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‘I felt like I was home’: Millie LeJeune crowned 2023 Homecoming Queen

Apollo Menéndez, News Reporter — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 19:04:40 +0000

When 36 other girls joined Mildred ‘Millie’ LeJeune on Saturday, Nov. 11 to compete for the title of Homecoming Queen, LeJeune was shocked to find out she would be crowned queen.

“It wasn’t until I heard ‘Black woman,’ like, that I knew that it was me that just won,” LeJeune said. “It’s still shocking, it’s still a dream. Like, I’m still waiting on somebody to wake me up and be like, ‘Millie, snap out of it.’”

LeJeune, a senior exercise science major with a concentration in pre-physical therapy, is very active in her campus involvement. She is a former president and a current member of Black Women of Western, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Exercise Science Club, Why Knot Us Too, Alpha Epsilon Delta and works as an ISEC navigator.

LeJeune was president of Black Women of Western beginning in Fall 2021, passing the torch to Kennedy Williams officially in Fall 2023. Black Women of Western (BWOW) is a multifaceted organization, as detailed by Williams, a junior management major with a human resources concentration.

“We really focus on practice of mentorship and sisterhood and really, just being a place for Black women on campus to come together and be authentically themselves, but also to help and guide them as a resource for black women on campus,” Williams said. “We do discussion panels on mental health or dietary things that can help black women or just social events.”

Williams described the organization as a place that also provides a break from other campus responsibilities, such as homework or other clubs.

“I felt like some of the events like that could be a mental break from everything that the girls have going on, like homework to other organizations,” Williams said. “Just somewhere where we can take a break from everything and be surrounded by friendly faces and have meaningful conversations with everybody.”

Williams wanted to sponsor LeJeune with BWOW not only due to being a former president of the organization but also because of what she does for those around her.

“She’s the former president, and like, I thought it was a great opportunity for us to get you [Millie] out there and get some recognition for that. I was very excited for when she said she wanted to do it,” Williams said. “Cause Millie’s just always doing something great. Millie’s always doing something to be the best Millie she can be, really.”

Williams has been inspired by LeJeune and her outgoingness since her freshman year, crediting her interest in Black Women of Western to LeJeune herself.

“When I first came in my freshman year, she gave me the biggest hug and I was so surprised by it because I didn’t know who she was,” Williams said. “And like, I really was interested in BWOW because of her because I felt like that was a great organization for me to be in, as a black woman on campus.”

One of LeJeune’s largest presences aside from BWOW is due to her involvement in the Intercultural Student Engagement Program (ISEC) as a navigator.

“I serve as a navigator, which is a liaison for freshman scholars that come onto campus, [and] I serve as a mentor and mentor them throughout their freshman year up until their senior year,” LeJeune said. “I have two currently right now, that are both freshmen I try to help them with their schedules. We help them periodically, bi-weekly, and just make sure they’re staying on track so we can keep them here at Western Kentucky University.”

Despite ending up winning the competition, LeJeune only applied for Homecoming Queen the day before applications closed, deciding to apply due to inspiration instilled in her by her grandmother and Alice Gatewood Waddell, the first African American Homecoming Queen at WKU in 1972.

“So, I found out about it the day before it was due and submitted my application, and I got people to help me out, those sponsors, and started the campaign,” LeJeune said. “This is a dream that came true.”

The candidates did various activities around and during homecoming week, and as LeJeune appreciated, she got to know them on a personal level.

“We started off with the social, just getting to get to know the girls. We hung around downtown and went to Spencer’s, and started the week off with a candle making class,” LeJeune said. “That was very sentimental and sweet getting to just talk to the girls on a calmer level instead of us going against each other.”

LeJeune emphasized the challenges of homecoming.

“My friend called me and was like, ‘Hey Millie, I’m just wondering where you’re at.’” LeJeune said. “And I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m freaking out, I’m not in line, I had no type of signal on Saturday, my phone’s about to die, just trying to find my escort,” LeJeune said. “It was a challenge.”

LeJeune credits her grandmother for being the motivation for her goal to win Homecoming Queen. She was happy regardless of the competition’s outcome, and proud of her contributions to WKU for her communities.

“I definitely carried the torch for her and kept my promises to her. I remember before walking on the field before they announced my name, I looked up in the sky and thought, Grandma, this is for you.”

LeJeune wanted to note the effect this has on the groups she is a part of.

“This is still a major accomplishment for the Haitian community and also Western’s community, too, that rallied behind me,” LeJeune said.

A proud supporter of LeJeune is Martha Sales, WKU dean of students. Sales is excited LeJeune gets to serve as Homecoming Queen, seeing how she has excelled and impacted others over time.

