The red towel tradition at WKU traces its roots to the legendary Coach Ed Diddle. Diddle coached men’s basketball at WKU from 1922-1964, retiring with 759 wins, the most by any NCAA coach at that time. As early as the 1920s, Coach Diddle was carrying a wet towel as a way of cooling himself in the days before air conditioning, but gradually “it became kind of an instrument.”
The towel became part of Diddle’s coaching technique. He struck his hand with it in frustration or slapped the floor with it. Instead of calling time-outs during games, he used the towel to signal players on the floor, and after he threw it in the air to celebrate a victory. Spectators loved Diddle’s use of the towel.
While the color of the towels changed from white to red, over time, the symbol became ingrained in WKU’s history. In fact, Diddle’s successor as basketball coach, John Oldham, sketched a logo idea of a hand waving a red towel. That rough sketch was quickly transformed into a finished product that is largely unchanged today.
- David Lee, University Historian 2021
“The red towel is one of WKU’s many rich and storied traditions that define the Hilltopper Spirit. Our WKU Family looks forward to sharing that special spirit with you as you join our welcoming community and begin your own climb to greater heights.”
- Timothy C. Caboni, WKU PresidentIN HONOR OF OFFICIALLY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE HILLTOPPER FAMILY, WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE A PICTURE PROUDLY HOLDING YOUR FIRST RED TOWEL. WITH THIS TOWEL, YOU CAN SHARE WITH THE WORLD THAT YOU’RE #WKUBOUND!
TOP is a mandatory orientation program to connect students and families with the WKU community. From information sessions with current students to academic advising and class registration, TOP prepares students for taking the next step as they prepare to make the Hill their home.
To confirm your attendance at WKU, you will need to register for TOP.
TOP registration opens in early Spring. Check out wku.edu/top for up-to-date registration information and answers to frequently asked questions.
A college degree is an investment that provides a lifetime of value, and at WKU, your college education may be more affordable than you think.
Grants do not have to be repaid and may be awarded based on financial need.
The 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1, 2022 at studentaid.gov. Completing the FAFSA early gives students the best opportunity to qualify for various forms of financial assistance, though submissions are continuously accepted. Be sure to include WKU’s federal student code, 002002 on your FAFSA.
Loans must be repaid, so be sure to only borrow what you need. There are many types of loans available to assist with covering the cost of college including Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student loans as well as a federal Parent PLUS loan and private loans.
Through both federal and state aid, you may be eligible for up to fulltuition coverage at WKU!
The TopDollar Scholarship Portal is one convenient way to apply for scholarships at WKU. In addition to the scholarships that are awarded by the University based on academic merit, there are numerous scholarships that are awarded by the College Heights Foundation through private funds established by alumni and friends, academic departments or programs throughout the University, or by community organizations and professional associations. Learn more about the types of scholarships that can be applied for via TopDollar at wku.edu/topdollar.
TopDollar scholarships have a priority deadline of February 1st, though applications are continuously accepted.
WKU offers an online tool that allows students to estimate the cost of attendance and potential financial aid awards.
By completing a simple form about the student’s background, plans for housing while in school, and family finances, you can receive information on estimated costs and awards.
WELCOME HOME! You’re not just choosing a college; you’re choosing a home! Living on campus at WKU will give you the unique opportunity to live in a community with people from down the road to across the globe.
Live-in staff members will help you build an amazing community so that you will not only leave WKU with a degree, but also with memories and friendships to last a lifetime.
l Wi-Fi
Ethernet Access
Air Conditioning
Elevators
Vending Machines
Ice Machine
Laundry Room with Free Laundry
Closet
Study Room
Community Lounges
Theatre Room
Kitchen on Every Floor
Lobby
24-Hour Security and Information Desk
Adjustable XL Twin Bed
Desk
Desk Chair
2-Shelf Bookcase
Dresser
Trash Bin
Recycling Bin
Window Blinds
In addition to our standard housing assignments, WKU also offers Living Learning Communities (LLCs). In a WKU LLC, students with similar academic or social interests live together on a residence hall floor and participate in activities tailored to their specific majors or interests.
Although each LLC has unique opportunities, they all share the same vital purpose and goal: nurturing and developing a prosperous Hilltopper student to become engaged with other students and faculty throughout campus.
All incoming students should submit a housing application. The housing application opens in late fall and has a priority deadline of March 31st.
Visit wku.edu/housing for more information.
Sample food from over 20 on-campus restaurants and cafes, or eat the same thing every day – the choice is yours! Versatile and affordable meal plan options ensure that great food is always just steps away.
options
A WKU meal plan is a convenient and cost efficient way for a student to eat on campus using their WKU ID.
