Academy Of Mathematics And Science Selects Inaugural Class

May 04, 2007

Bowling Green, Ky. - The inaugural class of the Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky has been selected and includes 120 students from 61 counties.

The Academy will open at Western Kentucky University in August to some of the state’s brightest high school juniors and seniors. The residential program selects students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In all, 180 students applied and were judged based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Then 160 were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across the Commonwealth. In the end, 120 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.

Tim Gott, director of the Academy, is pleased with the group of students selected for the program’s first year.
“We are excited about the response from students across the state who have demonstrated interest in the Academy,” Gott said. “The caliber of our first class is phenomenal. These 120 students bring many talents to the program that will contribute to the overall culture of the Academy and WKU.”

The inaugural class includes students from the following counties: Adair, Allen, Barren, Bath, Boone, Boyd, Boyle, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Clay, Crittenden, Daviess, Edmonson, Estill, Fayette, Fulton, Grant, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Harlan, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Hopkins, Jefferson, Jessamine, Johnson, Kenton, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mercer, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Scott, Shelby, Simpson, Taylor, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Whitley and Woodford.

The goal of the 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 live in the renovated Schneider Hall and 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.

“Students will be challenged in the classroom by enthusiastic professors and will also find enjoyment in the relationships with faculty and their peers through research and service opportunities,” Gott said.

The Academy will also provide a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students. Extracurricular activities and organizations will be developed and supported by the Academy residential life staff based on student interests.

An Academy Orientation Day is scheduled for May 19 on the WKU campus.
A list of students selected for the Academy’s inaugural class is available online at http://www.wku.edu/news/releases07/may/academy.pdf and http://www.wku.edu/news/releases07/may/academy.xls.   

Additional information is available online at www.wku.edu/academy. For information, call (270) 745-6323 or via email academy@wku.edu.
               
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For information, contact Tim Gott at (270) 745-6323.