“I knew Millie, actually in her relationships with the Intercultural Student Engagement Center. She’s a scholar, as well as a navigator. To be a navigator, you have to excel not only academically, but in leadership and skills and competency and how to be kind and treat people…,” Sales said. “She always comes by and checks on me, always has a beautiful, bright smile on her face, always encouraging, and then I see her in her act with others and she does the same,” Sales said. “And then I think she’s truly focused on the wellbeing of others.”

LeJeune will graduate this winter, but plans to continue working in the organizations she is a part of and wants to become involved as an alumni, continuing her work even if she is away from Bowling Green. LeJeune feels very strongly about WKU and always has, long before becoming Homecoming Queen.

“WKU definitely chose me, like, when I walked on this campus before COVID happened in February of 2020, I felt like I was home,” LeJeune said. “And if I could choose a million times and go back in time [to] what school I want to go to when I make my commitment, it will always be WKU.”

News Reporter Apollo Menéndez can be reached at kyra.menendez705@topper.wku.edu

LGBTQ+ WKU Alumni share stories from the Hill

Ali Costellow, News Reporter — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:00:43 +0000

1972 WKU alum Karen Stewart grew up in Beaver Dam, which she described as “about the most religious place you could ever land in your life.”

As a child, Stewart always felt more like a boy than a girl, had more traditionally masculine interests and hated traditionally feminine clothing. She realized her attraction to girls at 12 years old, which “terrified” her because of how both society and the generally Baptist population of Beaver Dam then viewed the queer community.

When Stewart first came to WKU in 1968, positive changes were occurring within the LGBTQ+ community such as the 1969 Stonewall riots and the first gay pride parade in 1970. However, it was still largely unaccepted for those in the community to be out.

“I had to formulate a plan,” Stewart said. “I was going to graduate from high school, go to Western, get a degree that
would qualify me to work some job somehow. And then after I had a job, I could be financially self-sufficient, and I could do
what I wanted … nobody could at least, starve me, or anything like that.”

Even though Stewart was not out to others about her sexuality on campus, she believes people knew her identity anyway.

One night during her freshman year, Stewart went to an off-campus party.

After a while of sitting by herself, she noticed a guy looking over at her and mumbling under his breath.

“What he said to me was, ‘sure would like to f– a dyke,’” Stewart said.

She left that party soon after and did not return to any more during her college years. This experience – one not uncommon to queer people during this time period – was extremely off-putting to her and caused her to never truly feel safe on campus.

“When somebody says something like that, it doesn’t do a whole lot for your sense of security and bodily integrity. That was my freshman year, so after that, I just kind of did what I needed to academically, and that was it,” Stewart said.

Stewart also felt some of the straight women on campus expressed “predatory” behavior towards her. She felt she was approached with the attitude that if the women treated her nicely, then they expected Stewart to do things for them.

“I felt taken advantage of a few times by a few people … I was just looking for friends so I wouldn’t be lonely,” she said.

She did, however, find joy in playing the bass clarinet in the WKU band, and had a close friend in the music program that was a gay man.

“I kind of had a person I could go to if I needed a male escort or something. He’s gay, so you know, we would sometimes just go [places] together,” Stewart said.

Stewart graduated in 1972 after studying sociology and folk studies. She worked as a caseworker before she graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1986 and became a law clerk.

In 1992, she opened her own law practice that focused on working with LGBTQ+ clientele. She married her wife in Canada in 2004, and they now reside together in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

GEORGENA BRACKETT

When Georgena Brackett started WKU in 1983, she was still attempting to date men like her siblings and friends were doing.

During her sophomore year of college, however, she got into her first lesbian relationship.

“I realized that that was my comfort zone and that’s what I had been missing in my life as far as dating, having strong feelings for someone,” Brackett said.

Residing in Bowling Green, Brackett is now a director of health information management at Med Center Health. She also is a part-time faculty member in the Department of Social Work and president of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors at WKU.

In college, she continued to “fly under the radar” and stayed closeted, not attending any social events with her girlfriend.

The global AIDS crisis officially started in 1981, which caused both substantial deaths and increased hate towards the LGBTQ+ community from society. Brackett said if she had shown support for the community or been out herself, she thinks it would have impacted how she was treated or respected by her peers.

“I really didn’t have any negative interaction [while at WKU] at all. But I think because I was so closeted, it never presented as an opportunity to be treated any differently, ” Brackett said.

She said in hindsight, she is sure there were other queer people on or around campus while she was a student, but that she was completely unaware of any specific opportunities to engage with them socially or organizationally.

