Tim Broekema | WKUPJ

WKUPJ Scholarship Winners Announced

May 4, 2016 8:16 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

It is with great pleasure to announce the winners of the 2016 WKU Photojournalism scholarship winners. The pool of candidates that applied for a share of $12,400 in award money were talented and all did an excellent job in presenting their case and made the decision difficult for the committee to determine the final winners.

Please join the Scholarship Committee in congratulating the following students:

George Tames Scholarship ($2,000 to each winner)

Nick Wagner

Matt Lunsford

Sawyer Smith

Lauren Nolan

Mike Morse Scholarship ($1,400)

Weston Kenney

Larry Powell Scholarship ($1,400)

Srijita Chattopadhyay

Kodak Scholarship ($600)

Leah Johnson

Lynn Saunders Scholarship ($400)

Michael Noble, Jr.

David Cooper Scholarship ($600)

Gabe Scarlett

Posted in: Grants and Contest Information

Through Our Eyes – 4/12/16

April 19, 2016 12:56 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

Former two-time Olympian and Army wrestler Spenser Mango, of St. Louis, walks off the mat retiring from wrestling after losing to Jesse Thielke, of Germantown, Wisconsin, in the Semi Finals match of 59 KG in greco roman during the US Wrestling Olympic Team Trails Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. “When I first started trying to take my shoes off I thought I was just going to take them off real quick and get out of there because I knew I wasnÕt going to be able to hold my emotions back. I heard everybody cheering for me. You know, you go through your whole career I guess hoping that when youÕre done you feel like youÕre appreciated and the crowd was great,” said Mango after his match. Mango competed on the US Olympic team in 2008 and 2012. | Jeff Brown

Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. The Predators beat the Avalanche 4-3, disqualifying Colorado from the playoffs. | Nick Wagner

Jennifer King models the class ring that she never removes, “It’s a reminder of the success of finishing something,” King said. | Alyse Young

Soup and Nickel take a nap in the sunshine while waiting on a southbound freight train out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. | Emily Kask

Runners fly high as they leap the water obstacle on the women’s 3000m steeple chase at the Hilltopper Relays in Bowling Green, Ky. on April 9. They must complete eight laps of the track, overcoming multiple hurdles and the water trap like in some horse races. Miami University (Ohio) took the first place honors with a time of 10:52.68 by Alesha Vovk. | Gabriel Scarlett

Chadrick Wigle teaches students at his newly-opened BGKY Boxing Club in Bowling Green, Ky. on April 6, 2016. His experience as a coach at the NCAA Division I level has brought him dozens of new clients who were waiting for a boxing gym to open close to home. Whether or not it is school-sanctioned, Wigle will be leading a Western Kentucky University boxing team in the coming years. | Gabriel Scarlett

Kent State’s Caroline Sauers jumps an obstacle in the 3000-meter steeple chase during the Hilltopper Relay April 9, 2016 at Charles M. Rueter Track and Field Complex in Bowling Green, Ky. Sauers finished 5th overall with the time of 11minutes 3 seconds. | Shaban Athuman

Posted in: NPPA, Student Work, Through Our Eyes \ Tagged: nppa, photo, photohraphy, photojournalism, pj, STUDENT WORK, student works, though our eyes, THROUGH OUR EYES \ TAGGED: NPPA, visula journalists, western kentucky univeristy, western kentucky university photojournalism, WKU, wkupj

Through Our Eyes – 4/5/16

April 19, 2016 12:44 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

Joe Gray is in his third year of ROTC at Western Kentucky University. “I’m not really sure what I want to do. Maybe aviation or infantry,” said Joe when asked what he wants to do during his time in the Army. | Josh Newell

Drag Queen Geneva LaDiva dances to a performance of “Sweet Dreams” by Brooke Lynn Hytes at Play Dance Bar in Nashville, Tn, Saturday April 2, 2016. | Abby Potter

Entertainer Aurora Sexton kisses an audience member after receiving a tip from him during a performance at Play Dance Bar in Nashville, Tn on Saturday, April 2, 2016. | Abby Potter

