Herald Newsletter 02-23-2026

Monday, February 23, 2026

WKU unveils new dorm renderings, awaits legislation to proceed

WKU’s public-private partnership must be approved by the Kentucky Legislature to move forward.

WKU entered a $5.8 million pre-development agreement with international real estate company Gilbane at a Dec. 11, 2025, Board of Regents meeting. The university cannot fully move forward with the public-private partnership until it has been approved by the Kentucky Legislature by the end of the legislative session onApril 15.

Board of Regents approves Disaster Science programs, revenues and expenditures

WKU President Timothy Caboni discusses the proposed partnership with real estate developer Gilbane to transform WKU’s student housing to a private-ownership model with the Board of Regents in the CorneliusA. Martin Regents Room in Jody Richards Hall on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The Board of Regents voted to approve the partnership unanimously.(Von Smith)

WKU’s Board of Regents approved 10 degrees and certificates at its Friday meeting, including a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Disaster Science.

WKU offers a disaster science certificate, but David Brown, dean of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, said the certificate is

primarily for students already in the workforce. He said a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Disaster Science will give students a “fuller experience.”

Read more by Jake McMahon

WKU alum returns to impart wisdom on young journalists

Gary Hairlson encourages Western Kentucky University Journalism students to read and write as much as they can during the NABJ Speaker Series talk on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Hairlson says “for my visual journalists It’s my biggest regret not reading and writing enough in school, it’s easy to get stuck just taking pictures, but you need to be able to effectively do both for this career.(Kylee Holt)

For Gary Hairlson, journalism was not just his career – it was a way to help others.

WKU’s chapter of the NationalAssociation of Black Journalists welcomed its first speaker, Gary Hairlson, in its new speaker series. During the event on Wednesday afternoon, Hairlson spoke about his journey as a photojournalist up until his recent retirement.

Read more by

DiegoAlcaraz-Monje

Jam sessions: the backbone of bluegrass

Folklorist Dr. Erika Brady and Kentucky musician Gary Hays speak at the Picking It Up presentation on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the Kentucky Museum in Bowling Green, Ky During the presentation Brady and other Kentucky musicians explain the significance of the jam session and its role in the history and current state of music in Kentucky. (Sam Huffman)

Bluegrass music fans gathered at the Kentucky Museum on Saturday to hear about the history of Bluegrass Jam sessions.

Folklorist Erika Brady was accompanied by two other musicians as they explained the cultural importance of jam sessions on the bluegrass music scene. Jam sessions are gatherings of musicians that play instruments together to hone their skills and bond with others in their community.

No one’s perfect: Hilltoppers hand Liberty first conference loss

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers take the lead at halftime 42-37 and continued to expand their lead early in the second half on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.(Kylee Holt)

No one’s perfect. WKU Men’s Basketball rode a complete performance to defeat the Liberty Flames 94-73, handing the Flames their first conference loss of the season.

The Hilltoppers had everything working for them from the first whistle, shooting 52.5% from the floor. WKU continued to be near perfect from the free-throw line, shooting 95.7%.

Read more by Peyton Reid

Khedr, Rowe power Lady Toppers to second-straight win

Western Kentucky University’s guard Salma Khedr (34) prepares for a free throw during WKU’s game against MTSU in E.A. Diddle arena on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.(Natasha Gomez)

A20-point burst from sophomore guard Salma Khedr powered WKU Women’s Basketball to a 70-65 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at DiddleArena.

The performance marked the most points Khedr has scored in a conference game this season. Sophomore guard Trinity Rowe had her best game of the season, totaling 18 points and six assists.

Read more byAustin Rice

Mike Drop: Hilltoppers getting more with Moore

On Jan. 21, WKU Men’s Basketball lost to Liberty 76-69 at DiddleArena. In that game, sophomore guard Teagan Moore was injured in the final minute.

Exactly one month later, Moore got his get back. The Hilltoppers’leading scorer put up 21 points and went 3-3 from beyond the arc, showing composure against the conference’s top defense.

more by Michael Givner

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No place like home: WKU Softball sweeps Hilltopper Classic

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on Friday, Feb.

WKU Softball started off its 2026 home schedule on the right foot, sweeping the four-game Hilltopper Classic Feb. 20 and 21.

The Hilltoppers were hard to contain offensively, outscoring their opponents 33-7. They scored multiple runs in the opening frame in three of the four games. WKU’s pitching staff also put on a show, posting a 1.75 team ERAon the weekend.

Read more byAdrianna Lein

WKU Baseball defeats Southeast Missouri State for seasons first series win

WKU Baseball secured its first series win of the 2026 season after taking three games from Southeast Missouri State.

The Hilltoppers showed a strong presence in the batter’s box as they out hit SEMO 47-32 across the series. Junior infielder LaneArroyos extended his on-base streak to eight, going 7-15 with seven RBI and four walks.

Read

more by

David Quintanilla

WKU plans for new construction, novelist Nathan Gower visits students

Graphic by Shelbi Bale

This week, News Reporter Isaiah Merricks talks about WKU Men’s Basketball’s win over Liberty, a petition to save the greenhouse, demolition on State and Chestnut Street, new dorm complex renderings and novelist Nathan Gowers’visit to WKU’s campus.

The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints. The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism. All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders. While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom. Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency

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