Georgina Brackett with her parents, Marcella and George Brackett, at her 1987 graduation. (Photo provided)

“I didn’t have knowledge of what to do, or how to do any of that, nor did I have the encouragement or the self-esteem to pursue anything outside of my class responsibilities,” Brackett said.

While on campus, she worked as a tour guide at the Kentucky Museum and was a resident assistant at Rodes Harlin Hall.

Brackett graduated from WKU in 1987 after obtaining her medical records degree. She then went back and obtained a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an area of concentration in psychology in 1992. In 2010, she graduated from WKU for a third time with a master’s degree in business administration.

In 1992, she met the “love of her life” at a work event. She and her wife had a union ceremony in 1997, where they invited family and friends and were “completely out at that point to anyone and everyone that was in [their] lives.”

Brackett said that her experience as a graduate student at WKU was completely different than when she was an undergraduate student. She said she would often make comments about her wife to others or invite her wife to social gatherings with her peers.

“It was a completely different, night and day experience. A kind of wonderful experience with my WKU connections at that point, having [my wife] on my side,” Brackett said.

SPENCER JENKINS

Growing up in the east end of Louisville, Spencer Jenkins always knew he was different.

“I think we all say that. We all knew we were different to some degree,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins graduated from WKU in 2012 after studying news-editorial journalism and criminology and working as a reporter for the College Heights Herald. He is currently the executive director of Queer Kentucky, a “diverse, LGBTQ+ run non-profit based in Louisville” which he founded, that brings awareness to the LGBTQ+ community.

He first questioned his sexuality around 10 years old and continued to do so throughout middle school. He felt that he comfortably came to terms with his queerness the summer before his junior year of high school, and came out to his family during the winter of 2007.

“My family was accepting for all of like, 18 hours. And then, I don’t really know what kind of reality set in with them, but I can kind of empathize to a degree … they had seen nothing but negative,” Jenkins said.

Societally, LGBTQ+ acceptance was progressing, but there was still a certain stigma surrounding queerness. This was prevalent for members of his parents’ generation since they had witnessed tragedies like the AIDS crisis and the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was brutally attacked in 1998.

“I was so sure of myself, too,” Jenkins said. “So, it was very disheartening and traumatizing to be so sure of something, and then have the people that are supposed to accept you, take care of you, love you no matter what, love you unconditionally just disregard and ignore and repress the authentic self I was coming into.”

When Jenkins started attending WKU in 2008, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity to feel “traditional” or “normal.” Surprisingly to him, there were a few other men who were involved in Greek life and also out as gay. Jenkins said the straight fraternity men were even very accepting of their queer fraternity brothers.

“It’s so weird that something so stereotypically homophobic and toxic kind of became the place that I found acceptance for the first time,” Jenkins said.

Spencer Jenkins, a 2012 WKU grad, is pictured at an event in 2010. (Photo provided)

The queer community was making progress towards social acceptance as Jenkins continued to attend WKU. In 2008, across the nation, states were fighting for the right to same-sex marriage, and in 2009, the gay-oriented social networking and online dating app, Grindr, was released.

Throughout his time on campus, Jenkins kept searching for acceptance in his identity.

He said that he was unaware of WKU offering any services to aid students in the LGBTQ+ community, but remembers going to a campus therapist at one point.

Jenkins said he felt he often had to get “f– up” since he had not yet found a way to navigate his family and society in relation to his identity. He also was so unsure of himself that he did not feel he could fit in anywhere.

“I was doing anything I could to numb out who I was. Because who I was, was bringing nothing but trauma in my life,” Jenkins said.

Even though he was still dealing with obtaining complete acceptance, by the time he was 20 years old, Jenkins was fully out as a queer individual and had gained support from close friends he had made.

SETH CHURCH

Seth Church had what he described as “a pretty religious sort of upbringing in rural Kentucky on a farm.”

In regards to his sexuality, he had known something was “off” since he was young, but thought of it only as a test of his religious faith.

It was not until Church got to WKU in 2011 that he became internally comfortable with his identity as a queer man by making genuine friendships and meeting peers who were out, even though he was still closeted.

“I established a really close group of friends who I could talk through things with and get involved [with],” Church said.

Around the time Church attended WKU, the LGBTQ+ community was seeing advances of acceptance take place. In 2011, openly gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women were permitted to serve in the military, and in 2015, both same-sex marriage and adoption were legalized in Kentucky.

Church graduated from Western in 2015 with a political science major and a legal studies minor. He graduated from Emory University School of Law in 2015 and is now a litigator in Lexington. He is also on the board of directors and secretary for AVOL Kentucky, an organization “dedicated to the eradication of HIV and AIDS.”

