CONTACT: Carl Nathe, (859) 257-1754
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UK's Gatton College Launches Global Scholars Program
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2006) – For young people interested in pursuing a career in business, it's no longer a choice as to whether you choose to compete in a global environment, it's a must. With this in mind, the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics will welcome its first class of Global Scholars during a special ceremony and reception on Saturday, Aug. 19.
A part of Gatton's Project Destiny initiative, this first class of Global Scholars is comprised of 31 exceptional first-year students who are seeking to develop their professional acumen and leadership skills. The selective admission criteria utilized in the program includes an ACT score of 28 or higher (or SAT score of 1240 or higher) and an un-weighted high school grade point average of 3.6 or above.
Gretchen Price, a 1976 Gatton College graduate and member of the school's alumni hall of fame, will address the scholars, together with parents, faculty, and staff. Price has enjoyed a distinguished career with Procter & Gamble and serves as the global corporate giant's vice president for Go-To Market Reinvention.
Perhaps the single most important aspect of the four-year Global Scholars program is the requirement that all of the students will spend one semester abroad during their junior year studying with students from one of a growing list of UK's partner universities. "All of the Global Scholars will earn a minor in international business, in addition to their college major," said Suzanne Waldrop, director of Project Destiny.
"The Global Scholars program opens a new chapter in our college," said D. Sudharshan, dean of the Gatton College. "Traditionally, students are admitted into our academic majors at the completion of their sophomore year at UK. As Global Scholars, these students are eligible to enroll in specially designed courses that will challenge them to excel and expand their horizons."
The first class of Global Scholars will also hear from student speaker Rob Schenkenfelder, a senior from Louisville who serves as one of the Gatton College Ambassadors. Schenkenfelder will be studying in Vienna, Austria, this fall.
"The Global Scholars program is very exciting," said Schenkenfelder. "Immersive learning, leadership development opportunities, and a global perspective are all elements of this world-ready education."
More information on the Global Scholars program is available online at
http://gatton.uky.edu/GlobalScholars, or by calling (859) 257-0043.
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In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university, please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html