Sunday, 12 January 2020
The Meteorology Program at Western Kentucky University (WKU) started in 2007 with six
students and has grown consistently over the past 12 years. The program now averages between
60-80 students and possesses a strong philosophy for hands-on professionalized learning
experiences. In order for students to practice meteorology in a way that mimics real-world
operations (National Weather Service, broadcast, emergency management, private sector), White
Squirrel Weather (WSWX) was born. WSWX is the official university weather service for WKU
and provides a tangible service to the university and its various stakeholders (athletics, facilities,
events coordinator, grounds crew, university closures, health and safety, etc.) through weather
information and applications for the purpose of hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness.
WSWX is a major recruiting mechanism for the program and attraction for future employers.
This is evident through improved retention rates and post-graduate job placement. Serving under
the leadership of WKU’s University Meteorologist, Dr. Josh Durkee, students are competitively
chosen for positions within WSWX, which include roles as Emergency Management Operators,
General Forecasters, and a Lead Forecaster. The students of WSWX provide weather-decision
support for campus officials and play a large part in the weather awareness and preparedness of
WKU. From working the Emergency Operations Center EOC at Division I football games to
providing campus closure forecasts, the students of WSWX are gaining priceless knowledge and
unique experiences during their time in the program. WSWX is the ultimate example of applied
learning and the role model for theory to practice education. Its growth has sparked the interest
of two multi-billion dollar companies (Amazon and Jim Beam) and has created research
opportunities for undergraduate students. There is no end in sight for the possibilities of WSWX,
and the students of WKU are on the front line of its opportunities.
students and has grown consistently over the past 12 years. The program now averages between
60-80 students and possesses a strong philosophy for hands-on professionalized learning
experiences. In order for students to practice meteorology in a way that mimics real-world
operations (National Weather Service, broadcast, emergency management, private sector), White
Squirrel Weather (WSWX) was born. WSWX is the official university weather service for WKU
and provides a tangible service to the university and its various stakeholders (athletics, facilities,
events coordinator, grounds crew, university closures, health and safety, etc.) through weather
information and applications for the purpose of hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness.
WSWX is a major recruiting mechanism for the program and attraction for future employers.
This is evident through improved retention rates and post-graduate job placement. Serving under
the leadership of WKU’s University Meteorologist, Dr. Josh Durkee, students are competitively
chosen for positions within WSWX, which include roles as Emergency Management Operators,
General Forecasters, and a Lead Forecaster. The students of WSWX provide weather-decision
support for campus officials and play a large part in the weather awareness and preparedness of
WKU. From working the Emergency Operations Center EOC at Division I football games to
providing campus closure forecasts, the students of WSWX are gaining priceless knowledge and
unique experiences during their time in the program. WSWX is the ultimate example of applied
learning and the role model for theory to practice education. Its growth has sparked the interest
of two multi-billion dollar companies (Amazon and Jim Beam) and has created research
opportunities for undergraduate students. There is no end in sight for the possibilities of WSWX,
and the students of WKU are on the front line of its opportunities.
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