he Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has selected 60 students for its Class of 2011.

The students in this year’s class span 33 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score eight points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.

Applications for admission to the Gatton Academy grew by 25% this year, with over 160 students submitting materials for consideration.  Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. In March, 95 were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across the state. In the end, 60 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.

The selected students scored an average of 28.6 composite on the ACT and 29.1 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is a 36. The 2008 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was 20.2 on the math portion of the exam and 20.9 composite.

“”The members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2011 have demonstrated they are ready for a greater academic challenge,” said Corey Alderdice, assistant director of admissions and public relations for the Gatton Academy. “They will bring to WKU a variety of passions and abilities.  Our goal will be to sharpen those skills as they grow and mature both academically and socially.  Their experiences will be the flagstone in their pursuit to lead our state into the twenty-first century.”

The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Anderson, Barren, Bell, Boone, Boyle, Bullitt, Campbell, Christian, Daviess, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Garrard, Grant, Greenup, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Marshall, Monroe, Nelson, Oldham, Pulaski, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Simpson, Warren,  and Woodford.

To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 86 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

The goals of the Gatton Academy are 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. Moreover, the Gatton Academy will assist in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.

Students will finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least 60 college credit hours.

Tim Gott, director of the Academy, expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last two years. “As we enter our third year of the Academy, I am amazed and honored to work with such outstanding students.,” Gott said. “The incoming Class of 2011 once again demonstrates the incredible caliber of students from across the Commonwealth.  The depth of academic strength and emerging leadership among this group reveals that the state is making a major contribution toward meeting the demand for more professionals in the STEM fields.”

The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features research, clubs, organizations and community service.  Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members.  Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition and Intel Science Talent Search.

The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in science and math careers and one of fifteen such program in the nation. More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/

Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2011

From Anderson County: Torey Gilkison of Lawrenceburg, a student at Anderson County High School whose parents are Tammara Gilkison and Todd Gilkison.

From Barren County; Miller Travis of Glasgow, a student at Glasgow High School whose parents are Margarett Travis and William Travis.

From Bell County: John Belcher of Middlesboro, a student at Bell County High School whose parents are Lisa Redmon and Tommy Redmon.

From Boone County: Anthony Bates of Walton, a student at Larry A. Ryle High School whose parents are Amy Bates and Alan Bates; Anthony Bombik of Union, a student at Larry A. Ryle High School whose parents are Julie Bombik and Peter Bombik; Elizabeth Farnsworth of Burlington, a student at Cooper High School whose parents are Barbara Farnsworth and Jerome Farnsworth; Jake Moore of Crittenden, a student at Walton Verona High School whose parents are Jane Moore and Kevin Moore; Cynthia Tope of Burlington, a student at Conner High School whose parents are Carrie Tope-Klein and Dale Tope; Sean Freeman of Hebron, a student at Villa Madonna Academy whose parents are Lynn Freeman and William Freeman; PJ Kasinski of Hebron, a student at Conner High School whose parents are Patricia Kasinski and Paul Kasinski.

From Boyle County: Justine Missik of Danville, a student at Boyle County High School whose parents are Christine Missik and John Missik.

From Bullitt County: Shelby Martin of Mt. Washington, a student at Mercy Academy whose parents are Kelly Martin and Lynn Martin; Micaela Montgomery of Mt. Washington, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Alina Montgomery and Mark Montgomery; Tina Stottman of Louisville, a student at North Bullitt High School whose parents are Marria Stottman and Thomas Stottman; Kelsey Wagner of Taylorsville, a student at
Bullitt East High School whose parents are Lynn Wagner and Mark Wagner.

From Campbell County: Derek Fox of Alexandria, a student at Campbell County High School whose parents are Amy Marie Fox and James Martin Fox.

From Christian County: Kyle Kelly of Hopkinsville, a student at Christian County High School whose parents are Shannon Kelly and Shawn Kelly; Jay Lee of Hopkinsville, a student at Hopkinsville High School whose parents are Namjoo Sandefer and Joseph Sandefer.

From Daviess County: Tejas Sangoi of Owensboro, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Nayna Sangoi and Nilesh Sangoi; Blake Welsh of Philpot, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Margaret Welsh and Dennis Welsh; Madeline Lauzon of Owensboro, a student at Owensboro High School whose parents are Cate Lauzon and John Lauzon.

