WKU News

Western Kentucky University President Timothy C. Caboni announced nationally recognized researcher and bestselling author Dr. Jean Twenge as the speaker for the university’s third annual Presidential Speaker Series event on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. CST in WKU’s Van Meter Auditorium. 

Dr. Twenge will deliver a keynote speech, How Changes in Technology Shape Each Generation. In this presentation, based on her widely acclaimed 2023 book Generations, she will reveal the three key forces driving generational change, examine the experiences and outcomes of the six living generations and share groundbreaking survey data that points toward future societal shifts. Drawing on her most recent book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, as well as her experience as the mother of three teens, Dr. Twenge will also offer practical, research-based strategies for navigating our relationship with technology. From setting healthy boundaries around smartphones, social media and gaming to building habits that encourage balance in an always-connected world, her insights will resonate with parents, professionals and anyone seeking to understand and thrive in the digital age.

President Caboni noted that Dr. Twenge’s presentation has a broad appeal to members of the WKU community as well as to individuals across the Bowling Green area and beyond. “Dr. Twenge’s work speaks to questions all of us are asking about how technology and generational change are shaping our daily lives,” he said. “Her insights will resonate not only with students, faculty and staff here at WKU, but also with community members throughout the region who are navigating these same dynamics in their families, workplaces and neighborhoods. We are thrilled to welcome such an esteemed expert to our campus and our region.” 

Dr. Twenge is a nationally recognized psychologist, author and researcher whose work explores the intersection of generational change, technology and culture. She is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and has published more than 180 scientific articles on topics ranging from generational differences to mental health, social media use and well-being.

She is the author of seven books, including Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents – and What They Mean for America’s Future (2023); the widely discussed iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy – and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood (2017); and the influential The Narcissism Epidemic (2009, co-authored with W. Keith Campbell). Her research and commentary are frequently featured in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, NPR and Time.

A sought-after speaker, Dr. Twenge brings data-driven insights and practical perspectives to audiences ranging from educators and business leaders to parents and policymakers. Her work helps communities better understand how rapid cultural and technological changes shape attitudes, relationships and opportunities across generations.

The WKU Presidential Speaker Series brings to campus influential voices from diverse fields of study including science, arts, technology and public policy. President Caboni has noted that the perspective offered by each speaker will complement students’ classroom experiences and contribute to thought-provoking dialogue on campus and intellectual growth in the community. The inaugural event took place in October 2023 and featured renowned marine geologist and deep-sea explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic in 1985. Last year, WKU welcomed #1 International and New York Times bestselling author and neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Genova as the speaker for the university’s 2024 Presidential Speaker Series event. 

Dr. Twenge’s presentation is open to WKU students, faculty, staff and the public. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. No photography or recording of any kind is permitted during the presentation. For more information about the Presidential Speaker Series, visit www.wku.edu/presidentialspeakerseries. For more information about Jean Twenge, visit https://www.jeantwenge.com.

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.