12291229 Corporate Corporate Drive, Drive, Arlington, Arlington, TXTX 76006-6103 | | mensafoundation.org mensafoundation.org | |817-607-5577 817-607-5577 MENSA EDUCATION & RESEARCH FOUNDATION | 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

PRESIDENT’S REPORT volunteers who judge all these essays, but for a good cause. We were happy to end the “orphan areas,” where people 5 years of fulfilling growth could not apply for scholarships because the local group did not participate; now everyone in the United States can his, my fifth and final year as President, is an apply. This year we doubled the size of what were Tideal time to review my service to, and the the smallest scholarships from $300 to $600 and growth of, the Foundation. First, I want to make created some new ones as large as $2,500, whereas very clear none of the accomplishments of the last before the largest was $1,000. All of this is the five years were achieved solely by me alone. They result of fellow Mensa members’ donations and all came about as a result of many dedicated Trust- bequests. Helping deserving students pursue their ees aided by the National Office staff and -hun education goals is not only a “feel good” move dreds of volunteers working together to fulfill our but an investment in society, so please remember mission statement: “Benefit society by inspiring to donate to your Foundation and enable us to and empowering intellectually gifted people.” Out of all continue the work. the many offices I’ve held during 47 years in Mensa, this This year we continued our partnership with the Library has been the most rewarding. Working with all the many of Congress in support of its yearly Festival of the Book, for talented people who help make the Foundation programs which we provide guides to the event. Thousands of children run smoothly, people who disagree without being the and adults crowd the Mall in Washington, D.C., each Sep- slightest bit disagreeable, has been a real pleasure. Receiv- tember for this event. ing so many expressions of “Thanks” from those who have In order to ensure that the Foundation Board does not benefited from programs such as Scholarships, Mensa for become stagnant, we submitted bylaw changes, which were Kids, Gifted Youth, Colloquium, Spark!, Mensa Research approved by the American Mensa Committee, limiting a Journal, Reading Excellence, Conversations with Mensa, Trustee’s time on the Board to 12 years (formerly unlimited) and our many award programs has been the most reward- and a maximum of two two-year terms in any one office ing “paycheck” I ever received. Yes, the President gets most (also formerly unlimited). This forced turnover will open up of the recognition for successes (and the blame for failures, service on the Board to more people and bring fresh ideas too), but definitely the real credit for the successes is and talent to the Foundation. shared by many, and likely any failures were mine. We have expanded our work with Mensa International During the last five years our total assets have grown from and look forward to doing more on that level. New awards $2,730,675 to well over $4 million and our investment port- recognizing advances and research in the field of intelligence folio has grown from $2,251,882 to over $4 million. This have been created thanks to bequests from members, and money is all from members’ donations and bequests. This you’ll soon hear more about them. generosity has allowed us to fund new awards and programs In all, I personally feel that the last five years have seen the and to improve existing ones. Foundation enjoy great growth and serious strides toward The number of scholarship applications has seen a fulfilling our mission. I’ve greatly enjoyed being a small part dramatic increase, especially since the entire program of it and urge all Mensa members to support your Founda- went online. This has made more work for the 450-plus tion. My Mensa, My Foundation!

COLLOQUIUM

he San Diego Zoo is rated as one of the top zoological gardens in the world; Tand the Mensa Foundation is absolutely the top organization for the nurture and encouragement of human intelligence in the world. What happens when they get together? The 2016 Colloquium, The Nature Of Genetics: Flora, Fauna and the Future. Joining with the famed San Diego Zoo, the Mensa Foundation presents a program exploring the current and future states of genetics, including research on and rescue of the Northern White Rhino, plus discussions on behav- ioral biology and conservation. The Colloquium annually provides Mensans and the public alike with the opportunity to gather with industry experts, noted authors and scientists to take an intense look at socially relevant topics. There is always something to make you think and you will take home more knowledge than you came with.

