2009 – Page 5 – The Gatton Academy News

Updated: Apply for the Class of 2012

September 7, 2009 | Admissions, News | No Comments

The Gatton Academy is pleased to announce the Application for Admission to the Class of 2012 will be completed exclusively online this year. Our new online system is meant to simplify the admissions process, provide rapid online feedback with applicants, and facilitate the transition from admissions candidate to Class of 2012 member.

We are in the process of finalizing the application. As of Friday, we anticipate the full instructions to applicants will be posted to the Gatton Academy website on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. We are excited that so many students have shown an interest in enrolling at the Gatton Academy.

Before beginning the application process, please ensure you qualify or intend to meet qualifications for admission to the Gatton Academy.

Gatton Academy applicants must

be a current resident of the state of Kentucky,
be a sophomore or have achieved sophomore status,
complete Geometry and Algebra II prior to enrollment, and
score a minimum 24 math on the ACT or score a minimum 550 math on the SAT.

The Academy will accept applications from current high school juniors for admission in the January 2010 (what is referred to as Second Semester Admission). The Academy will make offers of admission based on the availability of space and quality of applicants. This would require a substantial number of students to leave after the first semester by choice or due to academic ineligibility. Students applying for Class of 2011 Second Semester Admission will follow the same process as students applying as sophomores; however, all materials must be received by Monday, December 7, 2009.

Current high school juniors wishing to apply for limited January 2010 admission must

be a current resident of the state of Kentucky,
be a junior or have achieved junior status,
complete Geometry and Algebra II prior to enrollment, and
score a minimum 28 math on the ACT or score a minimum 640 math on the SAT.

The admissions process for all applicants begins with the completion of the online Application Request. Please complete this form in full. Once the application is live, you will receive an email from a Gatton Academy staff member with the student-specific email and password required for log-in.

If you have questions about Gatton Academy admissions, please send an email to academy@wku.edu or telephone 270-745-6565.

By Corey Alderdice

Students From Germany To Visit Gatton Academy, WKU Campus Next Week

September 4, 2009 | Academics, International, News, Student Life | No Comments

Western Kentucky University’s German Program will host 10 high school students from the Sophie-Charlotte-Oberschule and the Goethe-Gymnasium in Berlin, Germany, from Sept. 6-13.

English teachers Martina Scheyhing and Lothar Schmitt will accompany the group. The visit is supported by a grant from the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation of Berlin, Germany. This is the second time that the foundation has supported student travel to the WKU campus.

The German high school students are: Zoё Alfes, Marwin Bannehr, Sebastian Grimm, Christian Hassenstein, Carolin Kempfer, Lisa Nix, Leon Schwenke, Timo Seegelken, Daniel Witte and Koray Yesilli.

Dr. Laura G. McGee, interim head of the Department of Modern Languages, made the contact to the two Berlin schools several years ago. “We have had a very fruitful exchange with the Sophie-Charlotte-Oberschule and the Goethe Gymnasium in Berlin,” she said. “WKU students have enjoyed home stays with families from these schools. Now we look forward to showing them our campus and its many resources.”

The home stays were part of a study abroad program Dr. McGee has led to Germany each year since 2006. In 2009 Dr. Phil Lienesch of WKU’s Biology Department co-led with Dr. McGee a program for WKU students in the sciences, which was supported by a Group Study Visit Grant from the German Academic Exchange Service.

Fifteen WKU students took part: Katie Dillinger, Jarred Grider, Nathan Griffin, Jess Heichelbech, Tyce Hodges, Benjamin Messick, Holly Mitchell, Rachel Moore, Claire Priddy, Nathan Salazar, Jacob Turner, Dakota Waddell, Amanda Webb, Jeremy Webb and Jennifer Wojno.

The German students are interested in experiencing life on an American university campus. They will be hosted by WKU students, almost all of whom are studying German, and they will visit classes in disciplines they might like to study after graduating from high school.

While here, the students from Germany will make presentations in German classes and at a campuswide event sponsored by the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky and the WKU Honors College at 4
p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 8) at the Gatton Academy.

In addition to observing classes and attending WKU’s first home football game on Sept. 12, the group will canoe on the Green River at WKU’s Upper Green River Biological Preserve. Also planned are a visit to the Bowling Green International Center and a tour of the Corvette Assembly Plant. The group has also been invited to two area high schools.

