Three University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center experts who are internationally renowned in the field of gifted education and talent development were recipients of 2024 Iowa Talented and Gifted Association (ITAG) Legacy and Service Awards at the fall meeting in Des Moines.
Those honored include Nicholas Colangelo, Belin-Blank Center founder, former director, and College of Education dean emeritus; Susan Assouline, former center director and professor emerita; and Laurie Croft, professor emeritus.
All three awardees had long careers within the College of Education’s Belin-Blank Center, which focuses on gifted education and talent development. The center seeks to create opportunities for equitable talent development by providing student programs, professional learning for educators, psychological services for high-ability and twice-exceptional students, research, and outreach.
The ITAG Legacy Award is presented to individuals who have had a profound effect on the field of gifted and talented education in the state of Iowa. The ITAG Service Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to gifted and talented learners in the state of Iowa. This commitment is also exemplified by their support for the unique and diverse needs of gifted and talented learners through advocacy, education, and networking.
UI Belin-Blank Center Director Megan Foley Nicpon, and Randy Lange, Belin-Blank Center associate director for professional development and curriculum, made the nominations.
Nicholas Colangelo
Colangelo, an internationally recognized and published expert in gifted education and talent development, was previously honored with the International Award for Research by the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children in 2013.
“I feel very honored to receive the Legacy Award,” says Colangelo. “It is a validation of the work and commitment of the Belin-Blank Center, and it is a validation of the service we have provided to the state of Iowa.”
Colangelo says that his work has always focused on the social-emotional needs of gifted students, and he believes that the student is worth more than the talent.
The report A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students (2004) was co-authored by both Assouline and Colangelo. He says that this publication was significant in getting Iowa schools and the nation to consider acceleration, which he considers as the single-most effective curriculum adaptation.
“The Belin-Blank Center has been a national leader in providing counseling and research in the area of special needs students who are also gifted - we call them twice-exceptional,” says Colangelo. “This has been a breakthrough over the years – recognizing that having a special need or disability did not disqualify one as also gifted.”
Susan Assouline
After serving the University of Iowa College of Education for more than 30 years, including as the Belin-Blank Center director, Assouline has been nominated for the ITAG Legacy Award.
Assouline started working for the college in 1990. She spent more than 20 years guiding future educators and clinicians in the school psychology program. She became director of the Belin-Blank Center in December of 2012. At this time in her career, Assouline was also appointed the Myron and Jacqueline N. Blank Endowed Chair in Gifted Education, becoming the first woman in the college to hold this prestigious designation.
“While she possesses a deep knowledge base related to our field, she had an incredible sense and commitment to challenge all who she worked with to access knowledge and be reflective so they can use their gifts and talents to benefit their spheres of influence,” says Lange. “Susan pushed her colleagues and students but was always willing to mentor and walk side-by-side so they could reach new heights and have positive impact on students.”
Assouline has not only helped guide students and staff along their journey, but she has co-authored several publications during her tenure as well.
“I will never forget the sinking feeling that resulted from hearing that Susan was retiring,” says Lange. “Knowing that what I have acquired from her will always be with me helps a lot.”
Laurie Croft
After retiring from more than 25 years as an associate director for professional development at the Belin-Bank Center, Croft was nominated for the ITAG Service Award.
“I believe that Laurie is an excellent choice for the Service Award because she consistently displays the values of inclusiveness, advocacy, and commitment to professional learning,” says Lange. “I worked with Laurie through the Belin-Blank Center since 1999 in various capacities and strongly believe she's perfect for this ITAG award because of her relentless contributions to the field of gifted education, specifically in the state of Iowa.”
Croft’s gracious personality, along with her efforts in gifted education, made her the perfect recipient for the ITAG Service Award.
“I am honored to receive the Distinguished Service Award from ITAG. Iowa has a history of strong advocates for the education of advanced learners, and I am so pleased to be recognized as someone who has contributed to that advocacy,” says Croft. “This award also recognizes the work I was able to do with educators because I had the good fortune to work at the Belin-Blank Center.”
A large part Croft’s inspiration for her career came from her family. She credits her daughters for inspiring her interest in the field, and says her husband, Jerry, encouraged her to pursue the position after seeing the job advertisement.
Since retiring on June 3, Croft has spent her time with her two grandchildren. She is also teaching one of her online classes this fall while continuing to volunteer with the National Association for Gifted Children. Croft continues her efforts to develop an open educational resource – a project that she began before retirement.
These awards were presented during the 50th annual conference in the Convention Center at the Sheraton West Des Moines on Oct. 15.
