Year: 2011

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12 Gatton Academy Seniors Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

September 23, 2011 | News, People, Student Success, Students | No Comments

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One quarter of Gatton Academy seniors have been recognized as semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor which potentially opens the door college scholarship opportunities.  In all, 12 members of the Class of 2012 will go on to the next round of the competition.

Over 1.5 million students in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  Students are tested in math, critical reasoning, and writing.  The 16,000 Semifinalists honored are the highest-scoring entrants in their state and represent less than 1 percent of each state’s high school seniors.

Since the Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, the Gatton Academy has seen 45 total students named as National Semifinalists.

For these Gatton Academy seniors, it’s a great way to begin their final year of high school even as they focus on the college admissions process ahead.  According to Gatton Academy Director Tim Gott, this is just the beginning of a busy—and rewarding—year.

“With this recognition, these students have earned a key that will open tremendous educational opportunities,” Gott said. “We look forward to seeing what these students will accomplish in the days ahead.”

To be considered in the rigorous competition for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by meeting additional standard and fulfilling several requirements.  These include having a record of very high academic performance of college preparatory course work, submitting SAT scores that confirm PSAT performance, and being fully endorsed and recommended by a high school official.

Gatton Academy students honored in the program are recognized through their sending high school.  Since students take the qualifying PSAT exam in October of their junior year of high school, much of the preparation stems from learning opportunities during their freshman and sophomore years of high school.  The Gatton Academy builds on those experiences to provide students with a robust application and preparation for the SAT, a critical component in becoming a finalist.

“It is an incredible honor to be named a National Merit semifinalist,” Gott said. “These students have demonstrated a level of excellence that very few can claim.  Their home schools and the Gatton Academy take great pleasure in working with these young people and being represented so well by their outstanding achievement.”

2012 Gatton Academy National Merit Semifinalists:

Michael Crocker (Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green)
Alexandra DeCarlo (South Laurel High School, London)
Daniel Dilger (Larry Ryle High School, Union)
Logan Eckler (Ludlow High School, Ludlow)
Samantha Hawtrey (Larry Ryle High School, Union)
Charlotte Humes (Nelson County High School, Bardstown)
Tennesse “Tucker” Joyce (Mercer County High School, Harrodsburg)
Curtlyn Kramer (Paul G. Blazer High School, Ashland)
Lori Lovell (Boone County High School, Florence)
Lukas Missik (Boyle County High School, Danville)
Holly Morris (Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green)
David Sekora (Franklin-Simpson High School, Franklin)

About the National Merit Scholarship Program

Established in 1955, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to NMSC are tax deductible by the donor. NMSC conducts the National Merit® Scholarship Program and the National Achievement® Scholarship Program–annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships.

Since its founding, NMSC has recognized 2.9 million students and provided over 360,000 scholarships worth more than $1.4 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation’s respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.

For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971.

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By Corey Alderdice

Biotechnology Certification Program Applications Due September 23

September 22, 2011 | Academics, News, Research, WKU | No Comments

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Please note the announcement regarding the fall Biotechnology Certification Program.  Completing this program is a great pathway to make yourself competitive for hard-to-get research spots in Biotechnology laboratories on campus.  This experience is recommended to any student interested in doing Biotech Research  (however, if you are participating (or did last year) in the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program, you should not apply.  Your research experience includes the same skills taught through the Biotechnology Certification Program).

Please note the application deadline is September 23.  Applications are available at http://www.wku.edu/biotechnology/certification_program.php.

FALL SEMESTER 2011

Biotechnology Certification Program

  • Learn more about Biotechnology
  • Develop hands-on molecular biology laboratory skills
  • Become engaged in research with a Biotech Center Faculty
  • Earn Biotech Certification

The WKU Department of Biology Biotechnology Center is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for our Biotech Certification Program. This program will provide practical training to students who wish to enter a research lab of a Biotech Center Faculty member.  The training will enhance your career preparation in the life sciences and make you more competitive for jobs and graduate assistantships upon graduation.  If this program appeals to you, please email your completed application to Naomi Rowland.  You will be asked to indicate your availability on MTWHF afternoons (1:00-5:00 pm).  The training requires a commitment of 2 days each week for approximately 2 hours each day.  Contact Naomi Rowland or Dr. Rodney King for more information. Training sessions will start the 5th week of classes.