The visit provides a unique international experience for American and German students. WKU student Magen McCrarey met several of the German students who visited last September. She kept in contact and even visited her German friends this past summer. She will be a host to Lisa Nix, who arrives with this year’s group from Berlin.

The next WKU study abroad program in Berlin is planned for May 2010; the topic will be Leadership Studies in Germany. For information, contact Laura McGee at laura.mcgee@wku.edu or the program’s co-leader John Baker at john.baker1@wku.edu.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Laura McGee at (270) 745-2401.

By Corey Alderdice

Gatton Academy to Conduct 15 Information Sessions Across Kentucky this Fall

September 3, 2009 | Admissions, News | No Comments

Gatton Academy representatives will conduct around fifteen information sessions across Kentucky during Fall 2009. Information sessions are a wonderful opportunity to speak with Gatton Academy staff members face-to-face without having to travel to Bowling Green. Families attending information sessions are kindly asked RSVP online.

The Gatton Academy will also conduct several online information sessions this fall. Details about these sessions will be released at a later time.

Harlan
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
The Harlan Center
201 S. Main St.
Harlan, KY 40831

Richmond
Thursday, October 8, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Perkins Building, Quad A
Eastern Kentucky University
(Located on Kit Carson Drive)
Campus Map and Driving Directions (external link)

Prestonsburg
Monday, October 12, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
East Kentucky Science Center
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
7 Bert Combs Dr.
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Driving Directions (external link)

Owensboro
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Owensboro Museum of Science and History
122 E. 2nd. St.
Owensboro, KY 42303

Hazard
Monday, October 19, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky
1 Community College Dr.
Hazard, KY 41701
Driving Directions (external link)

Highland Heights/Northern Kentucky
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Student Union, Room 104
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Campus Map and Driving Directions (external link)

Elizabethtown
Thursday, October 22, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Hardin County Board of Education
65 W. A. Jenkins Rd.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Ashland
Thursday, October 22, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Teleconference Room, Ashland Community and Technical College
1400 College Dr.
Ashland, KY 41101

London
Monday, October 26, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
South Laurel High School Library
210 South Laruel Rd.
London, KY 40744

Hopkinsville
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Pennyrile Electric Building Community Room
2000 Harrison St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42241

Mayfield
Thursday, October 29, 2009
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Graves County High School Library
1107 Housman St.
Mayfield, KY 42066

Morehead
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Doran University Center, Room 301
Morehead State University
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351
Link to Campus Map (external link)

Lexington
Thursday, November 5, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Room 323, Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Services
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
Link to Campus Map (external link)

Louisville
Monday, November 9, 2009
6:00 p.m. (EST)
The Louisville Science Center
727 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202

Somerset
Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Southwestern High School Auditorium
1765 WTLO Rd.
Somerset, KY 42503

By Corey Alderdice

Poll Question: What type of content would you like to see featured on the Gatton Academy website?

September 1, 2009 | News | No Comments

We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback over the last week about the stories, photos, and other new content posted to the website, Facebook, and Twitter. We greatly appreciate your input in learning what is the most engaging information we can share with students, parents, alumni, and prospective families. We are committed to translating this experience online throughout the coming months.

SELECT NO MORE THAN 3 CHOICES

Please take a moment to answer the following question:

By Corey Alderdice

Full Video: Gatton Academy Seniors Discuss Being Gifted, Needs of High Ability Students at KAGE Workshop

August 31, 2009 | Academics, News, Parents, Student Life | No Comments

KAGE Panel on High Ability Students from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

Eight high school seniors at the Gatton Academy share their experiences as gifted students. Topics included many concepts: teacher practices in elementary, middle, and high school that were effective; challenges gifted students face; the importance of rigor and research; and opportunities afforded by attending the Gatton Academy.

By Corey Alderdice

Photo Album: First Weekend Back

August 31, 2009 | News, Photos, Student Life | No Comments

Now that Schneider Hall is once again at capacity, it’s time to do a little celebrating and have some fun. Photos in this set are from Friday’s dance, Saturday’s cookout, and Sunday’s club fair.

[flickr album=72157622197079676 num=70 size=Square]

By Corey Alderdice

[Random Wanderings] From This Vantage Point

August 30, 2009 | Staff, Uncategorized | No Comments

Tim Gott

by Tim Gott, Academy Director

I have a picture of Sierra Nevada from atop a hill in Grenada as my background on my computer. It reminds me of several things: the wonderful trip to Spain and Portugal; the incredible beauty of our world; and the infinite possibilities yet to be experienced. As we begin another chapter of the Gatton Academy, this majestic view of a snow-topped mountain inspires me as we reflect on what lies ahead. Every new start allows us to set the vision of where we want to go. We see the vista, set our compass point, and begin a fresh leg of the journey. From this vantage point, we are encouraged that there are awesome things on the horizon. It is this awe that allows us to recharge the batteries for the work ahead.

