WKU News

May 24, 2024 (Bowling Green, KY) – More than 180 academically talented students were honored at the Talent Identification Program of Kentucky (TIP-KY^SM) Recognition Ceremony today in the Van Meter Auditorium at Western Kentucky University. Approximately 400 students in grades 4 - 8 scored at high levels on above-level assessments.

Julia Roberts, executive director of The Center for Gifted Studies, and Dean David Brown, of the Odgen College of Science and Engineering, welcomed students and families to WKU. A special message from the Kentucky Department of Education was given by Gifted Education Program Consultant, Kathie Anderson. Brigitte Blom, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, provided the keynote address. Awardees were presented with a medal recognizing their accomplishments by Tyler Clark, Assistant Director of Operations of The Center for Gifted Studies. Following the ceremony, all students and attending guests were invited to a reception outside of Van Meter Hall.

“The Center for Gifted Studies has been engaged in a talent search for a long time, and now it is our pleasure to fill the void created by the closure of Duke TIP with TIP-KY,” said Roberts. “We congratulate the young people who were honored at the TIP-KY Recognition Ceremony.”

The Center for Gifted Studies would like to sincerely thank the many educators, students, families, and individuals who have made the Talent Identification Program of Kentucky a reality. The ceremony reflects individuals from a pool of approximately 1,500 participants from across Kentucky and surrounding states.

What is TIP-KY?

The Talent Identification Program of Kentucky (TIP-KY) offers above-level testing to assess where students are academically in order for educators and families to guide students to relevant resources, appropriate enrichment programming, and other services that will challenge and encourage growth. Learn more at wku.edu/tipky.

What is Above-Level Testing?

Above-level testing involves giving a younger student a test that was developed for older students. Through TIP-KY, eligible students in grades 4 - 6 can take I-Excel, a test designed for 8th graders. Teachers can arrange to test a group of students at their own school by registering for testing. Eligible students in grades 7 - 8 can take the ACT, a test designed for college-bound high school juniors and seniors.

For more information about the ceremony or TIP-KY, please contact Jennifer Wilson, Program Coordinator for TIP-KY, at jennifer.wilson@wku.edu or 270-745-2742.