WKU Regional Campus News

Western Kentucky University in Owensboro proudly celebrated its 2024-2025 graduates with a heartfelt Graduate Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday evening at Blandford Hall on the Owensboro Community & Technical College campus. The event honored graduates who completed their degrees in December 2024, those graduating in Spring 2025, and students on track to graduate in Summer 2025.

Dr. Derick Strode, Director of Regional Campuses, opened the ceremony by welcoming graduates, families, and community members. “This evening is a celebration of you, graduates,” Strode said, “but it is also a celebration of the families, friends, faculty, staff, and community supporters who have helped you reach this milestone.”

The event featured a keynote student address by Rocky Maddox, a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies graduate with an emphasis in Health. Maddox, a longtime fitness trainer and Owensboro native, inspired attendees with his personal journey and message of perseverance: “When life knocks you down, you’ve got to get back up.”

Each graduate in attendance was individually recognized and presented with a WKU in Owensboro stole, symbolizing their connection to the Owensboro campus. Graduates received their stoles from WKU staff members Austin Klaine and Judy Rouse, affectionately known as “Mama Judy.”

Graduates recognized included Carley Arnold, Tracy Ballard, Jessica Bratcher, Joseph Davis, Kenna Ebelhar, Vangie Evans, Alex Gehring, Miriah Hamblen, Maddy Howard, Madison Jording, Lori Kimble, Allyson Kincaid, Rocky Maddox, Baleigh Murphy, Hannah Orth, Miller Pogue, Destiny Roberts, Timothy Villafranca, Holly Whittaker, Kiley Willinger

The ceremony also included remarks from Amanda Hamlet, a proud WKU alumna and member of the WKU in Owensboro Advisory Council, who welcomed the graduates into the WKU Alumni family.

Dr. Strode acknowledged WKU in Owensboro staff for their support of students and the WKU in Owensboro Advisory Council, a group of local alumni and community leaders who continue to support the campus and its mission.

As the evening concluded, graduates received gift packs from the WKU Alumni Association, yard signs to display their achievement, and a celebratory Big Red cake to take home.

The ceremony served as the first in a series of celebrations for WKU’s May graduates, leading up to Topper Walk, Commencement, and Big Red’s Bash in Bowling Green on May 8, followed by College Recognition Ceremonies on May 9.

Dr. Strode closed with words of encouragement: “Congratulations to each one of you. We look forward to seeing the incredible things you’ll do as WKU alumni. Let’s celebrate!”

For more photos and highlights from the event, follow WKU in Owensboro on Facebook.