May 13, 2025

Bill Gatton Foundation Donates $5.25 Million to Gatton Academy

News Summary

The Bill Gatton Foundation has donated $5.25 million to the Gatton Academy to enhance student opportunities, including expanding the study abroad program and supporting research projects. The contribution aims to provide valuable educational experiences for students from diverse backgrounds. As the academy welcomes its new cohort, it also grapples with the tragic loss of a student, highlighting the dual nature of both celebration and mourning within the Gatton Academy community.

Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bill Gatton Foundation has made a significant contribution to the Gatton Academy for Mathematics and Science, donating $5.25 million aimed at enhancing student opportunities. The donation was announced just before the academy’s graduation ceremony, marking a pivotal moment for the institution and its students.

This generous gift is intended to expand funding for student experiences at the Gatton Academy, which provides Kentucky high school juniors and seniors with the unique opportunity to take college-level courses and engage in research alongside faculty mentors. The foundation anticipates that this funding will significantly enhance educational offerings and support for students enrolled in the academy.

The impact of the donation will be notably felt in the academy’s study abroad program, which is set to double the number of available opportunities from 11 this year to 22 by the 2025-2026 academic year. According to the academy’s leadership, this advancement will allow more students to gain international experience and further their academic pursuits.

Western Kentucky University’s president highlighted the importance of the donation, indicating that these funds will be instrumental in helping students from various economic backgrounds access valuable educational opportunities. The foundation has also contributed an additional $250,000 to the Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund, which focuses on supporting students as they transition from high school to college.

In light of the new funding, Gatton Academy’s Executive Director reported that the number of students supported for research projects will increase from 11 to 22, a move that reflects the foundation’s commitment to enhancing the educational experience and fostering academic success among students.

This year, the Gatton Academy welcomed the Class of 2027, comprised of 98 students selected from 47 counties across Kentucky. Selection criteria included a comprehensive review of academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal interviews. Among the newly admitted students are participants from Leslie County and the first-ever students from Caldwell, Casey, Garrard, and Green Counties.

Students admitted to the Gatton Academy will live in Florence Schneider Hall at Western Kentucky University during their program. The rigorous curriculum allows them to earn at least 60 college credit hours, culminating in an Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from WKU upon graduation.

In a solemn note this week, the Gatton Academy faced the tragic news of a 17-year-old student who drowned in Barren River while swimming with friends. Search efforts, which involved multiple agencies including the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and local fire departments, continued for three days before the student’s body was found in waters nearly 17 feet deep near a low-head dam. The academy expressed its condolences to the family during this sorrowful time.

This contrast between celebration and mourning underscores the challenges and triumphs faced by students within the Gatton Academy community. As the institution moves forward with the support of the Bill Gatton Foundation, it remains committed to providing valuable educational experiences that can transform students’ lives, both academically and personally.

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