Kathy M. Richards

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Kathy M. Richards, Lock Haven University Department of Elementary Education assistant professor, interim Honors Program director and Phi Kappa Phi chapter president, was awarded a 2008 literacy grant worth $1,425 by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She is one of 14 recipients nationwide to receive such an award.

Terry Murty, principal of Keystone Central School District’s Dickey Elementary School in Lock Haven, serves as a project partner. Dickey Elementary was chosen, Richards said, to assist the school with improving its PSSA scores.

“In promoting the ‘love of learning,’ which is the motto of Phi Kappa Phi, I wanted to increase library usage as well as encourage children to read,” Richards said.

Richards plans to use the grant to support “Student Library Ownership.” The Lock Haven University Phi Kappa Phi chapter plans to introduce every fourth grader – approximately 50 students – from a local elementary school to a bookstore to choose a developmentally-appropriate book to add to the school’s library collection. Phi Kappa Phi funds will be used to purchase the books and put book plates in them identifying the student who chose the book.

The Phi Kappa Phi literacy grant program was initiated in 2003 to provide an opportunity for campus chapters and individual members to reach out to local communities to share with them the love of learning. Because Phi Kappa Phi is a multi-disciplinary society of students and scholars from large and small institutions located in both urban and rural communities, applicants are encouraged to consider literacy projects that have creative relevance to their disciplines and to the needs of their communities. To date, Phi Kappa Phi has awarded more than $150,000 in literacy grants.

“This initiative is in conjunction with an on campus book drive that will be held in October 2008,” Richards said. “This will be our third year of collecting new and gently used books on campus to give to children who otherwise would not have the money to purchase their own books. I'm honored and privileged to be able to promote reading. As an educator, I know that reading opens a world of possibilities to children and contributes to their success in life.”