WKU News

Can you imagine living in a building with 200 teenagers? That’s the reality for Beth Hawke, Assistant Director for Residential Life at The Gatton Academy.

She’s been there since Gatton first opened in 2007 and says there’s never a dull moment.

WKU’s Amy Bingham has more in this week’s View from the Hill.

“It’s been a really unique opportunity to get to build something from the ground up.”

For more than 15 years, Beth Hawke has lived and worked at The Gatton Academy managing the residential side of the program.

“Sometimes I’m the warden, sometimes I’m the parent, sometimes, you know, I’m just Beth.”

“We run the gamut of throwing prom every year to dealing with breakups and everything else that comes along with being a teenager.”

For 10 of those years, Beth has had a sidekick, Daisy.

“I’m a pretty introverted person but I have the most extroverted dog ever.”

“She loves everybody. The more people around her the better.”

Beth and Daisy have helped lots of Gatton students navigate the highs and lows of life.

“Anytime you’re dealing with almost 200 families, you are taking on 200 different family situations, so, you know, there’s cancer diagnosis, grandparents pass away, occasionally a parent passing away.”

Beth oversaw the relocation of students to Bates Runner in 2015 with the 15-month expansion of Gatton.

Then in 2020, she helped usher students through the worldwide pandemic.

“I kind of looked at it from the standpoint that there’s no playbook for this.”

She’s also been here for the numerous accolades bestowed on Gatton.

“Back in 2012, 2013 and 2014 we were Newsweek’s number one high school in America.”

A huge honor but Beth says what really impresses students is the family atmosphere that, for the time being, includes Beth and Daisy.

“I know at some point when I can no longer connect with kids that it will be time to go, so far that hasn’t happened.”

Beth Hawke has been on numerous study abroad trips with Gatton students including Greece, Harlaxton and Costa Rica.