Bowling Green, Kentucky - WKU Libraries announces its 8^th electronic journal, Sierpinski’s Square, offered on the TopSCHOLAR® platform (http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijfcn/) – WKU’s scholarly research and creative activity database. Sierpinski’s Square – A humanities journal for Gatton Academy students – is now officially online with open access to the world.

Founded in the spring of 2015 by Gatton Academy students Courtney George (’15) and Hayden Justice (’16), Sierpinski’s Square was created to provide a forum for profound written analyses within the humanities. Assistant Director for Academic Services Derick Strode said the journal found new life last academic year under an editorial board of twelve students with student editor Rhiannon Connor leading the efforts. According to Strode, Todd Seguin, Scholarly Communication Specialist at WKU Libraries, was instrumental in getting the journal placed on TopSCHOLAR®. “Todd worked closely with Rhiannon to get the inaugural journal set up and published,” said Strode. “While The Gatton Academy has been renowned for its successes in preparing students for STEM careers, our students are also talented and thrive in the humanities too.  Having our own humanities journal is a way for our students to showcase their scholarly and creative works in literary analyses, fiction, poetry, creative essays, visual arts, and other creative forms.  The Gatton Academy is proud to have students showcase the diversity of their talents.”

Former Editor Rhiannon Connor says Sierpinski’s Square is one of her most rewarding projects from her time at Gatton. “The journal represents to me the inherent creative expression and ability among Gatton's student body - an ability that is not mutually exclusive with students' commitment to STEM fields,” said Connor. “The arts, humanities, social sciences, and creativity are not side hobbies, lesser expressions, or outputs of the student body less worthy of consideration than any STEM-related pursuit. The Gatton Academy is a space designed for full immersion in the sciences. My aim in reviving Sierpinski's Squarewas to show that this full immersion can be pursued and experienced by students without feeling the need to abandon or refine their creative identity and interests.” Connor also credits Seguin for his expertise. “The journal’s publications would not be possible without the never-ending help of Todd Seguin, my partner in leading the journal from WKU Libraries, and the dedicated work of the 2016-17 Editorial Board.” 

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky is a residential program on the campus of Western Kentucky University for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  Students take college classes, engage in faculty-led research, and have the ability to study abroad.

The call for submissions will go out to current Gatton Academy students in the fall of 2017. Go to http://www.wku.edu/academy/student_life/sierpinskis_square/index.php for more information about the journal. 

For more information about TopSCHOLAR® go to http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ or contact Todd Seguin, Scholarly Communication Specialist, at 270-745-6160.