Bowling Green, Ky – Seven months after taking the Challenge to raise awareness about extreme poverty and preventable disease on campus, Western Kentucky University (WKU) students beat more than 1400 schools to earn the title as the most effective poverty-fighting campus nationwide. WKU students will be rewarded for their hard work with the ONE Campus Challenge Grand Prize concert tonight at the Capitol Arts Theater at8:00 pm.

Members from the Bowling Green community, Mayor Elaine Walker, and WKU President Gary Ransdell will be joining the students tonight for a foot-stomping performance from two of the nation’s top bands, Army of Me and Georgie James. U2 lead singer, Bono, will provide a special video message.

Admission is free, and free prizes will be awarded to those who attend, including ONE gear, (Red) ipods and shoes from Converse and gift certificates.

Free food is available before the concert. Doors open at 7:30. Transportation will be provided to and from the concert. The shuttle will run continuously from the Downing University Center (DUH), Mass Media & Technology (MMTH) and Capitol Arts Theater stops.

The ONE Campus Challenge (OCC) is a nationwide competition to provide students with the tools they need to organize on campus, talk to elected officials and increase awareness of – and support for the proven solutions to address – the crises of extreme poverty and preventable disease. Launched for the first time in September 2007, ONE has rewarded students for reaching milestones as the OCC progresses, stoking the competition and encouraging participation.

In early April, the ONE Campaign announced that Western Kentucky University earned the top spot. They clinched the first place by implementing an incredible program on campus with the $1000 grant that all the Top Ten winning schools received. The winner was determined by popular vote and a panel of experts which in included Gene Sperling of the Council on Foreign Relations, Sam Worthington, President of InterAction, and ONE Campus Challenge leaders Erin Eagan and Weldon Kennedy.

“Our work has only just begun,” ONE Chapter leader Matt Vaughan said. “The ONE Campus Challenge helped us get the movement started on campus. Now we’re more motivated than ever take these issues up with other students and our local leaders. The OCC has been fun, but we always try to remember that we are here to help people who are dying from preventable causes like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. That’s a great privilege, and one we take seriously.”

“Western Kentucky is committed to doing what we can to make sure the issues of extreme poverty and preventable disease are addressed,” said WKU President Gary Ransdell.  “What the ONE Chapter did in one day was incredible. I have a feeling that the ONE Day at Western Kentucky is the first of many days to come when ONE members are out on campus, talking to other students and bringing them into the movement. I am proud of the work these students have done in making these issues a part of the campus dialogue.”

WKU used their grant to transform the campus into an educational center and rally students to fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease during an intensive 24-hour period on March 25.

In one day, Western Kentucky students wrote over 300 letters to lawmakers in Washington in support of specific legislation that addresses the root causes of extreme poverty.  On that same day, almost 2,000 WKU students signed the ONE declaration asking our nation’s leaders to come up with additional solutions to these issues.

The effort concluded with a bang as more than 300 students gathered with the Western Kentucky’s president and the mayor of Bowling Green to bring attention to the conditions of extreme poverty around the world and what WKU students can do to make a difference.

“When I arrived on campus for the March 25 rally, the excitement on campus was palpable. The WKU ONE Chapter has motivated other students to begin to shape the world into the place that they want to live. These students are raising awareness about extreme poverty and what American citizens can do to help the world’s poorest people. They are getting others excited about the potential for change and learning about the political process at the same time,” said Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker.

Highlights of that rally include:

• The Bowling Green mayor Elaine Walker signed a proclamation declaring Bowling Green, the fourth largest city in the state, to be a “ONE City.”
• WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell presented a proclamation making WKU a “ONE Campus.”
• The students worked with the administration to have the bell tower-decorated with a 60 foot banner that read “Make Poverty History”–ring once every three seconds for ONE minute at the end of our rally to recognize the child that dies every three seconds from poverty.
• The ONE students partnered with the Political Engagement Project on campus to have voter registration at the rally under the title ‘Vote Out Poverty’ as another way to amplify the voice of the youth of America and promote ONE’s message in a real way.

“Western Kentucky students have gone above and beyond to educate others about the prevalence of extreme poverty, how treatable disease are killing thousands every day and what America can do to help,” said Erin Eagan, Student Outreach Coordinator.  “Western Kentucky should be proud of their work and know that this campus is home to many of the nation’s top student activists.”

In December, the top 100 schools were invited to Washington D.C. for the elite student conference, the Power 100 Summit.  At that time, there were fewer than 100 ONE members on WKU’s campus. Today, there are 2,954 ONE WKU members.

“Matt Vaughn and the WKU ONE Chapter have mobilized students, faculty, student groups and local leaders on these issues. That is ultimately what the ONE Campus Challenge is all about-helping students across the country make real change in their communities,” Eagan said.

To watch a short video of the winning events, click here:http://vimeo.com/837203.

The Capitol Arts Theater is located at 416 East Main Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101-2241.