[Grad 11] Gatton Academy Honors 60 Students in Fourth Graduating Class

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

Sixty students representing 34 counties from across the Commonwealth were recognized during the ceremony at 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 the day’s events were both a celebration of the Class of 2011’s personal accomplishments and a starting point toward their work of creating a better Kentucky.

“Kentucky’s future is brighter today because you are graduates of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science,” Roberts said. “What wonderful contributions you will make in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering and technology.  I look forward to hearing about your leadership in STEM fields in Kentucky and beyond in the not-so-distant future.”

Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, for whom the program was named in 2007 after pledging $4 million gift, delivered the commencement address. Gatton encouraged the Class of 2011 to seize opportunities ahead of them while setting lofty goals.

“There are a world of opportunities, probably more than there have ever been in the history of this country,” Gatton said.  “You’ll want to keep an open mind. A solid education will be necessary for you to fulfill big dreams. Always dream big.  You do yourself, your family, associates, and organizations an injustice if you only dream small dreams.”

Over the past two years, 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. In all, students have each earned more than 60 hours of college credit.

Gatton Academy Director 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.”

Four out of five participated in a facilitated research project with university faculty members. Research accomplishments include a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship winner, three Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) participants, two National Science Foundation International Research Experiences in Taiwan, and an Intel Science Talent Search national semifinalist.

Sean Freeman, a graduating senior from Hebron, reflected upon the relationship among the Gatton Academy student body as something in between a family and a wolf pack.

“The Academy fosters inseparability, or put better, wolf pack behavior.” Freeman said. “When we came to the Academy, we were all lone wolves, in our own little one person wolf pack.  But then, we started to make friends here, and our wolf packs, they grew by a few. And finally, I believe by today, that we are all members of the 60 person wolf pack that is the Gatton Academy Class of 2011.”

As the group goes forward in pursuit of those academic and personal goals, seven out of 10 graduates plan to attend Kentucky higher education institutions with nine continuing their studies at WKU.

In the fall of 2011, representatives from the graduating class will attend 21 schools across the United States: University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Alabama; Auburn University; University of California at Berkeley; University of Chicago; Florida State University; Indiana University at Bloomington; University of Kentucky; Lipscomb University; University of Louisville; University of Mississippi; Morehead State University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University; Saint Louis University; Transylvania University; United States Naval Academy; Vanderbilt University; Washington University in St. Louis; Webster University; and WKU.

Four-year scholarships totaling nearly $11 million were offered to the graduating class while more than $4 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.”

Sydney Combs, a graduating senior from London, employed a space metaphor in her remarks to fellow classmates.  Donning a helmet, she reminded her peers of their future potential and promise their pledge to each other of future support.

“Our future adventures are as limitless as the night sky,” Combs proclaimed. “We are all heading to foreign planets, each equally new, challenging, and exciting.  It is here we will face all of the challenges the Academy has prepared us for. I am confident in everyone’s ability to succeed.  But please remember, if you ever get lonely, or sad, or attacked by rogue, alien pirates, anyone of us would fly light-years in order to help.”

Members of the Gatton Academy Class of 2011:

• From Anderson County: Victoria Gilkison
• From Barren County: Miller Travis
• From Boone County: Anthony Bates; Anthony Bombik; Elizabeth Farnsworth; Jake Moore; David Pennington; Cynthia Tope; Sean Freeman; and Paul Kasinski
• From Boyle County: Justine Missik
• From Bullitt County: Shelby Martin; Micaela Montgomery; Dana Wheeler; and Kelsey Wagner
• From Campbell County: Derek Fox
• From Christian County: Kyle Kelly and Jae Lee
• From Daviess County: Tejas Sangoi; Paras Vora; Blake Welsh; and Madeline Lauzon
• From Estill County: Benjamin Neal
• From Fayette County: Michael Bowie and Corban Coffman
• From Fleming County: Joshua Jackson
• From Franklin County: Suzanne Van Arsdall
• From Garrard County: Krysta Waldrop
• From Grant County: Courtney Vance
• From Greenup County: Sarah Tariq
• From Hardin County: Madeline Buhr; Brittney Howard; Courtney Howard; Zachary Laux; Joshua Robinson; Natalie Schieber; Jonathan Serpico; and Camille Turner
• From Harrison County: Gabrielle Fisher
• From Henderson County: Leah Hayden and Tyler Parke
• From Lincoln County: David McChesney
• From Laurel County: Sydney Combs and Henry Eberhardt
• From Marshall County: Michael Phillips
• From Metcalfe County: Brandon Kerr
• From Monroe County: Shelby Stephens
• From Nelson County: Desiree’ Harbin and Celia Whelan
• From Oldham County: Chandler Santos and Tyler Scaff
• From Pulaski County: Nowelle Altman and Clarice Esch
• From Rowan County: Benjamin Howard
• From Scott County: Kia Allen
• From Shelby County: Katherine Goebel
• From Simpson County: Andrew Kenady
• From Warren County: Kevin Andrew; Claci Ayers; Sarah Schrader; and Won Song

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