By Ariana Johnson, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - It's been said you're never too old, too wacky or too wild to pick up a book and read to a child. On March 2 — Dr. Seuss's birthday — Campbellsville University students read to children at Taylor County Elementary School as participants in a Literacy Alive project, sponsored by Alpha Epsilon Omicron, the university's chapter of Kappa Delta Pi.

This year the KDP chapter selected the National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America for their project.

Literacy Alive! is Kappa Delta Pi's signature service initiative that invites members to create programs and events in their communities that bring empowering literacy skills to their participants. Annually across the globe, chapter and professional members host literacy-related events that promote and strengthen literacy skills and enrich lives. Literacy Alive! events reach out to an average of 24,000 children, adolescents, and adults each year.

Concurrently, Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens and books. The KDP chapter partnered with the KY Education Association-Student Program (KEA-SP) to provide copies of Seuss books to each participating classroom.

“The whole experience was terrific,” said CU senior Whitney Vaughn of Canmer, Ky. “To see children enthusiastic about books is a great thing for teachers to witness.”

A total of 38 readers from students from the classrooms of Dr. Beverly Ennis, associate professor of education; Dottie Davis, instructor in education; Marilyn Goodwin, instructor in early childhood education; and Dr. Colleen Walker, assistant professor of education, were registered to read in different classrooms.

Dr. Colleen Walker, assistant professor of education, puts expression in her reading to children at Taylor County Elementary School. (Campbellsville University Photo by Munkh-Amgalan Galsanjamts)

 

Faculty members such as Dr. Brenda Priddy, associate professor and dean of the School of Education; Dr. Carolyn Garrison, professor of education; Brittany Hahn, a CU graduate of Campbellsville, president of Kappa Delta Pi; Walker and Ennis participated in this day by wearing the traditional Cat in The Hat attire.

Bruce Garrison, former teacher in the Taylor County School System, wore the full Cat in the Hat costume (loaned by Kentucky Education Association - Student Program) and paraded around with wife Carolyn Garrison and distributed the gift of Seuss books (donated by KDP and KEA-SP).

Bruce Garrison was dress as the Cat in the Hat. (Campbellsville University Photo by Munkh-Amgalan Galsanjamts)

He read in two classes and the students responded to the Cat in the Hat hugging him, shaking his hand, requesting his autograph, waving, laughing and wanting their photos taken with him.

Hannah Boyd of Simpsonville, Ky. reads to children at Taylor County Elementary School. (Campbellsville University Photo by Munkh- Amgalan Galsanjamts)

Several students addressed the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Cat in the Hat. One little girl was so excited, all she could think of to say was, “Merry Christmas!” Many classes chimed, ‘Thank you,' when they were presented with the new book.

“The adults we encountered in the hall were also quite entertained,” said Dr. Garrison. “That is one of the perks of getting older; you aren't worried by those sidewise glances any longer.”

“We estimate we read to at least 930 students,” said Dr. Garrison. “We are convinced this day was a success and met the intention of the KDP Literacy Alive and NEA Read Across America goals.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.