WKU News

Western Kentucky University Libraries is excited to announce that two student workers have been recognized for their hard work and academic potential by receiving the Connie Foster Student Scholarship Endowment for the 2025-2026 academic year. Seth Reed Whaley (left) is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health from Hodgenville, Kentucky, and Katelin Rutledge (right) is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Sustainability and Geographic Studies from Martin, Tennessee.

The Connie Foster Scholarship, established in 2017, honors Connie Foster's 41-year legacy at WKU, where she served as Dean of Libraries from 2011 to 2017. A key figure in the university, she helped create TopSCHOLAR®, WKU's open-access repository. This scholarship supports students who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their studies, providing financial assistance that allows them to focus on their educational goals and fully engage in their learning experiences.

Seth Reed Whaley is a Library Circulation Student Assistant and works at the 4th-floor circulation desk at Cravens Library. For Seth, winning the scholarship is more than just financial assistance. "Winning this scholarship has a truly positive impact on my education," he shared. "Coming from a low-income household, finances have always been a challenge ... this scholarship is another meaningful step toward achieving my goals." He learned about the opportunity from his supervisor, who encouraged all student workers to apply. 

The recognition has also served as a significant source of motivation for Seth. "It has given me renewed motivation and encouragement to never give up, no matter how difficult life gets," he explained. "This opportunity is a reminder that I am capable of succeeding, and it allows me to inspire others to believe in themselves."

Working at the library has been a rewarding experience noted Seth, who values the supportive environment fostered by his supervisors and the camaraderie with his fellow student workers. "My favorite part of this job is feeling respected, supported, and like I truly belong," he stated. He also appreciates the opportunity to work on his studies in the library's quiet and resource-rich setting. Furthermore, his role has equipped him with valuable skills, including increased technological awareness, improved collaboration abilities, and exposure to diverse perspectives, all of which he believes will be crucial in his future career in counseling.

Looking ahead, Seth plans to pursue the Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Program (JUMP) in Counseling at WKU, followed by a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Clinical Concentration. His goal is to provide counseling and therapy services, guided by a personal philosophy inspired by Taylor Swift: "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." 

Katelin Rutledge is the second recipient of the Connie Foster Student Scholarship Endowment. Katelin is also a Library Circulation Student Assistant at the 4th-floor circulation desk in Cravens Library. Katelin stated that the scholarship is instrumental in allowing her to continue her education at WKU. "Attending an out-of-state college means that I have quite a bit of extra cost compared to going to a school in Tennessee," Katelin explained. "This scholarship helps to cover some of that cost and keeps me attending WKU."

Being a recipient of the scholarship, Katelin feels deeply encouraged in her potential. "Being selected for this scholarship is a huge encouragement to me because it means that other people see and remember the hard work I am putting in," she said.

Katelin's passion for maps and geographic information systems (GIS) makes her work at the library particularly enjoyable, especially the opportunity to learn the library's layout and resources. "My favorite part about the job is getting to learn the ins and outs of the library. I love knowing the best study spots and where all the different books are!" she exclaimed. She also highlighted the patience and support she received from colleagues and staff when she first started.

Her role at the library has also provided her with practical skills relevant to her STEM field, particularly in navigating research databases. "As someone in a STEM field, it is super helpful to know how to navigate the library research databases," Katelin noted. "I learned to use them when students or faculty would ask questions about specific subjects or books, and I have found myself using this skill often in classwork."

With an expected graduation date of May 2027, Katelin envisions pursuing graduate studies out west, ideally in the northern Rockies, focusing on GIS and resource management as they apply to community resilience. Expressing her gratitude, Katelin said, "I am just so honored and excited to be selected for this scholarship and cannot thank the committee enough for choosing me!"

Morgan Moran, the Student Employment Coordinator at WKU Libraries, who supervises both Seth and Katelin, emphasized the importance of the Connie Foster Scholarship. She stated, "I am so grateful that WKU Libraries can offer this scholarship to our students. I encourage every student assistant employed by WKU Libraries to apply each year. This scholarship can significantly ease the financial burden of higher education and make opportunities, such as studying abroad, more attainable." She also highlighted the recognition aspect, noting that the scholarship "acknowledges the hard work and academic excellence of the student assistant recipients."

WKU Libraries invests in the future by fostering student success via avenues like the Connie Foster Student Scholarship Endowment, a testament to the commitment displayed by students such as Seth Whaley and Katelin Rutledge.

For more information on the Connie Foster Student Scholarship Endowment, go to https://www.wku.edu/chf/conniefoster/index.php