Murray State chosen as host site for Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program
By 伦片无码丰满午夜 Public Relations | Jul 2, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Murray State University has been selected as a host site for the Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program (GSP) during the summers of 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors as part of an effort to enhance Kentucky's next generation of civic and economic leaders. Established in 1983, the program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program with full co-curricular and residential life experiences. Students must complete an application and compete with others from across the state. Those selected attend the program free of charge.
The first class numbered 230 and was housed on one college campus. Since then, the program has enjoyed excellent support and grown to more than 1,000 students on three campuses. Murray State University Assistant Provost and Director of Online Learning Ashley Ireland, who spearheaded the leadership team in Murray State鈥檚 proposal to host GSP for the next three years, expects to welcome about 350 scholars each summer to Murray State鈥檚 campus.
The core curriculum for the summer sessions is threefold:
Focus Area: Courses that allow a student to pursue a topic in-depth as a member of a small group stressing the development of ideas in the chosen discipline, with the option of additional independent study.
General Studies: Classes that emphasize inquiry, service-learning, community leadership and resolution development.
Seminar: Personal development seminars that stress concerns and problems faced by students, including such subjects as values clarification, career choice and interpersonal relationships.
Faculty and staff who are part of the program also invite a variety of speakers and performers from a range of disciplines and pursuits to visit campus. Field trips, special events and a film series also contribute to the comprehensive educational atmosphere in which scholars are challenged not only to examine, but, more importantly, to nurture their sense of learning and leadership.
鈥淢urray State is proud to host Governor's Scholars on our lovely campus this summer, and for the next three years,鈥� said Ireland. 鈥淭his prestigious program brings some of Kentucky's best and brightest rising senior high school students to the Finest Place We Know for several weeks each summer. We hope this long standing relationship continues into the next decade and beyond.鈥�
Murray State first hosted the Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program in the 1980s.
Murray State is also hosting GSP this summer, as 347 scholars from 117 Kentucky counties moved in on June 22. The rising high school seniors will study on Murray State鈥檚 campus through July 26.
Dr. Melony Shemberger, professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University, is serving her third summer as campus director of GSP-Murray. She has been involved with the GSP since 2017 when she started as a faculty member in the program.
鈥淚 am excited to have the magic of the Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program at Murray State University again this summer,鈥� Shemberger said. 鈥淭hese students are bright, kind and energetic. I am eager to see the scholars work together to build a positive learning and living community. These students already are leaders in their schools and communities, but I am confident that they will shine as the next economic and civic leaders of Kentucky.鈥�
Three other University faculty members are working in GSP this summer as faculty: Professor of Voice Dr. Tana Field-Bartholomew, Professor of Agronomy Dr. Iin Handayani and Professor and Graduate Program Director of Journalism and Mass Communications Dr. Bella Ezumah.