Chirag Ar, a sophomore from India, sneak attacks Saudi Arabian student, Mustafa Almarhun with handfuls of brightly colored holi powder during the 2016 Holi Festival hosted by the Indian Student Association on South Lawn at Western Kentucky University on March 19, 2016. Holi is a Hindu celebration of good over evil that is traditionally celebrated in India and southeast Asia. | Alyse Young

Hip-hop duo, Waco Bell, was formed in January 2015 by Scott Gardner (left), and Reuben Bynes (right) in Bowling Green, KY and has gained a strong following locally. Gardner lays down a synth beat and sings vocals while Bynes raps. | Alyse Young

Players compete for a jump ball at a pickup basketball game at Roland Bland Park in Bowling Green, Ky. on March 26, 2016. “It’s my way to get exercise,” said Anthony Hart (21). “I love watching it on TV, playing it myself. I have always loved the sport.”| Gabriel Scarlett

Jasmine Mayes, left, waits for her brother Rydell, right, to finish his training at the Boxing Resource Center in Nashville, Tennessee on March 30. She has witnessed his transformation and 80 pound weight loss over the last year as he has made boxing his priority and begins the transition to the professional level. The next fights throughout this year will determine his path as he attempts to drop more weight and be able to fight in the 175lb weight class. | Gabriel Scarlett

Rap duo of Alex “Lougz Gee” Gee, left, and Matt “Rosario” Vicente pose for a portrait. The Duo recently returned from The South by Southwest (SXSW) in Texas. | Michael Noble Jr.

Through Our Eyes – 3/22/16

April 6, 2016 6:49 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

Flint, Michigan – March 3, 2016: Pastor Alfred Harris sits on the stage of his church, Saints of God Church, in Flint, Mich., on Thursday, March 3, 2016. Harris is an active member of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, a group that has been active in advocating for Flint residents amidst the city’s ongoing water crisis. |Brittany Greeson

Ra’jene Garrett, left, a sophomore elementary education major from Madisonville, and Domonique White, right, a junior family studies major from Lexington, rehearse a dance to Missy Elliot’s “Lose Control” during the Omega Chi rehearsal on March 20, 2016 in the Downing Student Union auditorium on WKU’s campus in Bowling Green, Ky. |Emily Kask

Members of Sigma Chi yell and flip off Miguel Barzel after his fight in the 165 weight class at the Sigma Chi Battle of the fight night competition at the Salon Conference center March 18, 2016 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. “Its fun to mess with them” said Barzel after the fight. |Michael Noble Jr.

Charlotte Smith is 95 years old, and has been living in Rochester, Kentucky, since 1932. She is the oldest living resident there, and gave birth to her six children in this house that she’s living in now. |Emily Kask

“I find faith in everything,” says Vervain. “Faith is everything to me.” He lives a simple life alone in a trailer in the back country of West Virginia. His daughter lives next door and he can see his granddaughter every day. “It’s a laid back life here,” explains Verlian. “Not that giddy up and go…I’ve lived in the city–what do they call it?–the concrete jungle, I would know.” |Gabriel Scarlett

Detroit, Michigan – March 4, 2016: Members of the congregation lift their hands in prayer during a noon service at the Az-Zahra Islamic Center in Detroit, Mich., on Friday, March 4, 2016. Az-Zahra’s imam, a prayer leader, Hassan Qazwini, used the service as an opportunity to discuss voting and his view of Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, who he said he believes is unfit to be president. |Brittany Greeson

Joan Payne was born and grew up in Rochester and now lives with her husband in Muhlenberg County. She bought this house in Rochester for $40,000 last year during an auction and is trying to convince her husband to move there. “I’ve traveled all over the world, Japan, Hawaii, every state. But here down by the river, this is the only place that feels like home.” |Emily Kask

Posted in: Student Work, Through Our Eyes \ Tagged: nppa, photo, photohraphy, photojournalism, pj, STUDENT WORK, student works, though our eyes, THROUGH OUR EYES \ TAGGED: NPPA, visula journalists, western kentucky univeristy, western kentucky university photojournalism, WKU, wkupj

Searching For Answers

February 29, 2016 7:44 pm \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

bambi While searching for something different in her life, Bambi, 20, left her small town home in North Carolina in the early summer of 2015. She was following the expected path, a semester at college and working at a local restaurant but soon realized that perhaps her life was meant for something else. She opted out of her routine to search for something different, and a greater sense of freedom and exploration. “I don’t know what it is I’m looking for, or if I’m even looking for anything,” Bambi said. Follow her journey here.

