Articles

Duquesne members read to children for International Literacy Day

Category: Youth Published on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 09:25 Written by Courier Newsroom

Members of Duquesne University read to several young children from neighboring day care centers at a special “Read-In” to celebrate International Literacy Day.

Scheduled readers included Ralph Pearson, Ph.D, provost and academic vice president; Olga Welch, Ph.D, dean of the School of Education; the Hon. Sandra Dougherty, wife of University President Charles J. Dougherty; and nearly 30 students from the School of Education.

ALL EARS—A few kids are all ears as a book is read to them by Ralph Pearson, provost and academic vice president of Duquesne University. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

“We really want to raise awareness of the importance and value of literacy and reading,” said Laverna Saunders, Ph.D, university librarian and a member of the Duquesne Phi Kappa Phi chapter, an all-discipline honor society that is co-sponsoring the event with the Gumberg Library and the School of Education.

Approximately 75 children from the YMCA/Child Development Center at Duquesne, UPMC Mercy day care and Hill House were expected to participate.

“I am delighted to join my colleagues at the university in advancing awareness of literacy,” said Welch. “To awaken the minds of young children to the beauty of the written word is absolutely in line with the mission of the School of Education.”

Attendees also visited the Allegheny County Library Association’s Bookmobile, which was on site.