Monday, November 24, 2025
Hilltoppers fall short in tight game at LSU
(FILE PHOTO)Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Jaylen Lewis (7) celebrates a play during the home game against MTSU at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Nov 15, 2025 (Libby Simpson)
Despite a herculean performance from the WKU defense, WKU Football fell to LSU 13-10 in a low-scoring battle at Tiger Stadium.
The WKU defense showed up on the biggest stage, holding the LSU offense to just 13 points and 328 yards of offense The unit combined for 86 tackles in the game, and 42 solo tackles.
“A lot of great individual efforts on the defensive side, guys were making great tackles,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “We didn’t tackle as well (against Middle Tennessee State), and that was a point of emphasis for us "
Physics Olympics’ winners receive $1,000 scholarships
Read more by Austin Rice
Physics instructor Kenny Lee demonstrates to students from Bowling Green High School how to use a drill during Western Kentucky University’s Physics Olympics on Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 (Natasha Gomez)
Three teams of local high school students created towers of spaghetti, candy catapults and edible musical instruments for a chance to win four $1,000 scholarships to WKU.
Students from Bowling Green High School, Warren Central High School and Butler County High School competed in five food-themed events during the Physics Olympics on Saturday in Kelly Thompson Hall.
The Physics Olympics is a half-day competition hosted by the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy that consists of various problem-solving activities. The competition rewarded teamwork, creativity and communication, according to the event overview.
Hilltopper Dynasty: WKU Volleyball wins 3rd straight Conference USA Tournament
For the third straight season, the Hilltoppers took home the CUSA championship.
WKU Volleyball defeated the FIU Panthers 3-2 in an instant classic Sunday for the Conference USA tournament championship. Sophomore Outside Hitter Alivia Skidmore had a career night, leading WKU with 25 kills.
Skidmore was joined by the surrounding cast of sophomore outside hitter Faith Young, finishing with 19 kills, freshman outside hitter Kaira Knox with 17 and junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele with 13.
Read more by Diego AlcarazMonje
WKU volleyball players celebrate after scoring a point during their game against Wright State on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 (Wyatt Redding)
Read more by Peyton Reid
Dancers twirled, tapped and traversed the rainbow road among sugary scenery in “WinterDance: Candyland adventures.”
The production, which ran from Friday to Sunday in Van Meter Auditorium, showcased 10 dances tailored to each of the boardgame’s sections and characters. WinterDance combines a “variety of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance choreography,” the Fine Arts Box Office stated.
“Being able to see them cross genres is quite incredible, and that shows the diversity of the dancers that we have,” said Director Meghan McKinley, a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. “It’s a cohesive whole.”
Read more by Natalie Freidhof
WKU Jazz Band rocks The Capitol Theatre
Guest performer Joey Tartell, a professor of trumpet and chair of the brass department at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, performs a solo during the song “Fireshaker” by Maynard Ferguson and Paul McCartney at the WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov 23, 2025 The band is led by Dr. Sarah Herbert, director of jazz. (Libby Simpson)
The Capitol Theatre hosted the WKU Jazz Band on Sunday for a live performance.
The WKU Jazz Band brought old rock n roll songs back to life. The performance consisted of songs from bands The Beatles and Radiohead, with other notable rock songs sprinkled in, including “Great Balls of Fire.”
Read more by Josh Baumgardner
A night of classical cello
Arms out: Members of the Western Kentucky University Dance Company perform the finale in the Winter Dance: Candyland adventures at Van Meter Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20. (Submitted by Ella Oakley)
Ava Balanowski, a junior elementary education major, performs Sonata in G minor (I Largo and II Allegro con spirito) alongside her teacher, Sarah Berry, WKU cello instructor, at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center on Nov 20, 2025 (Bradlee ReedWhalen)
Louis Van Beek spent three months practicing to perform the final act at WKU’s Fall Cello Studio Recital.
Van Beek, a junior and music education major, has been taking lessons with Sarah Berry, a WKU instructor of cello, every week during the semester in preparation for the recital. She performed the final act under a warm glow from the overhead lights, playing Shostakovich’s “Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano.”
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Hilltoppers compete for blood in annual rivalry
(FILE PHOTO) Phlebotomist Nicole Kogowski instructs WKU student Cole Rigsby on using the pumping ball every few minutes while having his blood drawn during the WKU vs MTSU Blood Battle blood drive in the Preston Center on WKU Campus in Bowling Green, Ky on Tuesday, Sept 27, 2022
WKU lost to Middle Tennessee State University in the annual 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive Competition, sponsored by the American Red Cross.
WKU announced on Friday, Nov. 14, at the WKU vs. MTSU Football game that MTSU won the 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive competition by 77 units of blood.
Read more by Abigail Vickers
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Bradlee ReedWhalen
Tournament, WKU Forensics meet the team
This week, Español Reporter David Quintanilla talks WKU Forensics meet the team, the QSU Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Board of Regents meeting, WKU Retention rates, and Lady Toppers Volleyball winning the CUSA Tournament.
Listen here
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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