Church was heavily involved with the Student Government Association during his time on campus. He said that one of the proudest things he did was writing a resolution to declare the SGA office as a designated safe space for queer people to come to if they needed support.

“I was so excited about it,” Church said. “I put up a little paper printed-out sign that I made saying, ‘This is a safe space,’ under the resolution number. And then, a few years later … I was sent a picture where [SGA] had bought a very nicely made plaque that went up in place of my little paper sign.”

Even while in the closet, Church also joined some queer-focused organizations on campus. He was on the board for the Campus Pride Index and helped plan the first annual WKU Lavender Graduation Ceremony during his senior year in 2015.

Seth Church at the 2015 Lavender Graduation ceremony.

The ceremony is an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be celebrated in their sexual identities as they graduate from Western.

When it was time for the Lavender Graduation to take place, Church was asked by his advisor if he would be attending the ceremony as an allied guest. He took her by surprise when he said he was going to be walking in the ceremony himself.

“That was my coming out,” Church said. “I didn’t come out until I was literally graduating college. I think I had probably figured it out fully, that I was queer. And I had told people, probably freshman year of college, but I really didn’t come out until I was graduating.”

In more recent years, queer support on campus has only increased. Student organizations such as the Queer Student Union and Out in Honors have provided the opportunity for LGBTQ+ students to be immersed in the community with their peers. The Pride Center, Hilltopper Pride Network, WKU Alumni Association Topper Pride Alumni Chapter and the Intercultural Student Engagement Center have been put into place institutionally for campus and its faculty to create an accepting environment at WKU.

These groups host social events for students to attend and also provide information, help and support for those who may be struggling in their identities.

“There is still room to grow and advance our community as an LGBTQ+ population on campus … I think Western is making advances in those areas, and I’m very proud of the work that’s being done,” Brackett said.

News Reporter Ali Costellow can be reached at ali.costellow453@topper.wku.edu

Who’s paid the most at WKU?

Molly Doberstein and Maggie Phelps — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:00:53 +0000

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story had a mistake in the yearly pay of Robert Hale. It has since been updated. The Herald regrets the error.

The total cost of the top 25 paid employees at WKU is $5,414,721.84 a year, with an average hourly salary of $137.67.

Top 25 Salaries at WKU

Tyson Helton is the Men’s Football coach for WKU. He is paid $918,000 per year, which is $470.80 per hour.

1) Tyson Helton

Tyson Helton is the men’s football coach for WKU. He is paid $918,000 per year, which is $470.80 per hour.
Steve Lutz is the men’s basketball head coach at WKU and makes $650,000 a year, which is $333.34 an hour.

2) Steve Lutz

Steve Lutz is the men’s basketball head coach at WKU and makes $650,000 a year, which is $333.34 an hour.
Timothy Caboni is the president of WKU and makes $468,180 a year, which is $240.09 an hour.

3) Timothy Caboni

Timothy Caboni is the president of WKU and makes $468,180 a year, which is $240.09 an hour.
Todd Steward is the an athletic director at WKU and makes $303,960 a year, which is $155.88 an hour.

4) Todd Stewart

Todd Steward is the an athletic director at WKU and makes $303,960 a year, which is $155.88 an hour.
Tyson Summers is the men’s assistant football coach at WKU and makes a $300,000 a year, which is $153.85 an hour.

5) Tyson Summers

Tyson Summers is the men’s assistant football coach at WKU and makes a $300,000 a year, which is $153.85 an hour.
Robert “Bud” Fischer is the provost and vice president of academic affairs at WKU and makes $289,892.16 a year, which is $148.66 an hour.

6) Robert "Bud" Fischer

Robert “Bud” Fischer is the provost and vice president of academic affairs at WKU and makes $289,892.16 a year, which is $148.66 an hour.
Susan Howarth is the executive vice president of strategy, operations, and finance at WKU and makes $270,000 a year, which is $138.46 an hour. (Clinton Lewis)

7) Susan Howarth

Susan Howarth is the executive vice president of strategy, operations and finance at WKU and makes $270,000 a year, which is $138.46 an hour.
Amanda Trabue is the Vice President for Philanthropy/Alumni Engagement for WKU. She is paid $260,000 which means $133.34 per hour. (John Russell)

8) Amanda Trabue

Amanda Trabue is the vice president for philanthropy/alumni engagement for WKU and makes $260,000 a year, which is $133.34 per hour.
Ethan Logan is the Vice President for Enrollment & Student Experience at WKU. He is paid $238,129.20, which works out to be $122.12 per hour.

