Governor's Scholars Program marks 42 years with 1,055 Kentucky high school seniors

This program has been ongoing for over 40 years

(Story Courtesy of Kentucky Today)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – This summer, 1,055 outstanding high school seniors from across the state completed the 42^nd Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP), which was held at three college campuses.

For more than four decades, the residential program has focused on enhancing Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders through educational and career opportunities at college campuses across the state.

Gov. Andy Beshear, a GSP alumnus from 1995, congratulated the scholars on their achievements. “I believe building a better Kentucky starts with our youth and I am so proud of the students who completed this summer’s Governor’s Scholars Program. I can attest to the academic, social and personal value of GSP and the tremendous impact it made on me then and now.”

An agency of the Education and Labor Cabinet, GSP is a five-week residential summer program with staggered starting dates at three Kentucky college campuses. The 2024 program at Centre College ran from June 16 - July 20, at Morehead State University from June 22 - July 26 and at Murray State University from June 23 - July 27. Including the Class of 2024, more than 37,000 students have completed the program.

The 2024 Governor’s Scholars took classes in 25 subjects areas including biological and environmental issues, healthcare industry, creative writing and literary studies, philosophy, agribusiness and engineering. They also attended general studies classes to balance the scientific and humanistic fields of study, as well as a leadership seminar on themes related to their age group as they continue their path to personal and professional success.

To participate in the highly competitive program, a statewide selection committee chose well-rounded participants based upon nominations submitted by each Kentucky school district and home school. Selection criteria is based upon academic records and test scores, teacher and community recommendations, extracurricular and service activities, honors and awards and a writing entry. There is no cost to students selected to participate in the program.

GSP is not a scholarship program, but many scholarship opportunities are offered by Kentucky colleges and universities to students who have completed the five-week program.

To learn more about the Governor’s Scholars Program, visit gsp.ky.gov.