Our Mission
OUR Mission is simple. We believe that academic challenge gives people who love knowledge a peer group, as well as helping to build confidence and teamwork. We want to expand these opportunities to people of all ages in all schools, businesses, and organizations. We believe that by expanding our services and what we offer, we can meet the needs of all who want these challenges. Please pass the word on to others as well. Academic Challenge for Virtually Anywhere and for Virtually Everyone!
Our Leadership
In the spring of 2020, Academic Hallmarks changed management for the first time in 37 years. The new president of Academic Hallmarks is Pat Jewell. Pat was a teacher for 41 years – teaching gifted education for 21 years and then technology. In 1986, her gifted classes tried the Knowledge Master Open, and she saw how much it brought her students together. For the next 35 years, Pat coached teams and led the Ohio AcChal League of which she was a founding member. The KMO itself was discontinued in 2012 but was brought back in 2021 with the new management. In May and June of 2020, Pat helped run the first ever national virtual tournament or the NAC. Her goals include continuing the great service that has always been a “hallmark” of Academic Hallmarks while expanding the offerings to more people, particularly with new models such as virtual events.
Our History
Academic Hallmarks was started in 1982 by Bill Brown (AKA The Great Auk) and Bob Sauer. The new company provided questions for many tournaments in the western half of the country, and grew to be the company for schools all over the world. They also provided The Knowledge Master Open – the first computer-based academic competition, it was loved by thousands of students across the nation. Although the KMO took a momentary breather a few years back, it was brought back for the 2020-21 year, and many teams around the world are enjoying the competition.
Bill and Bob are now finding ways to enjoy their retirement, but Academic Hallmarks is still here to serve your needs. You’ll find our services are expanding to include adults and summer programs, as well as the virtual and online offerings. AH has always been ahead of the times, and that will continue uninterrupted.
