Newspaper Editorials Bridge Ten Years of Gatton Academy History

In 1999, the Bowling Green Daily News (8/6/99) reasoned, based on the success of other residential academies across the country, “it can logically be assumed that a similar program will succeed in Kentucky.”  Learning from the experiences and successes of programs in Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, and Missouri, the proponents of the program were able to continue the work of other great academies while creating a school unique to the needs of Kentucky.  Though the Academy did not open until August 2007, the years of planning and advocacy ahead served the program well.

Ten years ago, the iPod didn’t exist.  Neither did Toyota’s hybrid Prius vehicle or YouTube.  In the span of a decade, mobile phones, high speed internet, and other various advances in science and technology came into their own.

The op-ed piece about the Gatton Academy in Sunday’s Courier-Journal reminded us that ten years ago this month, three major newspapers from across the commonwealth came forward in endorsing the idea of the Academy. Looking back, these editorials marked the beginning of a period of interest within the state regarding the founding of the Academy.  Facilitated by a backdrop of the growing national debate over the need to increase the number of available scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, it was the right time to consider this type of opportunity for advanced students in Kentucky.

Most notable of all, perhaps, was the sentiment expressed by the Louisville Courier-Journal (8/9/99): “The intensity of the program would be paired with a genuine dedication to provide the students with a normal teen-age experience.”  We are quick to share that the Gatton Academy is not a typical high school and provides an experience unlike any other secondary program in the state.  In addition to the rigor of advanced coursework and research comes our dedication for developing the whole students.  The living and learning environment of the Gatton Academy means we have the opportunity to extend the education of our students beyond traditional knowledge as we aid our students in becoming adults.

It is particularly interesting that these pieces were able to predict some of the most impressive and exciting facets of the Gatton Academy.  The Lexington Herald-Leader (8/7/99) suggested “Mature and academically accomplished students admitted to a program like this one could grow by leaps and bounds with more stimulating college classes and the camaraderie of their classmates and roommates at WKU.”  Last year, Academy students received honors in the Siemens’ Competition and Intel Science Search.  Students were recognized with Goldwater and DoD SMART scholarships.  Students presented research findings at various conferences on campus, throughout the nation, and abroad.

This fall, students will enter cohorts of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s National Genomic Research Imitative and the National Security Education Program’s Chinese Language Flagship.  Both programs are rooted in advanced study that takes place around like-minded peers.  In the span of two years, students have proven they are ready to embrace the infinite possibilities ahead.

In 1996, Steve Chen graudated from the Illinois Math and Science Academy.  Ten years later, a little website he co-founded called YouTube was named Time Magazine’s Best Invention of 2006.  This May, the first class of students to finish the full two-year course of study at the Gatton Academy graduated.  Only time will tell the story of the creations, innovations, and achievements the program will spark.

Ten years from now, who knows what we will be celebrating?