Our vision is grand indeed. To make that vision a reality, we must have financial resources; The Center is
certainly fortunate to have caring, generous people as friends. Through their gifts and donations, gifted and
talented young people are able to be a part of programs who otherwise would not. Most give because they know
what happens in our student programs - the life-enriching, even life-changing opportunities. To them we are
extremely grateful:
The Doctors Mody Minority Scholarship
Doctors Bharat and Bharati Mody of Glasgow, KY, have generously endowed a full tuition needs-based scholarship for
minorities to attend VAMPY. Their generous donation will ensure that for years to come a high ability young person will
benefit from the VAMPY experience who otherwise would not have been able to attend. The doctors explain: "We have
felt that minority students do not get the same exposure and opportunity as others. They have a desire and a will but often
do not have the means to fulfill that desire." So they have provided the means.
This family has a long relationship with The Center. Both Mody daughters attended camps: Bhavana came to
SCATS in 1991, and Bhavini participated in SCATS in 1993 and 1994. And Dr. Bharat Mody served a two-year
term on the Board of Advisors. Their donation perpetuates this involvement for as long as there is The Center for Gifted Studies.
The William Gladstone Begley II Scholarship
Gifted and talented students from eastern Kentucky wishing to attend SCATS or VAMPY will now have the opportunity to apply
for this scholarship. Originally from Hazard, KY, Dr. W.G. Begley had been an ardent supporter for excellence as well as a dear friend to
The Center. Doctors Dick and Julia Roberts wish to memorialize this fine man and his memory by perpetuating one of his missions in
life: the love of learning. His daughter Jennie Lou Edison was a counselor for SCATS and VAMPY for several years. Others who wish
to help endow the scholarship have that opportunity.
The Highland Scholarship
Friends who wish to remain anonymous donated this scholarship. It is designated to support a student from Louisville, KY, to attend VAMPY. The request of the donor was that the scholarship would be made
available to a student who "would never in a million years have the opportunity to experience VAMPY due to the financial condition
of the family." The scholarship covers the entire amount.
The Lynne Elizabeth Hamlett Memorial Scholarship Awards
This annual scholarship is specifically intended to help qualified McCracken County, KY, students requiring
financial assistance attend Western Kentucky University's academic summer camps. Jackie, Bill, and Lauren Capps, formerly
of McCracken County, in memory of a teenage relative who died in a tragic car accident, established the fund in 1997 through
the Western Kentucky University Foundation Fund for Talent Development. While the family lived in McCracken County, they
witnessed the benefits their own daughter derived from the efforts and programs promoted and/or provided by KAGE, MC-KAGE,
and Western's Center for Gifted Studies. They also appreciated what a positive difference appropriate educational challenges,
intellectual interaction, and social/emotional support make - both within and outside the classroom - and wished to continue
supporting these organizations and the school community in some way after they moved. They established the scholarship
by donating stock, which was matched by The Ingersoll Rand Company. Their generosity will ensure that young people from
McCracken County will be able to attend the programs for decades to come.
The Stephanie D. Woodward Scholarship
"Stephanie made a bigger impact on my life than anyone I've ever met.... Stephanie Woodward taught me to make
the most of every situation, how to believe in myself, and how to form friendships that last forever." This passage comes from
a writing by Cynthia Gilson, former VAMPY roommate of Stephanie Woodward. She writes: "At the end of the first summer, we
promised to keep in touch. We did, and we were roommates for a second and third summer. As time passed, we both matured
and our friendship grew. A few months before our fourth summer Stephanie sent me a card telling me she was looking forward
to our fourth and final summer program. She ended with 'only 43 days more' until camp. About a month later, on May 31, 1987,
Stephanie was killed in a car accident." People who loved Stephanie set up a scholarship in her memory. It is awarded to a VAMPY
student who exemplifies high ethical and scholastic standards and has a need for financial assistance in order to participate. From
this tragedy comes hope and opportunity for countless others. And this is quite appropriate for someone who "made the most of every
moment."
