Local Milestone: WKU Somerset Honors First Elementary Education Graduates

Somerset, Kentucky recently celebrated a significant event at Western Kentucky University's (WKU) Somerset campus. The campus recognized its first two graduates of the Elementary Education bachelor’s degree program during an event at Somerset Community College. This marked an important development for local education, showcasing the success of efforts to make higher education more accessible in the region.

The graduates, Amber Whittemore from London and Whitney Reid from Burkesville, began their studies at WKU Somerset in fall 2022. Reid managed her studies alongside family responsibilities and was pleased to achieve her goal of becoming an elementary teacher locally. Whittemore valued the program's flexibility, which allowed her to work while studying.

The program is a collaboration between Somerset Community College (SCC), the University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK), and WKU. It allows students to start their education at SCC and then move to WKU in Somerset to complete their degrees. This is vital as Kentucky faces a shortage of qualified elementary teachers.

Dr. Korey Bruck, director of UCSK, noted the importance of this educational achievement for both the graduates and the Lake Cumberland region. Dr. Corinne Murphy, dean of WKU’s College of Education & Behavioral Sciences, emphasized the benefits of training teachers in their own communities to improve the quality and relevance of education.

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