WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents approved several philanthropic naming opportunities and swore in its newest member at its third quarterly meeting of the calendar year, held Friday (August 14). The Board also approved a handful of academic, financial and administrative measures, including an updated employment agreement for Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Todd Stewart.

Board Chair Jan West administered the oath of office to Caden Lucas, the Board’s newest member. Lucas, a senior from Harned, was elected President of the Student Government Association in the spring and will serve as Student Regent, replacing Rush A. Robinson, who graduated in May.

The Board elected officers for the 2026-2027 academic year:

• Jan West, Chair
• Doris Thomas, Vice Chair
• Melissa Dennison, Secretary

The Board also approved the naming of the CAYA Advancing Research and Community Health Institute in recognition of a gift from CAYA Collaborative Care, Inc., formerly known as LifeSkills, Inc. The newly established institute, housed within WKU’s College of Health and Human Services at the Community Health Science Complex on South Campus, will serve as an umbrella for community-facing health services, applied research centers and laboratories. The institute will align research and services with regional and statewide community health needs while fostering interdisciplinary partnerships across the University. 

The Board also approved philanthropic naming opportunities honoring the legacy of two-time alumna Romanza O. Johnson, including spaces at the Agriculture Research and Education Center, Academic Complex, Gary Ransdell Hall, Cliff Todd Center Gardens, the Kentucky Museum and the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center.

Additionally, the Board approved naming a room in the Harold and Juanita Koon Football Complex as the Bill Edwards Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Room, recognizing Edwards’ 47 years of service to WKU. More information about some of the recently approved philanthropic namings can be found here: https://alumni.wku.edu/s/808/24/1col.aspx?sid=808&gid=1&pgid=7661.

The Board approved an Undergraduate Certificate in Ethics Applied, which will provide students with 12 hours of focused study in ethical theory and moral reasoning. The certificate, offered through the Department of Political Science, is designed to complement students’ majors across critical thinking, moral judgment and ethical decision-making. 

Regents also approved an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Technology and Culture through the Department of English. The 19-hour certificate will bring together digital technology and the humanities, giving students opportunities to use digital and computational tools while examining technology, data and digital culture. 

The Board approved a resolution establishing WKU’s compliance with Kentucky House Bill 490, which requires public postsecondary institutions to establish a process for faculty removal for bona fide financial reasons, including financial exigency, low enrollment or misalignment of revenue and costs. The resolution adopts and reiterates existing procedures in the WKU Faculty Handbook related to financial exigency and changing program needs.

The Regents approved an amended employment agreement with Stewart, extending his term through July 31, 2030. The agreement is effective August 1, 2026, and includes performance-based incentives and an annual retention bonus paid by the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation.

Regents also approved staff emeritus status for John Mark Clauson of Biological Sciences and John Holder of Student Financial Assistance. Both were recommended by the WKU Staff Council after more than 40 years of service to the University and distinguished records of achievement. 

The Board also approved Asset Preservation Pool funding for a roof project at South Campus. The work has been physically completed. 

The WKU Board of Regents will next meet Friday, November 6, to conduct Committee Meetings.

Contact: Jace Lux, (270) 745-4295

- 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.