Tag Archive : New Year

/ New Year

Academy Students Begin the New School Year on the Right Foot

August 30, 2011 | Academics, News, WKU | No Comments

by Jon Warren, Academy Avatar

Yesterday marked the first day of classes for the 2011-2012 academic year at Western Kentucky University. For students in the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2013, this marked their first lectures in college classrooms. For the Class of 2012, it marks the beginning of a new year with even more challenging classes.

For seniors, increased rigor comes alongside additional flexibility in their schedule.  As students complete basic requirements, they have the opportunity to tailor their interests within specific STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines and electives.

“I am excited about the flexibility that my fall schedule allows me to have,” explained Will Bickett, a senior. “I am really looking forward to learning in my courses this semester.”

Annie Wheeler, a returning senior, was equally excited about her professors in and out of STEM classes. “I am really excited about my English course with Dr. Guthrie. She seems like she is a very enthusiastic and interesting professor. I am also glad to be back in Calculus II with Dr. Neal,” she said.

Moving on with new classes often means leaving behind professors who encouraged and engaged students in their first year of study.  According to senior Luke Yap, the change presents an opporunity to expand their networks and build new relationships.  “I am super excited to be enrolled in another one of Dr. Lamphier’s courses and to be researching with Dr. Kessler. I am disappointed that I will not be taking classes with Dr. Ziegler, Dr. Ernst, Dr. Dahl, or Dr. Pesterfield. They were some of my favorite professors, but I am looking forward to a new semester and to hopefully find some new favorite professors,” Yap explained.

Les Wilson, a junior, was surprised at the faster pace of college courses.  For many Academy students, this is one of the greatest changes to overcome in their first semester.  By contrast, Wilson believes that the increased speed will allow him to learn and absorb classroom material better than at his home high school where he wasn’t challenged as much.

The environment is one very different from the one at the home schools of students. This environment can be a very challenging one for students, but the Academy staff is prepared for this reaction. Study hours are required for all juniors each evening as well as for seniors who need additional assistance in being academically successful. These study hours run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every evening and provide students with a designated time where they can study and work on coursework.

As the program enters its fifth year, both students and staff have a better sense of the expectations ahead.  Corey Alderdice, Assistant Director for Admissions and Public Relations, stressed that every message up until this point has been about what the program will be like.  At this point, the guessing game is over.

“We’re here to support students each step of the way,” Alderdice began, “but this is the moment where students become the key advocate for their academic success.  We’re excited to see what they accomplish going forward.”

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By Gatton Academy

[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.

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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.

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By Corey Alderdice

Academy Students Engage Peers as Community Leaders

August 23, 2009 | News, Student Success | No Comments

Community LeadersThe transition from life in high school to the Academy can be bumpy.

Prospective students wonder how they will fit into the program both academically and socially.  The first semester and year of study at the Gatton Academy brings with it a host of lessons and learning experiences.  As current students grow and return for their second year, these experiences can be shared with incoming students so that their transition is as smooth and easy as possible.

To create an avenue for peer mentoring, the Gatton Academy Student Life Team established the Community Leaders program.  Students focused on mentoring students in their first year of the Academy are selected to serve as Community Developers (CDs).  CD’s are selected through a process that includes an essay, RC recommendation, and an interview.  In addition, these students must be in good academic and residence life standing.

2009-10 Community Developers include: Jennifer Connelly; Jordan Jones, Ballard Metcalfe; Hunter Smith; Elaine Flynn; Emily Hall; Justin Jatczak; Sean Karlage; Anna Walter; May Stulz; Forrest Simmons; and Stephen King.

Students who wish to connect with prospective students going through the admissions process as well as public stakeholders have the opportunity to serve as Academy Avatars.  Avatars are selected based on interviews, academic performance, and personality.

2009-10 Academy Avatars include:  Elaine Flynn; Zac Forshee; Emily Hall; Ballard Metcalfe; Rohith Palli; Sarah Pritchett; Katie Rush; and Ryne Weiss.

Beth Hawke, the Gatton Academy’s coordinator of residence life, believes these students leaders are an invaluable resource to both their peers and staff as they give back to the community.

“The community developers are an excellent resource for our incoming students,” Hawke said.  “They act as peer mentors and role models to our new students by offering insights based upon their own first year experience at the Academy.  This is a phenomenal group of students and I am very excited to have them in this role.”

Hawke added that the community developers, in addition to an eager Student Life Team, will help to make this a year to remember at the Gatton Academy.

“I am very excited about this new year,” Hawke said.  “Our residential counselor staff has a blend of experience and enthusiasm that will provide students with the environment that they need to be successful in and out of the classroom.  Rose Nash and Scott Wolfe are returning for a third year as residential counselors and bring a lot of experience to the team.  WKU Honors College graduates Emily Burns and Brian Rogers have worked with the Academy during their undergraduate careers and are returning in full time residential counselor roles.  Rachel Stewart, Sean Giddings, and Sue Meador will round out the residential counselor staff.  Our Assistant Residential Life Coordinator, Melissa Schultz, brings a wealth of experience and energy to the team.”

According to Corey Alderdice, the Gatton Academy’s assistant director for admissions and public relations, the Academy Avatars play a crucial role in informing public stakeholders about the program.

“Legislators, educators, business leaders, and other folks from across Kentucky are excited to hear about the level of student engagement at the Gatton Academy,” Alderdice said.  “Avatars are a great means by which individuals can learn about the Gatton Academy from students who are making the most of this experience.”

With a busy year and a growing pool of applicants ahead, Alderdice believes the Avatars will have an important role in helping students choose to pursue study at the Academy.

“The greatest concern from the family of a prospective student is what will life at the Gatton Academy be like,” Alderdice said.  “There are no better individuals to share the possibilities available and the responsibilities of being an Academy student.”

For more information, contact Beth Hawke or Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.

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By Corey Alderdice