WKU News

May 22, 2026 (Bowling Green, KY) – The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University honored more than 400 students for outstanding academic achievement today at Van Meter Auditorium. Students invited to the ceremony came from a total pool of approximately 1,000 participants.

The Talent Identification Program of Kentucky (TIP-KY^TM) provides opportunities for students to take above-level assessments, tests that were designed for older students. Students in grades 7 and 8 took the ACT, a test usually given to college-bound high school juniors and seniors. Students who achieved specific scores in at least one of the four subject areas were invited to the recognition ceremony on Friday. Twenty-five students received Grand Recognition for a composite score of 29 or higher.  

Students in grades 4-6 were honored for their performance on the Iowa Assessment, a test designed for eighth-grade students. Those who scored in the top 10 percent on any subject area were eligible for recognition.

 “Among the students in this auditorium today are the world’s future leaders: the scientists who will push mankind’s frontiers of knowledge, the innovators who will help solve our planet’s biggest challenges, the government leaders who will bring us together, the visionaries who will capture the essence of how we are all connected,”  said Julia Link Roberts, Mahurin Professor of Gifted Studies at WKU.

Provost Robert Fischer welcomed students and families to WKU, and Dr. Jim Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, provided the keynote address and presented each student with a medal.

Photos of the event were taken by University Photographer, Katie Corbin, and WKU Student, Jonah Brausch.

What is TIP-KY?

The Talent Identification Program of Kentucky (TIP-KY) offers above-level testing to assess students' academic standing, enabling educators and families to guide students to relevant resources, appropriate enrichment programming, and other services that will challenge and encourage growth. Learn more at wku.edu/tipky. 

For more information about the ceremony or TIP-KY, please contact Jennifer Wilson, Program Coordinator for TIP-KY, at jennifer.wilson@wku.edu or 270-745-2742.