Yes, the work ahead. For one thing I am certain: nothing will be accomplished unless we diligently accept the tasks before us. It is cliché but the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Our real challenge will be to remember the view of the mountain when we find ourselves trudging in the routines that are necessary and fundamental. Yet, these steps can be embraced with purpose and joy when we hold onto the vision of our destination.

The irony will be that once you get to the top of the long slope, we will see another journey waits. However, instead of seeing this as a disappointment, we actually are rejuvenated. Even though it, too, is somewhat cliché, the real joy is in the journey.

With that said, I look forward to building relationships with each student and staff member this year. We will have the opportunity to see some phenomenal things on the path before us. As we invest ourselves into the coursework, research, service projects, and recreation, we will continue to equip ourselves for the road ahead. There is no doubt that the view will be spectacular on the other side.

By Corey Alderdice

[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Sean Giddings

August 29, 2009 | News, Staff | No Comments

Sean Giddings

With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with five questions that we asked each person. Each Avatar also posed five unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

We conclude our series with Residential Counselor Sean Giddings

Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

Well, I had just graduated from my undergraduate work, and I was looking for a job–especially in residential life–which was very appealing to me. When I looked at the Academy, it seemed like a very unique situation that was right up my alley. It also felt like there wasn’t another program out there that was doing this to the same extent that the Academy was in creating an environment for students to live and grow in. I like to interact with people, and I really enjoy counseling and talking to others, so I felt that a job here at the Academy seemed like the right place to start.

Where did you attend college and what subjects did you study?

I went to Belmont University down in Nashville, Tennessee, for my undergrad degree. I studied music for a year and a half, but I ended up majoring in English.

What are you looking forward to the most about the coming school year?

I’m looking forward to seeing how the community develops in the hall and wings. As the third floor male RC, I’m looking forward to creating a new kind of group on my wing. I’m hoping to make a really cool group that everyone is jealous of and wants to be a part of.

What do you think makes the Gatton Academy a unique educational experience?

The main thing that’s different about the Academy is that all of the students live and work together. It would be very different if the Academy students were dispersed across all the dorms on Western’s campus. That destroys the whole feeling of community that’s a very integral part of Academy society, and it makes it harder to adjust to this new challenge. Since we all live together in this wonderful building set aside for us, we’re all there to help each other out, making all of us much more effective.

What contributions do you hope to make to life at the Gatton Academy?

Definitely comic relief. (laughter) In all seriousness, I’m hoping to bring a better sense of communication to the Academy and make sure that my guys and all of the other students communicate with each other. I’m also hoping to encourage some exciting goal setting. It always feels to me that a set of goals is just a list of things to do, and it should be more than that. There is plenty of room for this program to grow, and I’m hoping I can be a part of that.

What activities do you use to de-stress?

I really love to play and listen to music. I love to watch anime, and a quick nap is always great for lowering the stress levels. The best, though, is talking to my fiancé. That really brightens my day and takes a lot off my shoulders.

How do you feel about your new nickname [other Sean]?

I’m just going to learn to laugh at it. It’s already kind of stuck, and if I get fussy about it, people are only going to use it to irritate me.

Do you have any pet peeves?

That’s a really tough one. I would have to say that people who refuse to admit that they’re wrong (when they obviously are) really get on my nerves. Also, whenever I’m playing piano, there’s always one guy that wants to chime in and start playing random notes on the higher keys. That really sets me off.

Are you a fan of morning showers or night showers?

I’m definitely a morning shower person. Whenever I take a night shower, I have to completely dry my hair, unless I want it to hate me in the morning. It also helps me wake up in the morning, especially if I haven’t had a lot of sleep the night before.

Given the USA and Europe (Blue) fighting against Russia and China (Red), who would win and why?

Blue would obviously win, because Japan would ally with us. And the Japanese have giant robots just sitting around and waiting for a global war like this. And, of course, they would be piloted by young children that have spiky, bright colored hair. So, yeah, Blue all the way.

