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M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Schedule

Schedule of Events


All participants will receive a personalized, detailed schedule, which outlines all events, times, and locations through the Guidebook App. A few weeks before the start, you will be able to download the app and search for "WKU M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan 2024" to be prepared.

Learn More Download on the app store Download on Google Play

guidebook photo

All participants will be able to check their meal plans and other important information through the iWKU appDownload the app now:

 

Learn More Download on the app store Download on Google Play
 The iWKU App displayed on two cell phones

Participants will view their Cluster Block information on their Blackboard Ultra Organization. Blackboard Ultra is an online teaching platform that you will use in the classroom. You will learn more about this program at M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan. Download the app now: 

Learn More Download on the app store Download on Google Play

blackboard ultra app on 3 devices

 


 

Students will be assigned to a small group that will attend Cluster Blocks and various events together. Event details will vary by group (time, location).

 

Learn More About What to Expect

 

Mahurin Honors College students can participate in a built-in orientation during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan.

 

Learn More About Honors Pathway

 


M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan 2024

Tuesday, August 13 - Saturday, August 17

*Schedule subject to change

 

 


 

 

Residence Hall Move In

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM 

Welcome home! Be sure to check your move-in timeslot on the WKU Housing Portal and pick up your key at Parking Structure 3. Once your belongings are in your room and your vehicle is moved to a perimeter parking lot, you can get unpacked, settle in, and get ready to meet new people and learn what it means to be a Hilltopper!

 

Movie in the Pool (SOCIAL)

6:00-8:00 PM |  Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center Pool

Swim on by and watch Jaws in the Preston Center pool! Come dressed in your bathing suit and be sure to bring a towel. Pool noodles and floats provided.

Sponsored by Abound Credit Union.

WKU Planetarium (SOCIAL)

7:30-9:00 PM |  WKU Hardin Planetarium

Take a journey to the Stars! Visit the on-campus planetarium. Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. Doors open at 6:30pm. After the show, take a VIP trip to the observatory and take a look at the moon through a telescope lens.(Weather dependent)

Hosted by the WKU Hardin Planetarium. 

 


 

 

Residence Hall Move In

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Welcome home! Be sure to check your move-in timeslot on the WKU Housing Portal and pick up your key at Parking Structure 3. Once your belongings are in your room and your vehicle is moved to a perimeter parking lot, you can get unpacked, settle in, and get ready to meet new people and learn what it means to be a Hilltopper!

I am F1RST Welcome Reception (SOCIAL)

4:00 - 5:30 PM | DSU Nite Class | First Generation Students Invited to Attend

WKU is proud to welcome hundreds of first-generation college students to WKU! Meet fellow First Gen M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan students, First Gen alumni, and WKU staff who are ready to support you on your college journey. 

Dinner provided.

WKU defines first generation as “neither parent graduated from a traditional four-year college. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not mean that you are the first one in your family to attend college. In addition, a student is considered "first generation" if his/her parents graduated with an associate's degree (two-year degree), attended college but failed to graduate or had a sibling graduate with a bachelor's degree.

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Check In

4:00 - 6:00 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Pick up your WKU shirt for the official M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan class photo and add your goals to the #WKU2028 banner!

Sponsored by Abound Credit Union.

Water and power-aid provided by Coca-Cola. 

Dinner Break

Before 6:00 PM

Students should plan to eat dinner before the 6:00 PM Cluster Block.

View WKU Restaurant Group

Welcome to M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan! Cluster Block #1

6:00 - 7:30 PM 

 On-Campus Residents - Meet on your residence hall floor/pod

Minton Honors Students - Meet in Gary Ransdell Hall Auditorium

Commuter Students - Meet in DSU, Room 2081 (Student Government Association Chambers)

Kick off M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan activities with your residence hall peers! Learn about the technology and information you'll need to have a great week!

Topper Walk Kickoff

 7:30 - 8:00 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Last call to pick up your WKU shirt, take photos with Big Red, and get ready for your first Topper Walk with the Class of 2028! Make sure you’re wearing your WKU Red Shirt!

Topper Walk

 8:00 - 8:15 PM | First Year Village Lawn  Houchens-Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

Begin with the end in mind! The ceremonial walk to WKU’s Commencement is known as "Topper Walk." M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan students will start their Hilltopper Journey with the same tradition, led by Big Red!

Class Photo

 8:15 - 9:00 PM |   Houchens-Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

It’sa M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan tradition! Get ready for the Class of 2028 photo on Feix Field followed by an evening of FUN! To help kick off the festivities, hear from WKU Dean of Students, Dr. Martha Sales.

Sponsored byAbound Credit Union. 

View WKU Class Photos

Break the Ice Bash (SOCIAL)

 9:00 - 10:00 PM | Houchens Industries - L.T. Smith Stadium  

There’s no awkward silence here! Get to know your fellow Hilltoppers with fun, interactive ice breakers, led by WKU alumna Mindy Johnson ’03, ‘05.
Silent Disco (SOCIAL)

 9:00 - 11:00 PM |  South Lawn

It’s a dance party... but silent! Come dance while listening to different stations on wireless headphones.

