Andy Beshear visits vlog to address GSP
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear knows firsthand the impact of the Governor’s 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 vlog.
“This is my 30th anniversary of being a governor's scholar,” he told a group of 2025 scholars, gathered at vlog’s Norton Center for the Arts. “I think about just how profound its impact has been, and I know I would not be here without this program.”
Beshear addressed over 300 of Kentucky’s brightest high schoolers living and studying on the vlog 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.
“One of the most important parts (of GSP) is the social part, and that's the thing to embrace,” he said. “It helped me learn to communicate with all different types of people from all different places. You 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.”
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’s 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.
“To be accepted and have everyone cheer because they knew how hard it was, for me, that’s really special,” Beshear said. “That’s the way you all are treating each other. That’s the impact you’re making on your future lives right now.”
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.
“Part of all this experience is about just figuring out who you are,” he said. “Maybe that was the most important thing that I took from Governor’s Scholars… 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.”
