Rittenhouse shot three men — two of whom died —  at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020, using a semi automatic AR-15 style rifle purchased for him by a friend. He was acquitted in 2021 after he testified that he had acted in self defense.

Prior to the start of the event, individuals who had signed up for tickets ahead of time lined up against barricades along the front of Downing Student Union. At roughly 5:40 p.m., individuals were allowed to enter an outside waiting area surrounding the doors of DSU Nite Class, where the event was held.

Many students were skeptical of how the event would play out after Rittenhouse’s last TPUSA appearance at the University of Memphis, where crowds of protestors booed him off stage.

William Rucker, a senior history major at WKU, expressed the tension of the environment around him before ticket holders were let inside Nite Class. 

“I’m feeling really tense,” Rucker said. “There’s a lot of feelings built up amongst everybody here and I think that’s valid. People can have feelings but I’m seeing reactions who are being more loud and aggressive in certain ways. I think we should have respect and try to listen to each other.”

Students also expressed differing opinions on what this event meant for WKU. 

“I am somebody who believes greatly in freedom of speech and open dialogues and academic conversation,” Jay Hightower, senior psychology major, said. “Turning Point USA has a history of bringing controversial people here and I will leave that to them, if that’s what they want to do that’s well within their rights. My concern is when you bring somebody who everyone understands is a danger to campus or brings a dangerous audience.”

Maxwell Hoover, a sophomore mechanical engineering student, sporting an American flag over his shoulders, felt that the event reflected positively on WKU. “I think it’s actually good,” Hoover said. “I think it shows that they actually believe in the country and freedom of speech.”

Only 104 individuals were allowed to enter into Nite Class due to seating restrictions, and the event was first come, first serve for those in line outside DSU. At 6:40 p.m., the doors to Nite Class were opened, with individuals being patted down and metal detected before they entered the area. 

With a 15 minute countdown on the TVs in the room and instrumental pop-music playing through the speakers, individuals awaited the arrival of Rittenhouse. At roughly 7:08 p.m., Rittenhouse entered after a quick introduction by TPUSA chapter president, Cade Holcombe. 

Holcombe explained that the event was meant to “open up productive conversation” and “thanked God that we live in a country where an open discussion like this can still happen.”

Rittenhouse began his recap with discussing his actions and point of view of the events that occurred in Kenosha. Rittenhouse explained that he was terrified, scared and alone during these moments. 

The crowd was silent for a majority of Rittenhouse’s recap, with supporters intermittently clapping. After the discussion of his own experience, Rittenhouse began speaking his opinion about open carry laws on college campuses. 

“I want to tell you that your university does not give a fuck about you,” Rittenhouse said in regards to individuals not being able to defend themselves on campus by carrying a firearm.

Rittenhouse said with police response times being five to six minutes, individuals should be able to carry guns on college campuses.

“You can’t have a police officer with you everywhere you go,” Rittenhouse said. “So you have the right to be able to carry a firearm … you are your own first responder.” 

While advocating for Second Amendment rights, Rittenhouse emphasized that “[he] urges campus staff, lawmakers who may be listening to their speech, [they] should be ashamed of [themselves] … [they] should be 100% ashamed that [they] don’t believe students have the right to defend themselves by prohibiting them from actually exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

As he lives in Texas, Rittenhouse said that students are able to carry firearms on campus.

“Every time I go to campus, I have my gun,” he said.

After speaking for roughly 15 minutes, the floor was opened for individuals to ask Rittenhouse questions. Students, press and community individuals were able to join the growing line of individuals waiting to ask questions. 

Many students present were in opposition of Rittenhouse, and asked questions to prompt him against his previous actions. 

When asked about Black Lives Matter and the movement, Rittenhouse said that “Black Lives Matter is great, but it’s still life at the end of the day that matters.”

Along with other questions about Black Lives Matter, supporters of Rittenhouse asked questions regarding Second Amendment rights. Throughout the question and answer session, Rittenhouse often did not let participants finish their questions before starting his response.

When asked about his experience after the events in Kenosha, Rittenhouse said that while he does receive threats and is occasionally followed, he gets the opportunity to speak to campuses and spark dialogue. 