Visit the Colloquium section at ag.us.mensa.org

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YOUTH PROGRAMS MENSA RESEARCH JOURNAL he Foundation’s website, Men- esting! Testing! 1, 2, 3! TsaForKids.org, offers a wealth of T You’re in Mensa; that means resources for gifted youth and the you took a test. What kind of test? families and teachers who love them. And what did it actually prove? The On Examiner.com, homeschooling summer 2016 issue of the Mensa writer Alicia Bayer describes how Research Journal takes a look at intel- the resources on MensaForKids.org ligence testing and how and why it can be used as free curriculum for has changed over the years. Looking gifted homeschoolers, particularly the ahead, the fall issue will examine the Excellence in Reading program. She effects of drugs on intelligence. calls the program “a wonderful way to For only seven cents a day, you can give kids a challenge that the whole get a three-year subscription to the family can get into together, either Mensa Research Journal. Or, you can working through the books at lower go online to the Foundation website reading levels together or as indepen- and look over the MRJ index to find dent goals.” You can read more about a topic that really interests you and purchase a single copy. Either way, our Excellence in Reading Program at you’ll be doing your brain a favor. goo.gl/7KlHT0. Check out the list of back issues, order a copy Visit MensaForKids.org or subscribe at mensafoundation.org/mrj

SCHOLARSHIPS ship for a student who has been out of formal education for six or more years; hen Zack was applying to col- $57,000 for 95 participating groups. the Don and Virginia Prince Scholar- Wleges in the spring of 2012, the Not only are the amounts of the ship for a military veteran or spouse average student debt at graduation awards growing, the number of schol- of a veteran; and the Mark J. Glancey was $25,000. When he collected his arships continues to increase. New and John G. Gray LGBT Scholarship diploma in May, the average student scholarships in 2015-2016 included: for applicants who openly identify as owed $37,000, an increase of 48 the Bob and Mary Ann Cox Scholar- gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. percent over the course of More new scholarships his undergraduate career. are coming in 2016-17: He’s lucky, because most CREATING A SCHOLARSHIP or remembering n $2,000 STEM schol- students don’t graduate in the Foundation in your will is a wonderful way to arship for students in the four years. For those who honor someone important to you as well as support applied sciences, math- spend five, six or even students in their quest to better their lives. You can ematics or engineering more years in college, help the Foundation make a difference in the lives of fields, funded by a group their debt continues to aspiring graduates. This note from a 2015 scholarship of Foundation trustees. balloon. The Mensa Foun- recipient says it all: n Two named scholar- dation is doing something ships in the amount of about it. Dear Dave Remine, $2,500 each, honoring The Foundation has This is Carlos Quispe; I want to thank you longtime scholarship co- doubled the amount of the for awarding me the Karen Cooper Memorial ordinator Jane Gmur and Karen Cooper and Diana Scholarship. This award helped me to support trustee Phyllis Miller. Mossip scholarships from my book expenses and parking fee. My family n The $2,500 Carol $300 to $600 each begin- and I were very happy since the first moment Martinez Scholarship for ning with the 2016-17 when the Mensa letter arrived at my door; our students in information program year. These schol- life changed a bit because we realized that out technology, created as a way arships touch every local there are great people helping people in need. to recognize her generous group that participates in Thank you again for your humanity and con- bequest to the Foundation. the Foundation’s scholar- tribution for a better world, and happy 2016! Carlos Quispe ship program, bringing Learn more at Graduate Student CSUS the total giving for just mensafoundation.org/ these two scholarships to scholarships

