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Alumni 5Q: Tyler Clark

October 14, 2012 | 5Q, Alumni | No Comments

[fblike] Can you describe your experience at the Gatton Academy?
The Gatton Academy provided me with the unique experience of taking college courses while being dually enrolled in high school. The advanced courses allowed me to better understand and pursue my academic interests. I owe my thriving interest in mathematics to my experiences at the Academy and all the mathematicians I met as a result of the Gatton experience.

How have your experiences at the Gatton Academy helped you in your adult life?
Growing up in a small town, the Gatton Academy was my first real introduction to cultural diversity. Being exposed to cultural diversity at a young age has helped me to accept others who have different views than me. Also, the Academy taught me to identify and respect the strengths of everyone around me. Furthermore, it has opened many doors for me both academically and professionally including my work at The Center for Gifted Studies (WKU) and studies skills coordinator at the Academy.

Since the Academy, what have you been up to?
I graduated from the WKU Honors College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. During my undergraduate studies, I completed an honors thesis entitled “Counting Locally Convex Topologies on a Totally Ordered Finite Set.” After finishing my undergraduate studies, I decided to stay at WKU to complete a master’s degree in mathematics. During my graduate studies, I became editor-in-chief of the AMS Graduate Student Blog (http://mathgradblog.williams.edu). I graduated from WKU again with my master’s degree in May 2012 completing a thesis entitled “Continued Radicals and Cantor Sets.” I am currently in my first semester of a mathematics doctoral program at The University of Central Florida.

What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?
In the next ten years, I hope to have completed my PhD and have taught in Europe for at least one year. Also, I hope to return to WKU to teach in the mathematics department. Finally, I would like to become more involved in the American Mathematical Society (AMS).

What was your favorite memory from your time at the Gatton Academy?
The Academy has given me many fond memories. Nevertheless, I would have to say all of the balancing and juggling acts performed by Tim Gott to “teach” us life lessons would be my favorite.

We would like to thank Tyler for taking time out of his schedule to be interviewed for this article. Next week, we will be spotlighting Sam Crocker, Class of 2009.

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Intramural Sports

October 11, 2012 | Student Life, Students | No Comments

[fblike]By: Kesi Neblett

Although the Gatton Academy students are not able to compete in Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) sanctioned sports, Gatton students still find ways excel on the field and court. The Academy allows students to participate in intramural sports at Western Kentucky University creating a great release from the stress of research projects and strenuous classes.

The Gatton Academy Co-ed Flag Football team, the Pre-Schoolers have been tapping into their inner Alabama on South Campus intramural fields. The PreSchooler’s female players are enjoying being able to participate in a male dominated sport and last week Hannah Pennington was voted game MVP. Under the leadership of Blake Hawley and Ryan Gott, the PreSchoolers have gone 0-2, but they are hoping to change that this week in their match versus Western’s Farmhouse.

The variety of intramural sports offered allows Academy students to stay active in their own way. Elite, the Gatton Academy Women’s volleyball team has gone 6 and 1 over the month of September and October. The team was named the divisional champions this week beating Western’s Kappa Delta Gold team.

Overall, Gatton Academy students have been taking advantage of the physical wellness opportunities Western has to offer and are leaving their mark on campus in and outside of the classroom. Gatton students are showing that they do not only excel at academics, but athletically, as well.

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Alumni 5Q: Dalton Hubble

October 5, 2012 | 5Q, Alumni, Uncategorized | No Comments

[fblike] By: Academy Staff

Q: Can you describe your experience at the Gatton Academy?
A: My experiences at Gatton in 2007-2009 provided me with the opportunity to break out of the sluggish curriculum at my regular school, engage with academically focused peers, and pursue my academic interest more intensely. While at the academy, I was able to explore my STEM interests, take introductory classes at WKU, and perform research in university laboratories. The early start in collegiate technology fields gave me time to explore possible careers in chemical engineering and physics, before I decided that the computer science was right for me.

Q: How have your experiences at the Gatton Academy helped you in your adult life?
A: My work at Gatton enabled me to go from living in rural Kentucky to studying at MIT and gave me a real chance to pursue my passions among the best. I’m now a senior at MIT, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering. I’ve worked at the MIT nuclear reactor and MIT computer science laboratory as an undergraduate researcher and I’ve interned as a software developer at Microsoft.

Q: Since the Academy, what have you been up to?
A: My current studies include operating system design, natural language processing, web development, and distributed systems. I am also a teaching assistant for 6.170 a course on web software development. This year, I’ll be completing my bachelor’s degree and next year, I’ll be staying at MIT for an additional year to pursue my Masters in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on systems engineering.

Q: What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?
A: In the next ten years, I hope to be closely involved in cutting edge work to develop the future of the internet, mobile and beyond. I also work on several stealth mode projects that I hope to expand and grow.

