The Mystery of the WKU “TopperFella”

The Red Towel, Guthrie Tower, Topper Walk, and Big Red — all cemented in Western Kentucky University’s traditions.

But a new tradition is quietly making its mark on campus.

“You know, it’s like finding a little treasure chest.” Carter Fowler, a Broadcasting Major said.

Miniature gray and red creatures have been popping up around campus, tucked into nooks and crannies hard for students and faculty alike to find. Portrayed as a 24-millimeter-tall round creature with a devious face and two large feet, the figures have become a campus phenomenon growing larger by the day.

They are called TopperFellas, and if you’ve seen them, maybe they brought joy to your day — or maybe a bit of humor or mystery. Since November 2023, these small 3D-printed figures have been showing up all over campus. Some are common such as the GrayFella (over 1,300 in circulation), others rare such as the new SlimeFella (22 in circulation), but they all have one thing in common—no one knows exactly where they come from.

Theories ranged from professors to alumni of the university. But one thing is clear—whoever is behind them has stayed completely anonymous.

“My guess would be that it’s a student, like probably sophomore or junior, though. That’s what my guess is since I found them.” Michael Robinson, a Film major said.

“I honestly, I think it may just be a professor and their wife, you know, because, like, who else has the time to do that? Like a student definitely doesn’t.” Carter Fowler said.

The creator has stayed secret mostly.

Until now. After reaching out, the creator agreed to speak with us—on one condition. Their identity remains unknown.

“And just the way that people kind of latched onto it and started making it their own thing, I kind of realized that there was more to it than I’d initially thought.” The Topperfella Creator said.

What started as a small idea has now grown into something much bigger, creating a sense of excitement and community across campus.

In fact, the creator themselves dives into the culture. With a few of the Big Red Marching Band members being big collectors heading across the pond for the London New Years Day Parade, the TopperFella gave these specific collectors an exclusive BritFella, a TopperFella dressed as a the King’s Guard.

The Creator added, “It’s a cool little community, and I just really want to bring joy to people whenever they find one. And I mean, there’s a lot of posts that people have made, ‘This made my day, I’ve been looking for one for months,’ stuff like that. And that really is why I keep doing it.”

The TopperFella instagram, which has amassed over 800 followers, is imprinted on each TopperFella’s right foot, allowing for seekers to share their findings online to the creator.

The creator says there isn’t a specific reason for keeping his identity a secret—he just enjoys the mystery of sneaking around campus and placing the figures for others to find.

A campus mystery. A hidden creator. And a new tradition unlike any other. For most, it’s the excitement of the hunt and the joy these little figures bring that make TopperFellas special.

As this unexpected tradition continues to grow, one thing is certain—TopperFellas have found their place at WKU, on campus and in the hearts of the seekers of the figures.

For more information on TopperFellas, visit them or give them a follow on their Instagram.