Murray State University to host KY Governor's Scholars Program

The Messenger 07.15.09
Murray (Ky.) State University has been selected to be one of three host campuses for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP) for the years 2010 through 2012.
A competitive bid process, which is open to all public and private universities throughout the state, is used to select the host schools.
The Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program was established in 1983, with the mission of enhancing the next generation of civic and economic leaders, along with creating models of educational excellence for teachers and students. The program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program and a full co-curricular and residential life experience.
Students apply for GSP and compete with others from across the state for a select number of slots. Those chosen attend the program free of charge.
“We are honored to be selected as a host campus for the GPS program and feel that our university community offers young scholars a chance to experience campus living in a productive and inviting learning environment, including small class sizes and engaging programs led by some of the finest teachers and scholars in the country,” MSU President Dr. Randy Dunn said.
Dr. Warren Edminster, director of MSU’s Honors Program and the Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA), gives particular credit to Murray’s colleges of education and humanities and fine arts, as well as the housing office and food services for assisting in the crafting of an attractive and competitive proposal.
“Serving as a GSP host campus is an honor and one that will pay dividends for the university,” Edminster said. “As with MSU’s own Commonwealth Honors Academy, hosting the Governor’s Scholars brings a substantial prestige from across the state.”
Studies show that familiarity with a campus is a key factor in a student’s choice of universities. Hosting GPS means about 400 of Kentucky’s highest achieving students will spend five weeks on Murray State’s campus, which is important in student recruitment.
“We would expect to see a corresponding increase in the number of Governor’s Scholars who choose MSU for their educations,” Edminster added.
Edminster is quick to assure high school students that because MSU will host GPS, it does not mean a reduction in support for the university’s Commonwealth Honors Academy. GPS and CHA are substantially different and complement each other. CHA draws students from Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, while GSP serves Kentucky students only. And, while the Governor’s Scholars contract is for three years, the Commonwealth Honors Academy is an ongoing dedicated Murray State program.
For additional information on the Governor’s Scholars Program, go online to www.kygsp.org.
Information on Murray State’s Commonwealth Honors Academy can be found at www.murraystate.edu/cha.

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