[Class of 2012] Gatton Academy Recognizes 47 Students in Fifth Class of Graduates

[fblike]

Celebration of Commencement Weekend at WKU continued on Saturday as The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky honored its fifth graduating class of high school seniors.

Forty-seven students representing 30 counties from across the Commonwealth were recognized during the ceremony in Van Meter Auditorium. The ceremony not only celebrated the significant accomplishments of the program and its graduates over the last two years but also looked toward the infinite possibilities ahead.

Gatton Academy Executive Director Dr. Julia Roberts expressed that the day’s events were both a celebration of the Class of 2012’s personal accomplishments, a starting point toward their work of creating a better Kentucky, and a fitting close to the first chapter in the history of the program.

“Reaching five years marks an important milestone in the history of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,” Roberts said. “This fifth graduating class of the Academy brings joy and promise to the Commonwealth.  Their interests in STEM and talent for learning at high levels have become evident during their two-year experience at the Gatton Academy.”

Curtlyn Kramer, a graduating senior from Ashland, framed the unique learning environment of the Gatton Academy as a program attuned to the needs of gifted and talented students.

“Each of our experiences has been different, shaped by not only the things we have accomplished, but the people with whom we have shared these experiences along the way,” Kramer said. “At no typical high school is every single student’s achievements so unanimously celebrated, because at no other high school is each student’s struggles so unanimously understood.”

The Honorable John D. Minton Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, delivered the commencement address. Minton, an alumnus of the final graduating class of WKU’s Training School, reminded graduates that they are not the first generation of high school students to claim the WKU campus as their home.

“My high school commencement took place here in Van Meter Auditorium in May 1970,” Minton said. “I cannot tell you how proud I am to have such a prestigious high school return to the WKU campus. We have heard about your outstanding ACT/SAT scores and the success of Gatton graduates in college. So if you don’t mind, we Training School alumni will claim Gatton as the 21st Century iteration of Western’s Training School.”

The major difference is that Gatton Academy students have taken advanced coursework in mathematics, science and other subjects at WKU in fulfillment of high school requirements and the Gatton Academy curriculum. On average, students have each earned more than 70 hours of college credit.

Minton also encouraged students to be engaged citizens.

“As you begin life beyond the Gatton Academy campus, you will discover that your alma mater intends for you to leave here equipped with a literacy of doing, not simply knowing” he said. “Having equipped you with knowledge, Gatton Academy expects of you a life of social and civic service that is active, fulfilling, and socially responsible.”

Gatton Academy Director Dr. Tim Gott shared his gratitude with attending faculty members for their role in making the program’s learning environment a challenging and rewarding experience for students.

“Of the many things these students have pursued, one particular area of significance is the opportunity to conduct research,” Gott said. “Many of the faculty with us today have mentored these students as they explored new techniques in chemistry, environmental issues in geography and geology, unknown frontiers in astronomy and physics, potential medical breakthroughs in biology, life-enhancing concepts in engineering and unique applications in math and computer science. Those who engaged in these research projects have truly brought relevance to the rigor.”

Ninety-one percent of all graduates participated in a facilitated research project with university faculty members. Research accomplishments include a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship winner and honorable mention, three Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) participants, two National Science Foundation International Research Experiences in Taiwan, and five Siemens Competition semifinalists.

As the group goes forward in pursuit of those personal goals and continued success, two-thirds of graduates plan to attend Kentucky higher education institutions with 14 continuing their studies at WKU.

In the fall of 2012, representatives from the graduating class will attend 18 colleges and universities across the United States: Auburn University; California Institute of Technology; Harvard University; Indiana University at Bloomington; Miami University of Ohio; Purdue University; Smith College; The University of Alabama; The University of Texas at Dallas; Transylvania University; United States Naval Academy; University of Chicago; University of Kentucky; University of Louisville; University of Rochester; Vanderbilt University; Western Kentucky University; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Four-year scholarships totaling more than $11 million were offered to the graduating class while more than $3.7 million in four-year scholarships were accepted.

