WKU News & Events

December 18, 2001

Berta Gift To Assist WKU'S
Center For Gifted Studies

Bowling Green, Ky. - As The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University celebrates its 20th year of providing services for young people who are gifted and talented, friends of The Center are ensuring that these services continue. Vince and Kathleen Berta of Bowling Green recently donated $100,000 to create the "Berta Fund for Excellence in Gifted Studies."

"It is often said but easily forgotten that the future is our youth," Vince Berta said. "The Center for Gifted Studies provides the gifted youth the training, education and environment with which to maximize their talents."

Kathleen Berta agrees. "By establishing the 'Berta Fund for Excellence in Gifted Studies,' we are doing our small part in investing in the future of our youth, Western Kentucky University and our community."

According to Dr. Julia Roberts, director of The Center, the "Berta Fund for Excellence" will support speakers for professional development for educators.

"This will provide information and inspiration to these educators who must understand that strengths create needs," she said. "Through special seminars, these educators will acquire strategies to accommodate the needs and challenges of these special students."

Roberts said the children themselves also will benefit from this gift.

"The fund will provide scholarships to allow students to attend The Center's life changing programs," she said. "Scholarships for special needs students will also provide these opportunities for students who might otherwise be overlooked. It is wonderful to have friends who share the vision and who are willing and able to support The Center in such an important way."

Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, expressed his appreciation for the Bertas' gift to the Commonwealth's premier Gifted Studies Program. "Not only will this gift positively impact the gifted students throughout the state, it will encourage other alumni and friends to support the program as well," he said.

For more information, contact Tom Hiles at (270) 745-6208 or Julia Roberts at (270) 745-6323. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.