Late Night Breakfast (SOCIAL)

9:00 - 11:00 PM |  Fresh Food Company

It's been a long day...you’re probably hungry! Swing by the Fresh Food Company in Downing Student Union and grab some breakfast with new friends!

 


 

 

Cluster Block #2

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Get to know yourself, your peers, and WKU. In this session, you’ll talk about why you chose WKU and how to set yourself up for academic success.   

Rotations: Lunch / Abound Credit Union / Campus Tour

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM| Check Guidebook App for Location

During this time, you’ll eat lunch, take a campus tour with your small group, and learn about how to be financially smart in college.

A Guide to College Kickoffs

 1:00 - 1:30 PM | Centennial Mall 

Unsure about which College Kickoff event to attend? Meet in Centennial Mall (located next to the Downing Student Union) and a M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Mentor will point you in the right direction. 

College Kickoffs

1:30 - 3:30 PM 

Potter College of Arts and Letters: DSU 3023-3025

Gordon Ford College of Business: Grise Hall Auditorium Room 235 

Ogden College of Science and Engineering: Van Meter Auditorium 

College of Health and Human Services: DSU Auditorium 

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences: Gary Ransdell Hall Auditorium 

Exploratory Students: DSU 3003-3004

Meet your college faculty, learn about resources your college offers, and get ready for classes to begin!   

Small Group Discussion

4:00 - 5:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Recap the morning’s discussion, ask questions, and spend some more time learning how to get involved at WKU.

Bowling Green Trolley (SOCIAL)

5:00 - 9:00 PM | Meet next to Subway

Take a journey through the heart of Bowling Green with our Trolley Tour Adventure! Students are invited to hop aboard our charming trolley as we traverse the historic streets and vibrant avenues of downtown Bowling Green.

Capacity: 30 riders per trip. Estimate a trip every 40-45 minutes.

 

Living Learning Community Social (SOCIAL)

5:00 - 6:30 PM | First Year Village Lawn | LLC Students Invited to Attend

Join your LLC Fellows and Peers to customize hats with patches and more, mingle with your peers, snap a picture with Big Red, and enjoy a popsicle!

Dinner Break

5:00 - 7:00 PM

View WKU Restaurant Group Options

Coloring in the Commons (SOCIAL)

5:30 - 7:00 PM | Helm Commons

Grab your friends and come color away!

Hosted by WKU Libraries.

In Living Color Community Bash (SOCIAL)

6:00 - 8:00 PM |  First Year Village Lawn

Come meet students like you, get to know allies, meet members of the Bowling Green community, and learn about resources on WKU’s campus for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Food, games, and music provided.

Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC), Black Student Alliance, WKU Chapter of NAACP,and HOLAS.

Create-A-Creature (SOCIAL)

7:00 - 8:30 PM | Centennial Mall

It's another opportunity to MAKE A FRIEND at M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan!

Make a stuffed animal to help you remember this week! Lots of different animals to choose from! Limited quantities available. First-come, first-served.
Sponsored byAbound Credit Union. 

Chalk the Walk (SOCIAL)

7:00 - 9:00 PM | PFT Courtyard

Grab a friend and come express your creative side by decorating part of the First Year Village sidewalks! Sidewalk Chalk provided.

Sponsored by the Office of Student Conduct

BINGO! (SOCIAL)

9:00 - 10:00 PM | DSU Auditorium

We’re slowing this party down! Come play a nice, relaxing game - or two - or three - of old school bingo. Kick back and relax and hope to have the lucky board because these prizes are GOOD. 

 


 

Cluster Block #3

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

College life includes a lot of "adulting." Today, we’ll talk about how to manage your goals, your finances, your stress, and your time.

Rotations: Lunch / Personal Safety/ Part Time Job Fair

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Today’s rotation includes:

  • Lunch
  • An opportunity to hear from the Office of Institutional Equity and Counseling Center about your rights as it relates to Title IX and your mental health
  • An opportunity to learn about employment opportunities. Check your Guidebook app to know where you start your rotation. 
Small Group Discussion

1:30 - 2:30 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Recap the morning’s discussion, ask questions, and spend some more time getting to know your neighbors.

Hip Hop & Shop: Local Music & Poster Pop-Up & Big Red Backpack Pick Up

2:30 - 6:00 PM | WKU Store, DSU Ground Floor 

Stop by The WKU Store to find all things for WK-You!  Dance along with our DJ's picks while you check out Mellow Matt's Music & More Pop-Up Shop featuring vinyl, art posters, jewelry and more. Be sure to submit your  Big Red Backpack order ahead of time so you can pick up your textbooks while you are at the store.
 
Spin to Win prizes include gift cards! Come spin it to win it. See you soon, Tops!
 
If you submit your Big Red Backpack order for textbooks, this time is set aside for you to pick those up and be ready for the first day of classes.
Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center Open House

2:30 - 6:00 PM |  Preston Health & Activities Center

The Preston Center is a 140,000 square foot facility dedicated to serving all the fitness and recreational needs of the WKU Community. Come take a 15 minute tour of the Preston Center! Tours are offered at 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:30 PM.
 
