Governor's Program for Gifted Children (La.)

The Governor's Program for Gifted Children (GPGC) was established by Dr. George Middleton in 1959 as the McNeese Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) with 15 middle school students from southwest Louisiana. The SEP began accepting students from other sections of the state in 1962. GPGC began officially in 1964 when Governor John McKeithen approved a petition for the state to provide funds for its continued operation. Since then the Louisiana legislature has funded it every year but one. Governor Terry Sanford established the first governor's school for gifted children in North Carolina in the early 1960's. Although GPGC existed as the McNeese Summer Enrichment Program before the North Carolina Governor's School, it became the second "governor's school for gifted children" in the United States.

The Governor's Program for Gifted Children is seven weeks of academic enrichment, artistic opportunity, and friendship. A residential program at McNeese State University, the GPGC is the oldest and most comprehensive enrichment program for gifted students in Louisiana. With an approach that aims to develop the whole child, the GPGC provides for the intellectual, creative, and social needs of gifted children.

The Thinker is the official student newspaper at GPGC. Those who participate on The Thinker staff learn a variety of publishing skills. Under the supervision of a staff advisor, students do the interviewing, the writing, editing, layout design, and printing.

Miles to Go is a bound volume of the best writing done each summer by students of the Governor's Program. The drawings in the journal are entirely the work of students, as is the cover design. Students submit their work to the journal advisor who, with a team of student editors, selects the best works for publication. The journal's computer staff designs, typesets, and lays out the publication. The appearance of Miles to Go at the end of each session is a highlight for both parents and students, giving students a chance to relive and parents a real insight into their children's summer experience.

More information on the Governor's Program for Gifted Children may be found at www.gpgc.org

From the description of Governor's Program for Gifted Children collection, 1962-2006. (McNeese State University). WorldCat record id: 318062470