Arkansas Tech University welcomed almost 400 students to the 47th Arkansas Governor’s School during an opening ceremony at John E. Tucker Coliseum on Sunday, July 5.
“Since it started in 1980, Arkansas Governor’s School has challenged rising high school seniors to closely examine the world in which they live and figure out ways to make it better,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “We, at Arkansas Tech University, are proud to have you on our campus. We hope you enjoy your time here.”
The 47th Arkansas Governor’s School will be a four-week program that will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 1. All of the students are rising high school seniors from Arkansas.
The daily class schedule at AGS is based, in part, upon each student’s demonstrated aptitude in one of nine areas of specialization: choral music, instrumental music, drama, English/language arts, mathematics, natural science, social science, visual arts or a special track dedicated to the economy, natural resources and people of Arkansas.
Those nine disciplines constitute what is defined as AGS Area I. AGS Area II is a study of the nature of knowledge, while AGS Area III is focused on the personal and social development of students.
“Collectively, you are the future of the state of Arkansas,” said Jones while addressing the AGS Class of 2026 at the opening ceremony. “As such, there are several important questions I want you to consider during your time here with us. How must Arkansas evolve in the years to come in order to improve the standard of living for all Arkansans? What steps does Arkansas need to take in order to be at the forefront of the ever-changing technology revolution? And, perhaps the most challenging question, how do we advance, do these things and still remain true to the true nature of Arkansas while protecting our people, our natural resources and our natural beauty? Arkansas Governor’s School provides you with the opportunity to ask your own questions, discover possible answers with your fellow AGS students and think about the implications of these proposed solutions. These four weeks are a laboratory in which you will learn how to be problem solvers.”
Arkansas Governor’s School is supervised by the Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator with assistance from an advisory council appointed by the governor.
Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, ATU associate professor of geology, serves as director for AGS.
State Senator Breanne Davis of Russellville spoke at the opening ceremony. She encouraged the AGS Class of 2026 to move beyond the content served to them through social media algorithms and be present with their fellow students for these four weeks.
“I’ve learned, as I’ve gotten older in my 30s and 40s, to truly listen…to actively listen,” said Davis. “That’s led me to genuine friendships with people across the aisle that I truly care about. Their core values are very different than mine, but they are people that I love, value and appreciate. I hope during these next few weeks in your social time and free time outside of class that you don’t just mingle with people who think just like you and have the same interests that you do. Take the time to form relationships with others who may think differently from you. Listen actively and learn from them.”
Learn more about Arkansas Governor’s School at www.atu.edu/ags.