Q: What was your favorite memory from your time at the Gatton Academy?
A: My favorite memories from the academy were the small things: the eccentric conversations, the casual meals I would have with dorm-mates, and going on late night runs around campus.

We would like to thank Dalton for taking time out of his schedule to be interviewed for this article.

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Eight Seniors Enter the Siemens Competition

October 3, 2012 | Research | No Comments

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Eight Gatton Academy students recently completed the application process for the Siemens Competition.

Often called the Super Bowl of Science, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research. Through this competition, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school.

Derick Strode, Assistant Director of Academic Services, discussed the commitment needed to complete a Siemens application.


“The Siemens Competition is so much more than a scholarship contest. The entrants’ applications are the outcomes of a year’s work, the results from a summer spent not at the pool, but in 40-hour-weeks spent researching. In the Gatton Academy, entering this competition is as much like writing a thesis or dissertation as we have,” said Strode.

While completing the application can seem like a daunting process, Sibi Rajendran began working on his application that focused on his neuroscience research during the summer so that he would only have minor revisions to make when his fall coursework began.

“It was a long process with a lengthy application. I was continually working with my mentor. However, working on the project during the summer gave me a head start on the application so I only had small revisions to make during the first weeks of school,” said Rajendran.

Though the Siemens application focuses on a single research project, Sam Saarinen discussed how he learned more about the research process by completing the application.

“The Siemens Competition reinforced the practical aspects of conducting research. When doing research, attention to detail is important even though it takes time,” said Saarinen.

The Siemens Competition Semifinalists and Regional Finalist will be announced on October 19. The following student submitted an application for the Siemens Competition:

David Brown (Central City, KY 42330)
Nick Fedorka (Danville, KY 40422)
Matt Gonzalez (Brodhead, KY 40409)
Emily Gordon (Paducah, KY 42003)
Ryan Gott (Bowling Green, KY 42104)
Sibi Rajendran (Frankfort, KY 40601)
William Roach-Barrette (Wellington, KY 40387)
Samuel Saarinen (Shelbyville, KY 40065)

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Sounds of the Gatton Academy

October 2, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

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As soon as any visitor walks into the lobby of the Gatton Academy, they can practically hear the students’ minds working as they study. However, that is not the only sound emanating from the Academy. Often the sounds of a piano and students sing can be heard throughout the building.

Music is often an outlet for Gatton student helping them escape the stress of their coursework. Though Jeet Parekh, Academy senior, is not involved in any organized musical activities, he still enjoys having a musical outlet available to him. “I often play piano to take my mind off classes. Occasionally, I just sit (in the lobby) and listen to my friends playing (piano).”

While students come to the Academy to fulfill their passion for science and math, students do not have to give up their love for music. For example, Ellen Green, Academy senior, can often be found at the piano bench practicing. “It’s amazing how the Academy is able to understand and support people with multiple passions. Music is a part of my life just as much as math and science, and that is perfectly accepted here.”

The Gatton Academy encourages student to become involved in extracurricular activities that encompass their interests. Not surprisingly, one of the largest groups at the Academy is the Gatton Academy Miscellaneous Musicians Association (GAMMA). When asked about her favorite part of GAMMA, Eileen Doan, Academy senior, commented on the group’s “wide range of talent that fits well together to make amazing and diverse music.”

No matter how the music is made or played, music has a positive impact of the Academy community. A stop on any floor of the building proves this.

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Alumni 5Q: Nick Burnett

September 28, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments


Q: Can you describe your experience at the Gatton Academy?
A: I was in the first class to go through the whole program, so my experience was likely much different than that of subsequent classes. Academics were important and there was no “hand holding”. Socially, the Academy provided the opportunity to meet a lot of different people, a handful of whom I still keep in touch with. On the whole, there was an enormous amount of freedom afforded to us to enjoy the “college” lifestyle and get out of the program what we were willing to put in.

Q: How have your experiences at the Gatton Academy helped you in your adult life?
A: Attending the Academy has been a tremendous help in my adult life. Academically, it gave me a jump start on post-secondary education, but more than that I learned how to get to know the right people to put myself in the best position for advancement in all of my endeavors. Whether it was finding and meeting with professors that were the most likely to take on research students, or talking to various support staff at the university to score a free cup of coffee every now and then, getting to know the right people was enormously helpful.

Q: Since the Academy, what have you been up to?
A: I went to, and graduated from, University of Louisville with my bachelor’s degree in math. I’m currently a second year medical student at U of L. I’ve spent the last several months working on research projects in surgical oncology and (to toot my own horn a bit) just finished two first author manuscripts regarding treatment and prognosis of liver cancer, and collaborated on two others about post-operative management of pancreatic cancer.

Q: What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?
A: I’d just like to finish medical school and residency. Anything beyond that is gravy.