By Corey Alderdice

[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Sue Meador

August 28, 2009 | Staff | No Comments

Sue Meador

With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with five questions that we asked each person. Each Avatar also posed five unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Up next is Residential Counselor Sue Meador.

Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

One of my friends informed me that there was a position open at the Gatton Academy. Since I was coming back to Western for graduate school, I decided to apply after becoming more interested in the position.

Where did you attend college and what subjects did you study?

I attended college starting in the fall of 2001 through 2005, studying sociology, geography, and criminology. I completed the GIS (Geographic Information System) program here at Western Kentucky University.

What are you looking forward to the most about the coming school year?

I’m looking forward to helping the students experience new adventures. I feel that most people stick with a certain activity, yet I enjoy trying new things and encouraging others do the same.

What do you think makes the Gatton Academy a unique educational experience?

Due to students still being in high school but living and taking courses at WKU, I feel it is a more involved job than other residential life positions.

What contributions do you hope to make to life at the Gatton Academy?

I would like to promote more involvement in service opportunities on and off campus.

How does it feel to be back at Western Kentucky University?

It is awesome! I love Western and am excited to be back.

Who was your most influential professor at Western? Why?

My most influential professor was Dr. Smith in the sociology department. I was taking the class for a general education requirement when he inspired me to think outside of the box. His teaching led me to want to learn more about sociology, which led to my choice to major in it.

What clubs are you interested in starting or leading this year?

I would be interested in creating a photography/scrapbooking club. Since I enjoy taking pictures and making scrapbooks, I would like to gather others with the same interests.

When attending WKU did you live on campus?

I spent my freshman year on campus, then off campus during my sophomore year. However, I came back to campus for my junior and senior years so that I could be more involved on campus with my friends and sorority.

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Adventurist. Hard-working. Adaptable.

By Corey Alderdice

Students Find Comfort During Academy Transition in Family at Home, Schneider Hall

August 28, 2009 | News, Parents, Student Life | No Comments

Howard Twins

by Elaine Flynn, Academy Avatar

With Adventure Week, a new class enters the halls of Gatton Academy. Within this group of students, some may feel like they packed too much, others are still finding their place, and then there are a handful of students who were prepared by an older sibling.

The 2008-09 school year marked the first occasion in which siblings attended the Gatton Academy: Jenny and Jason Ludden. Jenny, a 2009 alumna, noted having a brother in the program did not significantly alter her experience. “Jason and I have always gotten along really well so being at the academy with him wasn’t a big deal,” she said. “I encouraged him to apply.”

She went on to mention how they attended a few classes together and how useful it was to be able to study with each other. No matter how unusual for the second year of the program, no one expected what was to come next.

The entering Class of 2011 features three students with siblings that have graduated from the Academy: Michael Bowie, Corban Coffman, and Josh “Moose” Song. This year has also taken another step or two in family relationships at the Academy by having cousins, Tejas Sangoi and Paras Vora.

Perhaps most unique of all are twins Brittany and Courtney Howard.

These sisters have both chosen to attend the Academy out of their love for math and science. Between sharing a room, class schedule, friends, and talents they love, Brittany and Courtney have an interesting year ahead of them.

Yet, it didn’t just start this week, it started during the application process. Brittany and Courtney knew that there was a possibility that only one of them would make it into the Academy. However, they hung onto hope that they wouldn’t have to deal with that situation. They did know that if it happened they would remain supportive of each other. When the mail finally arrived after interview weekend, Brittany’s and Courtney’s hope was rewarded with both receiving letters of acceptance.

They will now experience the challenge facing all first-year Academy students: having a roommate. However, when asked about sharing a room this year, Brittany commented, “When we were little we shared a room, but when our older sister left for college I got her room.”

They may even fight from time to time but, “We are just like any other siblings,” Courtney expressed.

When asked about the effectiveness of familiar support from siblings, Tim Gott, the Academy’s director, believes having a family member around can provide a special, additional layer of support in the transition to life in Schneider Hall. “The biggest factor is that having prior experiences eliminates some of the fear factor,” he said. “Parents are much more comfortable and siblings have the inside stories to help make them comfortable. Not to mention having some textbooks and materials.”

As the semester begins, all Academy students will find themselves working hard, yet having the tight relationships will continue to keep them together and strong. Whether it is a twin, a sibling, a cousin, a friend from a home school, or friends made here, if any student wishes to succeed in this atypical high school, then they will need each other.

By Corey Alderdice

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Year: 2009