A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

NKU ranks 40th on top 50 Wall Street Journal list for ‘exceptional value,’ putting grads on paths to careers

The Wall Street Journal has recognized Northern Kentucky University as one of the top universities in the country for exceptional value and putting graduates on the path to lucrative careers. NKU ranks 40th of out 50 universities around the country when it comes to best value. The study looked at how quickly a degree from NKU pays for its cost through the salary earned by students after graduation. According...

Latest CPE progress report shows more of Kentucky’s students are succeeding in college

College graduation and retention rates are on the rise in Kentucky, and graduate degree production increased 9.8%, according to the 2023 Progress Report from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. After several consecutive years of declines, undergraduate enrollment has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, although bachelor’s degrees awarded are down 2.1%, and KCTCS credentials fell...

Three NKY high schools to benefit from McDonald’s High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day Oct. 6

McDonald’s owner-operators throughout region will be raising funds for local high school athletic programs, including Holmes, Larry A. Ryle and Beechwood High Schools, on October 6. During the High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day, 20 percent of all sales purchased through the McDonald’s app will be donated to local sports programs. High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day was created...

TMU’s Reynolds joins board of group dedicated to opportunities for women religious in Africa

Thomas More University’s Kevin Reynolds, senior vice president for mission and university advancement, is now a member of the Board of Directors for the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC). This organization, and corresponding board, strives to develop and deliver educational opportunities for women religious in Africa who are dedicating their lives in service to their local communities. “Kevin’s...

Villa Madonna Academy Elementary School among five National Blue Ribbon Schools in Kentucky

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has announced five Kentucky public schools and two private schools, including Villa Madonna Elemetary School in NKY, have been named as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, based on their overall academic excellence. The five public schools and their districts are: • Potter Gray Elementary (Bowling Green Independent). • Cassidy Elementary School (Fayette County). •...

Veteran performer, director Phillip Webster named to lead Thomas More University theater program

Thomas More University’s has announced Phillip Webster as the new director of the school’s theater program. A musician, actor, and director, Webster has performed in everything from Shakespeare to operetta to experimental puppet theater and aims to bring a new perspective to the program. “We are thrilled to have Mr. Webster join the Thomas More community,” said Thomas More University...

Newport Business Association to present panel on ‘Education & Workforce Development’ at luncheon Sept. 27

The Newport Business Association will meeting Wednesday, Sept. 27, for a luncheon featuring a panel discussion on “Education & Workforce Development” The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Newport Independent Schools Administration Building, 30 West 8th Street. Parking is free on West 8th Street and in the school parking lot. Panelists are: • Tony Watts, Superintendent,...

Villa Madonna Academy Elementary School named 2023 Cognia School of Distinction

Cognia named Villa Madonna Academy Elementary School in Villa Hills a 2023 Cognia School of Distinction for excellence in education. This year Cognia, the global nonprofit school improvement organization, recognized 33 schools and school systems in the United States and in four other countries across the globe as 2023 Cognia Schools or Systems of Distinction. “I am pleased to congratulate Villa Madonna...

KYTC launches ‘Paint the Plow’ school art program to promote safe driving in snow and ice

Class is in session, Kentucky. High school students across the Commonwealth are sending the public safe driving messages for snow and ice season through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s new statewide Paint the Plow program. The cabinet provides snowplow blades, which students decorate with messages that promote safe driving habits during inclement winter weather and prepare students to operate...

Thomas More University ranked among 2024 Best Colleges in U.S. by Wall Street Journal

Thomas More University has been selected by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as one of the 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. WSJ shared the rankings list of 400 schools in a release on this month. TMU took position 207 among private and public colleges and universities from across the U.S., having the best ranking among local tri-state schools and placing third among the seven institutions on the list from...

KBE names Robin Fields Kinney as Kentucky’s interim commissioner of education effective Sept. 30

The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) on Thursday named Robin Fields Kinney as interim state commissioner of education. Kinney, an associate commissioner who oversees the Office of Finance and Operations for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), will assume her new role Sept. 30 – one day after current Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass departs the agency. Kinney’s annual salary was set...

Ballyshannon Middle School’s Kevin Daily, a social studies teacher, named ’24 Kentucky Teacher of Year

Kevin Dailey, a middle school social studies teacher at Ballyshannon Middle School in Boone County, has been named the 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. “I am really blessed and honored to be able to represent 40,000 plus teachers in Kentucky,” Dailey said. “This day is about all of our kids and all of our families. This day is about Kentucky.” The Kentucky Department of Education...

Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, former NKU professor, named 7th president of Northern Kentucky University

Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D. has been selected the seventh president of Northern Kentucky University. The university’s Board of Regents, in a unanimous vote, made the appointment today at its regularly scheduled meeting. Dr. Short-Thompson brings with her a wealth of experience and a visionary leadership approach to NKU. She currently serves as CEO and Executive Director of Breakthrough Cincinnati,...

Newport students to sing at World Peace Bell on anniversary of inspiration for ‘Star Spangled Banner’

Kindergarten through 2nd grade students from Newport Primary School will be at the World Peace Bell in Newport Thursday at 9 a.m. to sing — and to celebrate the anniversary of — Francis Scott Key’s “The Star Spangled Banner.” On the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry” (which became “The Star-Spangled...

Ryle High School Tournament of Bands returns Sept. 23 with seven music programs from across region

The Ryle Marching Band will feature music programs from across Kentucky this fall during its annual Ryle High School Tournament of Bands September 23. The school will host seven marching bands from across the region to participate in the Kentucky Music Educators Association sanctioned tournament. “The Larry A. Ryle High School Tournament of Bands continues to be one of the finest marching band events...