February 2006

GW Teams with “It’s Academic

University Sponsors Television’s Longest Running Quiz Show

A new underwriting agreement pairs The George Washington University with It’s Academic, the longest running quiz show on television, now in its 45th season. The University will join with Giant Foods, underwriting 21 programs this spring, and GW is exploring other ways to provide benefits for high school contestants, including an application fee waiver and scholarships. The spring season begins Feb. 11 and will air on WRC-TV, NBC4, Saturdays at 10 am.

“What could be more natural than a great Washington university encouraging the efforts of bright young people?” asked Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president of The George Washington University. “We are vested in the education of tomorrow’s leaders, both on campus and in our community. It’s Academic is a perfect example of a program that encourages and celebrates the pursuit of intellectual achievement.”

“The word was out that we were looking for additional sponsorship and President Trachtenberg contacted us and we were just delighted that the University came on board,” said Sophie Altman, creator and executive producer of the show. “As It’s Academic is a program dedicated to academic excellence, it is deeply gratifying to be associated with one of the country’s leading educational institutions. GW, in joining with our longtime sponsor Giant Food, demonstrates what can be accomplished when the business and educational communities work together to promote educational achievement.”

Altman had been producing a teenage discussion program when the DC superintendent of schools approached her about developing the quiz show.

“He felt that there was a lot of negative publicity about the schools,” said Altman. “He thought the program could show people that it wasn’t necessarily true. I think he was right, and it has worked. Every week people tune in and see nine bright students. They’re different each week, but they are all bright, interested students who are studying hard and doing well.”

Throughout its 45-year history, It’s Academic has aired in 23 cities and currently is produced with local students in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Charlottesville. The program consistently garners top ratings in its time slot. Several celebrities were on their high school It’s Academic teams, including ABC’s This Week host George Stephanopoulos, Cleveland; and The Washington Post’s Chair Donald Graham, who captained the St. Albans team in the District of Columbia in 1961, the program’s inaugural year.

In October, Rep. Tom Davis (R–VA) introduced a resolution asking Congress to establish a “National It’s Academic Television Quiz Show Day.” A companion resolution was introduced in the Senate by It’s Academic alumni Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer.  

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