For Immediate Release
April 12, 2006

Contacts : Julie Dudley, jdudley@ditd.org
775-852-3483 ext. 424
 

Governor Guinn Appoints Board for Nation’s First Academy for Profoundly Gifted Students at University of Nevada, Reno

Davidson Academy of Nevada, Serving Middle and High School Students, to Open Aug. 28

(Reno, Nev.) – Governor Kenny Guinn has appointed the final three members of the governing board for The Davidson Academy of Nevada, the first public school for profoundly gifted students of its kind in the nation, which will be located on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

The Davidson Academy’s governing board is comprised of nine members:

Appointed by the Governor

·         Richard Bryan, former U.S. Senator and an alumnus of the University

·         Bruce James, Public Printer of the United States

·         Annette Whittemore, co-founder of the National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Institute in Nevada and an alumna of the University

Appointed by the Operating Entity, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development

·         Bob Davidson, co-founder of The Davidson Academy of Nevada

·         Jan Davidson, co-founder of The Davidson Academy of Nevada

·         Brian Krolicki, State of Nevada Treasurer

·         Mark Herron, president of the Davidson Group

Ex-Officio Members

·         Joe Crowley, Interim President of the University of Nevada, Reno

·         Keith Rheault, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Nevada

“I was pleased to sign Senate Bill 461 at the end of the 2005 Nevada State Legislative Session, which established the criteria for this new public, university school for profoundly gifted pupils,” said Guinn. “The creation of The Davidson Academy gives the state of Nevada the opportunity to be known nationwide as a place where students can develop their intellect in a way that has never been offered before.”

The Davidson Academy of Nevada (www.DavidsonAcademy.UNR.edu) will open August 28, 2006 with more than 30 profoundly intelligent middle- and high-school level students – many are moving to northern Nevada with their families.  Davidson Academy students will be able to accelerate through the required middle- and high-school curriculum at a pace appropriate to their abilities and motivation until they become fully matriculated into the University through accelerated course options. Many of them will then proceed through undergraduate and graduate coursework at an advanced pace as they meet the appropriate prerequisites.

“We are very pleased with the Governor’s choices for The Davidson Academy’s Governing Board,” said Jan Davidson.  “The members share our vision and will provide valuable guidance to lead the Academy and its students.”

Approximately half of the 3 million gifted students in the United States are underachieving because they are not challenged by their school curriculum, and up to 20 percent of high school dropouts test in the gifted range, according to the Handbook of Gifted Education.  Based on these statistics, educational software entrepreneurs Bob and Jan Davidson founded the Davidson Institute for Talent Development and are continuing to fulfill their mission to serve the nation’s brightest students by opening The Davidson Academy of Nevada.  Their former company, Davidson & Associates, was known for the popular Math Blaster™ and Reading Blaster™ software series.

“Few of our brightest students have access to an educational program commensurate with their advanced abilities,” said Bob Davidson. “By opening The Davidson Academy, Jan and I are doing what we can to maintain and support our nation’s position in the global economy by nurturing America’s brightest young minds – these students will be key in moving our state and nation forward with their talents and innovations.”

Based in Reno, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development is a nonprofit foundation founded in 1999 by Bob and Jan Davidson.  In 2004, the Davidsons co-authored Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds, published by Simon & Schuster.  For more information, please visit www.Davidson-Institute.org; for information about Genius Denied, as well as federal and state gifted education policies, please visit www.GeniusDenied.com.

The Davidson Academy will be located on the second floor of the KNPB Channel 5 building on the UNR campus at 1670 North Virginia Street in Reno, Nev. until a permanent facility is constructed on the campus within the next few years.