With so many students, faculty and staff on campus, there are bound to be a few places where even the bravest soul doesn't want to be. Even though Western Kentucky University is a very diverse and welcome campus, there are quite a few places on and around campus that are reported to be haunted.
1. McLean Hall
McLean Hall is a co-ed residence hall located toward the middle of campus. It houses many upperclassmen and Honors students. McLean was named after Mattie McLean, who was a private secretary for Hendry Hardin Cherry. What makes McLean Hall haunted is the ongoing presence of Mattie McLean throughout McLean. Reports have shown that the light under Mattie McLean's portrait, which is located in McLean, turns on and off on its own. Reports have also shown that many residences of McLean have heard footsteps and rustling in the hallways late at night as if Mattie McLean still roams around.
2. Potter Hall
Potter Hall was once a residence hall that housed both men and women, but it has since been converted into an administration building. While Potter Hall was a residence hall for women, there was one resident who hung herself in one of the basement rooms. Nicknamed "Casperella," reports have shown that people have had things stolen from their offices and various objects have been moved around. There have been other reports that there is a ghost nicknamed "Penny" who steals pennies and leaves them throughout the basement offices. "Penny" also has been seen picking up pennies and dropping them to the ground.
If only it were quarters. Then Penny should be haunting the campus laundry rooms.
3. Kappa Delta House
Kappa Delta is a sorority that was founded in the late 1800's but was founded at WKU in 1965. It is rumored that the Kappa Delta House is haunted by a ghost named "Ms. Norman." According to this rumor, Ms. Norman was a widow who owned the house before Kappa Delta moved in. Ms. Norman supposedly built the house for her two children and their families. But, due to loneliness since her children rarely visited her, Ms. Norman supposedly hung herself in her closet. The closet is now located in the Kappa Delta house mom's apartment. Reports have shown that members of Kappa Delta have heard strange noises from the closet area and possible moaning from the basement.
4. Sigma Alpha Epsilon House
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a fraternity that was founded in 1856 and was founded at WKU in 1965. Sigma Alpha Epsilon used to own a house until it burned down in 2005. During the Civil War, this house was used as a hospital. According to speculation, one of the soldiers who died decided to stay at the house to become an honorary fraternity brother. Eventually nicknamed "Kevin," the ghost more soldier was reportedly seen in mirrors and he could be heard walking around.
5. Kappa Sigma House
Kappa Sigma is a fraternity that was founded in 1869 and was founded at WKU in 1965. Not much can be found about the haunting of their house, but it is said to be haunted by a former cowboy named Jim. Although I could not find any relevant information about Jim the Cowboy, it just seemed very strange for a cowboy to be located in the South.
6. Van Meter Auditorium
Van Meter Auditorium is located at the very top of WKU. It is mainly used for theatrical performances, but there have been many musical performances and talks given at Van Meter. While it was being built, a construction worker who was working on a skylight supposedly fell to his death on the stage. Some cases say that the worker was being distracted by a plane that was flying by and others say that he fell by accident. Though the skylight is now covered, people still report being able to see blood on the stage where he fell. There have also been reports of people seeing a ghost sitting in one of the audience seats toward the back of the auditorium or on the balcony.
7. Van Meter Auditorium part two
A lesser known haunting consists of a hermit that lives underneath WKU's campus. According to this myth, there are cavernous tunnels located underneath campus that have secret passageways that lead to various buildings like Van Meter Hall and Pierce Ford Tower. Reports say that a hermit has found his was into the tunnels and has been living there for quite some time. When the hermit does come out of the tunnels, he carries around a blue lantern that resembles the blue police boxes located around campus.
8. The Academic Complex
The Academic Complex is located at the bottom of the hill and it houses Medical Services and WKU's television and radio station. The Academic Complex was built on what used to be farmland and was the location of Vets Village, a location where veterans who attended WKU would live. The Academic Complex also used to be a hospital. Reports say that DJ's have seen and heard paranormal activity throughout night shifts and there are reports of a CD player moving around on its own.
These are among the few places and areas on campus that are reported to be haunted. Are there any places that you have heard of besides these? Although this list does not include all of the "haunted" places on the hill, it does make for a creepy story to tell freshman as they start to settle down on campus.
