WKU News

For Robbie Dye, college wasn’t a mystery. Having lived in Bowling Green for over a decade and with his mother working at WKU, he was no stranger to campus life. Yet, stepping into his first year as a student, he quickly realized that knowing a place and experiencing it firsthand are two very different things.

Originally from Muskegon, Michigan, Robbie had plenty of options when it came to college. He even considered moving to Hawaii, where his sister had spent time. But ultimately, WKU made the most sense—financially, logistically, and emotionally. “Obviously, my mom works here, so student discount,” he laughed. “And I just like being close to home, family.”

Despite his proximity to WKU, Robbie entered his first year without rigid expectations. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect,” he admitted. “I’ve spent a lot of time on campus, at different events, but for my personal experience, I wasn’t sure. I think it’s been really good in regards to meeting people and just the variety of things to do.”

Academically, Robbie hit the ground running. With a solid background in dual credit and AP courses, he entered WKU with a head start. “Honestly, I wasn’t super big on taking those classes at the time,” he admitted. “It was more pushed by my mom, to be honest. But I’m more appreciative of it now because I was able to get exactly into what I wanted.”

And what he wanted was art. “As of now, it’s visual art,” he shared, though he’s also exploring graphic design. His love for creativity has always been there, but it took time to fully embrace. “I’ve always been good at art, but I never really put it into practice. When I was deciding my major, it was between architectural engineering and visual art. But after an introductory field trip, I completely lost interest in engineering and chose visual art.”

His passion extends beyond the classroom. “I like painting a lot,” he said. “I started painting shoes, custom shoes, and selling them. So I have a little side business out of that.” He’s also dabbling in digital media, encouraged by his sisters, who are helping him create a clothing brand. “They were like, ‘Oh, you need to be able to have these skills to advertise, make logos, all that.’”

Beyond art, Robbie has a deep interest in critical thinking and philosophy—something he found nurtured in his Honors 251 class. “I think Ms. Bolander did a really good job at creating that space for me—well, really, for everyone. Throughout high school, that’s something I always desired. I appreciated the class a lot, even though the workload was strenuous.”

For his civic engagement project, Robbie found a way to blend his passion for community with a personal tradition. “My mom and I do drum circles. She’s done a lot of research with therapy tactics, and we’ve done them for years. So I decided to make that my project. We did a drum circle for Gatton Academy after they lost a student, another with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and at an adult daycare center.”

The experience of leading drum circles on campus was meaningful for Robbie, as it connected back to his childhood memories. “When I was ten, my mom was doing them as an alternative for ‘Thirsty Thursdays.’ She’d set up huge drum circles outside PFT, and people walking by would join in. I always wanted to recreate that.”

Despite his deep roots in Bowling Green and familiarity with WKU, Robbie still experiences campus with fresh eyes. “A lot of things are new to me. I hadn’t really spent time at FAC before, but now I do a lot there. And just walking around campus—it always feels new, even though it’s not.”

Socially, he’s taken steps to step outside his comfort zone. “My first semester, I was more introverted than usual, but this semester I’ve been focused on talking to people more.” He recently joined an intramural basketball team and hopes to get involved in more art-related clubs.

As he approaches his sophomore year, Robbie reflects on his growth. “Everyone says time management is important, and it’s very true. I feel like I’ve grown in that way and just in general confidence as a student.”

Living at home rather than in the residence halls hasn’t made him feel disconnected from campus life. “I love my room. I have a great rhythm. I just like having my space—and being able to shower at home,” he added with a laugh.

And if you ever see Robbie on campus, he hopes you’ll say hi. “I’m very approachable. I’m open to meeting new people.” Look for the student with the stylish side bag and, on occasion, a pair of his hand-painted sneakers—though he wears them sparingly. “I don’t want to get them dirty.”

With a first year full of creative pursuits, deep discussions, and meaningful connections, Robbie Dye is just getting started.