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INSIDE TTHURSDAY, HURSDAY, APRIL APRIL 330, 0, 22015 015 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 990, 0, IISSUE SSUE 5511
Republican candidates for Kentucky Governor, Hal Heiner(from left), James Comer and Matt Bevin, address a set of questions during the gubernatorial debate in Downing Student Union's auditorium on Tuesday. The televised debate was sponsored by WKU's department of political science. NICK WAGNER/HERALD
the elephants in the room Republican candidates for Governor debate on various issues BY LASHANA HARNEY NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
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ducation, healthcare, jobs and taxes ruled the discussion during Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial debate. Three out of the four Republican candidates for governor attended the debate in the Downing Student Union auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Candidates Matt Bevin, James Comer and Hal Heiner were in attendance. Candidate Will Scott could
not attend the debate. The debate was co-sponsored by the Americans for Prosperity, the National Review and the WKU political science department. Heiner described himself as an unlikely candidate, one with a civil engineering background and a multitude of jobs. “If you could name a job, I probably had it,” Heiner said. “To dishwasher, to janitor, to surveyor, to cutting lawns as I went through
college.” Bevin described himself as a husband, father of nine children, a military veteran and a small business owner. "I look forward to the day when everyone asks ‘Why is everyone moving to Kentucky?’ instead of the other way around,” Bevin said. Comer received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from WKU in 1993 and currently serves as the Agriculture
SEE DEBATE PAGE A3
A look back: Ransdell Hall turns 4 years old Swim attorney, BY LASHANA HARNEY
The home of WKU's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Ransdell Hall, turned four years old on April 29. The university spent $35 million to accommodate more than 3,000 students through its academic programs. NICK
NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
Four years ago, President Gary Ransdell received one of the university’s highest honors—a building with his name on it. WKU dedicated Ransdell Hall on April 29, 2011. The decision was unanimous by the Board of Regents. The hall created a new home for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. President Ransdell said this dedication continues to challenge him in making WKU the best it can be. “I’ve got to continue to earn the designation that the Board of Regents very generously bestowed upon me with the naming of the building while I was serving as president,” Ransdell said. “That’s my challenge, to continue to earn that honor.” In the past four years, Ransdell said WKU succeeded in many areas, but three areas stick out: doctoral programs, competitive scholarships and international programs. “The world has become a complex place, environmentally with climate change, economically, geopolitically,” he said. “What happens in one country instantly affects our country. Our students need to be global citizens
WAGNER/HERALD
and understand how the world works and what all they can have in it. I don’t want our students to graduate without having some confidence in a global context.” Ransdell also had confidence in the eco-friendly nature of his namesake building. Chief Facilities Officer Bryan Russell said Ransdell Hall was designed to accomplish LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. House Bill 2 requires that any building costing more than $25 million must meet minimum LEED certification. However, GRH consciously went above those requirements.
“It’s more than just the building,” Russell said. “It’s about the property. It’s about the windows. It’s about the outdoor lighting. It’s about the material choices, recycling… There’s a whole lot that goes into the LEED certified facility depending on what level you achieve.” Ransdell said he plans to move forward with the same momentum. “I’ve been in this job 18 [years], I don’t know if the last four years have been any more successful or eventful than the previous 14 but I would like to think we’ve achieved successes… and I hope we continue to be productive in the next four,” he said.
gold medalist speak about suspension BY SHELBY ROGERS NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
Former swimmers are speaking out about the university’s five-year suspension of the swim team. Bowling Green attorney Brian Lowder represented three of the swimmers mentioned in Collin Craig’s allegations throughout the Judicial Affairs process. Lowder, a 2003 graduate of WKU, said Craig’s allegations were “exaggerated.” “[Craig’s claim] starts off with a summary that during his recruiting trip he was led to believe the swim team was a close-knit group that supports each other,” Lowder said. “If he came here on recruiting visits and trips, then he would’ve experienced the culture of hazing that he so adamantly complains about now. Whether that’s right or wrong, he would’ve come here and seen that, yet he made the decision to come to WKU." Craig's 10-page report detailed accusations of forced alcohol consumption, hazing and sexual assault. Craig filed a complaint with the Bowling
SEE SWIM TEAM PAGE A3