Photo Flashback: An Academy History Lesson

It’s been almost three years since the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky (at the time the Kentucky Academy for Mathematics and Science) received funding from the Kentucky General Assembly.  The three years have been filled with exploration and growth, adventure and setback.  Over the last two years, the Academy has worked directly with three classes of students, providing them with extraordinary and appropriately challenging learning opportunities.  We’ve added several sets of photos to our Flickr pool over the last few days.  Take a stroll down memory lane.

It was almost a decade of planning and advocacy before the Academy became a reality.  In the summer and fall of 2006, campaigns for public awareness and recruitment began.  The series of photos below follows many of the events, information sessions, and news items in those first several months.

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All the while, a massive renovation project began on Schneider Hall, the future home of the Gatton Academy.  The building, originally constructed in 1928, was cleared to the limestone wall and built back from within.  The third floor ballroom was closed in to make room for the fourth floor common room.

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As 120 of Kentucky’s brightest high school juniors and seniors watched, Western Kentucky University  dedicated the Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky and named it in honor of business leader C.M. “Bill” Gatton on August 23, 2007. “This residential program selects the state’s brightest students, who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering,” WKU President Gary Ransdell said. “The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s most exceptional young minds to learn in a rigorous intellectual environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky.  We are truly grateful to Mr. Gatton for his leadership support.”

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That same month, the first group of 120 students entered the Academy ready to embrace the infinite possibilities ahead.  The following photos look back on move in day, the dedication of the Gatton Academy, and life around Schneider Hall in that first month.

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That fall, the fourth floor common area was named in honor of Jama Young by the RBG Foundation of Glasgow.  The foundation’s generous gift has provided extraordinary programmatic opportunities for students at the Gatton Academy.  In addition, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky, AT&T of Kentucky, and Ashland Inc. have provided financial support to the Gatton Academy.

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In May 2008, the Gatton Academy recognized seniors who spent one year of study at the program in the inaugural Commencement.  The senior class included 10 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars, 4 National Merit finalists, and a student body who averaged over 24 hours of service learning per student.

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In it’s short history, the Gatton Academy has established itself as a beacon of excellence for higher learning in Kentucky.  The Class of 2011 will mark the fourth group of students to enter the program later this summer.  Recruitment is already underway for the Class of 2012.  To learn more about the Gatton Academy, continue to browse our website or telephone us at (270) 745-6565.