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By Gatton Academy

Final Recommendations from Keystone National Youth Policy Summit Released

September 22, 2011 | Academics, News, People, Research, Students, Summer | No Comments

[fblike style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]This summer three Gatton Academy students were given the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2011 National Youth Policy Summit.

Seniors Rachel Metcalfe, Samantha McKean, and Melanie Hurst spent one week in Keystone, Colorado where McKean says they “worked together to create a blueprint for a solution to the current energy crisis.”

Today, The Keystone Center released the Final Student Policy Recommendations. Learn more about their thoughts on national energy innovation in the embedded document below.

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By Corey Alderdice

NSLI-Y: Scholarships to Study Language Abroad

September 21, 2011 | Academics, International, News, WKU | No Comments

Are you interested in studying Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, or Turkish while living and studying abroad this upcoming summer?  The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarship is now open.

Previous language study is not a requirement. Students of all levels of language ability are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • U.S. citizen
  • 15 – 18 years of age at start of the program (age varies by program – read more on the Languages and Programs page)
  • Enrolled in high school  at time of application (Gap year programs available)
  • GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent
  • Immediate family members of individuals who work with the NSLI-Y program at the U.S. Department of State, American Councils, or one of the implementing organizations are not eligible.

The costs covered by the scholarship are:

  • Round-trip travel between the participant’s home region and the overseas host city
  • Travel from participant’s home region to the pre-departure orientation location
  • Tuition and academic materials
  • In-country support
  • Cultural activities
  • Pre-departure and re-entry orientations
  • Room and board
  • Secondary medical benefits
  • Visas

Interested?

These scholarships are very competitive, and as such, require diligent work ahead of time on one’s application.  The deadline to apply is November 3, 2011, but applicants should get started on their application in September.  If you are interested, please e-mail derick.strode@wku.edu and melinda.grimsley-smith@wku.edu to get started.

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By Gatton Academy

There’s Still Time to Make Plans to Attend Our September Preview Weekend

September 20, 2011 | Admissions, News | No Comments

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The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will host a Preview Weekend at Western Kentucky University on Saturday, September 24, 2011, for prospective students, their parents and educators.

Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Schneider Hall on the WKU campus. Families will meet in the lobby of Schneider Hall beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Sessions will begin at 10 a.m. Activities for the day will also include campus and hall tours as well as parent and students question-and-answer panels.

Preview Weekends present a unique opportunity for prospective applicants and their families to meet with current Academy students and their parents, visit Schneider Hall, and gain a better understanding of student life at the Gatton Academy.  Special emphasis will be given to current ninth grade students who will begin the admissions process during Fall 2009.  Topics will include the role of the ACT and SAT in the admissions process, suggested courses for sophomore year, and qualities of a strong applicant.

Parking will be available in the lot behind Schneider Hall and Parking Structure 1, which are both accessible from College Heights Blvd. For a WKU campus map, please visit http://www.wku.edu/Tour/campusmap.html.

Students are kindly asked RSVP for the preview event online at http://gattonacademy.eventbrite.comno later than Thursday before the event.

The Gatton Academy, a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is in its second year of operation. To date, students from 86 counties across the Commonwealth have been selected to attend the prestigious program. Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process.

The goal of the Gatton Academy is 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 that will lead to economic growth. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, Gatton Academy students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, student earn over 60 hours of college credit in addition to completing high school.

Students live and learn with peers who share their enthusiasm and interest in learning. Room, board and tuition are funded by the Commonwealth. Kentucky is the 14th state to offer a residential program with a focus on math and science supported by the state.

Additional information is available online at www.wku.edu/academy.  For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971.

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By Gatton Academy

[New Year, New Staff] Graduate Assistant, Academy Alum Tyler Clark to Assist with Academic Success

September 20, 2011 | 5Q, Academics, Alumni, News, People, Staff | No Comments

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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 a few questions that they asked each person. Each Avatar also posed unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Interview by Andrea Eastes, Academy Avatar

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am 21 years old and currently pursuing my masters in mathematics. I graduated from the Honors College in May 2010. My thesis, entitled “Counting Locally Convex Topologies on a Totally Ordered Finite Set,” was directed by Dr. Tom Richmond and my second reader was Dr. Dominic Lanphier. I enjoy playing piano, reading, web design, etc. I am also senior editor of the AMS Grad Student Blog. — You can access my CV at http://tylerclark12.com/TylerClarkCV.pdf

2. Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

Tim Gott offered me the position a bit ago. I met with him to discuss the position and found it a good fit. I will be able to help Gatton students learn and I will be able to do math simultaneously.

