RELEASED: June 16, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—It’s a Centre College tradition and a sure sign of summer. Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the Governor’s Scholars will descend on the Centre campus this week.

From June 26 to July 30, 420 of Kentucky’s outstanding rising high school seniors will participate in five weeks of intellectual and social exploration.

Now in its 23rd year (its 22nd year on Centre’s campus), the Governor’s Scholars Program mixes a busy academic schedule in the sciences, mathematics and humanities with a full enrichment and residential-life experience. The subject matter ranges from cultural anthropology to physical science to non-traditional subjects. In the past, urban myths (“alligators in the sewers”), Ukrainian dance, puppet-making and Japanese children's games have been among the creative offerings taught at the GSP.

International studies will be the focus of this year’s program. Many of the GSP faculty, staff and resident assistants have had experience teaching, studying and living overseas in countries such as Russia, Nigeria and Vietnam.

Among the special features for this year’s program are the opening convocation lecture by cross-Atlantic rower and Kentucky native Tori Murden-McClure; International Day; and an Explore Kentucky day, during which scholars visit regions in the Commonwealth that may be distinctly different than their hometowns. Scholars will also get a chance to check out other Kentucky colleges and universities at an on-campus college fair.

“Centre has been involved with the Governor’s Scholars Program since its inception,” says Centre President John Roush. “The program reflects the College’s engaging approach to the liberal arts and sciences—small classes and one-to-one interaction with outstanding teachers/scholars. It’s what we do best.”

The program, which began in 1983 on Centre’s campus, has grown to more than 1,100 students each summer on the three GSP campuses including Centre, Eastern Kentucky University and Bellarmine University.

This year’s program includes 21 faculty members, who are drawn competitively from colleges, universities and high schools in Kentucky and across the nation. The eight office staff members and 23 resident assistants, many of them former Governor’s Scholars, are students at a variety of colleges and universities, including Centre, Johns Hopkins, the University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt, among others.

Clarence Wyatt, Pottinger Associate Professor of History and special assistant to the president at Centre, will serve as the campus director of GSP. Patrick Noltemeyer, director of Greek life at Centre, is director of scholars.

These are just a few photos from last year’s program. For more photos visit http://www.centre.edu/web/photos/gsp/2005/2005.html

For more Governor's Scholars news:
Jamming, canning and churning with GSP Full story.

Congressman Chandler announces internships for Centre students Full story.

Ed McClanahan holds court with Governor’s Scholars July 14, 2005 Full story.

GSP scholars dig Shaker history July 7, 2005 Full story.
From Frisbees to fish, Governor’s Scholars are catching it all June 30, 2005 Full story.
Governor’s Scholars flock back to Centre campus June 23, 2005 Full story.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.

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