Posted in: Student Work

Inebriated Addiction

February 29, 2016 11:02 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

pimp_promo

Alcoholism is categorized as both a psychiatric and medical disease by the Center for Disease Control, but remains widely misunderstood by those not personally affected. Roger Grant, more popularly known as Pimp, suffers from both sides of the disease, and has lost his family and his old life along the way.

To read more click here.

Posted in: Student Work

Through Our Eyes – 2/23/16

February 29, 2016 1:24 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

Oralee Madison, 8, checks bull fighter Chris Russell’s face paint before the start of the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016.|Skyler Ballard

In excitement, little princesses crowded the stage as Ryelee Robinson, dressed up as Pocahontas, sang “Colors of the Wind,” at Christ Episcopal Church on Sunday, February 21, 2016. This event was held by Bowling Green High School students to raise funds for the school’s choral activities. |Weston kenney

Gail Morton, 64, of Flint, Mich., sobs as she watches protestors gather following a scheduled march with the Rev. Jesse Jackson that made it’s way from the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Church over a mile to the front of the the City of Flint Water Plant, on Friday, February 19, 2016. “As a small child growing up you could almost see what our parents went through. We didn’t have the rights. We didn’t even have the rights to live in certain neighborhoods,” Morton said. “I am so proud today, I mean, I am really proud.” |Brittany Greeson

2015 winners and current participants listen to the question segment of peers during the Miss Kentucky Teen USA Pageant which took place in Van Meter on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.|Ebony Cox

In 2013, Rafey Wahlah moved from Lahore, Pakistan to Bowling Green, KY. There had not been another Pakistani student at Western Kentucky University for 14 years before Wahlah and friend, Daniyal Monnoo enrolled. In 2016, Wahlah was the Vice President of the Pakistani Student Association at WKU, which grew rapidly to upwards of 40 undergraduate and graduate students.. |Alyse Young

Louisville junior Charles Buckner started dancing during his sophomore year at the Youth Preforming Arts School. Buckner recently won a FUSE grant to attend a conference in Texas this year, after which he will present his findings this time next year as a dance performance at WKU. |Josh Newell

--FEB 14, 2016-- Bowling Green, KY -- Dawson Turner, 17, of Sydney, Arkansas opens the arena door for his horse, Django. Turner, who has been roping for four years, competed in the Calf Roping competition at the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016. |Skyler Ballard (Photo by Skyler Ballard)

Dawson Turner, 17, of Sydney, Arkansas opens the arena door for his horse, Django. Turner, who has been roping for four years, competed in the Calf Roping competition at the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016. |Skyler Ballard
(Photo by Skyler Ballard)

Posted in: Through Our Eyes \ Tagged: nppa, photo, photohraphy, photojournalism, pj, student works, though our eyes, visula journalists, western kentucky univeristy, western kentucky university photojournalism, WKU, wkupj

Through Our Eyes – 2/9/16

February 10, 2016 10:51 pm \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

Nicky raises cocks for fighting in Mingo County, West Virginia at his family’s trailer and usually bets between fifty and a hundred dollars on each fight. This is his main income source, but he stays clear of fighting in the big derbies in Kentucky because the bets are made in the thousands not just in a few bucks. “There is a real sportsmanship to this. It is a real sport,” Nicky explains. | Gabriel Scarlett

Hudson Sitzman of Ferdinand, 14 months, middle, pointed to a 3-week-old turkey while his dad Wes and grandmother Debbie Kerstiens of Ferdinand watched him interact with the animals in the brooders house at Kerstiens Farm in Ferdinand on Tuesday. | Erica Lafser

Dawson Newbold,16, of Housespring makes a call while taking a break from sandbagging on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The Meramec river is expected to crest at 43 ft late Wednesday. | Michael Noble Jr.