3. Are you excited for the coming year?

I am very excited for the upcoming year. I look forward to meeting all of the students and growing with them.

4. What role do you wish to play in the Gatton Academy students’ lives?

I want to be able to help mold students’ student skills to help them become more successful college students.

5. What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to getting to know the students and seeing them mature academically and emotionally.

6. How did being an Academy student affect you?

The Academy allowed for me to get a head start on college courses. Furthermore, it opened a lot of doors that provided me the opportunity to perform undergraduate research.

7. Do you think that having been through the experience of the Academy will help you to better serve the needs that students may have?

I feel that my experiences in the Academy will allow me to better understand needs of students. This will allow me to guide them to optimal learning.

8. Is there any advice that you’d like to give to students?

Students should take advantage of the resources on campus. Make sure you get involved in research you enjoy with a professor with whom you work well. Research is what will set you apart from other students.


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WKU to Honor Gotts as 2011 “Family of the Year”

September 15, 2011 | News, People, Staff, WKU | No Comments

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Tim and Ellen Gott and their children have been named WKU’s 2011 Family of the Year.

The Gotts of Bowling Green will be recognized during Parent & Family Weekend activities and will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s WKU vs. Indiana State football game.

“We are deeply honored to be selected as the WKU Family of the Year,” Tim Gott said. “WKU is truly an integrated thread in our lives. Our relationship started here, our degrees are from here, we work here, and all of our children are attending here now.”

The Gotts graduated from WKU in 1985 and received their master’s degrees from WKU. Tim is director of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky and is pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership; Ellen is teacher certification officer in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Their three children attend WKU — Andrew, a member of the Gatton Academy’s first graduating class, will complete his bachelor’s degree in physics and math in December; Emily is a sophomore in the Honors College majoring in entrepreneurship; and Ryan is a student at the Gatton Academy.

“With such an influence on our lives, we are eternally grateful for all that WKU has contributed to each of us,” Tim Gott said. “It is certainly our hope that we take what we have been given from the university and represent WKU as true ambassadors in all that we do. Go Big Red!”

Emily Gott nominated her family for the award, citing their WKU spirit and their impact on her college experience.

“A word that best describes my family would be dedicated,” she said in her nomination letter. “No matter what we are involved in, whether it be toward schoolwork, our weekly dinners at Fresh Foods or attending football and basketball games, we give 100 percent of ourselves. We work hard, enjoy our time together and embrace the Hilltopper spirit with everything we have.”

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By Gatton Academy

[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Brimah Vonjo

September 14, 2011 | 5Q, News, People, Staff | No Comments

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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 a few questions that they asked each person. Each Avatar also posed unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Interview by Logan Eckler, Academy Avatar

What did you do before you were hired by the Gatton Academy?

I started my career in higher education as a resident adviser when I was an undergraduate student at California State University Monterey Bay. I accepted my first professional residential life position at Laramie County Community College and before here I was at Talladega College in Alabama.

Why did you want to become an RC?

The gifted students at the Academy are the major selling point for me.

What do you think is, or will be, your favorite part about the Academy?

Being a part of helping students meet and even exceed their own expectations.

How does the Academy improve the Kentucky education system?

The Academy offers students both the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of being properly challenged and overcoming those challenges.

How do you hope to improve the Academy experience?

I hope to offer perspective and encouragement and to make a contribution to creating the type of environment that inspires students to do their best to be their best.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to take full advantage of educational and professional development opportunities that I may have to better serve students, while reaching some of my own personal goals.

The juniors were given the opportunity to write about their hypothetical experiences in a zombie apocalypse. How would you serve as a leader in said situation?

Movie history has shown us that for some reason I would not survive very long in that scenario.  I strongly suggest that you find alternate sources of leadership.

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By Gatton Academy