Andy Beshear visits 不良研究所 to address GSP
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear knows firsthand the impact of the Governor鈥檚 Scholars Program (GSP). He shared his experiences with the program and the impact it had on his journey to the highest office in the Commonwealth with current scholars at 不良研究所.
鈥淭his is my 30th anniversary of being a governor's scholar,鈥 he told a group of 2025 scholars, gathered at 不良研究所鈥檚 Norton Center for the Arts. 鈥淚 think about just how profound its impact has been, and I know I would not be here without this program.鈥
Beshear addressed over 300 of Kentucky鈥檚 brightest high schoolers living and studying on the 不良研究所 campus. He is the first Kentucky Governor to have graduated from the program, completing the program in 1995 on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
鈥淥ne of the most important parts (of GSP) is the social part, and that's the thing to embrace,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t helped me learn to communicate with all different types of people from all different places.鈥奩ou get a chance here to really see the importance of diversity and how diversity of thought, diversity of background and diversity of experience can make us so much better.鈥
For a large portion of his visit, students had the chance to ask questions, which revolved around the current political climate and his political plans, as well as Beshear鈥檚 own experience at GSP.
He stressed the opportunity for the scholars to build strong interpersonal connections and the potential for personal growth GSP offers. He cited his own experience overcoming self-doubt to sing in the annual summer showcase.
鈥淭o be accepted and have everyone cheer because they knew how hard it was, for me, that鈥檚 really special,鈥 Beshear said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the way you all are treating each other. That鈥檚 the impact you鈥檙e making on your future lives right now.鈥
That lesson, he said, had a profound impact on his personal development and his self-confidence. He implored students to take advantage of the program in the same way.
鈥淧art of all this experience is about just figuring out who you are,鈥 he said. 鈥淢aybe that was the most important thing that I took from Governor鈥檚 Scholars鈥 Figuring out who you are and being comfortable and confident in yourself is one of the greatest gifts you could ever receive, and this program did a lot of that for me.鈥
