WKU News

Western Kentucky University recognized fall 2025 graduates in three ceremonies on Friday at Diddle Arena. 

WKU conferred 1,050 degrees – 11 doctoral, 207 master’s, four specialist, 768 bachelor’s and 60 associate – as well as 162 undergraduate and 26 graduate certificates.

The 8 a.m. ceremony included graduates from the Potter College of Arts & Letters and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The 10:30 a.m. ceremony included graduates from the Ogden College of Science & Engineering and Gordon Ford College of Business. The 1 p.m. ceremony included graduates of the College of Health and Human Services.

Each ceremony featured the conferral of degrees, congratulatory remarks from the college deans, recognition of first-generation, doctoral and honor graduates and individual recognition of graduates. Fall 2025 graduates are also invited to attend the 2026 Commencement Ceremony on May 7. (More: Fall Recognition Ceremonies program; Recognition Ceremonies photo album).

Ogden Foundation Scholar

Lindsey Sargent of Lexington, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Medicine Advisement and a minor in Neuroscience, was recognized as the Ogden Foundation Scholar during the 10:30 a.m. ceremony. WKU’s top undergraduate academic award is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement.

Provost Bud Fischer noted that Sargent “plans to attend medical school to specialize in pediatrics and work with children with autism and other developmental disorders.” (Read more: Ogden Foundation Scholar leaves legacy of service on the Hill).

ROTC Commissioning

The Hilltopper Army ROTC Program commissioned three graduates as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Major Chase Attwood, Assistant Professor of Military Science, administered the oath of office to the following cadets: Gavin Bryson of Whitesville, assigned to Kentucky National Guard, Infantry; Mason Petlock of Louisville, assigned to Kentucky National Guard, Finance; and Harrison Riggs of Bowling Green, assigned to Kentucky National Guard, Engineer.

WKU also recognized veterans and members of the graduating class who are serving or have served in the military.

Scholars of the College

WKU recognized 18 fall 2025 graduates as Scholars of the College. The Scholar of the College is the baccalaureate degree student in each undergraduate college with the highest cumulative overall grade-point average and a minimum of 60 semester hours earned in residence.

• Sydney Alley of Monticello, Kentucky, is the Scholar of the College of Health and Human Services with a major in healthcare administration.

• Emily Arnett of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Potter College of Arts & Letters with a major in English. Arnett is the daughter of Jason and Cristy Arnett.

• Camron Arnold of Franklin, Tennessee, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in finance. Arnold is the daughter of Stuart and Michelle Arnold.

• Madalyn Davis of Waterloo, Illinois, is Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering with majors in architectural science and construction management. Davis is the daughter of Marie Davis.

• Ava Distefano of Nashville, Tennessee, is Scholar of the College of Health and Human Services with a major in interior design. Distefano is the daughter of Kami Distefano and Joseph Distefano.

• Payton Durham of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is Scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Science with a major in interdisciplinary early childhood education. Durham is the spouse of Ethan Durham and the daughter of Stephanie Britton and Marshall Flynn.

• Leslie Kathryn Ford of Woodburn, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in management. Ford is the daughter of Paul Ford and the granddaughter of Ron and Kathy Ford.

• Troy Howard of Gallatin, Tennessee, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in finance. Howard is the son of Randy and Heather Howard.

• Emma Lawrence of Bowling Green, Kentucky, is Scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Science with a major in psychology. Lawrence is also a member of the Mahurin Honors College and the daughter of Lori Lawrence and Marcus Lawrence.

• Charlize Luehmann of Troy, Illinois, is Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering with a major in mechanical engineering. Luehmann is the daughter of Kurt Luehmann and Joanna Luehmann.

• Maryan Mohamed of Bowling Green, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in management. Mohamed is the daughter of Halimo Iman.

• Ella Ryerson of Fairview, Tennessee, is Scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Science with a major special education and elementary education. Ryerson is the daughter of Holly Ryerson and Tim Ryerson.

• Lindsey Sargent of Lexington, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering with a major in biology. Sargent is also a member of the Mahurin Honors College, the fiancée of Christian Sander and daughter of Chuck and Tracy Sargent.

• Lauren Shultz of Orlinda, Tennessee, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in management. Shultz is the daughter of Vicki Shultz and Clinton Shultz.

• Alyssa Tripp of Sturgis, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in management. Tripp is the daughter of Lisa Tripp and Matt Tripp.

• Justin Vila of Nashville, Tennessee, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in mathematical economics. Vila is the son of Holly and Andrew Vila.

• Jackson White of Bowling Green, Kentucky, is Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering with a major in computer information technology. White is the husband of Ansley White and the son of Curtis and Stephanie White.

• Niang Zo of Douglasville, Georgia, is Scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business with a major in finance. Zo is the daughter of Gin Lam Mung and Ning Deih Kim.

Ceremony notes

• Kevin Mays, president of the WKU Alumni Association Board of Directors, welcomed graduates to the WKU Alumni family.

• Vocalist Kiris Ray, Vocal Performance major, led the National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, and the WKU alma mater, College Heights, accompanied by the WKU Brass Ensemble, directed by Dr. Gary Schallert.

• The December graduates included 33 student-athletes.

Contact: Registrar, (270) 745-3351

-WKU- 

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.