Ray “Raisin” Jones of Bowling Green helped his third cousin, Carleigh Frost of Bowling Green, 7, left, put her hat back on after it fell while she was feeding the ducks at Basil Griffin Park on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Jones used to go to the same park with his own son, who is now 23. | Erica Lafser

Rachel Cranor, 17, of Bowling Green, lies on the floor after walking the runway at the fashion show during the third annual Southern Kentucky Bridal Expo at the WKU Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Sunday, Jan. 31. “I didn’t pass out, I’m just tired” said Cranor. | Emily Kask

WKU president Gary Ransdell prepares to announce his resignation at the Regents Board meeting at the College & Career Center on WKU’s Elizabethtown campus on January 29, 2016. Ransdell’s retirement from his presidency will be effective June 30, 2017. | Emily Kask

At six in the morning, when Judy’s Castle opens it’s doors, faithful tenants make their way inside for a warm breakfast and good conversation. Rita Porter has dined with her father, Fred Oliver since her mother’s passing in 2014. At the diner, Porter befriended Jerry Blankenship who sits in the booth behind Porter and Oliver. “We come here every day” said Porter. | Alyse Young

Family, friends, students, and staff gathered in the Chandler Memorial Chapel on Western Kentucky’s Campus on Monday, January 25, 2016 to mourn the loss of their friend and loved one Tammy Jeffries, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications. | Lex Selig

Posted in: NPPA, Student Work, Through Our Eyes \ Tagged: nppa, photo, photohraphy, photojournalism, pj, student works, though our eyes, visula journalists, western kentucky univeristy, western kentucky university photojournalism, WKU, wkupj

Greeson, Wagner selected for second round of the Hearst Photojournalism competition

February 8, 2016 8:36 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

WKU Photojournalism professors James Kenney and Jeanie Adams-Smith spend their Super Bowl Sunday pondering edits for the second round of the Hearst photo competition.

Congratulations to Nick Wagner and Brittany Greeson for being selected to represent WKU photojournalism in the second round of the Heast Photojournalism competition. Wagner’s story depicts the personal sacrifice a legal immigrant must endure to try to earn money for his family. Wagner traveled between Bowling Green and Mexico to cover both sides of the immigration process. Greeson’s story is a comprehensive and unnerving look at the community of Flint, Mich. as they deal with the current water crisis. We wish both of them our collective luck in the competition.

Posted in: Contest Winners, Student Work

We Fear The Water

January 22, 2016 10:34 am \ Leave a Comment \ by Tim Broekema

How the push of a button has ignited an almost year-long battle over clean drinking water and how residents of a City stuck in financial turmoil are trying to cope.

It was April 2014 when, at the push of a button, the Flint River — which hadn’t been treated for daily use in over 50 years — became the city of Flint, Michigan’s main water source. The responsibility of water treatment was passed from the Detroit Water and Sewage Department to the shoulders of the local water plant. Government leaders cited a potential savings of around $5 million over the course of two years for a city staring into the face of financial emergency.

As water plant operators used more chlorine to fight bacteria in the water, the presence of trihalomethanes (THMs), an EPA regulated carcinogenic, spiked. Many began buying bottled water and would do so for the coming months, refusing to drink the toxins coming from their taps.

Later that year, elevated levels of lead were found in many of the City’s homes, as well as in the blood of children. State officials however, did not alert their citizens. It wasn’t until an independent study conducted by Virginia Tech showed the rise of lead levels that state officials began taking action.

Today, the City of Flint is under a state of emergency declared by recent mayor elect Karen Weaver. It’s citizens are left coping with a failing infrastructure, a lost trust in their government system, and a looming sense of fear for their health. READ MORE

Posted in: Class Work, Picture Stories, Web Narratives

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