Southeastern NEWS
Southeastern Louisiana University
University Relations Office
SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
Date: 4/14/98
Contact: Carol Dotson 25
SLU PRESIDENT AND ADMINISTRATORS TO READ IN SCHOOLS
DURING AMERICA READS WEEK APRIL 20-24
HAMMOND, LA -- Southeastern Louisiana University is coordinating the first "America
Reads" week April 20- 24. Southeastern's president Dr. Sally Clausen along with several deans and
administrators will be "guest readers" at local elementary schools.
"The purpose of the week is to promote awareness about the America Reads Challenge in the
community and to encourage more people to become volunteer tutors," said Southeastern student
Michael Taranto, who is coordinator for the week. He says the idea is also to get the children to think
about reading as a fun activity, not just a classroom chore.
"We will also have book drive during the week to collect new books for the students that we
tutor," said Taranto. A collection box will be in the Southeastern bookstore. "This is our first year and
we're excited about it."
Taranto, a senior from Mandeville, was instrumental in having Southeastern participate in the
America Reads Challenge. After watching President Clinton's state of the union address and hearing
the statistics on illiteracy, Taranto wrote a letter to Southeastern president, Sally Clausen expressing
his interest in becoming involved. Taranto has worked with Southeastern's America Reads Project
since its inception.
Southeastern's America Reads program, which began last fall, has received over 500 referrals
of elementary school students who need tutors.
If you are interested in becoming a tutor, contact program coordinator JoAnn Robisheaux at
549-5275.
wpfiles/pressrel/amreadwk
-SLU-
This press release is available on the World Wide Web at
www.selu.e du/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp98.htm
Southeastern Louisiana University's
AMERICA READS WEEK APRIL 20-24
READING IN THE SCHOOLS SCHEDULE
Date Time Place Guest Reader
Monday April 20 10am-11am SLU Lab School Dr. Sally Clausen
President, SLU
Tuesday April 21 11 am Holden Elementary Kim Hunter
Executive Assistant to
the president
Tuesday April 21 9-10:30am Natalbany Elementary Dr. Paul Riggs
Director of
Academic Services
Wednesday April 22 1:30 pm Hammond Eastside Dr. Patsy Causey
Vice-President
for Student Affairs
Wednesday April 22 1:00 pm Woodland Park Jessica Asoodeh
1997 SLU grad and
America Reads Tutor
Friday April 24 8:45 am Springfield Elementary Andrea Wheat
SLU Budget Director
Friday April 24 12:30 pm Albany Lower Silvia Wilson
Executive Secretary to
the Vice-President of
Institutional Advancement