Gatton Academy Selects 62 Students from 44 Counties for Class of 2010

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has selected 60 students for its Class of 2010.

The students span 44 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score eight points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.

In all, 130 students applied and were judged based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Then 100 were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across the Commonwealth. In the end, 60 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.

The selected students scored an average of 28.8 composite on the ACT and 29.2 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is a 36. The 2007 statewide average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was 20 on the math portion of the exam and 20.7 composite.

| “We are extremely excited to welcome this outstanding group of students to the Gatton Academy,” said Corey Alderdice, assistant director of admissions and public relations for the Gatton Academy. “These students bring with them numerous talents and abilities. Most of all, they bring a passion for learning and a readiness to bring the state of Kentucky fully into the economy of the 21st century.”

The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Adair, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Bullitt, Butler, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Graves, Greenup, Hardin, Harlan, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, LaRue, Laurel, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Madison, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Mercer, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Owen, Pendleton, Pike, Rowan, Simpson, Spencer, Trigg, Warren and Woodford.

The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, the Gatton Academy will prepare Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state. The students will finish their junior and senior years living in the renovated Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least 60 college credit hours.

Tim Gott, director of the Academy, looks for these students to continue the level of engagement and success of the program’s inaugural group of students. “Our inaugural group of students has set a very high standard in the classroom, research labs and across the WKU campus,” Gott said. “These incoming students will build upon these experiences and to push the bar higher.”

The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features research, clubs, organizations and community service.

The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in science and math careers and the 14th such program in the nation. More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/

For information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.