Missouri Scholars Academy
Missouri Scholars Academy, or MSA, is a three-week residential summer program held on the University of Missouri campus for 330 of Missouri's top rising high school juniors. The official MSA website describes the goals of the Academy to be as such: "The academy reflects Missouri's desire to strive for excellence in education at all levels. The program is based on the premise that Missouri's gifted youth must be provided with special opportunities for learning and personal development in order for them to realize their full potential."
History
The Academy started in 1985, and has been held every year since. Each year has had a different set of two colors to uniquely identify its participants. Many of the colors have acquired informal nicknames, often inspired by comments made by director Ted Tarkow.
- 1985 - White and maroon
- 1986 - White and navy
- 1987 - Teal and white
- 1988 - Red and white
- 1989 - Green and white
- 1990 - Blue and white
- 1991 - Teal and white
- 1992 - Fuchsia and white ("a sea of Pepto Bismol")
- 1993 - Purple and white
- 1994 - Green and gold
- 1995 - White and crimson
- 1996 - Grey and blue
- 1997 - Ecru and green
- 1998 - Black and grey
- 1999 - Navy blue and putty ("putty is pretty")
- 2000 - Lime and cerulean
- 2001 - Yellow and grey ("goat milk and slate")
- 2002 - Silver and red
- 2003 - Orange and blue
- 2004 - Green and silver
- 2005 - Red and gold ("ketchup and mustard")
- 2006 - Khaki and brown ("chocolate chip cookie")
- 2007 - Pink and teal ("bubble gum and watermelon", "pepto-bismol and watermelon")
Coordinating Staff
Co-Directors
- Dr. Ted Tarkow (Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences)
- David Welch (Missouri Dept. of Elem. and Secondary Ed., Chairman of Gifted Education)
Program Coordinator
- Chris Young
Residential Life Coordinator
- Shannon Ferguson
MSA Alumni Association
- Travis Thornhill, Executive Secretary
Classes
Participating scholars attend a "major" and "minor" class for three hours and one hour per day, respectively, during the program. These classes are usually college level or experimental, and meant to stimulate gifted students. Past MSAs have featured unique classes dealing with Japanese language and culture, Intelligence & Counterintelligence, Game Theory, Time Travel, Terrorism & Counterterrorism, Education, Philosophy, The Constitution, current events, and art.
PSD Program
Another vital part of the Missouri Scholars Academy is Personal and Social Dynamics, or 'PSD'. PSD takes place for one hour with the "minor" class, and focuses on helping scholars build social skills, forge friendships with others, and express themselves artistically, verbally, and emotionally.
Other Offerings
In addition to classes, scholars attend numerous informational, educational, social, and entertainment programs, including swing dance lessons, current events debates, college fairs, seminars, performances, and motivational speakers.
There is also an annual scholars' talent show.
Traditions and Customs
The Name Tag
For safety reasons, scholars are required to wear their name tag at all times when they are not on their floor of the residence hall.
Playfair
The opening icebreaker for MSA is Playfair, usually held the first night of the Academy.
A Chance to Soar
The official MSA anthem is entitled "A Chance to Soar" and was written by scholars in 1988. The lyrics are as follows:
We came with expectations
And with our private walls
We found support and courage
And dared to risk it all
Through hours of fun and laughter
We learned to live as friends
And those we came to know and love
We'll remember till the end.
You are all a part of us
Spread throughout the land
Building friendship, special trust
Bound together hand in hand.
Tomorrow is an open door
Inviting you and me
Giving us a chance to soar
And wings to set us free.
A humorous event concerning the anthem occurred in 2006 when Chris Young mistakenly introduced the song as "A Chance to Score."
Funding
Missouri Scholars Academy is supported by grants from the Missouri General Assembly, and is kept free for the scholars in order to ensure an equal opportunity basis.
The academy also benefits from support of the Gifted Association of Missouri, the Missouri Scholars Academy Alumni Association, and tax-deductible contributions made by alumni and parents to the Missouri Scholars Academy Development Fund.
Other MSAs
The Missouri Scholars Academy should not be confused with a University of Missouri student group, the Missouri Student Association, which shares the acronym MSA with the academy.