WKU News

Malleshwar Jayaraman Suresh (’27, Western Hills High School) of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science has been named a Semifinalist for the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Out of more than 113,000 applicants from across the United States, Malleshwar is one of only 1,227 students earning this honor.

A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. Thus far, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has provided more than 7,200 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $90 million in scholarships over the course of 40 years.

“I get to work with people who challenge me, and over 7,000 Scholars who inspire me to continue to grow, explore the world, and see no limit to what my own contribution can be,” said Jane Hale Paulsen, President of the Foundation. “We are lucky to celebrate young people who push themselves beyond what they have been given to achieve great success.”

While at Gatton, Jayaraman Suresh has received a Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grant for his exploration of a platinum(II)-BHEP complex as a cisplatin analog with Dr. Kevin Williams (WKU Chemistry), earned a Gatton Research Internship Grant to study “A Nonlinear Mixed-Effects Approach to Modeling Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing” with Dr. Richard Schugart (WKU Mathematics), and participated in the highly-selective Summer Science Program (SSP) at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he conducted biochemistry research focused on finding an anti-fungal target protein and designing an inhibitor for it. He has presented his research across Kentucky and the United States (i.e., Phoenix, AZ; Cambridge, MA; Washington, D.C.) and is preparing to travel back to Cambridge, MA, to represent The Gatton Academy in the Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament in November. 

“Gatton has encouraged me to pursue interests I might not have had the confidence or opportunity to explore before coming here. Having people around me who take my ideas seriously and challenge me to keep learning has made a real difference in how I see my future. I’m honored to be named a Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, and I’m grateful to the teachers, mentors, and friends who have helped me get to this point,” said Jayaraman Suresh.

When Jayaraman Suresh is not in class at WKU or conducting research, he serves on Gatton’s Student Development Committee, volunteers at Lost River Cave, and provides tutoring for his peers. He also enjoys the everyday moments in Florence Schneider Hall, where he can often be found deep in a philosophical debate with his friends, watching a movie on his wing, or participating in weekend activities.

“Malleshwar has been a wonderful addition to our Gatton community. His unwavering commitment to rigorous coursework, groundbreaking research, and impactful volunteering is driven by a deep desire to do meaningful work that benefits others. I am thrilled to see Malleshwar’s exceptional leadership celebrated by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation,” said Dr. Sam Earls, Assistant Director, Academic Services of The Gatton Academy.

Now, Malleshwar continues with Phase 2 of his application, which entails submitting essays, a recommendation letter, and transcript. Out of the 1,227 Semi-finalists, only 250 will be selected by an independent selection committee for online interviews. Then, 150 of those students will be invited to attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, April 15-18, 2027, where they will be the guests of honor at the 39th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Upon completion of Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, participants will be named official Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.

In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Unique opportunities include a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college, professional and personal development programming, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit every 5 years. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.