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THANK YOU, DONORS! SILVER e are extremely grateful for the generosity of our donors, who have enabled the ($500-999) WMensa Foundation to continue its work and enhance its programs. In addition to Shelton Alsup those listed here, many others have contributed support for the year’s successes. Aviva L. Andreen Peter D. Austin Our thanks . . . we couldn’t do it without you! Sallie Banko Borderline Mensa Broward Mensa ONE DONOR’S STORY TITANIUM Central Iowa Mensa ($100,000+) he Mensa Foundation is probably best known for its Eastern Oklahoma Mensa Tscholarship program. Certainly it is the program that Carol W. Martinez Deborah Freeland has touched the most people, either as recipients, volun- Nancy M. Griggs Tracey Guice teers, or donors. But there would be no recipients, and no RHODIUM Barbara Holske need for volunteers, if it weren’t for the donors. We asked ($10,000-99,999) Mary Lee Kemper one of them, J. Gail McGrew, to tell us why she has been American Mensa, Ltd. Marc Lederman so generous throughout many years. Here’s her story: Linda Stewart Camp Marie Hope Mayer Laura G. Joyner Paul Michniowski J. Gail McGrew I joined Mensa in 1983. In 1982, I had taken a Reader’s Brian David Morrison Digest quiz and missed only one question. When I finally got Northern Michigan Mensa around to taking the proctored test, I scored enough for both PLATINUM Kristin Noto Mensa and Intertel. ($2,500-9,999) Sharon Lyn Ochsman In 1986, John Freucht came to a First Friday as a prospec- Kathe M. P. Oliver tive member. We had a long chat in the parking lot after it and Mary Ann & Robert Cox Orange County Mensa C. Jerome Galiley established that we both grew up in the Pittsburgh area, 15 Sidney L. Pilson North Texas Mensa miles from each other. I asked about his SAT scores, and when Theresa A. Riccardi Ruth Ann Parvin Elissa Rudolph I found that he qualified with them, he joined using his scores. J. Howard Prince Lessa Scherrer We married in 1988. Our “Marriage made in Mensa” was Abbie Salny SGM Penelope Smith wonderful and lasted 12 years and one month until John got Singleton the call from God and passed from a massive heart attack. GOLD Paul & Joanne M. Soper John and I liked the idea of a scholarship as a way to be re- ($1,000-2,499) Jean J. Springer membered since we did not have children. Both of us liked the Anonymous Deborah L. Stone idea of MERF since we had been readers for the scholarships. Vista Group Inc. Richard Steven Studer We have very personal reasons for funding these scholarships. Julia Marie Ashley Sharon L. Swan Tieszen Number 1 is for physics, chemistry, or a person return- LaRae Bakerink Diane Walker ing to school. John’s major was physics, then chemistry at Bertie & James Clarke Preston James Wallace Jr. Carnegie Mellon University. I returned to college after a Desiree E. Elliott James S. Werdell break of six years. Number 2 is English education, special ed/ Steve Frasheur Western Pennsylvania Linda R. Wright gifted ed, and reading. I had an English teaching certifi- Greater Los Angeles Mensa Jon W. Gruebele cate and we both loved to read. John’s cousin had Down’s Mr. Mensa Syndrome, and obviously both of us would have benefitted Minnesota Mensa BRONZE ($250-499) from gifted ed if it had existed in our schools. Number 3 is Craig A. Nordstrom for veterans. My uncle and aunt, Walt and Mary McGrew, North Florida Mensa Jeri L. Bissell met in World War II. He was a pilot/bombardier; she was Oregon Mensa Central Indiana Mensa a WAC and ended up working in the Pentagon. They never Lansford W. Perry Guy T. Conti had children. Since I liked the way our names would live on Dave & Elizabeth Remine David Felt beyond us with the scholarships, I decided to do that for Walt Eldon C. Romney Michael J. Franke and Mary after both of them passed away. I used some of my Lawrence Scherrer Marie B. Giles inheritance from them to pay for the scholarship. Jason A. Seiler Gregory Dale Hahn The scholarships started at $500 and two of them are now Gregory L. Sutliff Cynthia M. Hamilton $1,000. I added money to each endowment until it was pos- Deborah V. Traskell Hell’s M’s Eunice “Bunny” D. Warsh Naomi Mandel Horovitz sible to raise the scholarship amount. I am currently working Western Michigan Mensa Ben-Hwa Hu on raising the amount of the Walt and Mary Scholarship. Roy Williams Clark Jones A financial advisor said something to me that makes a lot of sense: “You take your money and divide it three ways: save GIVING IS EASY AT MENSAFOUNDATION.ORG/DONATE some, donate some, and use some.” It has worked for me.

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EXCELLENCE BRONZE Phyllis Kaden Miller Alice Lois Silver (cont. from pg. 4) IN RESEARCH Northwest Florida Mensa Cam E. Smart Dr. Kishor M. Kulkarni Frank Richard Parth Mary Jane Tala he Awards for Excellence Mark Nathan Lystig Karen Lee Plourde Christine A. Taylor Tin Research are given each Maryland Mensa Redwood Empire Mensa Scott D. Tyler year for outstanding research Sean McCormick Rhode Island Mensa Beth Weiss on aspects of human intelli- Martin S. Merado Henry W. Seitz Nancy Zanca gence and giftedness.

