NAGC Congratulates Dr. Marcia Gentry, Recipient of 2022 President’s Award

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is proud to announce that Dr. Marcia Gentry will receive the 2022 NAGC President’s Award for her significant contributions to the field of gifted and talented education.

Dr. Gentry is Professor of Gifted, Talented and Creative Studies in the Department of Educational Studies and Director of the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER²I) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She is an active scholar and has received numerous grants to support her work with programming practices and underrepresented populations in gifted education. Earning the prestigious NAGC Distinguished Scholar Award in 2014, Dr. Gentry actively participates in the field and frequently contributes to gifted education literature. Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Gentry spent 11 years as a K─12 teacher and administrator.

“I can think of no one more deserving to receive this prestigious award than Dr. Marcia Gentry,” said NAGC President Dr. Lauri Kirsch. “Marcia’s contributions to the field of gifted and talented education are so immense and enduring that they are difficult to measure, but I know I speak on behalf of the entire Association when I say that we are incredibly thankful for her tireless efforts to help improve the lives of our most vulnerable and underserved gifted and talented children through her renowned research and mentorship. Marcia has surely helped pave the way for our next generation of gifted and talented practitioners and researchers to succeed.”

“Receiving the NAGC President’s Award brings me great joy,” said Dr. Marcia Gentry. “It has been my distinct honor to serve in the field of gifted education and to contribute efforts to a field that can become more equitable and socially just. Of course, none of my work would have been possible without the amazing support from Purdue University and my faculty colleagues and graduate students. I am also deeply grateful to my family, daughter Gentry, son-in-law Geoffrey, and my wonderful husband Steve,” she continued. 

“Knowing that my colleagues and other scholars in the field for whom I have deep respect find my contributions worthy of this award is incredibly meaningful and I express my appreciation to Lauri Kirsch, Shelagh Gallagher, and the NAGC Board of Directors. We have much work to be done in our field, but I am heartened by the attempts to strengthen and expand opportunities and support for students from all demographics and diverse populations. I have been so grateful to work in this field and do work that is so personally meaningful. The NAGC President’s Award, in particular, means so very much to me.”

In addition to the President’s Award, NAGC will recognize other leaders in the field of gifted and talented education at NAGC22, its annual convention, November 16-18, 2022, in Indianapolis. NAGC22 is the largest national event exclusively focused on sharing the latest research, best practices, and strategies for supporting gifted, talented, and creative children.

Dr. Marcia Gentry

Download a copy of the full press release here