WKU News

When Abe Poku, an upstate New York native, received advice about his future and college, all he wanted to do was come to WKU.

“I chose WKU for a multitude of reasons. First of all, I wanted to get out of New York and make a new identity for myself. I had never been to Kentucky, and I figured it could be a great place to meet people and improve myself in many ways,“ he said. “Secondly, a close friend of mine was here while I was at Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. She told me the ROTC Program was incredible.”

Poku, a senior that will graduate this year, said the ROTC program is the main thing that shaped his time as a Hilltopper. “It has given me opportunities to learn new skills, gain tools for success, and give back to a great group of people.”

Poku is already starting to give back through the group’s peer mentorship program. “The peer mentorship program pairs an upperclassman with a lowerclassman to help them with their new college experiences. This program has allowed us to create more personal bonds and strengthen our program.”

Poku also found new ways to gain experience within the ROTC program and push it to new heights. He explained, “I was allowed to work with a cadre member to help develop and grow our Ranger Challenge Team.  Membership on this high-performing team was strictly voluntary with grueling physical training sessions and additional training outside of formal instructional hours. As such, the team consisted of the fittest and most motivated cadets within the program. It gave me enormous pride to see them pushing their bodies and minds to achieve more. All of this showed when we went from placing 37^th out of 38 teams during my freshman year to ninth my senior year in the 7^th Brigade Ranger Challenge.”

Colonel Morgan Greene, WKU Department Head of Military Science and Leadership, had a huge impact on Poku during his time as a cadet. “COL Greene taught me a lot about being a social person, getting to know people better, and doing presentations.” They worked together on the Gettysburg staff ride project.

Poku explained, “A staff ride is a critical learning tool used in the Army. Soldiers study and visit a battle or campaign to take lessons from the past and apply them to the future. During my time here, I have had the great opportunity to work with COL Greene and other cadets to plan and execute our staff ride.” Poku arranged plans for things like lodging and transport. He also was able to raise money and build more connections on the Hill.

“To raise money for our staff ride, we worked with recycling and custodial staff here at WKU to do football and basketball clean-ups. Along the way, we developed a close relationship with recycling and custodial staff, resulting in great respect for them and what they do.”

Poku is making plans for the future. After he graduates, his goals “are to complete the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC) and complete Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia.”

Poku said diversity is what made his time at WKU truly special. “The best part of WKU is the diverse group of people you will meet here. I’ve met people who have come from the same high school as me, people from other countries, and those who grew up here. I love to hear their stories and how they ended up at WKU. All of them are unique, willing to motivate me to complete my degree while helping me become a better version of myself. I’ve met people I never would have had the chance to meet, and I was able to meet these amazing people because I knew the right people at the right time.”

Finally, Poku offers advice to future Hilltoppers. “Enjoy the time you have in college, but don’t enjoy it too much. Also, you should challenge yourself. People do not get better by staying in their comfort zone.”

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To learn more about the Military Science and Leadership program at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/rotc/