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Von Smith

Von Smith, Visuals Editor

Von Smith is a photojournalist from the south end of Louisville currently working as the Visuals Editor at the WKU Herald. Von began working as a staff photographer his freshman year and intends on remaining there through graduation.

All content by Von Smith
Protestors gather outside of Bowling Green’s regional ICE headquarters several after the arrest of Honduran native Ismael Cruz Sanchez on Nov. 5, 2025.

[Photo] Man arrested in Bowling Green now in ICE custody

November 5, 2025
Employees of the regional Department of Homeland Security office watch protestors outside of the guarded fence several hours after Honduran immigrant Ismael Sanchez Cruz was detained at a gas station in Bowling Green, Ky. on Nov. 5, 2025.

Los manifestantes se reúnen frente a la sede regional de ICE en Bowling Green después del arresto del nativo Hondureño Ismael Cruz-Sanchez el 5 de noviembre de 2025.

[Photo] Hombre arrestado en Bowling Green ahora bajo custodia de ICE

November 5, 2025
Employees of the regional Department of Homeland Security office watch protestors outside of the guarded fence several hours after Honduran immigrant Ismael Sanchez Cruz was detained at a gas station in Bowling Green, Ky. on Nov. 5, 2025.

Alumni Association President Kevin Mays cheers with members of the Chi Omega sorority while dressed as Alice in Wonderland’s “Mad Hatter” during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

‘Once Upon a Hill’ homecoming parade takes over the Square

Von Smith, Jonah Savage, and Caroline Chubb
October 31, 2025
Chi Omega senior Maggie Richardson rallies her sorority after winning the Spirit Stick during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

Western Kentucky University’s Chi Omega sorority and Kappa Alpha fraternity celebrate winning the coveted Spirit Stick after WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025. The Spirit Stick is awarded yearly to Greek organizations with the best homecoming festivities.

Chi Omega sorority senior Sydney Collins collapses after winning the Spirit Stick during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

Alpha Xi Delta sorority member Sheila Vo (left) cheers as spirit awards are announced during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

Sigma Phi Epsilon philanthropy chair Garret Price rejoins the crowd dressed as Peter Pan during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

Homecoming Queen candidate Averi Cline walks for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during WKU’s “Once Upon a Hill” Homecoming Parade in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2025.

WKUPD officer Jackson Fletcher responds to a microwave fire in room 309 on the 3rd floor of Jody Richards Hall on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 at Western Kentucky University.

WKUPD and BGFD respond to microwave fire in Jody Richards Hall

Brendan Culler and Von Smith
October 14, 2025
Lead donors Amy and David Chandler help cut the ribbon with WKU President Timothy Caboni during the Amy and David Chandler Hall Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

‘The Chan’: Donors, Caboni dedicate new business building

Abigail Vickers and Von Smith
September 19, 2025
Kentucky State Senator David Givens speaks on behalf of the legislature during the Amy and David Chandler Hall Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Kentucky’s General Assembly contributed $4.4 million to the construction of Chandler Hall.

Lead donor Amy Chandler speaks with WKU alumni and community members after the Amy and David Chandler Hall Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

Charles English is congratulated as one of the original founders of the Gordon Ford College of Business during the Amy and David Chandler Hall Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

Student Government Association President Rush Robinson meets with the Herald Editorial Board during their annual meeting in the SGA conference room on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

[Photo] SGA leaders talk meal swipe donations, ‘chill vibes’ with Herald editors

Herald Editorial Board
September 10, 2025
Student Government Association President Rush Robinson meets with the Herald Editorial Board during their annual meeting in the SGA conference room on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

Chandler Memorial Chapel sits under construction as new columbarium’s are added to the front landscaping on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

Chandler Memorial Chapel sits under construction as new columbarium’s are added to the front landscaping on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

Chandler Memorial Chapel sits under construction as new columbariums are added to the front landscaping on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

[Photo] Weirdly Western: Spend an eternity on the Hill

September 3, 2025
Hilltoppers Quarterback Maverick McIvor searches for a pass during that start of WKU’s game against North Alabama in Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. In his second game as a Hilltopper, McIvor threw 24-31 with a 77% completion percentage for 305 yards and five touchdowns.