From Estill County: Ben Neal of Irvine, a student at Model Laboratory School whose parents are Melissa R. Neal and Jamie D. Neal.

From Fayette County: Michael Bowie of Lexington, a student at Paul L. Dunbar High School whose parents are Susan Bowie and William Bowie; Corban Coffman of Lexington, a student at Henry Clay High School whose parents are Megan Coffman and Bryan Coffman.

From Fleming County: Josh Jackson of Flemingsburg, a student at Fleming County High School whose parents are Amy Hamilton and William Jackson.

From Franklin County: Suzanne Van Arsdall of Frankfort, a student at Franklin County High School whose parents are Melinda Van Arsdall and Bill Van Arsdall.

From Garrard County: Krysta Waldrop of Lancaster, a student at Garrard County High School whose parents are Angela Slack and Floyd Waldrop.

From Grant County: Courtney Vance of Williamstown, a student at Williamstown High School whose parent is Jane Cornn.

From Greenup County: McKenzie Grant of Russell, a student at Russell High School whose parents are Susan McKenzie and James McKenzie; Sarah Tariq of Ashland, a student at Russell High School whose parents are Amina Tariq and Mubashar Tariq.

From Hardin County: Brittney Howard of Radcliff, a student at North Hardin High School whose parents are Debra Howard and Percy Howard; Courtney Howard of Radcliff, a student at North Hardin High School whose parents are Debra Howard and Percy Howard; Zach Laux of Elizabethtown, a student at Central Hardin High School whose parents are Rebecca Laux and Charles Laux; Josh Robinson of Elizabethtown, a student at Central Hardin High School whose parents are Cathy Robinson and Michael Robinson; Natalie Schieber of Elizabethtown, a student at Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Cathy Schieber and Dan Schieber; Jonathan Serpico of Elizabethtown, a student at Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Pamela Serpico and Ralph Serpico; Camille Turner of Radcliff, a student at North Hardin High School whose parents are Carmen Turner and Gregory Turner.

From Harrison County: Ellie Fisher of Cynthiana, a student at Harrison County High School whose parents are Nioka Fisher and Michael Fisher.

From Henderson County: Leah Hayden of Corydon, a student at Henderson County High School whose parents are Julie Hayden and Lawrence Hayden; Tyler Parke of Henderson, a student at Reitz Memorial High School whose parents are Lisa Parke and Robert Parke.

From Knox County: Andrew Martin of Barbourville, a student at Lynn Camp High School whose parents are Dana Martin and Michael Radcliff.

From Laurel County: Henry Eberhardt of London, a student at North Laurel High School whose parents are Karen Eberhardt and Bill Eberhardt.

From Lawrence County: Jessica Thornsberry of Louisa, a student at Lawrence County High School whose parents are Jennifer Thornsberry and Joseph Thornsberry.

From Marshall County: Michael Phillips of Benton, a student at Marshall County High School whose parents are Rhea Ann Phillips and James Phillips.

From Monroe County: Shelby Stephens of Tompkinsville, a student at Monroe County High School whose parents are Loralee Stephens and Wesley Stephens.

From Nelson County: Taylor Harbin of Fairfield, a student at Nelson County High School whose parents are Michelle Harbin and Stephen Harbin.

From Oldham County: Chandler Santos of LaGrange, a student at Oldham County High School whose parents are Venita Santos and Salvador Santos; Tyler Scaff of LaGrange, a student at Oldham County High School whose parents are Carole Scaff and Walt Scaff; and Ben Venable, a student at Oldham County High School whose parents are  Laurie and James Venable.

From Pulaski County: Nowelle Altman of Somerset, a student at Somerset High School whose parents are Lisa Altman and Joe Altman; Clarice Esch of Somerset, a student at Southwestern High School whose parents are Carol M. Esch and Joseph Esch.

From Rowan County: Ben Howard of Morehead, a student at Rowan County Senior High School whose parents are Cindy Howard and Steven Edward Howard.

From Scott County: Kia Allen of Georgetown, a student at Scott County High School whose parents are Angela Allen and Frank Allen.

From Shelby County: Katie Goebel of Simpsonville, a student at Shelby County High School whose parents are Kristine Krueger and Jens Goebel.