9) Ethan Logan

Ethan Logan is the vice president for enrollment & student experience at WKU and makes $238,129.20 a year, which is $122.12 per hour.
Gordon Emslie is a professor of physics & astronomy art WKU and makes $226,672.56 a year, which is $116.24 an hour. (Clinton Lewis)

10) Gordon Emslie

Gordon Emslie is a professor of physics & astronomy art WKU and makes $226,672.56 a year, which is $116.24 an hour.
David Brown is the Dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering. He is paid $217,419.12, which works out to be $111.50 per hour.

11) David Brown

David Brown is the dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering and makes $217,419.12 a year, which is $111.50 per hour.
Corinne Murphy is the Dean of the College of Education & Behavior Science at WKU. She is paid $214,200.00, which works out to be $109.85 per hour.

12) Corinne Murphy

Corinne Murphy is the dean of the College of Education & Behavior Science at WKU and makes $214,200.00 a year, which is $109.85 per hour.
Tania Basta is the dean of the College of Health & Human Services at WKU and makes $211,000 a year, which is $108.21 an hour. (Clinton Lewis/WKU)

13) Tania Basta

Tania Basta is the dean of the College of Health & Human Services at WKU and makes $211,000 a year, which is $108.21 an hour.
Donald Smith is the President of the College Heights Foundation. He is paid $210,120.00, which works out to be $107.75 per hour. (Clinton Lewis/WKU)

14) Donald Smith

Donald Smith is the president of the College Heights Foundation at WKU and makes $210,120.00 a year, which is $107.75 per hour.
Gregory Collins is the women’s basketball head coach at WKU and makes $207,076.32 a year, which is $106.19 an hour.

15) Greg Collins

Gregory Collins is the women’s basketball head coach at WKU and makes $207,076.32 a year, which is $106.19 an hour.
Terrance Brown is the Dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters. His salary is $200,000.00, which is $102.56 per hour.

16) Terrance Brown

Terrance Brown is the dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters at WKU and makes $200,000.00 a year, which is $102.56 per hour.
Andrea Anderson is the General Counsel for WKU. She is paid $184,456.80, which works out to be $95.59 per hour.

17) Andrea Anderson

Andrea Anderson is the general counsel for WKU and makes $184,456.80, a year, which is $95.59 per hour.
Gordon Baylis is a professor of psychological sciences at WKU and makes $184,383.36 a year, which is $94.56 an hour.

18) Gordon Baylis

Gordon Baylis is a professor of psychological sciences at WKU and makes $184,383.36 a year, which is $94.56 an hour.
Whitney Peake Is a management department chat at WKU and makes $182,722 a year, which is $93.70 per hour. (Clinton Lewis/WKU)

19) Whitney Peake

Whitney Peake is a management department chair at WKU and makes $182,722 a year, which is $93.70 per hour.
Philip Cunningham is the men’s basketball assistant coach at WKU and makes $170,833.68 a year, which is $87.61 an hour.

20) Philip Cunningham

Philip Cunningham is the men’s basketball assistant coach at WKU and makes $170,833.68 a year, which is $87.61 an hour.
Ranjit Koodali is the associate provost of research & graduate education of chemistry at WKU and makes $170,833.68 a year, which is $87.61 an hour.

21) Ranjit Koodali

Ranjit Koodali is the associate provost of research & graduate education of chemistry at WKU and makes $170,833.68 a year, which is $87.61 an hour.
Indudeep Chhachhi is the finance department chair at WKU and makes $170,405.28 a year, which is $86.39 an hour.

22) Indudeep Chhachhi

Indudeep Chhachhi is the finance department chair at WKU and makes $170,405.28 a year, which is $86.39 an hour.
Marc Rardin is the men’s baseball head coach at WKU and makes $168,300.00, which is $86.31 per hour.

23) Marc Rardin

Marc Rardin is the men's baseball head coach at WKU and makes $168,300.00, which is $86.31 per hour.
Robert Hale is the associate provost for faculty, academic, & outreach at WKU and makes $168,300 per year, which is $86.31 an hour.

24) Robert Hale

Robert Hale is the associate provost for faculty, academic, & outreach at WKU and makes $168,300 per year, which is $86.31 an hour.
Renaldo Domoney is the assistant vice president of budget, finance & analytics at WKU and makes $163,900 a year, which is $84.05 an hour. (Clinton Lewis/WKU)

25) Renaldo Domoney

Renaldo Domoney is the assistant vice president of budget, finance & analytics at WKU and makes $163,900 a year, which is $84.05 an hour.

The highest paid individual at WKU is Tyson Helton, the Hilltoppers head football coach, who makes $918,000 a year, with Renaldo Domoney, assistant vice president for budget, finance and analytics who makes $163,900, coming in at spot 25.

