Photo: WKU Commencement and Topper Walk 2023

Graduating+student%28s%29+Kacy+Weinburg+%2822%2C+left%29+and+Gianna+Cecil+%2822%2C+right%29+strike+a+pose+in+their+graduation+regalia+before+Topper+Walk+down+Avenue+of+Champions+on+campus+in+Bowling+Green%2C+Ky.+Both+women+sport+red+gloves+to+commemorate+their+time+working+as+a+team+to+help+make+the+beloved+campus+mascot%2C%E2%80%9CBig+Red%2C%E2%80%9D+come+to+life.+In+order+to+embody+the+character%2C+students+must+agree+to+keep+their+identity+a+secret+until+graduation.+While+Weinburg+was+the+only+one+of+the+two+to+wear+the+suit%2C+Cecil+worked+by+her+side+acting+as+her+%E2%80%9Chandler.%E2%80%9D

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile

Graduating student(s) Kacy Weinburg (22, left) and Gianna Cecil (22, right) strike a pose in their graduation regalia before Topper Walk down Avenue of Champions on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. Both women sport red gloves to commemorate their time working as a team to help make the beloved campus mascot,“Big Red,” come to life. In order to embody the character, students must agree to keep their identity a secret until graduation. While Weinburg was the only one of the two to wear the suit, Cecil worked by her side acting as her “handler.”

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile, Staff Photographer
May 9, 2023

A custom mortarboard cap is seen Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 before graduating WKU students march down Avenue of Champions for Topper Walk on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)
Graduating students in grad regalia sit in rows of chairs set out on Feix Field Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 during the spring commencement ceremony held in the Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)
Graduate student Lindsey Powell from College of Health and Human Services is seen after being presented with the John D. Minton Award on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 during the spring commencement ceremony held in the Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on campus in Bowling Green, Ky.
Graduating students listen to the national anthem Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 during the spring commencement ceremony held in the Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on campus in Bowling Green, Ky.
B.F.A. theater major Jorah Graham (21, right) shrieks and waves her red towel on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 during the spring commencement ceremony held in the Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)
A group of graduating WKU students pose for photos in front of a ballon and light display on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 at Big Red Bash on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)
Junior WKU biology student Adan Canizalez (20, left) celebrates with graduating healthcare administration student Tramaine Hawkins (23, right) on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 at Big Red Bash on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)
Two graduating WKU students watch fireworks shot from the rooftop of PS2 Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 at Big Red Bash on campus in Bowling Green, Ky. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile)