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Von Smith is a member of the photo staff for the Herald for Fall 2023.

Von Smith, Staff Photographer

Von Smith is a photographer and writer from the south end of Louisville majoring in Photojournalism and Journalism. Von has been in the Herald newsroom since enrolling at WKU and intends on remaining there through graduation.

All content by Von Smith
WKU’s Big Red high fives center infielder Kyle Hayes (30) after WKU’s victory against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs 3-0 on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Photos: WKU baseball beats UNC Asheville 3-0 at home

Von Smith, Staff Photographer
March 9, 2025
The Hilltoppers dugout reacts to a strike during WKU’s game against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Outfielder Ryan Wideman (33) connects with the ball during WKU’s game against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

[Photo] WKU Baseball to host Southern Illinois in battle of 10-game win streaks

March 10, 2025
Hilltopper infielder Carlos Vasquez (25) lets a ball through during WKU’s game against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Hilltopper right-handed pitcher Gavin Perry (44) winds up a pitch during WKU’s game against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

[Photo] WKU Baseball looks to bounce back from 2-loss weekend

March 24, 2025
WKU baseball head coach Marc Rardin speaks to his team after WKU’s victory against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field. This is Rardin’s 3rd season as head coach of the Hilltoppers, leading the team to a conference-best 15-1 record this year.

WKU’s Big Red greets the UNC Asheville players during WKU’s victory over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Hilltopper outfielder Ryan Wideman (33) dives for first base after attempting to steal second during WKU’s game against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Asheville first baseman Charlie Stogner (40) picks up a strike during WKU’s game against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Asheville first baseman Charlie Stogner warms up to bat during WKU’s game against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Nick Denes Field.

Hilltopper outfielder Ryan Wideman (33) dives for first base after attempting to steal second during WKU’s game against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs at Nick Denes Field on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Senior public relations major Cecilia Alali making her stage acting debut performs as the Chorus in the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Photos: WKU’s Theater and Dance Department perform Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’

Von Smith, Staff Photographer
March 8, 2025
Sophomore acting major Aubrie Pignato receives flowers from her friend Elizabeth Grant after the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Betty Judd takes a picture of her granddaughter Abigail Blakeman’s acting bio after the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC. “I thought she was fantastic,” Judd said about her granddaughter’s performance.

Actors take the final bow during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Sophomore Aubrie Pignato, in one of her several characters, plays a frenchman pleading with the King during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

[Photo] William Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ takes the FAC stage

Natalie Freidhof, News Reporter
March 8, 2025
A French casualty is carried offstage during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Senior theater major Alexandra Gray, playing the French Dauphin, strikes an Englishman with a sword during the final battle during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Junior BFA musical theater major Lib Boyd delivers a speech as a frenchman during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

English countrymen played by Aubrie Pignato (left) and Chesney Morris (left) toy with each other during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Junior performing arts major Fade Akinbayo leads the cast as King Henry V during the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC. Henry V follows the venerable 15th century British King as he invades France in retaliation for an insult from the French Dauphin. WKU’s Theatre and Dance department sets the stage as a classroom lecture that transitions into a complex rendition of the play’s events with classmates pitted against one another as nations.

Audience members watch the opening of the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Sophomore BFA acting major Aubrie Pignato performs one of her five characters during her first main stage acting performance for the Theater and Dance Department’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the Russell Miller Theatre in FAC.

Leaders from several different feminist organizations on campus gathered for the Feminist Student Union’s first “Women in Leadership” discussion panel on Thursday, March 6, 2025 in the Jody Richards Hall auditorium.

[Photo] ‘Women in Leadership’ panel highlights student voices

Taylor Koch, News Reporter
March 10, 2025
Chin dancers perform traditional celebrations during the 77th Chin Community of Bowling Green’s National Day celebration in Van Meter Hall on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. The Chin people originate from Burma and have maintained a large population in Bowling Green for over 70 years.

[Photo] Chin of Bowling Green honor culture amidst civil war at home

Anthony Clauson, News Reporter
February 24, 2025
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Al Green (5) reaches to steal the ball from Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Braxton Bayless’s(0) drive during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Bayless had 27 points and 3 fouls to lead WKU’s narrow 64-63 victory.