Pay and faculty salaries has been a recent topic of discussion after several top administrators and faculty were approved to receive large raises, while the majority of employees were informed that they would receive a 1% raise. Certain areas of the university are also being advised to reduce their spending, in order to assist with the $11 million of overspending from last year.

Jace Lux, university spokesperson, stated there are a variety of factors that influence salaries at WKU, including a comparison to similar positions at other universities and individual experience.

“Employee salaries at a university are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, expectations of the job and the market for comparable positions at other institutions,” Lux said. “An individual’s career experience and length of time in a position are also significant factors in compensation decisions.”

While salary amounts for the top 25 paid individuals may seem large or obscure at first glance, James Finkelstein and Judith Wile, researchers in executive compensation, explained these compensation trends among administrators and executives in higher education are very common.

Finkelstein, professor emeritus of public policy at George Mason University, began his studies on presidential assets and selection over 20 years ago, first assessing a group of university presidents who sit on corporate boards, he explained.

Finkelstein said that in the past year to year-and-a-half, they conducted a study focusing on the compensation and salaries of the presidents of the 50 flagship institutions.

In this study, they compared what the presidents were earning 10 years ago, adjusted the price into “today’s dollars,” and compared them to what they are currently earning, Wile, research professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, said.

“While we look at the presidents, faculty often think that they are not paid fairly or with the same degree of add-ons to their salary,” Wile said.

According to their research, public university presidents are typically the most highly paid public executives in a state, “excluding coaches and perhaps a handful of medical-school faculty members.”

In the study, it was found that from 2010 to 2019, in 49 of the 50 public flagship universities, the total compensation for presidents of public flagship universities increased by 56%.

Additionally, the increase of large salaries at WKU is not uncommon when are more people in “executive” seats now than 10 years ago, Wile said.

SALARY RAISES

Salary changes and pay increases for administration and faculty are due to different factors, thus potentially explaining why they may raise at different rates. Incentives like retention raises have been introduced to keep individuals from going to competing universities, Finkelstein said.

The 11 WKU administrators and staff members that received salary increases more than $5,000 are due to new contract agreements, staff turnover, reallocation of funds within departments as well as a new annual salary reflecting the addition of cell stipend to employee base salary, according to the agenda for the Board of Regents’ finance and budget committee from Oct. 17.

When looking at compensation for individuals with higher salaries versus those with lower ones, it is important
to note that everyone receives the same percentage increase, regardless of what they are currently making.

“One of the things that often happens is that raises are given in percentages, and that, for people with lower salaries, that keeps their salary lower,” Wile said. “1% of a $70,000 salary is quite different than 1% of a $150,000 salary.”

With WKU faculty, keeping the percentage at a fixed rate for all employees produces little substantial salary growth, unless there is an outside factor, like the new contract agreements or retention bonuses.

Benefits not listed in the salary are for things such as signing and retention bonuses, housing allowance, health and life insurance and deferred compensation. The total of these benefits and the base salary make up the “true value” of the salary contract, Wile said.

All of the salary numbers listed on the top 25 list of WKU employees are base salaries only, not full contracts, which may include additional payments.

According to their research, Wile said that 73% of university presidents are brand new to the position, while Finkelstein added that presidents tend to serve seven years in their seat.

“New College in Florida just named a president to the university, who has never been president before, but is a good friend of the governor,” Wile said. “They have around 750 students… and the total number of his five year contract is about $7.6 million.”

PRESIDENTIAL PAY

WKU President Timothy Caboni currently has a salary of $468,180, placing him at number three on the list of 25. Caboni’s contract includes a performance based bonus of 10% based on performance in different areas, such as execution of the strategic plan, according to WKU news from March 2021.

Additionally, the contract describes “a deferred compensation plan, half of which is available to President Caboni should he stay through June 30, 2024, and 100 percent if he stays through June 30, 2025.”

However, compared to other large public universities in Kentucky, Caboni has a salary that is significantly less than other presidents.

Former University of Louisville president Neeli Bendapudi received a 5-year salary increase in 2021 as reported by Wave News. She held a base salary of $875,000 a year and received an additional retention incentive payment of $200,000 a year.

“The new 5-year contract is worth more than $1 million a year in salary and incentives,” David Mattingly, reporter for Wave News, wrote.

The current president of the University of Louisville, Kim Schatzel, currently has a base salary of $925,000 a year, WDRB Louisville reported in 2022.

University of Kentucky president Eli Capilouto had a base pay of $1.036 million a year and currently has a salary of $1.378 million a year, US News reported.