You can also participate in open play on the Pickleball court and pick from some GroupX classes and various other sports activities.

Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness

Dinner Break

6:00 - 8:00 PM 

View WKU Restaurant Group

WKUpalooza (SOCIAL)

5:00 - 7:00 PM | PFT Courtyard

Come and learn more about the Why Knot Us Black Male Initiative while enjoying some of your favorite carnival games and foods!

Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) and Why Knot Us

Why Not Us | Learn More

Lee's Amazing Big Red Race (SOCIAL)

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Meet at Centennial Mall

In the end, just like the TV show, only one team will be left standing. To win, teams will travel the Hill using clues, teamwork, bread crumbs, and a little bit of luck. The first team to arrive at the final destinationwill be receive a prize, but unlike the TV show, it will not be $1 million dollars (but still pretty awesome)!

Held in memory of J. Lee Robertson (’50, ’57.) Affectionately known as “Mr. Western,” Robertson often referred to his 77 years on the Hill as a “love affair” with his alma mater.

Sponsored by the WKU Alumni Association. 

J. Lee Robertson (middle) smiling with students at Amazing Big Red Race social and prizes

Dodgeball (SOCIAL)

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Preston Center Blue Courts

Duck, dip, dive, and dodge! Bring back your elementary school skills with a fun game of dodgeball with new WKU friends. 

Sponsored byAbound Credit Union. 

Pridechella (LGBTQIA+) Social (SOCIAL)

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Zacharias/Meredith Hall Lawn

Join us for an LGBTQIA+ social to meet new people and create new connections! All are welcome and encouraged to join!

Sponsored by the Queer Student Union, Topper Pride Alumni, and the WKU Pride Center

Campus Ministries Lawn Party (SOCIAL)

6:30 - 8:30 PM | Centennial Mall

Do you want to be part of a community where you can grow in your faith? Come meet our Campus Ministries at the Lawn Party. Enjoy food, music, lawn games and getting to know each other!

Hosted by Student Activities-Campus Ministries

WKU Planetarium (SOCIAL)

7:00 - 9:00 PM |  WKU Hardin Planetarium

Take a journey to the Stars! Visit the on-campus planetarium. Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. Doors open at 6pm. After the show, take a VIP trip to the observatory and take a look at the moon through a telescope lens.(Weather dependent)

Hosted by the WKU Hardin Planetarium. 

Free Money Game Show (SOCIAL)

7:30 - 8:30 PM | DSU Auditorium

Calling all pop-culture fanatics! Buzz in when you know the song, movie theme, TV theme or movie quote played.

Everyone in the audience gets to participate, and there are lots of prizes up for grabs!

Glow Golf (SOCIAL)

8:30 - 10:30 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Get ready for a luminous adventure at our Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf Tournament! Students will team up for an electrifying round of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Glow sticks and golf supplies provided.

Hosted by the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

Creepy Campus Live (SOCIAL)

9:00 - 10:30 PM | Van Meter Hall

Are you ready for a frightening good time?

Join Creepy Campus podcast hosts Doug Tate & Jeremy Cloyd as they explore the ghost stories, urban legends, & true-crime mysteries that surround WKU.

It’s all good, clean fun, but you might want to bring your flashlight for the walk back home! 

Creepy Campus Podcast | Learn More

 


 

Cluster Block #4

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

In this session, you’ll learn what it means to be a member of the WKU Campus Community and learn about campus resources.

Rotations: Lunch / Resource Fair

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

You'll have a chance to eat lunch and meet with campus partners to learn more about important campus departments. Check your Guidebook app to know where you start your rotation.

WK&U Involvement Fair

1:00 - 3:30 PM |  Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center Blue Courts

There is a place for everyone at WKU! Learn about the many organizations WKU has to offer.

Hosted by Student Activities.

Small Groups

3:40 - 4:30 PM | Residence Hall Floor

Get ready to stand up and cheer!

Our final small group will allow time to answer any questions and walk as a group to Diddle Arena for Topper Traditions.  

Topper Traditions

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Diddle Arena 

T-O-P-S TOPS-TOPS-TOPS!

It’s time to Stand Up and Cheer! Learn the fight song, how to wave the Red Towel, and meet your WKU Coaches and BIG RED!  

Topper Fest

6:00 PM - Dark | DSU South Lawn 

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan goes out with a BANG, literally! 

Food and entertainment provided, plus the evening concludes with a fireworks display at dark.

Topper Fest is open to all members of the WKU Community beginning at 5:30 PM. 

Learn More | Topper Fest 

 


 

Big Red's Blitz

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | You will receive information about where to meet

It's WKU's largest community service event! Volunteer your time at a local non-profit organization and connect with the Bowling Green community. 

T-shirt and lunch provided. 

What to Expect

 


 

Big Red's Rush

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Houchens-Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

You're invited to rush the football field before the game on for the annual BIG RED'S RUSH!
 
Come to the student tent on South Lawn 5:15-5:50 PM to check in and get your free shirt!
 
-Close-toed shoes required
- Cell phone recording prohibited by participants (including selfies)
- No holding hands
- Do not stop to pick up dropped items

 

 


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 Last Modified 8/14/24