WKU News

A Gatton Academy senior, alumnus and the school itself have earned awards at the 8th annual Tech Day in Kentucky.

Gatton Academy senior Vir D. Patel (center) poses with Rene Trué of ConnectKentucky (left) and Tom Ferree of Connected Nation after receiving the Secondary Student Technology Award at Tech Day in Kentucky 2015 at the Knicely Conference Center. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Senior Vir Patel earned the Secondary Student Technology Award, alumnusWilliam Roach-Barrette earned the Post-Secondary Student Technology Award, and The Gatton Academy earned the Secondary Educational Institution Technology Award along with the LaRue County Public Schools.

“It is an honor to have our students, alumni, and school recognized by Tech Day in Kentucky,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “Our remarkable students take advantage of the opportunities Western Kentucky University professors provide to develop expertise in computer science and to participate in related research.”

The Tech Day awards recognize businesses, students, educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies that are making a difference in advancing broadband technologies in the Commonwealth by exhibiting successful examples of improving broadband access, adoption, and use.

Tech Day in Kentucky, sponsored by ConnectKentucky in partnership with WKU’s Office of Research, provided a platform for technology leaders to share and promote the benefits of broadband technology in our government, schools, non-profits, libraries, businesses, communities and homes. This year’s event included updates regarding the Next Generation Kentucky Information Highway, Digital Works – Kentucky, distance learning in postsecondary education, as well as economic development efforts in in the public and private sectors.

Gatton Academy Director Lynette Breedlove poses with Rene Trué of ConnectKentucky after accepting the Secondary Educational Institution Technology Award presented by ConnectKentucky at Tech Day in Kentucky 2015 held March 24 at the Knicely Conference Center. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

“For Kentucky to prosper and thrive in the 21st century, it is essential that our economic and workforce development delivery systems fully embrace technology,” said René True, ConnectKentucky Executive Director. “Broadband technologies embedded in economic and workforce development systems will fully enable Kentucky citizens and business to effectively compete in the global economy.”

“The Gatton Academy is leading the way in computer programming as a school, and our students are excelling in computational problem solving as individuals,” said Dr. Julia Roberts, Executive Director of The Gatton Academy. “The school and individual students represent excellence in the STEM fields, including computer science.”

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential high school for gifted and talented junior 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 mathematical careers. The Gatton Academy has been named the number one public high school in the United States by The Daily Beast for three consecutive years – 2012, 2013 and 2014. For information, visitwww.wku.edu/academy or call (270) 745-2971.