Joseph Baldwin Academy - Truman State University

Welcome From The Dean

Welcome to the web site for the Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars. The summer of 2009 will mark our 25th year of JBA and we are excited to continue to offer an educational experience that will challenge and stimulate you academically.

On this site you will be able to find information on the Academy and the classes that we will be offering in 2009.

Purpose of the Academy

The Joseph Baldwin Academy offers highly talented students a head start on their future university careers by allowing them to spend three weeks as college freshmen: they move into a residence hall, adapt to living with a roommate, eat dorm food, make new friends, attend classes, and work with Truman State's faculty. We believe that many middle school and junior high students are not being challenged in the classroom in their home schools. The primary goal of the Academy is, and will always be, that our students leave with an increased appreciation for the pleasures of education, intellectual engagement, and the college experience. Along the way we expect that they will grow both academically and socially as they interact with other high-ability students from across the country.

Overview of the Academy

Truman State University created the Joseph Baldwin Academy in 1985 in order to provide the benefits of a liberal arts education to students beyond its own undergraduates. Since then the Academy has grown in size from 4 classes with 60 students to 20 classes with over 350 students in 2008. The Academy provides courses in all areas of the liberal arts, including the humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, and social sciences. All of the Academy's classes are challenging, for they are designed to be the approximate equivalent of a semester-long university course offered during the regular academic year. The faculty members of the Academy's classes structure their courses to suit the interests and abilities of the talented students who make up our student body. I have personally selected the JBA faculty members, choosing some of the most exceptional teacher-scholars among the Truman faculty.

Comments from 2008 Academy graduates:

Love it. Would do it all over again in a heart beat!

I learned a lot and can tell it will influence my decisions in the future.

I love JBA completely! I can’t properly describe how it feels to be surrounded by people like you yet so different and fun to be with. You can find mobs of people who understand you here. Those who are different are appreciated and any idea can be shared. At JBA anything feels possible. I hope JBA never ends, but most of all, I hope someone else has an experience just like mine. Go JBA!!

JBA is wonderful and the Writer’s Craft is by far the best class I’ve ever had.

I absolutely love JBA – the last 3 years have been amazing!

I can’t wait until I can be a preceptor at JBA!

JBA was the best experience of my life so far! Thank You!

Eligibility

Students who are currently enrolled in the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade may be nominated by their school counselor or principal if they rank in the 95th percentile of a normed exam (see Admissions on this site for details) Admissions. If you are a student who meets these requirements and would like to attend the Academy, but have not been nominated by your home school, please contact my assistant, Jana Morton.

Important Dates

All nominations from principals and counselors should be postmarked no later than October 3, 2008.

Students who need to take the ACT must register for the December 13, 2008 test no later than November 7, 2008.

Students who will be taking the SAT must register by November 5, 2008 and take the SAT on or before December 6, 2008 to qualify for JBA.

All student applications should be postmarked no later than November 17, 2008.

Feel free to contact my assistant, Jana Morton, with any questions that you may have at jmorton@truman.edu or (660)785-5406.

With warm regards,

Dr. Kevin Minch,
Associate Professor of Communications
Dean of the Joseph Baldwin Academy



	How are Students Nominated? Eligibility How to Apply Course Assignments Waiting Lists Attending Both Sessions Student Evaluations Frequently Asked Questions What Courses will be Offered at JBA? What Class should I take? Session I Course Descriptions Session II Course Descriptions Overview Co-Curricular Activities Daily Schedule Expectations for Student Conduct Virtual Tour of Campus Living On Campus Family Visits Administration Pro-Staff Preceptor Faculty Tuition and Other Costs Scholarships Payment Refund Policies Arrival Departure Travel Instructions Accommodations in Kirksville
	Welcome From The Dean Welcome to the web site for the Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars. The summer of 2009 will mark our 25th year of JBA and we are excited to continue to offer an educational experience that will challenge and stimulate you academically. On this site you will be able to find information on the Academy and the classes that we will be offering in 2009. Purpose of the Academy The Joseph Baldwin Academy offers highly talented students a head start on their future university careers by allowing them to spend three weeks as college freshmen: they move into a residence hall, adapt to living with a roommate, eat dorm food, make new friends, attend classes, and work with Truman State's faculty. We believe that many middle school and junior high students are not being challenged in the classroom in their home schools. The primary goal of the Academy is, and will always be, that our students leave with an increased appreciation for the pleasures of education, intellectual engagement, and the college experience. Along the way we expect that they will grow both academically and socially as they interact with other high-ability students from across the country. Overview of the Academy Truman State University created the Joseph Baldwin Academy in 1985 in order to provide the benefits of a liberal arts education to students beyond its own undergraduates. Since then the Academy has grown in size from 4 classes with 60 students to 20 classes with over 350 students in 2008. The Academy provides courses in all areas of the liberal arts, including the humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, and social sciences. All of the Academy's classes are challenging, for they are designed to be the approximate equivalent of a semester-long university course offered during the regular academic year. The faculty members of the Academy's classes structure their courses to suit the interests and abilities of the talented students who make up our student body. I have personally selected the JBA faculty members, choosing some of the most exceptional teacher-scholars among the Truman faculty. Comments from 2008 Academy graduates: Love it. Would do it all over again in a heart beat! I learned a lot and can tell it will influence my decisions in the future. I love JBA completely! I can’t properly describe how it feels to be surrounded by people like you yet so different and fun to be with. You can find mobs of people who understand you here. Those who are different are appreciated and any idea can be shared. At JBA anything feels possible. I hope JBA never ends, but most of all, I hope someone else has an experience just like mine. Go JBA!! JBA is wonderful and the Writer’s Craft is by far the best class I’ve ever had. I absolutely love JBA – the last 3 years have been amazing! I can’t wait until I can be a preceptor at JBA! JBA was the best experience of my life so far! Thank You! Eligibility Students who are currently enrolled in the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade may be nominated by their school counselor or principal if they rank in the 95th percentile of a normed exam (see Admissions on this site for details) Admissions. If you are a student who meets these requirements and would like to attend the Academy, but have not been nominated by your home school, please contact my assistant, Jana Morton. Important Dates All nominations from principals and counselors should be postmarked no later than October 3, 2008. Students who need to take the ACT must register for the December 13, 2008 test no later than November 7, 2008. Students who will be taking the SAT must register by November 5, 2008 and take the SAT on or before December 6, 2008 to qualify for JBA. All student applications should be postmarked no later than November 17, 2008. Feel free to contact my assistant, Jana Morton, with any questions that you may have at jmorton@truman.edu or (660)785-5406. With warm regards, Dr. Kevin Minch, Associate Professor of Communications Dean of the Joseph Baldwin Academy