Herald Newsletter 04-23-2025

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Bailey Reed, Newsletter Editor

Good morning, Hilltoppers!

Please enjoy today's newsletter covering including a print story on WKU philanthropy, a piece on the final beam placement in the Hilltopper Fieldhouse as well as wins from both WKU Softball and WKU Baseball Have a great day, and as always, GO TOPS!

IN PRINT: Donors down, dollars up: WKU philanthropy in a new age

Bale

Cameron Shaw | Assistant Content Editor

This story was originally published in Volume 100 Issue 4 of the College Heights Herald print newsmagazine on April 21.

Six years ago, WKU received more than $32 million in donations. In fiscal year 2024, when the university faced increasing budget challenges and private money was vital for the institution’s operations, the university brought in $12 5 million less According to a fundraising cash report the Herald obtained through a records request, the total philanthropic giving for fiscal year (FY) 2024 amounted to $19 5 million, a 4% decrease from the previous year Since FY18, university philanthropic giving dropped 39% from over $32 million to $19 5 million

Graphic by Shelbi

Read more by Cameron Shaw

‘This will have a generational impact’: Final beam placed on Hilltopper Fieldhouse

WKU staff, faculty, students and community members were invited to sign the final beam of the the Hilltopper field house on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Nathan Mueller | Sports Reporter

WKU and Bowling Green community members gathered around the future Hilltopper Fieldhouse Tuesday afternoon to sign the facility’s final beam before it was placed

The fieldhouse, situated between Houchens Industries L T Smith Stadium and Nick Denes Field, will be a joint practice facility for football and baseball, as well as a home for student organizations and programs outside of athletics.

Read more by Nathan Mueller

WKU Softball leaves Louisville with lowscoring win

the University of Louisville

in Bowling Green, Ky on Tuesday, March 25,

WKU Softball redeemed itself at the University of Louisville in a 2-0 shutout win on Tuesday after falling to the Cardinals last month The Hilltoppers are now 25-19 overall and have a four-game winning streak

Photo by Eli Randolph

WKU outfielder Kendle White (21) slides into home to score during WKU Softball’s game against

Cardinals

Hilltopper right-handed pitcher Gavin Perry (44) winds up a pitch during WKU’s game against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field Photo by Von Smith.

Hilltoppers defeat Evansville in runrule rout

WKU Baseball secured its second win over Evansville of the season on Tuesday, defeating the Purple Aces 14-4 in an eight-inning win The Hilltoppers’ record improved to 34-7 and 251 at home At the plate, the Hilltoppers tallied up nine hits and 11 walks Senior Kyle Hayes continued his great form, going 2-for-2 and racking up six RBIs Hayes has hit a home run in the last four games

Read more by David Quintanilla

SONG OF THE DAY

'Budapest' by George Ezra

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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