Q: What was your favorite memory from your time at the Gatton Academy?
A: My favorite memory from Gatton was probably the time Bill Clinton came to Bowling Green. A group of us bailed on our physics class to go see him speak. We ended up getting to meet him, shake his hand, and got free Obama ’08 signs that we hung up on statues around campus when the election got closer. And I got my picture in the newspaper so that was pretty neat.

We would like to thank Nick for taking time out of his schedule to be interviewed for this article. Next week, we will be spotlighting Dalton Hubble, Class of 2009, who is a senior at a little school in Massachusetts- MIT.

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Junior Retreat

September 27, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

[fblike]Gabrielle Hamilton

As students at the Gatton Academy finish up their third week of the semester, you can start to see signs of students settling in around the Academy. The juniors are now comfortable with their schedules and are handling the stresses of living on their own. At this time each year, the juniors are whisked off to Camp Loucon for a weekend filled with games, seminars, and bonding.

During the weekend retreat, the juniors had a chance to relax and forget about school worries. Instead of classes, students attended seminars throughout the weekend focusing on team building and living a balanced life. While students participated in many seminars throughout the weekend, the juniors spent plenty of time just enjoying the outdoors taking hikes, stargazing, and just hanging out with their “new” friends.

At the end of the day, the juniors participated in the annual Zombie tag, a game famous at the Academy. “Zombie Tag was so much fun. It was probably my favorite part of the retreat,” said Gretchen Walsh as a few juniors sat together remembering their time at Camp Loucon. The juniors aren’t the only ones with fond memories from this camp. Academy seniors can still be heard reminiscing about stories and friends made from their junior retreat. The experiences the juniors had at Camp Loucon will stay with them for years to come and give them the confidence to make important life decisions.

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New Year, New Faces

September 25, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

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By Chiraag Kapadia

The fall 2012 semester is underway at the Gatton Academy. The familiar sounds of ping-pong, doors slamming, and students typing away on their laptops resonate through Schneider Hall. As students go about their daily routines, staff members are busy at work. This year three new staff members joined (or rejoined) the Gatton family and today we spotlight Mrs. Mallory Melton and Ms. Erin Mooney.


Mrs. Mallory Melton is the new Student Services Coordinator at the Gatton Academy. Her position includes study skill and time management curriculum, monitoring study hours, coordinating the tutoring schedule and assisting with alumni relations. Mallory seeks to help students make the best of their educational experiences by supporting their academic needs.
Though Mallory’s job keeps her extremely busy, Mallory enjoys traveling to visit family and attempting new arts-and-crafts projects. And as always, Mallory would like to remind students to go on numerous college visits and meet with college admission representatives as they visit the Gatton Academy.

Ms. Erin Mooney is the new Residential Counselor (RC) for the female third floor wing, affectionately called “The Catsle” (no cats actually reside on wing). A native of Paducah, Erin completed her undergraduate studies at Western Kentucky University and her masters at the University of Southern Illinois.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the students and learn from them” said Mooney. In her free time, Erin enjoys spending quality time with her dogs and watching movies. She is excited about all the possibilities for the upcoming year.

Best wishes and a warm (and belated) welcome to both Mallory and Erin! We look forward to working with both of you. Welcome to the Academy family!

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Alumni 5Q: Aaron Edwards

September 21, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

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The Gatton Academy is extremely proud of its alumni and their accomplishments. During the Fall semester, the Gatton Academy will be releasing a series of 5 question articles looking at what our alumni have been up to since their time at the Academy. Today, we spotlight Aaron Edwards who graduated from the Gatton Academy in 2008.

Q: Can you describe your experience at the Gatton Academy?
A: My experience at Gatton was thrilling and unexpected. For the first time in my life I was surrounded by people with a similar academic drive as myself. The environment gave me the motivation to succeed at a level inside and outside the classroom.

Q: How have your experiences at the Gatton Academy helped you in your adult life?
A: Without the opportunity to get my feet wet with regards to research, I am confident that I would not have been able to work in medical research labs in the years following my time at Gatton.

Q: Since the Academy, what have you been up to?
A: I graduated from Centre College in May 2012. I now live Boston where I have begun a Masters in Medical Sciences program at Boston University School of Medicine.

Q: What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?
A: In 10 years, I would hope to either be a pediatric oncologist or potentially a professor at a college or medical school. I have been torn between the two professions for some time and only time will tell where I will be.

Q: What was your favorite memory from your time at the Gatton Academy?
A: My favorite memory from my time at Gatton was definitely the first day of school. I was so excited to meet friends that I now know were going to be some of my best for life. Also…. who can forget the yellow couch.

As an aside, the yellow couch can no longer be found at the Gatton Academy.

We would like to thank Aaron for taking time out of his schedule to be interviewed for this article. Next week, we will be spotlighting Mr. Nick Burnett, Class of 2009, who is a second year medical student at the University of Louisville.

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