The Mahurin Scholarship
The Mahurin Scholarship will be awarded annually to two students from Grayson County Middle School or Grayson
County High School to participate in SCATS or VAMPY. These scholarships are made possible through an endowment
which has been established for this purpose.
These generous people have made and will continue to make an impact on countless gifted and talented young
people. In twenty years of programming for gifted young people, The Center for Gifted Studies has always
provided scholarships, yet there are always more qualified students who need financial help than we can
accommodate. If you would be willing to consider offering scholarship support or if you know a business or
foundation that might provide scholarships, please contact Dr. Julia Roberts or The Center. Opportunities for
providing scholarships can be funded on an annual basis for the cost of the program or on an ongoing basis
through an endowment. Whether it be an endowment or a one-time gift, we would be delighted to assist you.
THE BERTA FAMILY DONATES $100,000 TO THE CENTER
As we celebrate our 20th year of providing services for young people who are gifted and talented, their educators, and their parents,
friends of The Center are ensuring that these services continue. Vince and Kathleen Berta of Bowling Green, KY, recently donated
$100,000 to create the Berta Fund for Excellence. The Bertas explain: "It is often said but easily forgotten that the future is our youth.
The Center for Gifted Studies provides the gifted youth the training, education, and environment with which to maximize their talents.
By establishing the Berta Fund for Excellence in Gifted Studies, we are doing our small part of investing in the future of our youth,
Western Kentucky University, and our community."
The Bertas realize that parents know their children best and readily recognize that the strengths of the gifted and talented child
becomes that child's needs. These children may well have other needs such as learning disabilities or suffer from underachievement.
The Berta Fund for Excellence will bring in experts for presentations as well as fund seminars to help parents of these exceptional
children.
The Berta Fund for Excellence will also support speakers for professional development for educators on topics such as those mentioned.
This could provide information and inspiration to these educators who must understand that strengths create needs. Through special
seminars, these educators will acquire strategies to accommodate the needs and challenges of these special students.
The children themselves will benefit from this gift. Scholarships will allow students to attend The Center's life-changing programs.
Scholarships for special needs students will provide these opportunities for students who might otherwise be overlooked.
Director Julia Roberts responds: "The Berta Fund for Excellence will boost The Center for Gifted Studies by helping address the
needs of young people, their parents, and educators. How wonderful it is to have friends who share the vision and who are willing and
able to support The Center in such an important way. Thank you, Kathleen and Vince!"
KARL MILLER: REALIZING THE VISION
The Center for Gifted Studies welcomes 1983 SCATS veteran Karl Miller home. Karl was named Director of Development for the
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences here at Western Kentucky University. He will be instrumental in helping us reach
our vision financially. And we are so fortunate that he personally shares this vision with us.
Karl attended the first-ever Summer Camp. He reflects, "I am so proud of having been involved, been part of the program. It opened
my eyes." This direct involvement has created ownership and motivation: "I am very aware of the fine work The Center does.
One reason I enjoy fund-raising is that I have such a worthwhile cause to do it for. That keeps me motivated."
Not only does Karl have a strong history with us (one that includes his brother Mark's involvement with SCATS in 1985 and 1986), but
he also has a rich history with Western itself. Karl graduated from Western in 1991 as a public relations major and a Spanish minor.
While here, he served as a Spirit Master as well as the Vice President for Public Relations in Student Government. He earned his MBA
from Western in 2000. Even his wife is an alumna!
His eight-year history in the Admissions (including the Director's position) and Development Offices at Lindsey Wilson College
afforded Karl a strong foundation. This Breckinridge County native not only understands the nuances of development, but also
understands and believes in the cause of the gifted child. We are excited to have him on our team.
- Karl Miller, Director of Development
- College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
- Western Kentucky University
- 1906 College Heights Blvd. # 11005
- Bowling Green KY 42101-1005
- 270.745.3399
- fax 270.745.2009
- e-mail karl.miller@wku.edu.
