A Grayson County High School alum is one of 18 Western Kentucky University students who earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the March 2024 application cycle, more than any other college or university in Kentucky.
Nathan Meredith, of Clarkson, a biology and psychological science double major with a minor in neuroscience, earned the scholarship to study abroad in New Zealand during the spring 2025 semester.
“My end goal is to teach biology at the high school level,” Meredith said after being awarded the Cherry Presidential Scholarship. “After college, I hope to eventually return to the very public school classrooms that raised me, and start my own teaching career.”
He is the son of Greg and Sarah Meredith and graduated from GCHS in 2021.
The Gilman Scholarship broadens the student population that studies or interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The 18 recipients in this application cycle earned scholarships totaling $68,000 with an average award amount of $3,700.
Of those who worked with the Office of Scholar Development, 49 percent of WKU applicants were named recipients. The average national selection rate for the Gilman Scholarship over the past five years is 25.8 percent.
Recipients of the award represent the diversity of WKU: 100 percent are Pell Grant-eligible students, 50 percent are first-generation college students, 33 percent are students of color, and 11 percent are enrolled at one of WKU’s regional campuses.
All of the students recognized worked with Lindsey Houchin and Will Randolph in the Office of Scholar Development at WKU to prepare their Gilman applications and with advisors in the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning to find the best study abroad program to fit their goals.
(Photo: Nathan Meredith, courtesy of Facebook)
By WKU News and Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