After the question and answer session lasted about 15 minutes, Rittenhouse thanked the audience and promptly left. Many attendees shared their opinions of the event after the conclusion. 

“Honestly he just interrupted anyone who opposed him. He decided to antagonize them and fall into defense mode when he couldn’t answer their questions,” Kyla Bryant, freshman interior design major, said. 

Many student attendees voiced their opinions on why they decided to come to the event. 

“It’s important for the Black population of Western to come out and show that we’re disproportionately represented,” Kira Coleman, freshman, said. 

Some attendees vocalized their concerns that university funds were not spent efficiently and that a campus shutdown created more problems for students. Nine restaurants were closed early along with numerous campus parking lots.

Holcombe found the event to be fruitful for campus. 

“I think it started a little bit of a conversation between people and hopefully people too far on either side can find a middle ground,” Holcombe said. “My goal during this was basically to start the conversation. Even if it’s not about Kyle, there’s people who love to talk online and stuff and hide behind a profile and whatnot. But when you have that conversation face to face, and you start to listen to people, that’s when you really start to get somewhere in the middle ground.”

News Editor Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu.

News Reporter Larkin Ivory can be reached at larkin.ivory045@topper.wku.edu. 

News Reporter Cameron Shaw can be reached at cameron.shaw555@topper.wku.edu.

WKU student Kinsley Demontigny, 23, of Hendersonville, TN, died after a car collision on Tuesday, March 5. 

According to the Kentucky State Police press release, they received a call at approximately 10:00 p.m., in reference to a two vehicle head on collision on I-165.

A preliminary investigation indicated a vehicle, driven by Angela Dockery, 44, of Morgantown, was traveling south in the north bound lane when she struck Demontigny’s vehicle, KSP stated online.

Dockery was pronounced dead at the scene. Demontigny was transported to the Bowling Green Medical Center, where she later died due to her injuries.

The Herald has reached out to Jace Lux, university spokesperson, for a statement, but he did not respond prior to publication. This story will be updated when his statement becomes available. 

The investigation is still ongoing, and is being led by KSP Trooper Michael Wathen.  

The WKU Counseling Center is available for students who are seeking assistance in Potter Hall, and at 270-745-3159.

News Editor Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu

According to the email from Caboni, “the retention of our students illustrates the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives in enhancing student engagement; expanding support services; and deepening connections with peers, faculty and staff.” 

Going into the spring semester, 84% of fall undergraduate degree-seeking students returned to WKU, which is the highest percentage WKU has seen since they began tracking this data, nearly a decade and a half ago, Caboni stated. Additionally, 83.9% of the “overall underrepresented minority population” returned for the spring semester, being the highest percentage since the 2011-12 school year, Caboni said. 

First-time first-year students had a retention rate going into the spring semester of 91.6%, which is up 91.1% when compared to a year ago. Additionally, first-time, first-year low-income students returned from the fall to the spring semester at a rate of 90%, which is an increase of almost 5 percentage points since 2019, Caboni stated.

First-time, first-year first generation students returned at a rate of 88.5%, which is an increase of 2 percentage points when compared to last year, and an increase of 4.2 percentage points when compared to 2019, the email stated. 

Living Learning Community students who were first-time and first-year students returned at a rate of 94.8% in the spring semester when compared to non-LLC first-time, first-year students who did not participate in an LLC at 90.4%. 

Caboni also expressed his thanks to the Housing and Residence Life staff, faculty, staff and community members, who assisted in the move of students from Hilltopper Hall. 

“While difficult issues can and will arise on campus, one thing is clear – the WKU Family selflessly cares for one another and engages in every opportunity to meaningfully demonstrate the WKU Spirit,” Caboni said. 

News Editor Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu

According to the BGWCHS Instagram, there will be $25 emergency dog adoptions from Friday, Feb. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 11. 

“We are shocked by the amount of dog intakes we’ve had lately,” BGWCHS said via Instagram. “We have never seen this many dogs come in during February, and this shows how important it is to spay and neuter pets!”

Currently, there are 213 dogs in the care of BGWCHS, with 8-9 dogs in each kennel, when there is usually 5-6 per kennel at a maximum. 111 dogs are available for adoption this weekend, and need to be adopted ASAP, BGWCHS said. 

