Potter College News

The Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) at WKU will be celebrating its 60^th anniversary during the 2025-2026 academic year.

In 1965, the WKU Board of Regents established the Potter College of Liberal Arts, which consisted of 820 students and five departments: Art, English, Foreign Languages, History, and Music. The college was formed by grouping similar programs together to better serve students interested in the arts, humanities, media, and social sciences at WKU.

Named after the original college for young ladies purchased by Western Kentucky State Normal School in 1909, the college would go through name changes as well as program and department additions throughout its six decades of existence. However, it received its current name in 2006.

The college currently houses the Departments of Art & Design, English, History, Modern Languages, Music, Political Science, Society, Culture, Crime, and Justice Studies, and Theatre & Dance as well as the School of Media & Communication. Over the next two years, the college will be restructuring into a streamlined model of four schools.

“PCAL has a rich and meaningful history, shaped by individuals who have invested their time, energy, and expertise to transform the lives of students who step onto this Hill,” says Dr. Terrance Brown, Dean of PCAL. “I am incredibly proud of our story—one rooted in academic excellence, creativity, and a deep commitment to public impact. This legacy extends beyond our campus, reaching across the nation and around the world.”

To commemorate the rich history of the college, PCAL will be hosting a 60^th Anniversary Soirée on Friday, September 19^th, at 7 PM at the Knicely Conference Center. Current and former faculty, staff, students, and administration are invited to attend and celebrate the past, present, and future of the college.

Additionally, the college will be hosting their annual Fall Fest event on Thursday, October 23^rd at 3 PM at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will have the opportunity to vote on the theme of the event starting next week.

The college will be hosting other 60^th anniversary themed events throughout the year. To stay up to date on these events, please visit the PCAL Event Calendar. PCAL alumni are also encouraged to join the WKU PCAL Alumni Facebook Group where they can share memories of their time at WKU.

For questions about the PCAL 60^th Anniversary celebrations, please contact the PCAL Dean’s Office at potter.college@wku.edu.