WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents convened for its first quarterly meeting of the year on Friday (February 14), approving new academic programs, awarding University Distinguished Professor status to two faculty members, and recognizing a generous philanthropic contribution.  

New Academic Programs

The Board approved three new academic offerings set to launch in Fall 2025:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in User Experience (UX): Co-located in the Potter College of Arts & Letters and the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, this program will equip students with expertise in design principles, technical development and research methodologies, preparing them to create user-centered digital solutions. 
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals: Offered through the Gordon Ford College of Business, this certificate will introduce students from non-business majors to core principles of business administration, expanding their access to foundational business knowledge. 
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Law: Also offered through the Gordon Ford College of Business, this program will provide students with an understanding of business law from a transactional perspective, complementing their primary fields of study with essential legal and business skills.

University Distinguished Professor Appointments

The Regents voted to award University Distinguished Professor status to:

• Dr. Rui Zhang, Professor of Chemistry 
• Dr. Anthony Harkins, Professor of History

Effective July 1 of this year, this designation recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, research and service. Candidates for this title must have held the rank of professor for at least five years, completed five or more years of service to WKU, have a sustained record of excellence and contribute meaningfully to WKU’s mission and vision. 

Philanthropic Naming Honoring LTC Michael R. Boos

The Board approved the philanthropic naming of the Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Michael R. Boos Room of Requirement in E.A. Diddle Arena. Lt. Col. Boos, a former Assistant Professor of Military Science in the WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (2020-2023), served as a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Army before assuming his role at the university. In addition to making a gift to support the program through the named space, Lt. Col. Boos established the LTC Michael R. Boos Aviation Excellence Award Fund to provide scholarships for WKU ROTC cadets who intend to pursue Aviation in the U.S. Army. He currently serves as the Deputy Operations Officer at the Army Reserve Aviation Command in Ft. Knox. (More: Read more about the gift from Lt. Col. Boos)

Additional Board Actions

The Board of Regents also:

• Approved a number of sabbatical recommendations
• Accepted the auditor’s report and financial statements for WKYU-TV and WKYU-FM for the 2024 fiscal year
• Accepted an independent accountant’s report on applying agreed-upon procedures for NCAA compliance as required by the NCAA Constitution
• Approved the 2024-2025 statement of revenue and expenditures
• Approved gifts and pledges eligible for state matching through the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Endowment Match Program
• Approved a four-year employment contract for Head Football Coach Tyson Helton that extends his employment until December 31, 2028.

The WKU Board of Regents will next meet on May 8 to hold committee meetings.

Contact: Jace Lux, jace.lux@wku.edu

- 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.