January 22, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown has made a gift to Western Kentucky University to ensure that the new Academy for Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will be promoted and encouraged throughout the entire state.
According to Tom Hiles, WKU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, a $100,000 commitment from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky will create the Toyota Outreach Fund, which will be targeted to marketing and recruitment efforts throughout the Commonwealth.
“The Toyota Outreach Fund will help ensure a statewide awareness and a geographically diverse population for the Academy,” Hiles said. “It will include extensive use of media and increased personal presence in state schools, and it will educate students and adults across the Commonwealth about the importance of education and the value of math and science education, in particular.”
The Academy for Mathematics and Science in Kentucky was proposed by The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU and has a mission to develop talent and leadership in mathematics and science in the Commonwealth. The Academy, which will open to its first students in the fall of 2007, will be an early admission program for talented high school students from across Kentucky who have an interest in careers in mathematics, science, technology, and / or engineering.
“Providing educational opportunities that challenge students to achieve at higher levels is one focus for Toyota’s philanthropic dollars,” said Kim Menke, manager of Community Relations at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown. “The Academy for Mathematics and Science in Kentucky is an avenue for challenging Kentucky students who excel in math and science to recognize their full potential. These students are the future science and technology leaders with careers such as education, research, and engineering. To compete in a global economy, we need to train and retain these future leaders from across the Commonwealth.”
Tim Gott was recently named the director of the new Academy. “Our partnership with Toyota exemplifies the relationships needed for the Academy to grow into a premier program in the nation,” he said. “It is critical to spread the word to all young Kentuckians about what an exciting opportunity this is. With Toyota’s support, we now have the resources to reach students in every county in Kentucky. We are deeply grateful for Toyota’s investment in the Academy.”
Dr. Julia Roberts, director of The Center for Gifted Studies, agreed. “What a wonderful gift Toyota has provided to support getting the word out across the Commonwealth about the Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,” she said. “Thanks to Toyota, we can spread the message that it is important to individuals and to Kentucky to develop talent and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For more information, contact Julia Roberts at (270) 745-6323 or Tom Hiles at (270) 745-6208.
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