In 2021, Capilouto received a raise that boosted his base pay to more than $1 million that became effective Jan. 1, 2022, the Lexington-Herald Leader reported.

The Lexington-Herald Leader additionally reported that Capilouto’s current base pay is now the average base pay of the two highest paid SEC public university presidents, plus 10%.

“Capilouto was the highest paid public college executive in the country last year. With bonuses and other pay, Capilouto’s total compensation was more than $1.7 million in 2020,” as reported by Monica Kast for the Lexington-Herald Leader.

Compared to other regional universities in Kentucky, Caboni makes the most.

Eastern Kentucky University president David McFaddin earned a salary of $300,000 per year when moving from an interim to president in 2020, as reported by Eastern Kentucky University Stories.

Cady Short-Thompson was named Northern Kentucky University president in September and is set to have a base salary of $400,000 in her 4-year contract. This is compared to former NKU president Ashish Vaidya, who received a salary of $450,000 at the time of his departure, as reported by the Northern Kentucky Tribune.

Murray State University president Bob Jackson has a 4-year contract that began in 2019 and is set to receive a base salary of $325,000 a year, as reported by WEKU.

There are four full-time faculty members at WKU that are ranked within the top 25, two of which formerly held administrative positions.

Gordon Emslie, physics and astronomy professor and former provost, holds a salary of $226,672 a year, making approximately $116.24 an hour. Gordon Baylis, psychological sciences professor and former WKU vice president for research, earns a salary of $184,383 a year, making approximately $94.56 an hour.

The remaining two faculty members are both department chairs in the Gordon Ford College of Business. Whitney Peake, management department chair, makes $182,722 and Indudeep Chhachhi, finance department chair, makes $170,405.

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

News Reporter Maggie Phelps can be reached at margaret.phelps370@ topper.wku.edu

Photos: WKU Memorabilia

Emilee Arnold — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:56:12 +0000

Since 1906, Western Kentucky University has built decades of traditions, university spirit, a beloved mascot and vibrant alumni support–which, when combined, has produced hundreds of one-of-a-kind memorabilia items, ranging from vintage football helmets to stuffed Big Reds. The Herald asked our readers for submissions of their most unique WKU memorabilia and the stories behind them. This is what we found.

VIDEO: WKU Homecoming Parade 2023

EmmyLou Roth, Staff Videographer — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 17:43:21 +0000

VIDEO: WKU Student Publications 72nd annual homecoming breakfast

EmmyLou Roth, Staff Videographer — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 17:19:05 +0000

Photos: WKU Football vs. New Mexico State

Emilee Arnold and Dominic Di Palermo — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 01:57:02 +0000

Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) runs the ball downfield after a reception during the homecoming game against New Mexico State University at at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Quarterback Austin Reed (16) dives into the end zone to score a touchdown during the homecoming game against New Mexico State University at at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

A group of kids attempt to catch a football during WKU’s homecoming tailgate on South Lawn on WKU’s campus in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Senior ROTC cadet Michael Ashley carries the American flag before WKU’s homecoming game against New Mexico State University at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Tight end Trevor Borland (86) attempts to catch a pass during WKU’s homecoming game against New Mexico State University at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Josie Hornback, right, and Lori Tyra of Louisville yells play call advice during WKU’s homecoming game against New Mexico State University at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. “The atmosphere [here], we love it,” Hornback said. “Everybody is so happy and proud.” (Dominic Di Palermo)

Quarterback Austin reed (16) middle celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Dalvin Smith (17) during WKU’s homecoming game against New Mexico State University at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Millie LeJeune cries after being declared WKU’s 2023 Homecoming queen during WKU’s matchup against New Mexico State on November 11, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

WKU Football drops Homecoming contest against New Mexico St

Derrick Deen, Sports Reporter — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 00:04:39 +0000

Moving into heated and crucial Conference USA play, the Hilltoppers hosted the New Mexico State Aggies (7-3, 5-1 C-USA) for a Homecoming weekend game on a sunny and warm Veterans Day Saturday in front of 16,319 fans. WKU dropped a back-and-forth contest to the Aggies 38-29.

Fireworks struck right away for the Hilltoppers, as graduate quarterback Austin Reed connected with junior running back Elijah Young for a 72-yard touchdown, one of many explosive plays from Young in the past several weeks of play.

The Hilltoppers took the field again after a spoofed drive from the Aggies, this time making their way to the end zone with a little trickery and well-designed plays from offensive coordinator Drew Hollingshead. This time, Reed took it in himself from 13 yards out to advance the Tops lead to 14-0 with 7:27 left in the first quarter.

