memories everyone will be making together at WKU M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan!
Honors Class Photo
- Start your climb to the Top with the end in mind—graduation will be here before you know it! Take part in your official honors photo and have something to look back on to remind you of how far you climbed to reach the Top! Honors class photo will be taken Monday night.
Honors Skit Night
- Our enduring tradition where directions compete to present the best, most educational, most honorofic skits to educate each other on WKU and Honors resources, units, and all with the most flair and most spirit.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.