As a nationally prominent university, Western Kentucky University engages the globe in acclaimed, technologically enhanced academic programs. An inspiring faculty promotes entrepreneurial success and a unique campus spirit to attract an intellectually exciting and diverse family of the nation’s best students. Western Kentucky University is highly ranked academically and possesses programs of national prominence in journalism and broadcasting, engineering, and forensics.
WKU provides students with rigorous academic programs in education, the liberal arts and sciences, business, and traditional and emerging professional programs, with emphasis at the baccalaureate level, complemented by relevant associate and graduate-level programs. It is the fastest growing university in Kentucky, with over 19,000 students.
The University places a premium on teaching and student learning. Its faculty engage in creative activity and diverse scholarship, including basic and applied research, designed to expand knowledge, improve instruction, increase learning, and provide optimum service to the state and nation. The University directly supports its constituents in its designated service areas of Kentucky with professional and technical expertise, cultural enrichment, and educational assistance. The University encourages applied research and public service in support of economic development, quality of life, and improvement of education at all levels, especially elementary and secondary schools. In particular, WKU faculty contribute to the identification and solution of key social, economic, scientific, health, and environmental problems within its reach, but particularly throughout its primary service area.
WKU's commitment is to ensure value in a holistic learning experience through high standards for student achievement and conduct, a strong faculty, technological innovation, personalized attention, broad access, and public accountability for actions and outcomes.
WKU recognizes that its mission continues to evolve in response to regional, national, and global changes, and the need for lifelong learning.
Western Kentucky University's forensics team is internationally prominent, offering competition in all individual events and debate. The team has won the International Forensics Association championship 8 times, the National Forensics Association championship 4 times, the American Forensics Association championship 4 times, and the Kentucky state championship 17 times in a row. The team boasts students from every area of the country who also excel academically on campus.
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, a city with a population of 50,000, and located approximately 110 miles south of Louisville and 65 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee.
