Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University
Former names	Western Kentucky State Normal School (1906–1922); Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College (1922–1930); Western Kentucky State Teachers College (1930–1948); Western Kentucky State College (1948–1966)
Motto	The Spirit makes the Master; Life more life
Type	Public university
Established	1906
Academic affiliations	ORAU; Space-grant;
Endowment	$209.5 million (2022)
President	Timothy C. Caboni
Academic staff	932 (658 full-time) (Fall 2020)
Administrative staff	1,691 (1,101 full-time) (Fall 2020)
Students	16,495 (Fall 2022)
Undergraduates	14,442 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates	2,053 (Fall 2022)
Location	Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States; 36°59′10″N 86°27′20″W / 36.98611°N 86.45556°W
Campus	200 acres (0.81 km2)
Colors	Red and White;
Nickname	Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FBS – CUSA
Mascot	Big Red
Website	www.wku.edu

Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a few decades earlier. It operates regional campuses in Glasgow, Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, and Owensboro. The main campus sits atop a hill overlooking the Barren River valley.^[5]

^ As of June 30, 2022. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Employees by Type and Status: WKU Factbook (2020)". Western Kentucky University. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "CPE Interactive Data Center". Retrieved June 20, 2023.
^ WKU Communication & Branding Manual (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 20, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
^ Switzer, The Daily News, Liz (May 4, 2010). "WKU officials dedicate newly renovated Preston Center". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved January 16, 2019.