WKU News

The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science Alum Robert Sego (’19, Central Hardin HS) has received the Department of Defense’s Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity, enhancing the DoD civilian workforce with innovative scientists, engineers and researchers across the United States. The SMART Scholarship provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin a rewarding career with the DoD. With a full scholarship, students pursuing STEM degrees will be able to focus on complex research to further the DoD’s mission and create a lasting impact. Summer internships are performed at DoD facilities alongside scientists and engineers; these experiences prepare scholars for full-time employment and get them accustomed to working with the DoD. SMART is a one-for-one commitment; for every year of degree funding, the scholar commits to working for a year with the DoD as a civilian employee. Previous Gatton Academy students have been awarded SMART scholarships, including Sego’s 2019 classmate Graham Stephens (’19 Monroe County HS) and Gatton Class of 2010 student, Jacob Haven (Bourbon County HS).

Sego states, “As a current undergraduate at Purdue University, this scholarship feels like the culmination of all my efforts, and I couldn’t be happier with this opportunity. It has given me the freedom to explore graduation options and determine how I might complete my Master’s. I am definitely applying to Purdue’s excellent Electrical and Computer Engineering program. Once I complete my degree and my internships at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, I will ideally join the organization as a full-time computer vision and machine learning engineer.”

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 has been named to Jay Mathews’ list of top-performing schools with elite students for eleven consecutive appearances and received the National Consortium for Secondary STEM School’s Innovation Partnership Award.