The Academy will be housed in the newly renovated Schneider Hall.

BOWLING GREEN, KY. ---Currently, Kentucky ranks 47th in the nation in the number of scientist and engineers. With the collapse of Kentucky’s manufacturing base during the 1980’s and 1990’s, the state has yet to recover and move forward toward a new economic base. Without engineers and scientists, Kentucky will be hard pressed to compete with surrounding states for the better paying jobs of the 21st Century.

Enter C.M. “Bill” Gatton and $4 million dollars. In August of this year, Mr. Gatton presented Western Kentucky University a gift of $4 million dollars to establish the Academy of Mathematics and Science. The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science .www.wku.edu/academy opened in late August with an enrollment of 120 of Kentucky’s most gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors.

According to WKU President Gary Ransdell, “This residential program selects the state’s brightest students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s most exceptional young minds to learn in a rigorous intellectual environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. We are truly grateful to Mr. Gatton for his leadership support.”

Mr. Gatton is a successful businessman from Bristol, Tenn. with a close family relationship to Kentucky. A Kentucky native, he was raised on a farm on the Muhlenberg-McLean County line, on land that was settled by his grandfather in the mid-1800s.

“I like to support education,” Mr. Gatton explained, “and since I am a native of Kentucky, I am pleased to be supporting this new program. The subjects of math and science are so important, and the Academy will provide in-depth training in these programs for Kentucky high school students. The long range results of this educational process should help to improve the Kentucky economy and enhance living standards of all its citizens.”

The inaugural class of the Academy started this fall. A total of 120 students from 62 school districts are enrolled in the Academy (See map). They will engage in classes and research to further their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, students will live on campus and take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, these students will earn 60 college credits while also obtaining a high school diploma.

Kentucky is the 14th state to have a residential school with a focus on mathematics and science that is funded in part by the state. Kentucky is the only state that has received a leadership gift to name such an academy.
    
Tim Gott, Director of the Academy, oversees day-to-day operations summed up how this new educational center would impact the state.

“Our primary goals are (1) to provide an appropriately challenging education experience for students who excel in and have a passion for math and science, and (2) to have an economic impact on the Commonwealth. Along with these defined goals, we hope to help students develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well as to help them develop positive relationships. As we focus on the whole child in an academically accelerated arena, we hope to see these young men and women become well rounded and successful in their life pursuits".