SENIOR RESEARCHERS FOUNDATION Howard S. Edelstein John McGill ($100-249) David Glen Emory David M. McKinnon John H. Kranzler, University of Anonymous (2) Ann L. Faget Patricia L. Merk Florida: Are the General Fac- Karen Engard Allen Nancy McMahan Farrar John Mertes tors From Different Child and American Mensa Committee Daniel W. Farrow IV Paul Edward Mills Adolescent Intelligence Tests American Mensa Staff Carl Clarence Fields Neel Moudgal the Same? Results From a Five- Herbert Ashby Stephen Forman Carl Shelton Mueller Sample, Six-Test Analysis Z. Bainum Donald Charles Forslund Russell Lawrence Jonathan Wai, Duke University: Dr. Stephen M. Bank James Fuller Nekorchuk Investigating America’s Elite: Karen A. Barrett Thomas Gall Steven Nelson Dr. Joan E. Bauman Matthew Gazo Jon Nestingen Cognitive Ability, Education and Leslie P. Bays Robert S. Gebelein Dr. Malcolm Newman Sex Differences Christopher Bean Charles Gerson Lori J. Norris David Lubinski, Vanderbilt Thomas Beaulieu Don C. Gibson Christopher Parrinello College: Life Paths and Accom- Jill Beckham William Hubert Gilligan Ketan Patel plishments of Mathematically Sarah Beckman Kristin Z. Glywasky Christian Patterson Precocious Males Females Four Arlyn R. Bell Veronica Gonzalez Don Pendley Decades Later David M. Bennett James Hugh Gordon Joan E. Ramer Anton G. Blieberger Melanie G. Gover Robert J. Randall JUNIOR RESEARCHERS John M. Blinke Brett T. Graves Alfred A. Rasmus Lance A. Bock Linda H. Gregg John D. Recht Enyi Jen, Purdue University: Dr. John O. Bornhofen Linda Hemmes Griffith Janet M. Redding Retrospective Perceptions of Susan Palmer Bowers Donna Province Grill Robert John Reinbolt Graduates of a Self-Contained Thomas W Brooks III Jane Hanson Baker D. Ring Program in Taiwan for High Leo J. Burke Jr Barbara L. Harvey Catherine Roha School Students Talented in David L. Cahn Ryan J. Hauser Maria Aprile Sawczuk STEM Jacqueline Callaghan George Haynes Steven G. Schulman Sarah Jean Callow VMD Bryant S. Hazard Anthony J. Scriffignano Drew H. Bailey, University of Oren J. Camber Barbara Jean Herr Don Shockey California: State and Trait Ef- Elaine Mayer Cardwell Joan Vitek Hiller Ph.D. Scott P.J. Simmons fects on Individual Differences Samantha Carozzi Thomas R. Hope Pat McKeown Soderbeck in Children’s Mathematical Vera A. Cartwright Anthony Edward Noah F. P. Spangler Development Anthony Joseph Cella Jr. Jackowski Jr. Bradley Stacey Nielsen Pereira, Purdue Uni- Clotilde A. Cepeda Nancy S. Jarrin Caren Stratz versity: A Qualitative Inquiry Into Steven P. Collier Mario Alberto Jimenez Jr. Stuart Keith Sutton the Experiences of High-Poten- Joshua Michael Conyer Lynne S. Killgore & Hui-Lin Tan tial Hispanic English Language Patricia Coontz David D. Michel Thomas George Thomas Learners in Midwestern Schools Christine & George Arnold Jason Knight Stephanie & Jameson J. Cooper Gregory R. Kontz Thornton Harrison J. Kell, Vanderbilt Candace Geyer Cowan Barry M. Lamont MD Dr. Tony Tripodi College: Creativity and Techni- Tasha L. Criss Lawrence Alan Larkey Shirley Ann Trotter cal Innovation: Spatial Ability’s Samuel Michael Cushinery Molly Leban James Forester Unique Role Stephen F. Darnell William G. Leighton Van Houten Jr. Delaware Valley Mensa R. Kenneth Lindell Howard Wayne Vipperman Francesca Ann DeLuca Donald Low Harry McManus Walsh Cecile Dobson Dawn Marie Mancuso Richard R. Waterfield Pam Donahoo Abigail Manis Phil David Wedemeyer John Tajr Doty Olivia Martin Jeffrey Wessel Roger R. Durham Oriel Dupin Maxime W. Andrew York Lisa Maxwell YP Marketing Solutions