Photos: Hilltoppers beat Louisiana Tech at the buzzer 64-63

Von Smith and Adin Parks
February 23, 2025
Children watch the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers warm up before WKU’s game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers forward Blaise Keita (1) blocks a dunk attempt from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs forward Daniel Batcho (13) during the final minutes of WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Batcho had 10 points and 4 fouls.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) celebrates after a timeout during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Amare Abram (1) sits during a timeout as the Hilltoppers lead during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Abram led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 4 fouls at the end of the game.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard AJ Bates (3) attempts to pass the ball against defense from Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Sean Newman Jr. (4) is helped off court after injuring his leg during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) hypes up the crowd during the final moments of WKU’s victory against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Jackson had 4 points and 2 fouls.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) bumps into Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Sean Newman Jr. (4) as tensions rise during the 2nd half of WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) and forward Tyrone Marshall (24) shut down Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Kaden Cooper (11) as he drives the ball during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Sean Newman Jr. (4) helps his teammate off the baseline after his teammate was fouled on an attempted layup during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Hank Plona motivates the Hilltoppers before tipoff against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head coach Talvin Hester speaks with his team during a timeout as they narrowly trail the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half of WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. This is Hester’s 3rd season as head coach of the Bulldogs.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Kaden Cooper (11) holds his ear after colliding with his teammates for a loose ball under the basket during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) is cornered in the paint by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Amare Abram (1) and guard Al Green (5) during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Braxton Bayless (0) misses a layup against defense from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Kaden Cooper (11) during WKU’s game against LA Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

[Photo] Hilltoppers fight off comeback at UTEP

February 28, 2025
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Braxton Bayless (0) drives the ball to the basket against opposition from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs guard Al Green (5) during WKU’s game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Bayless had 9 points at the half to contribute to WKU’s scoring lead against Louisiana Tech 24-19.

[Photo] Bayless beats Bulldogs with last-second layup

February 22, 2025
Freshman Ian Stanley sleds down a hill outside of Van Meter Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Classes were canceled Wednesday due to a winter storm.

Photos: Snow days on the hill

Adin Parks, Von Smith, Kaitlyn Webb, Gabriel Milby, Jacob Sebastian, and Dominic Di Palermo
February 21, 2025
Junior mechanical engineer Ethan Locke from Tennessee takes the heavy snowstorm as a rare opportunity to snow board at the hill in front of Van Meter Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Garbage bags and other objects used as make-shift sleds scatter the top of the hill near Van Meter Hall after WKU cancelled classes due to heavy snowfall on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

WKU Sigma Phi Epsilon students get a running jump down the hill outside of Van Meter Hall on sleds oiled with dish soap on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Student Body President Sam Kurtz enjoys the inclement weather with his friends outside of Van Meter Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Senior construction management major Peyton Snyder (left) shotguns a beer outside of Kappa Alpha’s fraternity house on College Street on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Freshman Kappa Alpha member Greyson Jernigan receives a buzz cut from fraternity brother Davis Moran in preparation for “Fight Night” next Friday outside of KA’s house on College Street in Bowling Green, Ky. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Donna Schulte stands with a small group of protestors during an anti-Trump protest organized by SOKY indivisible outside of republican congressman Brett Guthrie’s office building in Bowling Green, Ky. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. “I feel like the love in America has gone away since Trump and Elon took office,” Schulte said.

SOKY Indivisible holds anti-Trump protest outside Guthrie office

Von Smith, Staff Photographer
February 16, 2025
Former Bowling Green mayoral candidate Tom Morris speaks to a small crowd of protestors during an anti-Trump protest organized by SOKY indivisible outside of republican congressman Brett Guthrie’s office building in Bowling Green, Ky. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. “I’m afraid our democracy is being snatched away,” Morris said, “without constitutional protections we are just another banana republic.”

