RELEASED: July 17, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—The Governor's Scholars Program at Centre was Simpsonville, Ky., junior Crystal Mounce's first time away from home for more than a few nights. And like scholars in this year's GSP class, it was also her first chance for a little freedom.

But GSP did more for Mounce, who attended GSP at Centre in 2000, than take her away from home and grant her a taste of freedom—it changed her way of thinking.

"[GSP] opened my eyes to more possibilities that existed. Coming to GSP brought me outside my bubble. It taught me to respect other people and their views and beliefs," Mounce said.

Before the program, she'd never considered attending a tight-knit school like Centre, but at GSP Mounce found she liked the close relationship the professors and students shared. That type of community was what she was looking for in a college.

"I'd never considered coming to a school like Centre. [But after GSP] I told my parents I'm either going to Centre or I'm not going."

The biochemistry and molecular biology major is back at GSP this summer, working in the administrative office and teaching a seminar with 18 scholars.

Mounce enjoys the program because it gives the scholars "the opportunity to know its OK to think, meet other people like themselves and be proud of what they can do."

She encourages the scholars to not "limit themselves" or "doubt their ability."

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