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FOUNDATION AWARDS have all the things the teachers would like for us to have to help us learn,” wrote the student in his nomination essay. Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Foundation “What makes Ms. B. amazing is she does something about awards, which recognize research in and the use of intel- it!” In his essay, he shared Ms. Badio’s tenacity in raising ligence, both nationally and internationally. funds for new laptops and other equipment. Ms. Badio also assists the Mathletes, the Math Circle, National Junior ANTONELLA D’ALESSANDRO is the recipient of Mathematics Club, Chi Alpha Mu, three robotics teams and the Copper Black International Award for Creative numerous other clubs. Achievement awarded annually to a Mensan for excep- tional creativity and problem solving. Dr. D’Alessandro, a RANKO RAJOVIC, winner of the International Intellectual professor at the University of Perugia, Italy (and member of Benefits to Society Award, authored a program that inte- Mensa Italy), studies safety innovation, conducting research grates play with learning for children with impulse-control is- into the development of building materials that can detect sues, developmental disorders, and learning disabilities. The structural issues. “In particular, smart cementitious materi- program can also identify gifted youth early in their develop- als have the potential to provide concrete structures with ment. “Too few scientific discoveries find their way to practi- self-sensing abilities,” said Dr. D’Alessandro. cal application,” says Dr. Rajovic, who also “This way it is possible to detect and localize lectures at six universities in four countries. the spread of cracks and damages into a A partnership with UNICEF has helped bring monitored structure, especially after natural the program to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and events such as earthquakes and typhoons.” it is active in 15 European countries.

ROBERT LEISHEAR of Aiken, S.C., is THE HEUSER HEARING AND LAN- the national recipient of the Copper Black GUAGE ACADEMY (HHLA) in Louisville, Award for Creative Achievement awarded Ky., is honored as the Laura Joyner annually to a Mensan for exceptional cre- Award for outstanding work in the area ativity and problem solving. Watching news of human intelligence. According to the coverage of the Fukushima Daichi nuclear American Academy of Pediatrics, 37 percent tragedy in Japan, Dr. Leishear gained an insight that led of children with only minimal hearing loss fail at least one him to develop a theory that helps identify causes of indus- grade. Since 1948, HHLA has provided education options, trial fires and explosions. Actions based on his theory can therapy options and other support to students with hearing prevent these fires before catastrophe strikes. He is seeking loss. From speech therapy to music and play therapy, a to further his research to create safe working conditions for child with hearing loss is immersed in programs that help those employed in the oil, gas and nuclear industries. emphasize language with the goal of integration into their neighborhood schools by first grade. JOE BATES of Tyler, Texas, is the national winner of the Intellectual Benefits to Society Award for developing DAVID LUBINSKI, co-director of the Study of Math- a program to help improve treatment methods for those who ematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) at Vanderbilt live with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder University’s Peabody College, is the recipient of the na- and depression. Dr. Bates’s cognitive remediation training tional Lifetime Achievement Award for his work focusing program for severe mental illness has resulted in a 64 per- on the identification of different types of intellectually preco- cent improvement in executive function for these patients, cious youth and the conditions for enhancing their learning, as well as improved socialization and self-image. With a work performance and creativity. Dr. Lubinski co-directs 50-year career in psychiatry, child psychiatry and pediatric SMPY with his wife, Dr. Camilla Person Benbow, who was medicine, Dr. Bates joined Mensa two years ago at age honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Both 72. “It is an honor to be affiliated with an organization that are protégés of Dr. Julian Stanley, the late professor emeri- promotes knowledge, creativity, individualism and life-long tus at Johns Hopkins University, winner of the first Lifetime learning on such a grand level,” he said. Achievement Award in 2000 and the man who pioneered how gifted middle-schoolers are educated. After establish- MYRIELLE BADIO, an advanced math teacher at Park- ing SMPY in 1971, Dr. Stanley piloted a variety of research- way Middle School in Lauderhill, Fla., is the recipient based program models and advocated acceleration, not just of the Distinguished Teacher Award after being nomi- enrichment, for gifted students. Dr. Lubinski has carried on nated by one of her students for the positive impact she that rich research tradition at Vanderbilt, where he is Profes- has had on his education. “Our school does not always sor of Psychology and Human Development.

MENSA FOUNDATION BOARD

Dave Remine, President Jane Hanson, Trustee Lessa Scherrer, Trustee Marie Mayer, Vice President Phyllis Miller, Trustee Deb Stone, Ex-officio Trustee James Werdell, Treasurer Eldon Romney, Trustee Bibiana Balanyi, Ex-officio Trustee Guy Conti, Secretary Joanne Soper, Trustee Jill Beckham, Foundation Director

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