“These students have taken the most rigorous curriculum offered to any high school student in the nation,” Gott said. “They left the comfort of home and established a level of independence that will impact their lives forever. They have forged new friendships which will grow exponentially in the years to come. They have given themselves in community service throughout the state inspiring younger students, building new homes and expanding awareness of the opportunities in math and science.  They will become the leaders of this great Commonwealth.”

Nicholas Zolman, a graduating senior from Mount Sterling, reminded fellow graduates about how easy it is to forget the defining characteristic of Gatton Academy graduates from the rest of students celebrating commencement this weekend at WKU.

“The average academy student is an odd specimen,” Zolman said. “We consider ourselves not college students, not high school students, but a strange hybrid of the two. When we hear the word graduate, it is usually in reference to grad school, or a graduate level class, or something of the sort. But here we are today, graduates of a different kind. We have to step back and remind ourselves that this entire time, we have been exceptional ‘high schoolers.’”

Members of the Gatton Academy Class of 2012:

• From Boone County: Daniel Nikolaus Johannes Dilger, a graduate with distinction; John Thomas Ferguson; Samantha F. Hawtrey, a graduate with distinction; and Lori Janelle Lovell, a graduate with honors.
• From Bourbon County: Brandon Charles Farmer, a graduate with honors.
• From Boyd County: Curtlyn C. Kramer, a graduate with honors.
• From Boyle County: Lukas Levon Cunha Missik, a graduate with distinction.
• From Bullitt County: Alex Gutierrez; Anthony Gutierrez; andLayne Thomas Webb, a graduate with distinction.
• From Calloway County: Hannalore Louise Clause, a graduate with honors.
• From Campbell County: Keaton Robert Smith, a graduate with distinction, and Erin Marie Walch, a graduate with distinction.
• From Carroll County: Luke Yung Yap.
• From Clay County: Caroline M. Stivers.
• From Clinton County: Ellis Michael Shelley.
• From Daviess County: William Joseph Bickett, a graduate with distinction; Gabrielle Marie Canant; and Nathan Szemethy Lasley.
• From Graves County: Daylynn Nichole Allison and Andrea Nicole Eastes, a graduate with honors.
• From Hancock County: Jon Edward Warren.
• From Hardin County: Matthew Stephen Mattingly andSamantha Michelle McKean, a graduate with distinction.
• From Henry County: Rachel Emma Metcalfe, a graduate with honors.
• From Hopkins County: Lydia Nicole Brothers.
• From Jefferson County: Taylor Ann Leet.
• From Jessamine County: Jesse S. Matherly.
• From Kenton County: Logan Howard Eckler, a graduate with distinction.
• From Laurel County: Alexandra Ray DeCarlo, a graduate with distinction.
• From Madison County: Laura N. Claytor.
• From Mercer County: Tennesse Joyce.
• From Montgomery County: Nicholas Farrell Zolman, a graduate with distinction.
• From Nelson County: Rebecca Joy Brown and Charlotte Louise Humes, a graduate with distinction.
• From Oldham County: Paul Henry Fleischmann, a graduate with distinction.
• From Pulaski County: Melanie Noelle Hurst and Benjamin Grant Rice.
• From Russell County: William Christopher Brown.
• From Simpson County: David Joshua Sekora, a graduate with distinction, and Joseph M. Tutor.
• From Todd County: Makka Ann Wheeler.
• From Warren County: Michael Scott Crocker, a graduate with distinction; Jordan Marie Currie; Markus Ernst, a graduate with distinction; Holly Morris; and Austin Ryan Taing.

Graduates with Honors: Gatton Academy graduates with honors are students recognized for a cumulative Academy GPA of 3.4 or higher, participation in at least two semesters of research, and completion of 60 hours or more of community service.

Graduates with Distinction: Gatton Academy graduates with distinction are students recognized for a cumulative Academy GPA of 3.7 or higher, participation in at least two semesters of research with a research presentation or publication, and completion of 60 hours or more of community service.

Contact: Corey Alderdice, (270) 745-6565.

Class of 2012, Commencement, graduation