In the last six months of 2009 WKU brought in a record $12.5-million.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Tom Hiles says that's a 71% increase over the same time period last year.

Hiles says a very loyal base of supporters, and the leadership of WKU President, Doctor Gary Ransdell, enabled Western to set the record despite tough economic times.

"The fact that he's talking about a transformation at WKU," said Hiles, "talking about 'a leading American university with international reach.' I think people want to be inspired and they really resonate with that message."

Hiles says the generous cash gifts will be used for endowments for scholarships and faculty, and for capital projects like Chandler's Chapel, Houchens Smith Stadium, and the Hilltoppers' baseball clubhouse.