Tag Archive : August 2010

/ August 2010

Academy Students Connect with WKU President, Faculty at Annual Picnic

August 26, 2010 | News, People, Staff, Student Life, Students, WKU | No Comments

WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell greets members of the Class of 2012.
WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell greets members of the Class of 2012.

by Kelsey Wagner, Academy Avatar

It has become a yearly tradition for the new arrivals at the Gatton Academy to travel to the home of Western Kentucky University President Dr. Gary Ransdell for a casual dinner on his front lawn as part of Adventure Week festivities. The picnic is generally held as a casual interaction between new students and staff, and serves  as a great way for people to get to know each other in an informal setting.

Dr. Bruce Kessler, the Associate Dean of Odgen College and an Academy trigonometry professor, views the picnic as a great to ease students fears about interacting with faculty on campus.

“The students are all a little nervous right now, and I hope to reassure them that I’m actually a human being,” he said. “We’re here to reassure folks that it’s gonna be okay.”

Exemplifying the casual and friendly atmosphere upheld at the annual dinner, Kessler joked that “there are a few students who were complaining about the cost of textbooks. I said, ‘Hey, your trig book is free!’”

Student play bocce ball after dinner.
Student play bocce ball after dinner.

President Ransdell values this chance for building student-staff relationships, disclosing that “I want to get to know them personally and individually and I want them to grow confident and comfortable with the WKU experience.  I want to lead by example and help lead the way for them to come to understand what we’re about as an institution and what they’re in for at the Gatton Academy experience. ”

As Ransdell mingled about the tables of dining juniors, patting them on the backs and making amiable conversation, he asked them about their experience so far.  The cookout was a very friendly and comfortable setting, which, according to Ransdell, is a good thing. When asked why the President began the now-tradition of inviting new Academy attendees to the annual picnic, he said, “First of all, to get to know them. It’s an honor to have Gatton Academy students on our campus for the next few years.”

Apparently, lounging on the lawn of the leader for a luncheon is relatively commonplace, when it comes to letting the faculty get to know some of WKU’s most extraordinary people.  “Just last week we had all of the first year international students here, and next week we’ll have all of the first-year honors students here,–about 3oo of them. Last week we had eleven teachers from China that are in our Confucius Institute that are teaching Chinese at local schools. We have lots of student and faculty groups here at the President’s home,” added Ransdell to the group.

Overall, the easygoing atmosphere and low-pressure, congenial spirit at the cookout was an equally good experience for both students and staff; they dined at the same tables, played each other in games of bocce ball and corn-hole, and generally got to know one another outside the meeting halls and classrooms.

“I had a great time interacting with kids at my table, and they were very sweet, and seemed nervous, but I think that’s to be expected,” noted Kessler.

Ransdell assures this is not the last interaction he will have with the Class of 2012 during their time on campus. “I’m just excited about this class of Gatton Academy students and cannot wait to get to know them,” he said.

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By Corey Alderdice

Schneider Hall Fills with New Students, New “Stuff” as a New Year Begins

August 26, 2010 | News, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

Community Leaders assisted students in moving their possessions into Schneider Hall.

by Brandon Kerr, Academy Avatar

What am I forgetting?

The majority of students coming to the Academy for the first time frantically asks this question countless times before move-in. They check and recheck their boxes and bags, ensuring they do overlook something of importance. Each student tries to bring items to the Academy that will help them to feel comfortable, prepared for classes, and more at home during their stay.

On Sunday, the unpacking process began. The student Community Leaders (CLs) helped incoming student transport their belongings from vehicles behind Schneider Hall to place where they would call home for the next many months. While helping unload, several of the students look over their peer’s possessions.

“Oh my gosh! That’s so cool! He has a pirate chest!” shouted Sydney Combs (Laurel, ’11) elated at the site of another student’s wooden trunk. Several times a unique piece of furniture turned out to prove as an effective ice breaker, sparking conversation between the CLs and the arriving students, with parents often being involved as well.

As students settled in and boxes emptied on Sunday, several of the new juniors could be seen sporting their personal treasures. “Dude, how awesome is this?”, asked Austin Taing (Warren, ’12) showing off his Pokémon towel to his suitemates.

Rebecca Brown (Nelson, ’12) proudly sported a silver necklace. Upon further inspection, it became apparent that it was more than just a fashionable piece of jewelry. One of her favorite possessions, the necklace consists of a D20 (a twenty sided die) wrapped in a spiral of silver, functioning as a pendant. “I feel like it just screams geek, but I still think it’s pretty cool.”

As a school that is often considered—if jokingly–to house only geeks, it’s strange to find that some of the most striking items are completely unrelated to academia. Rose Nash, residential counselor, commented on how she thinks the most unique items are often those with a “strong, and personal background.” Students often bring baby blankets, woven baskets, stuffed animals, or other items worthless in all regards but sentimental. Many feel that they help relieve homesickness, and help to make their room feel more comfortable.

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By Corey Alderdice

Parents Experience Mixed Emotions as Students Begin Their Academy Experience

August 23, 2010 | News, Parents, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

A family unpacks as part of move in for the Class of 2012.
A family unpacks as part of move in for the Class of 2012.

by Krysta Waldrop, Academy Avatar

Emotions ran high on Sunday as parents helped their children move into Schneider Hall.  For many families this was the first time they unloaded a car on a university campus–two years earlier than when the average student would leave for college.

Every parent handled the situation differently: some families encouraged their teens to socialize with other students in the common areas while others chose to spend most of their time together before departing.

Throughout the various meetings which took place during the day, parents asked a variety of questions, ranging from living arrangements to major traveling opportunities offered by the Gatton Academy.

Many parents were anxious about permitting their child to go into the care of strangers at such a young age and sad to see their teens leave.  One parent stated, “I’m excited for my son, but it’s sad.  I’ve been crying all week.”

Other parents, instead, had a lighthearted approach. “Well, I’m okay, and he’s certainly happy that I’m leaving now,” laughed a parent as she toted empty boxes back to her vehicle.   Overall, they appeared to be reluctant to depart, but it was also apparent they were aware of, and passionate about, the countless opportunities that were now available to the new Academy juniors.

For some families, this wasn’t their first experience with the Gatton Academy; the Class of 2012 contains several students who are the siblings of former and current Gatton Academy students.

The Missik family, parents of Justine Missik (Boyle, ’11) and Lucas Missik (Boyle, ’12) were asked to compare their two experiences with letting their children attend the Academy.  “It’s certainly easier this time; we aren’t as anxious,” noted their mother, Christine. “We know the people who work here and we know more about the program, so there’s less to worry about.”

The Class of 2012 has another student whose parents are familiar with the Gatton Academy, but not in the same fashion as the Missiks.

Dr. Claus Ernst and Dr. Uta Ziegler, two professors at Western Kentucky University, moved their son, Markus Ernst (Warren, ’12) into Florence Schneider Hall this year.  The two WKU professors currently teach Computational Problem Solving and helped to originate the course during the program’s first year.

Ernst and Ziegler are very involved with the Gatton Academy and are often in contact with the Academy Director Tim Gott as well as other staff members.  “This will be much less difficult for us than it will be for other parents who are here today,” said Dr. Ziegler. “We know a lot about the Academy, and we’ve worked closely with them for a long time.”

As the day came to a close, the remaining parents were required to leave.  Despite their anxiety and reluctance to see their children living similarly to traditional college undergrad, they left feeling optimistic.  Several parents noted that while it is hard to have a child leave the house, the Gatton Academy provides each student with an incredible experience filled with so many opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

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By Corey Alderdice