I remain stunned and deeply saddened at news regarding the closure of DukeTIP. We understand Duke University is hoping to create different opportunities for precollegiate youth in the future. For 40 years, DukeTIP served families, educators, and researchers in gifted and talented education as a beacon of support, scholarship, and programming for very bright people needing a space to call home and a place to be seen.
Our friends who were employed at DukeTIP are some of the finest advocates for youth with whom I have had the privilege to work, and their tireless commitment, heartfelt devotion, and rigorous research practices demonstrated true leadership in a field so often overlooked. We know families who eagerly attended DukeTIP programs – TIPsters – are a dedicated group just like our own CBK family, and we feel the grief, uncertainty, and worry you are experiencing as this pandemic deals yet another devastating blow. This work is incredibly hard right now as everything we know about words like “school,” “learning,” and “gifted” are called into question. Offering programs to families taxed by online systems but desperate to help their kids who are feeling isolated is both challenging and stressful as we share those goals but maintain our mission to provide programming that is safe as the first overwhelming requirement. These are unpredictable times with no precedent. My heart is broken for families just like yours across the entire southern half of the country.
With our deepest respect and gratitude for the path DukeTIP has forged for so many, we leave the porch light on for those families of gifted youth still seeking that home. We can only hope to embrace those who choose to continue with similar services here at CBK with the understanding that a legacy such as that of DukeTIP will not be forgotten and cannot be fully replaced by any of us. We at CBK recommit ourselves to continuing the work we’ve shared with DukeTIP for so many years in talent development programs and the Academic Talent Search. We will find a way, together. Thank you to our friends at DukeTIP, for four decades of groundbreaking effort. You will be missed.
Dr. Amy Rushneck, Executive Director
Center for Bright Kids Academic Talent Development
Western Academic Talent Search