“If this situation doesn’t turn around, in just 24 hours we are going to be forced to make tough choices due to space for the first time in years,” BGWCHS said. 

The BGWCHS is open Saturday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Available dogs can be viewed here, or on the BGWCHS website.

News Editor Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu 

Abby Nash was a senior at the time of her passing, preparing to graduate in spring 2024 with a marketing degree and graphic design certificate. With her time at WKU, Abby Nash was involved in many activities.

“If Abby decided that she wanted to do something, she went all in,” her father, Tom Nash, said. 

She played intramural sports, then refereed intramurals, then transitioned into supervising referees, Tom Nash said. 

In addition, Abby  worked at her apartment complex, the Columns, and was a member of the Cherry Creative staff, as well as working an additional off campus job. 

“She was always busy, she was always active; she loved trying new things,” her mother, Anne Nash, said. 

After switching her major multiple times, Abby was working hard to complete her degree, taking 18 credit hours in the fall 2023 semester, all while managing to maintain a 4.0 GPA and be named to the WKU President’s List, as she had done in semesters previous.

“She was adventurous, and that was all things whether it was school or her activities,”  Anne Nash said. 

Abby enjoyed hiking around in the area and had a regular group of friends she played pickleball with. 

“As soon as she walked into a room and she smiled, her big eyes lit up, and her face lit up,” Anne Nash said. “Everything was good when she was around.”

Anne Nash explained how Abby maintained relationships and connections with individuals of all ages: “It didn’t matter the age, she just connected with people in an easy way.”

While going on college visits, Abby Nash was at Murray State looking at the engineering program, when she wanted to look at WKU since it was in the area. Anne Nash said the minute they stepped on campus, Abby knew that was where she wanted to go.

“She loved the campus, she loved the feel of the layout,” Anne Nash said.

Abby Nash also held close ties with her younger sister, Caitlyn Nash, who is four years younger than her. 

“They were basically twins who are four years apart,” Tom Nash said.

Her parents described their daughter’s big plans for her future, after graduation. She had wanted to move to Eugene, Oregon, to hopefully get a job in graphic design with Nike who is located there. Anne Nash said even though that was her focus, Abby wanted “really anything, as long as it was in the west and doing graphic design, that’s what she was focused on.”

Tom Nash emphasized that mental health is something that individuals deal with, and that there are not enough resources for these individuals. 

“Somehow we need to figure out how we can help change that, increase those resources, and hopefully that’s going to be our legacy,” he said.

Abby’s celebration of life service is being hosted by Tom, Anne and Caitlyn Nash, and is set for Feb. 23, what would have been her 22nd birthday. 

“It’s an Abby focused celebration, it’s all the things she loved, mixed into this party,” Anne Nash said. 

Everyone is welcome from the WKU community, she said. 

The service will be hosted at the Kentucky Derby Museum, and will be casual, including food, drinks and live music by This, That & The Other. 

“We just want to celebrate her and how beautiful and wonderful she was,” Anne Nash said.

News Editor Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu

A Morgantown man was arrested after holding a WKU employee at gunpoint in a campus parking lot on Wednesday evening, WBKO Channel 13 reported.

According to WKU Police Chief Mitchell Walker, just before 5:00 p.m. a WKU employee was walking in the Service Supply lot on campus, when a man hiding in a golf cart approached her at gunpoint, WBKO reported. 

The employee was able to distract the suspect and run away to call 911, to which WKU and Bowling Green City police were able to respond to the incident, WBKO reported, and were able to get into contact with the employee within 15 minutes of arriving to the scene. 

The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Jason Finley of Morgantown, where he was arrested and taken to the Warren County Regional Jail, WBKO reported. 

Walker said based on the investigation, Finley had been staying with a resident of Muse Bowling Green. He said the department does not think this incident was planned and that Finley had no affiliation with WKU or the employee involved. No one was hurt.

Finley is charged with unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, wanton endangerment in the first degree, wanton endangerment in the first degree to a police officer, terroristic threatening in the third degree, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest, WBKO reported. Finley is currently being held without bond. 

News Reporter Molly Dobberstein can be reached at molly.dobberstein519@topper.wku.edu