PHOTOS: WKU takes down North Alabama 55-6

Von Smith, Visuals Editor
August 31, 2025
Hilltoppers Wide Receiver Matthew Henry (0) secures a touchdown to bring WKU’s lead to 40 points at the half during their game against North Alabama in the Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Henry’s narrow touchdown had to be reviewed by officials after the play.

[Photo] Mike Drop: Hilltoppers clicking as second half of schedule begins

October 12, 2025
Hilltoppers Wide Receiver Cameron Flowers searches for a route through the defense during WKU’s game against North Alabama in the Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.

[Photo] Mike Drop: WKU Football suffers disaster in Toledo

September 7, 2025
Hilltoppers Defensive Backs Demarko Williams (1) and Dave Herard (17) take down North Alabama Wide Receiver Justin Pegues (0) during WKU’s game against North Alabama in the Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. WKU was up 42-6 at the half.

[Photo] McIvor and WKU Football dominate North Alabama

August 30, 2025
WKU linebacker Miller Malone (8) stops Sam Houston running back Elijah Green (21) from scoring a touchdown during the WKU home opener against Sam Houston in Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

PHOTOS: Hilltoppers topple Bearkats on opening night

Summer Crawford and Von Smith
August 24, 2025
Wide receiver Jarius Mack (5) celebrates after wide receiver Mousa Barry (3) secures a pass for first down during WKU’s home opener against Sam Houston State University in Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

WKU Wide Receiver Matthew Henry (17) fights off defense after securing a pass from quarterback Maverick McIvor during the first half of WKU’s home opener against Sam Houston in Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

[Photo] Hilltoppers take down Bearkats in season opener

August 23, 2025
Members of Seth Swafford’s construction company from Manchester, Ky. work to clear damaged trees from Friday’s EF-4 tornado in the Sunshine Hills community of London, Ky. on May 19, 2025. Swafford (rear right standing) is part of a wave of contractors and construction workers who poured into Laurel County to provide cleanup and repair for the community throughout the weekend.

PHOTOS: London community recovers after EF-4 tornado

Von Smith, Visuals Editor
May 20, 2025
WKU’s graduating class of 2025 marches down the Avenue of Champions as parents and friends cheer on during the annual Topper Walk on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

PHOTOS: Class of 2025 Hilltoppers graduate

Von Smith and Anna Bell Lee
May 9, 2025
A tassle hangs on the right side of a graduating senior’s mortarboard during the annual Topper Walk on Avenue of Champions on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

WKU’s Faculty House sits vacant at the top of the hill on May 6, 2025.

[Photo] Faculty House faces demolition alongside Cherry Hall renovations

Kane Smith, Assistant News Editor
May 8, 2025
WKU President Timothy Caboni addressed criticism for renderings depicting Cherry Hall’s planned renovations during a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Jody Richards Hall.

WKU President Timothy Caboni addressed criticism for renderings depicting Cherry Hall’s planned renovations during a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Jody Richards Hall. Caboni defended the renovations saying “a classroom building built to serve the campus in 1936; it wouldn’t serve our students, and it wouldn’t serve the way they learn today.”

WKU President Timothy Caboni addressed criticism for renderings depicting Cherry Hall’s planned renovations during a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Jody Richards Hall.

[Photo] Caboni addresses Cherry Hall renovation protests

Cameron Shaw, News Reporter
May 9, 2025
Bob Pollock of Hopkinsville, Ky. protest in the pouring rain as part of SOKY Indivisible’s protest against the Trump administration’s recent policies at Circus Square Park on Saturday, May 3, 2025. “Somebody’s gotta do it,” Pollock said, “the more people, the more impact we have.”

SOKY Indivisible holds anti-Trump May Day protest

Kaylee Hawkins and Von Smith
May 3, 2025
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