All students living on WKU’s campus participate in a meal plan. Meal plans are made up of meal swipes/value meals and meal plan dollars. The amount of swipes and dollars allotted depend on student selections.
Each location with the exception of Starbucks, Spencer’s Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels have preset ‘Value Meals’ made for students with a meal plan. The student will use their WKU ID to ‘swipe’ or ‘use a meal swipe’ to purchase a Value Meal at these locations.
The Meal Plan Dollars associated with each Meal Plan is for the student to use at dining locations if they want something other than the Value Meal options, to purchase a meal for a friend or to use at our two on campus convenience stores. Students will save 11% on applicable purchases using the Meal Plan Dollars associated with the Meal Plan.
All students at WKU are welcome to bring their car to campus but will need to purchase a parking pass. All parking spots on campus are clearly marked and parking availability is dependent upon the type of parking pass purchased.
Parking passes are available for purchase beginning in late springearly summer.
WKU also offers a variety of transportation services, including the most popular, Topper Transit. A variety of transit services are provided for the WKU community. Service is FREE to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Three fixed day service routes move passengers from point to point around campus.
On Saturdays, an off-campus route (Green Line Shopping Shuttle) is used to transport passengers to and from area shopping centers.
Para-transit service is provided at no charge for disabled passengers and requires registration with PTS. All Topper Transit buses are ADA and wheelchair accessible.
You can download the MyWKU app to track Topper Transit shuttle locations to hop on and take a ride.
We encourage you to get involved on the Hill. Check out wku.edu/sao for a glimpse at all the student activities that WKU has to offer and be sure to reach out to the Office of Student Activities if you have any questions about getting involved. You can find their contact information in the campus directory at the back of this book.
Not only are you joining the WKU community, you’re joining the Bowling Green community as well. Bowling Green serves as a great home for our Hilltoppers as the fastest growing city in the state of Kentucky. Bowling Green is ranked by Forbes as one of the best cities for small business, highest job growth, and lowest cost of living. Entertainment options include films, live music, theater, art galleries, museums, festivals, minor league baseball, over 20 parks, an amusement park, and over 100 restaurants within 1 mile of campus.
There’s no place like The Hill. Campus tours are led by current WKU students, with a variety of tours offered. Choose from a walking tour or bus tour, and then personalize your visit with add-ons specific to your interests. Visit wku.edu/visitwku to schedule your tour.
Upon admission to WKU you were assigned a WKU ID number and a NetID.
Your WKU ID, also called your 800 or 801 number, is a nine digit number. Please keep this number in a secure location, as you will use it throughout your time at WKU.
The NetID allows single sign-on access for WKU email (TopperMail), TopNet, and Blackboard.
Information about your Toppermail account will be shared with you in the days following your admission. This will serve as the main point of contact with your professors.
ACADEMIC ADVISING www.wku.edu/advising academic.advising@wku.edu (270) 745-5065
ADMISSIONS www.wku.edu/admissions admission@wku.edu (270) 745-2551
CAMPUS OPERATOR/DIRECTORY www.wku.edu (270) 745-0111
CAMPUS TOURS www.wku.edu/visitwku tours@wku.edu (270) 745-2551
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER www.wku.edu/career careerhelp@wku.edu (270) 745-3095
HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE www.wku.edu/housing hrl@wku.edu (270) 745-4359
INTERCULTURAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CENTER www.wku.edu/isec isec@wku.edu
MAHURIN HONORS COLLEGE www.wku.edu/honors honors@wku.edu (270) 745-2081
MEAL PLANS/DINING SERVICES www.wku.edu/rg wkudining@wku.edu (270) 745-2416
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE www.wku.edu/financialaid fa.help@wku.edu (270) 745-2755
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES www.wku.edu/transportation transportation@wku.edu (270) 745-2361
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCE CENTER (SARC) www.wku.edu/sarc sarc.connect@wku.edu (270) 745-5004
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS www.wku.edu/sao sao@wku.edu (270) 745-2459
TOPPER ORIENTATION PROGRAM www.wku.edu/top top@wku.edu (270) 745-4242
TUITION AND BILLINGS www.wku.edu/bursar billings.receivables@wku.edu (270) 745-6381
WKU POLICE www.wku.edu/police (270) 745-2677
Office of Admissions
Potter Hall 117
1906 College Heights Blvd #11020
Bowling Green, KY, 42101 - 1020
Phone: (270) 745-2551
Email: admission@wku.edu
Western Kentucky University