WKU dedicates Garrett Plaza, honoring university’s second president and his wife

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University dedicated its Garrett Plaza on Thursday, which returns natural beauty to the top of the Hill.

Completed this summer, the scenic outdoor space provides spots for students to gather as a community and honors WKU’s second president, Dr. Paul L. Garrett, as well as his wife, Virginia, who made significant contributions to campus beautification.

Pete Garrett, their grandson, spoke at the dedication and said that, while the demolition of the Garrett Conference Center, which the plaza replaced, saddened him, the new space is a fitting tribute to his grandparents.

Pete Garrett says, “The fact that this is all designed on architectural landscaping, which was her passion in life, and it’s now a meeting place for students, which was my grandfather’s passion, it combines both of those, and that’s what makes it so special.”

The Garrett Plaza returns the Hilltop to how it was originally envisioned by the university’s founders.

Several roads were eliminated to make it more pedestrian friendly, and accessibility was increased by creating walkways without steps.