Former New York Times columnist and author Charles Blow signs a copy of his book “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto” for junior social studies education major Brendan Culler before his speech as part of PCAL’s Cultural Enhancement Series in the DSU auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

Journalist and author Charles Blow discusses themes from his written work with junior social studies major Brendan Culler who holds a copy of his book “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto” before Charles Blow’s speech as part of PCAL’s Cultural Enhancement Series in the DSU auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. “Superhero activism is not really building anything,” Culler said recounting the topics of their conversation, “you’re losing a whole dimension of the struggle.”

Brendan Culler, a junior social studies education major from Louisville, waits to get his book signed by journalist and author Charles Blow before Blow delivers his lecture as part of PCAL’s Cultural Enhancement Series in the DSU auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Blow’s book “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto” centers on the idea that African Americans should reverse migrate back to the southern U.S. in order to consolidate black political power in state government.

Former New York Times op-ed columnist and author Charles Blow listens to questions from guest at his pre-speech reception before his lecture as part of PCAL’s Cultural Enhancement Series in the DSU auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

Colin Walters of Bonnieville, Ky. showcases his 1968 Volkswagen air-cooled Beetle and his 12-gauge AR-style shotgun which he had tried to sell at “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

Kentucky gun owners bear arms at Cave City gun show

Von Smith, Staff Photographer
February 10, 2025
smith_von_gunshow_10

Maddy Hayes of Webster, Ky. balances her son Wyatt Hayes in one arm and a Steven’s Model 20-gauge single-barrel shotgun in the other outside of Steve’s Gun and Knife Show at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

Ken Wininger of Glasgow, Ky. examines the fine details of his German 1932 Mauser bolt-action rifle outside of Steve’s Gun and Knife Show at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

Tennessee State Capitol police monitor the events unfolding on the steps of the capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a larger coordinated protest across the nation’s state capitols at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Photos: 50501 Movement hosts protest in Nashville

Von Smith and Kaitlyn Webb
February 7, 2025
Holley Carden fashions a flag to a tree limb to avoid having a traditional pole mistaken as a weapon during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated protest across the nation’s state capitols. Carden moved to the United States from British Wales at the age of 10 and seeks to protect the rights of other migrants in America after Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration by protesting at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Protestors gather on steps and walls around the Tennessee State Capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated protest across the nation’s state capitols in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Tennessee State Capitol police monitor the events unfolding on the steps of the capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated nationwide protest at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Police officers cut off traffic as protestors march down Broadway during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated national protest in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Protest leaders Salem Walker and Carter James lead chants as the protestors congregate at the River Front Park before returning to the capitol during an anti-Trump march organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated national protest in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

A doorman on Broadway who wished to remain anonymous observes the passing protest during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated protest across the nations state capitols in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Bands play day-time shows on Broadway as protestors march toward the state capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated nationwide protest on Broadway Ave in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Transgender advocate Carter James leads a chant on the steps of Tennessee’s State Capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated national protest at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

A person who wished to remain anonymous shares the meaning of his Pagan binding rune during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated protest at every state capitol. “I have to believe in my personal faith because I can’t believe in the system,” they said at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Felix (left), who chose to use an alias to protect his identity, confronts counter-protestor and audio engineer Johnny Constantine (left) during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a coordinated nationwide protest at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “I wanted to block as much as I could,” Felix said, “I didn’t want his hate to reach people who would be more affected than me.”

Johnny Constantine, an audio engineer who worked for popular music artist such as Jelly Roll, confronts protestors on the steps on the Tennessee State Capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Penny Allison Lockhart speaks to a small gathering at the Capitol theater in downtown Bowling Green to remember the legacy of Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first black woman journalist to gain press credentials to the White House, on Saturday, Feb. 01, 2025.

[Photo] The Capitol kicks off Black History Month with “Remembering Alice Dunnigan”

Abigail Vickers, News Reporter
February 2, 2025
Alice Allison Dunnigan’s 1983 obituary reads her achievements and contributions to journalism as Kentucky based writer Bailey Vandiver remembers her lasting legacy during a lecture at the Capitol Theater on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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