View From The Hill - (1/15/09)

Honors Luncheon

It’s decision-making time for high school seniors and WKU is taking time to woo the best and brightest from South Central Kentucky.  Amy Bingham explains how the honors luncheon works in this week’s “View from the Hill.”

Believe it or not, today is the deadline for academic scholarship applications for incoming college freshmen.  WKU is criss-crossing the region to extend an invitation to the top scholars from this area.

With their high school days winding down, WKU hopes these top students will gear up to come to WKU.  “These luncheons are to honor the top academic students at area high schools who may qualify for academic scholarships to WKU.”

A total of six honors luncheons are held across the area each winter to give proper recognition to academic scholars.  The event has another purpose as well.  “Parents, students and administrators are very positive and in many cases decide to attend WKU based on this luncheon.” 

That may be the case for Owensboro High School senior Markie Dorhrenwend.  “I got really lucky because I’m interested in bio-medical engineering and the person sitting at my table it in charge of the sciences and engineering department so that was really great.”

Markie is talking about Dr. Blaine Ferrell, Dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering.  This type of interaction is what the honors luncheons are all about.  “We want to provide encouragement in the college decision.”  And no matter which University these students choose, WKU not only wishes them well, but leaves them a lasting memory.  “This is the first college that’s done this, I’m impressed.”

In addition to the Owensboro area, luncheons are also being held in Glasgow, Bowling Green and Elizabethtown.  With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.