WKU News

Seven students at The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU) have been offered nationally-competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarships for immersive, critical language study this summer. This marks the 13^th consecutive year for Gatton Academy students to receive the scholarship.

NSLI-Y scholarships from the U.S. Department of State fund students for six to eight weeks of immersive summer study abroad during which participants take intensive critical language courses, live with a host family, and visit sites of cultural significance in their host nation.

The Gatton Academy is home to special language tracks in Mandarin Chinese and Russian called STEM + Critical Languages. These programs have been nationally recognized by the America’s Languages Guide and are carried out in partnership with the WKU Department of Modern Languages. Through these optional curricular tracks, students pair progressively rigorous critical language study each semester with the classic STEM curriculum offered to all Gatton Academy students.

This summer’s recipients are noted below with their sending schools:

Desmond Harris (’23, Ballard HS) will continue Russian study this summer in Daugavpils, Latvia.

Mason Hartlage (’24, Highlands Latin School) will continue Russian study this summer in Narva, Estonia.

Caden Lucas (’23, Breckinridge County HS) will study Arabic in Rabat, Morocco.

Quinn Miller (’23, Hopkinsville HS) was accepted to the academic year program in Kaohsiung, Taiwan to continue studying Chinese but will instead attend the Air Force Academy in the fall.

Alex Minter (’23, Bowling Green HS) will continue Arabic study this summer in Amman, Jordan.

Jayne Thompson (’24, Spencer County HS) will continue Chinese study this summer in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Zachary Vandermolen (’24, Glasgow HS) will continue Chinese study this summer in Taipei, Taiwan.

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.