By Rebecca Feldhaus
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-910841.mp3
Murray, KY – Every summer a class of newly graduated high school seniors prepares to attend the college of their choice. In 1983 Kentucky lawmakers saw a frightening trend that more outstanding Kentucky high school graduates were seeking collegiate experiences outside the state, than in the Bluegrass. Their answer to this dilemma: Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program.
This is the first year Murray State University has hosted the prestigious program since 1992.
John Darnell is now a faculty member on the Murray State campus of the 2010 GSP session. It's fair to say he's come full circle. Darnell began as a scholar in 2001 and then became a Resident Adviser for two consecutive summers, beginning in 2004. That's where he met his wife, Megan. After a few years of marriage, a graduate degree and adding a 20-month-old son, Aiden, to his family he applied to be a faculty member in 2009. Now teaching at Dunbar high school in Lexington, Darnell explains why he keeps coming back.
"To have the freedom to be able to talk about stuff you normally wouldn't be able to talk with and have an intellectual conversation with people you're not used to talking with, I think that was really important."
The five-week program seeks out quote, "The best and brightest" students in Kentucky. With a premium ACT score, a recommendation from their high school and a thoughtfully written application, students go through rounds of judging. Should they be selected as a Governor's Scholar, most in-state schools, both private and public, give considerable scholarships. GSP is completely state-funded, with no cost to students.
Once accepted, students choose a focus area such a Psychology and History and then are randomly assigned a general studies course. Because of GSP, 349 students familiarize themselves with a campus many would not see elsewhere. The program succeeds in attracting students from high schools across the state. Director of Murray State's Honors Program Warren Edminster says GSP is a valuable asset to the university's draw.
"These are hard working students, high promise and high potential students, and every university wants those students on campus and we want them on our campus. And they will at least consider Murray State more favorably if they've actually had a chance to be on campus and know something about campus."
Edminster was one of the people who worked on the bid for GSP to come to MSU. He likens the experience to that of a contractor. The business, or in this case university, with the lowest bid accompanied by a trustworthy history will get the job. This year Centre College in Danville and Bellarmine University in Louisville share the GSP name with Murray State. 2010 is the first in a three year contract with GSP. Scholar Caleb Sheehan from Harrodsburg says he's glad he's at this particular campus.
"I hadn't really heard of them, they're pretty far off from where I live and it's usually Louisville or UK sometimes Western, but Murray State's really nice, I like it."
This is music to the ears of administrators like Murray State Chief of Staff Josh Jacobs. He says the next three years offer a number of benefits shared between the university and the state-run program. Jacobs explains.
"The Murray State experience, which our students love during the whole academic year, we get to share that experience with this group of students. So we view this as a recruitment opportunity but also a service to the commonwealth, to provide these students with an educational opportunity over the summer."
The program is funded by state government grants which cover expenses like housing, utilities, meal plans for faculty and students and library and wellness center access. MSU's bid came in at a total of $324,000. Warren Edminster says, though there's more to the program then income and exposure for the University.
"Murray State historically has this mission to reach out and serve the surrounding communities - to serve as vehicle for inspiring students, helping them to engage in the surrounding communities, to make those societies and communities better places to live. This is also pretty much the mission of the Governor's Scholars."
The Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program at Murray State continues for four more weeks. Scholars bid farewell on July 30th.