Taking the field for their second drive, the Aggies opted to come back with some trickery of their own. After a long reverse to Star Thomas for 40 yards to take the Aggies into scoring territory, the unit was unable to get the ball into the endzone. Aggies kicker Ethan Albertson finished the job, getting the team on the board from 40-yards out. 14-3, Hilltoppers lead.

To open the second quarter, the Aggies capped their seven-play, 45-yard drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from running back Jonathan Brady. 14-10, the Hilltoppers continued their lead.

After a turnover on downs from the Hilltoppers, the Aggies got the ball back at the 11:48 mark in the second quarter. A long-winded drive from the New Mexico State offense resulted in a touchdown from Pavia to receiver Trent Hudson, who made a big one-handed catch in the endzone from four yards out. 17-14, the Aggies took the lead.

The Hilltoppers, late in the second, got the ball back and played a game of inches, using nearly all of their downs between each marker and draining the clock. In the red zone with 0:10 left to play the half, the unit was able to score in an electrifying way. Reed navigated traffic and stayed vigilant, hitting redshirt senior receiver Craig Burt Jr over the middle, who pulled the ball in with one hand. 21-17, Hilltoppers regained the lead.

After back-to-back snuffed drives between the Aggies and Hilltoppers to kickoff the second half of play, the Aggies got the ball at the 9:39 mark of the third quarter. Pavia and offensive coordinator Tim Beck were able to put together the result they wanted, with Pavia firing a quick seven-yard touchdown completion to Eli Stowers to cap off a 10-play, 80-yard drive. The Aggies gained the lead, 24-21.

Reed and the Hilltoppers offense took the field late in the third quarter, led by explosive plays between receiver Dalvin Smith and Young, as well as several defensive penalties, but were unable to score as redshirt freshman kicker Lucas Carneiro missed a short attempt to finish the drive. The Aggies continue their lead, 24-21.

After back-to-back punting drives between the Aggies and Tops, the New Mexico State offense took the field with the opportunity to make their lead a demanding one in the last quarter of play. The Aggies were able to capitalize, with Stowers taking it in on a short touchdown run from the Wildcat snap. The Aggies took the lead very late, 31-21.

With 4:14 left to play and three timeouts left, the Hilltoppers offense took the field on their own 25-yard line with a must-score mindset. After a defensive penalty takes them to near midfield, Reed tosses an interception to Aggies safety Mehki Miller, who returns it for a pick-six. 38-21, the Aggies solidified their lead.

Taking the field again, the Hilltoppers offense ran a hurry-up style of offense. Reed found junior receiver Malachi Corley in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. The offense stayed on the field to go for the two-point conversion successfully, with Corley getting his hands on the ball again. 29-38, the Aggies still retain the lead.

The Aggies got the ball back with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter and took to the victory formation after a quick first down. Pavia kneels and the Aggies win the ball game.

Western Kentucky drops to 3-3 in the conference and 5-5 on the season, while the Aggies advance to 6-1 in the conference and 8-3.

The Hilltoppers will take the field again for their final home game of the season on November 18, as they host Sam Houston State.

Photos: NPHC Step Show 2023

Emilee Arnold and Alexander Gates — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 20:18:34 +0000

Omega Psi Phi performs during the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

Members of Delta Sigma Theta perform at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha perform at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

A member of Phi Beta Sigma performs at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member Yvonna Franks and Serena Regans greet sorority members on stage at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

Omega Psi Phi performs during the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

Delta Sigma Theta delivers a performance at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

Audience members cheer during the 2023 NPHC Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

Performers in Delta Sigma Theta step on the stage during the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

Members of Phi Beta Sigma celebrate after being announced as the winning fraternity at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Emilee Arnold)

Performers with Alpha Kappa Alpha cheer upon hearing about their win at the 2023 Homecoming Step Show on November 10, 2023. (Alexander Gates)

Special Sections – WKUHerald.com

‘I felt like I was home’: Millie LeJeune crowned 2023 Homecoming Queen

LGBTQ+ WKU Alumni share stories from the Hill

Who’s paid the most at WKU?

Photos: WKU Memorabilia

VIDEO: WKU Homecoming Parade 2023

VIDEO: WKU Student Publications 72nd annual homecoming breakfast

Photos: WKU Football vs. New Mexico State

WKU Football drops Homecoming contest against New Mexico St

Sponsored: Homecoming Hot Spots

Alley Pub and Pizza

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Alora Aesthetics

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Cafe Kindness

937 College St.

Fountain Row

Gerard’s 1907 Tavern

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Meltdown Ice Cream & Soda Fountain

900 State St.

The 30 Bird on the Square

401 Park Row

Photos: NPHC Step Show 2023