Governor Roy Cooper Goes to Governor's School West at Greensboro College Sitting; Governor Pays First-Ever Visit to the College

by Matthew Johnson

Greensboro, NC (07/16/2024) — GREENSBORO, NC (July 16, 2024) - Hundreds of the most academically talented North Carolina high school students earned high marks from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper during his visit to the Governor's School west campus at Greensboro College today. Governor Cooper's visit is the first time he has visited a Governor's School West campus. It is also a historically significant event for Greensboro College as he becomes the first sitting governor to visit the campus in the 186-year history of the college. (Click here for photos and videos available for media use.)

The Governor was joined by Greensboro College President Dr. Lawrence Czarda, representatives from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Board, US Congresswoman Kathy Manning (D-NC 6th District), Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn, County Board Chair Melvin "Skip" Alston, Vice-Chair Alan Duncan, and several other officials in recognizing the students as future leaders with both bright minds and bright futures.

Governor Cooper's visit to Greensboro College comes as he is visiting locations throughout the state to reinforce the state's commitment to a quality education for all students. "The Governor's School, for more than 60 years, has created leaders in our state," said Cooper as he addressed the talented students and their Governor's School teachers. "This is a place where young leaders, innovators and creators are born. It's a place where smart young people get the nurturing from teachers and peers that shapes them into the difference makers of tomorrow. We're delighted that Greensboro College is our host for Governor's School west, it's such a wonderful thing to find a home in this part of the state for our students."

According to Czarda, Greensboro College will continue to serve as the west campus host for the North Carolina Governor's School for the foreseeable future. "Governor Cooper's visit puts a capstone on what has been a tremendous summer of learning for the hundreds of gifted high school students and faculty who have called Greensboro College home this summer," said Czarda. "The Governor's School program and Greensboro College have a like-minded interest in developing the gifts and talents of students and welcoming the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders. It's our mutual commitment to provide that welcoming environment at Greensboro College for years to come."

The North Carolina Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for high-achieving students from throughout the state. Former Governor Terry Sanford founded the Governor's School of North Carolina in 1963. The program, which does not involve credit, tests, or grades, is the oldest statewide summer residential program for talented and motivated high school students in the nation.

"Spending just a few minutes at beautiful Greensboro College makes me wish I was in high school," suggested North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Board Chair Eric Davis. "On behalf of the state board of education, I'm delighted to share how much we believe in these students and how proud of the chosen few that were carefully selected from more than 1.5 million public schools, and other schools, students across the state. There are thousands of students in North Carolina who have talents, ambitions, and skills and they deserve to have a Governor's School experience. The Governor's School is one of the many success stories that are occurring every day in every public school across the state of North Carolina and our students deserve a fully funded education with complete devotion and commitment."

Each North Carolina school system, charter school, and private school is allotted a certain number of nominations based on its 10th- and 11th-grade populations. There are 10 specialization areas for nomination: English, Spanish, mathematics, natural sciences, social science, art, choral music, instrumental music, theater, and dance. In 2024, there were over 1900 applications with approximately 800 students selected and assigned to Governor's School East (Meredith College in Raleigh) and West.

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal arts program and six master's degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 19-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities. Learn more at greensboro.edu.

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