The American Numismatic Association (ANA) announced that the 2021 Summer Seminar, scheduled for 19th – 24th June 2021 (Session 1) and 26th June – 1at July 2021 (Session 2), has been officially cancelled.
Traditionally held on the Colorado College campus adjacent to ANA headquarters, Summer Seminar is a once-a-year opportunity for numismatic learning and camaraderie that offers hundreds of collectors from around the world a varied selection of week-long courses designed for discovery and continued study.
Colorado College notified the ANA in late 2020 that it would not be hosting events on its campus in 2021 because of COVID-19. The Association looked at an alternative location in Colorado Springs, but the $128,000 deficit that would be incurred to host the event there was rejected by the ANA Board of Governors. The University of Denver (DU) campus also was considered, but previous Summer Seminar students and instructors indicated that without access to the Association’s museum and library, Summer Seminar would not be as engaging. Additionally, many previous participants noted they were uncomfortable traveling during the pandemic.
ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick indicated that the Association will offer free virtual courses through its eLearning Academy during the 2021 Summer Seminar dates of 19th June to 1st July 2021. Although the online classes will not replicate the Summer Seminar event, it will give participants a taste of the popular program. Topics will appeal to a broad range of collectors – from beginners to advanced numismatists. Details will be available in the weeks ahead.
COVID-19 also caused the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Seminar, the event’s first cancellation in its 50-plus-year history. Scholarships that were awarded for the 2020 Summer Seminar will be honored for the 2022 event.
ANA College Scholarships Available to Young Collectors
Applications for college scholarships provided by the ANA are being accepted through 12th March 2021. The scholarship fund was established in 2014 to provide a graduating high school senior who is also a member of the ANA with $1,000 to use at the university, community college, or trade school of the student’s choice. Scholarship winners will be chosen based on numismatic merit and financial need.
The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, or supplies directly related to class requirements. Up to two scholarships may be awarded annually. Students with a full class schedule, who maintain a B average throughout their higher education, can receive the $1,000 scholarship up to four years.
Scholarship Application
“The ANA’s primary goal is education,” said Rod Gillis, the ANA’s education director. “Generally, students who are involved in numismatics are the best and brightest scholars. It stands to reason that we should do all that we can to invest in our members at such a critical time in their lives.”
Besides holding membership in the ANA, applicants must be a graduating high school senior with a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0. The winning students may use the scholarship at any two- or four-year college, university, or trade school within the United States.
Two letters of reference must be sent on the applicant’s behalf. The authors of the references may not be family members. Reference letters must be submitted by the person writing the reference, not the scholarship applicant, and must be received at the ANA by 12th March 2021.
The first scholarship was graciously underwritten by Brian Fanton, ANA Education & Young Numismatist Committee Chair and former ANA Governor, and Walter Ostromecki Jr., ANA Governor and past President. Funds for future scholarships will be raised through donations.
Applications must be postmarked by 12th March 2021. Completed applications and references should be sent to:
ANA College Scholarship Committee
c/o Rod Gillis
818 N. Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
For additional information, contact Rod Gillis via email or call (719) 482-9845.
To learn more about the ANA’s eLearning Academy, read this article.
More information about the American Numismatic Association can be found on their website.