ATLANTA – “Come Read with Georgia,” a month-long literacy project of the Georgia Reading Association (GRA), was recognized by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, who signed the 2013 Come Read with Georgia Proclamation at the State Capitol in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Dr. Martha Lee Child, assistant professor in Mercer University's Tift College of Education, was among those who earned recognition. She is the chair of the GRA's Community Projects Committee. Other Tift College professors on hand to receive recognition from the governor included Dr. Karen Davis, Dr. Michelle Vaughn and Barbara McWethy, who serve on the committee.
“Mercer University is pleased to support the important work of the Georgia Reading Association by providing strong and capable faculty leadership and program involvement,” said Dr. Penny Elkins, senior vice president for enrollment management. “This initiative aligns well with Mercer's longstanding commitment to prepare high-quality teachers and leaders to serve Georgia's students.”
“Come Read with Georgia” is aimed at increasing literacy, citizenship and pride in the state of Georgia. The project's vision is to inspire educators, parents, librarians, historians, environmentalists and all Georgians to select and share quality children's books celebrating Georgia's greatness with Georgia's future leaders.
“The concept of 'Come Read with Georgia' originated with Mercer University's Tift College of Education literacy professors and was initially disseminated via the Georgia Reading Association Community Projects Committee,” said Dr. Child. “All the members of the Community Projects Committee working on 'Come Read with Georgia' for the past four years have been Mercer University Tift College of Education literacy professors. Dr. Dana Lilly passed down her responsibility as the chairperson of this committee to me three years ago.”
Dr. Child believes that “Come Read with Georgia” could serve as a model for other states to promote their own geography, history, culture, folklore and literature.
“Children want to read about what they know – they know the state where they live,” said Dr. Child.
This marks the second consecutive year that “Come Read with Georgia” has been recognized with a proclamation from Gov. Deal, who earned both his undergraduate and law degrees with honors from Mercer.