From Simpson County: Andrew Kenady of Woodburn, a student at Greenwood High School whose parents are Rachel Kenady and Kevin Kenady.

From Warren County: Kevin Andrew of Bowling Green, a student at Greenwood High School whose parents are Karla Andrew and Keith Andrew; Claci Ayers of Bowling Green, a student at Warren Central High School whose parents are Elizabeth Ayers and Steve Ayers; Sarah Schrader of Bowling Green, a student at Greenwood High School whose parents are Michelle Schrader and Steven Schrader; Josh Song of Bowling Green, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Hwan Joo Song and Ki Seon Song.

From Woodford County: Logan Pauley of Versailles, a student at Woodford County High School whose parents are Hendrika Pauley and Leon Pauley.

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

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will host a Preview Weekend at Western Kentucky University on Saturday, May 9, 2009, 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 may RSVP for the preview event online at http://gattonacademy.eventbrite.com.

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.

Students may begin check in at 8:00 a.m. (Central) in the lobby of Grise Hall. Signs will point students toward the building and auditorium from Schneider Hall. Parking will be available in the lot behind Schneider Hall and in Parking Structure 1. Directions to campus as well as a map are available at the links below.

Directions to WKU Campus / Schneider Hall
Download a WKU Campus Map

Students will receive a packet of information at check-in that they will need throughout the day. Please ensure this information remains with the student. Students will be divided into two groups (A or B) that will dictate their schedule for the day.

All students and their families are welcome to join us for lunch at the Fresh Food Company in the Downing University Center. Your group will be provided tickets at check-in.

The parent session will conclude before noon. During the afternoon period, parents are welcome to wait in Grise Hall Auditorium or further explore campus on their own.

Students are asked to dress in a business-like manner for their interviews. It is important that students portray themselves in a positive and professional manner at all times on Saturday. Parents are welcome to dress casually for the day.

8:00 a.m. Registration Begins (Grise Hall)
8:30 Opening Sessions for Students and Parents (Grise Hall Auditorium)
9:00 Group A Begins Interviews (Tate Page Hall)
Parent Session Begins (Grise Hall Auditorium)
9:30 Group B Takes Chemistry Placement Exam (Tate Page Hall Auditorium)
11:00 Group B Campus and Schneider Hall Tours
12:00 p.m. Lunch provided in Fresh Food Company (Downing University Center)
1:00 Group B Begins Interviews (Tage Page Hall)
1:30 Group A Takes Chemistry Placement Exam (Tate Page Hall Auditorium)
3:00 Group A Campus and Schneider Hall Tours

It appears as though the Trigonometry placement exam is now available online. Students who will complete Trig/Pre-Cal during the current academic year and wish to enroll in Calculus I in the fall, must take the test.

If you have additional questions about Saturday, please do not hesitate to contact the Gatton Academy at 270-745-6565. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Allow me to begin by, once more, apologizing for any inconvenience regarding the Math Placemente Exams. WKU changed their system without informing our office of the new test. There seems to have been several difficulties with the test–particularly the absence of the Trig Exam for many.

If you have yet to take the test, please disregard the printed instructions included with your notification letter. Instead, visit the following link for revised instructions:
http://www.wku.edu/Info/Admissions/placementexams.html

It is extremely important that you closely follow the instructions. You MUST use Firefox 3 as your internet browser for the test. Otherwise, the code and questions will be display incorrectly with some strange numbers. I apologize that you have become the “beta” testers for the new test.

Though some students have been able to access the optional Trig exam, many (including myself) have not. I will be speaking with the Orientation office to resolve this issue in a timely matter. I will send an email to the group when we have final word.

Again, students will need to complete the Algebra exam by Wednesday of this week.

If you have further questions, please send an email to academy@wku.edu.

Corey Alderdice

The Gatton Academy is pleased to announce 92 students have been selected to interview for the second phase of admission to the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky.  Notification letters were mailed to students on Monday, March 2.  Members of the selection committee have concluded these talented individuals possess both the character and academic strength to be successful at the Gatton Academy. Students will participate in interviews on March 21, 2009.

Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. (Central) in the Grise Hall Auditorium. All candidates and their families will meet for the opening session at 8:30 a.m. in the Grise Hall Auditorium. Students will participate in a personal interview with Gatton Academy, WKU, Kentucky education, and business leaders throughout the day. Students will also take a chemistry placement exam. Parents will attend informational sessions led by Gatton Academy staff members. Lunch will be provided at the Fresh Food Company in the Downing University Center at no charge to students and their family members. Sessions will conclude around 4 p.m.

The Gatton Academy requests that students dress in business attire.  Parents are welcome to dress comfortably for the day.

Students confirming their intent to interview should RSVP online at http://gatton2011.eventbrite.com no later than Monday, March 16, 2009.   Students must enter the password provided in the notification letter to access registration.  The Gatton Academy kindly ask that students register all members of their party.

The Gatton Academy admissions team will conduct an interview by phone for students unable to attend due to previous engagements or other substantial conflicts; however, students are strongly encouraged to be present for interviews if at all possible.

Students interviewing for admission must also take the online WKU Math Placement Exam no later than Friday, March 13, 2009. Detailed instructions were included in the notification letter.  For clarification on these instructions, please telephone Corey Alderdice at 270-745-2971.

The Gatton Academy looks forward to the days ahead and the infinite possibilities that await both Kentucky and these emerging young minds.

We are just under a month away from the admissions deadline for the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky.  It is not too late to encourage students to apply for this unique residential learning opportunity.  Please consider sharing this information with sophomores who would benefit from an advanced curriculum and who have demonstrated a passion for math and science.

All materials must be postmarked no later than February 13, 2009.

The Gatton Academy is a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To date, the Gatton Academy has serviced the needs of students from 81 counties across the Commonwealth.

Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process.   Students are required to have completed Algebra II by the end of their sophomore year.  An ACT or SAT score is also required for admission.  Students would be able to take the February ACT; however, their admissions packet MUST include a PLAN or PSAT score.  Additionally, a copy of the unofficial ACT report would need to be sent to the Academy upon receipt.

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. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, the students will take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least 60 college credit hours.

The students live and learn with peers who share their enthusiasm and interest in learning. Moreover, tuition, housing, and meals are all provided through funding by the General Assembly to make this unique opportunity available to any qualifying Kentucky student.  Local districts continue to receive a students’ ACT and CATS scores as well.  Kentucky is the 14th state to offer a residential program with a focus on math and science supported by the state.

The Gatton Academy will host its final Preview Weekend of this current admissions cycle on Saturday, January 31, 2009.  Families interested in attending these sessions are asked to RSVP online at http://gattonacademy.eventbrite.com.   A special Preview Weekend for current ninth grade students will be held later this spring.

If you would like additional information the Gatton Academy, visit us online at www.wku.edu/academy or telephone (270) 745-6565.

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has selected 60 students for its Class of 2010.

The students span 44 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score eight points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.

In all, 130 students applied and were judged based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Then 100 were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across the Commonwealth. In the end, 60 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.

The selected students scored an average of 28.8 composite on the ACT and 29.2 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is a 36. The 2007 statewide average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was 20 on the math portion of the exam and 20.7 composite.

| “We are extremely excited to welcome this outstanding group of students to the Gatton Academy,” said Corey Alderdice, assistant director of admissions and public relations for the Gatton Academy. “These students bring with them numerous talents and abilities. Most of all, they bring a passion for learning and a readiness to bring the state of Kentucky fully into the economy of the 21st century.”

The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Adair, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Bullitt, Butler, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Graves, Greenup, Hardin, Harlan, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, LaRue, Laurel, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Madison, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Mercer, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Owen, Pendleton, Pike, Rowan, Simpson, Spencer, Trigg, Warren and Woodford.

The goals of the Gatton Academy are 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. Moreover, the Gatton Academy will prepare Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state. The students will finish their junior and senior years living in the renovated Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least 60 college credit hours.

Tim Gott, director of the Academy, looks for these students to continue the level of engagement and success of the program’s inaugural group of students. “Our inaugural group of students has set a very high standard in the classroom, research labs and across the WKU campus,” Gott said. “These incoming students will build upon these experiences and to push the bar higher.”

The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features research, clubs, organizations and community service.

The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in science and math careers and the 14th such program in the nation. More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/

For information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.