SOUTHERN MISS PROFESSOR, FORMER STUDENT PUBLISH BOOK
RECOGNIZING PERSONS OF INFLUENCE IN GIFTED EDUCATION

HATTIESBURG - Dr. Frances A. Karnes, director of the Center for Gifted Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, and one of her former students, Dr. Stephanie Nugent, have co-edited Profiles of Influence in Gifted Education: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions.

"This is a long-overdue compendium of the major accomplishments of those who have made foremost contributions to the field of gifted education," said Dr. Karnes. "Parents, all members of the education community, and all citizens concerned about the future of our great nation will find this book a necessary and valuable resource."

The book offers professionals and others interested in the field of gifted education a valuable retrospective of the field. Through individual profiles, more than 50 of the field's most influential leaders share their perceptions and insights of where gifted education has been and where it is going. Each profile provides contact information, professional background, significant contributions to and publications in the field, the people who have influenced their careers, perceptions of critical events in gifted education, and opinions on future changes necessary to sustain the field.

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Association for Gifted Children, the book was recently released by Prufrock Press.

Dr. Karnes also serves as a professor in the Southern Miss Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education in the College of Education and Psychology. Dr. Nugent is assistant professor of Secondary Education at the University of Arizona-South.

"This book provides a forum for those leaders (in gifted education) to identify trends in the field and indicate areas that must be addressed if gifted education is to remain viable into the 21st century," Nugent said.

Along with a historical overview in the form of a timeline, this book contains narrative summaries of both the critical events identified and needed changes suggested in the individual profiles. In addition, profiles of the major organizations and associations supporting gifted education are included.

This publication represents the 19th book for Dr. Karnes. Dr. Nugent was a doctoral student in gifted education and graduated from Southern Miss in 2002.

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