KIRKSVILLE–Jacquelyn Potts, of Jefferson City, is one of almost 400 specially selected students nationwide participating in this summer’s Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars at Truman State University.
Potts, who will be in the eighth grade at Thomas Jefferson Middle School this fall, is the daughter of John and Kerie Potts, and the granddaughter of John Potts and Peggy Potts, both of Ava.
The Joseph Baldwin Academy is designed to enrich the learning process of young gifted and talented students by challenging them with a college curriculum. The scholars are nominated by their school’s principal or counselor from among students who will have completed the seventh, eighth or ninth grade by June 2010. This year’s 400 scholars were selected from 3,800 nominees on the basis of their formal application, school transcript, letter of recommendation and test scores in the top three percent on a nationally-normed achievement test, either the ACT, SAT or PSAT.
The academy is split into two three-week sessions each summer. The scholars are offered one three-week class from a list of courses. Each course is taught by a member of Truman’s faculty.
Potts elected to take Latin: The Words and Ways of Ancient Rome.
Truman students who served as preceptors for the courses also lived in the residence hall with the academy scholars. The preceptors were available to provide academic assistance and to help academy participants during structured activities and free time.
The Joseph Baldwin Academy was founded at Truman in 1985 to serve as a summer institute of academic preparation for gifted and talented young students nationwide. This mission complements the university’s role as the statewide public liberal arts and sciences university for Missouri. Since its year of inception, the academy has grown from a student body of 60 in four classes to more than 400 students in 21 classes.
Truman State University, located in Kirksville, has the highest graduation rate among Missouri public institutions. More than 50 percent of Truman’s graduates pursue an advanced degree immediately upon receiving the bachelor’s degree. The University enrolls approximately 5,800 students.
