Celebrating Indiana University, education, and reading were the goals of the “Red Wolves Read Out” hosted by the IU East Campus Library for the first IU Day on April 12, 2016. We accomplished those goals with the participation of more than 300 adult readers and 400 youth readers, and more than 4000 listeners.
“Read aloud for 15 minutes to anyone, anywhere, on IU Day!”
The idea is simple: read aloud to anyone, anywhere, on IU Day. The response of readers was amazing, and we had participation in every school in Wayne County, and several businesses and community groups, with readers who are IU East students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. The variety of readings included children’s books, poetry, short stories, adult non-fiction and fiction, and magazines.
So many schools, so many readers!
Once word spread via social media about the Read Out, there was a rush of reader registrations among the many IU East Alumni and IU fans teaching in local schools. K-12 schools participating in the Read Out included Centerville High School, Community Christian, Community Youth Services, Crestdale, Dennis, Hibberd, Liberty, Northeastern, Starr, Test, Union County Middle School, Vaile
IU East faculty read in courses ranging from plant biology (Little Shop of Horrors of course!) to Sociology (Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol) and IU East staff shared story books at local preschools and other locales.
Read alouds with athletes
Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach Keith Lundgren coordinated participation for several athletes to read to students at Crestdale elementary school and Starr Academy and for the WCTV special event. Athlete readers from Women’s Basketball team were Libby Springmier, Bailey Dreiman, Dasha Boyd,
Tia King, Mackenzie Campbell, and Keragan Niehoff and from Women’s Volleyball team Hannah Best, Madison Yoder, and Morgan Steinbrunner.
Community involvement
Community members Councilwoman Susan Isaacs, Chamber of Commerce staff Trevor Oakerson, and Mayor Dave Snow read in the community or on community access television. Also several public library staff joined in a Read Out at their libraries, including in Greenville, OH.
IU East faculty, staff and student athletes went out into the community, reading to older adults, animals (yes, you read that correctly!) and youth. Chancellor Kathy Cruz-Uribe, History professor Eugene Cruz-Uribe, Center for Health Promotion Wellness Specialist Deanna Cooper, were among several who read at Friends Fellowship Community. Reading at HELP the Animals shelter were Financial Aid Associate Director Amy Jarecki, Academic Affairs executive secretary Kim Ladd and Academic Affairs Vice Chancellor Mary Blakefield.
Alumni across the nation and around the world!
Almost 100 alumni participated in the Read Out, reading online, at work and at home. Michigan, Ohio, District of Columbia, Saudi Arabia and Sweden were among the states and countries where alumni and IU fans were reading.
WCTV – the reading continues!
Thanks to Eric Marsh, Ryan Harris, David and Ed Delapaz at WCTV, we had live readings from the studio and they were recorded so they can be re-broadcast. Readers for this special event were: IU East staff Jack Haggenjos, Ed Delapaz, Amy Jarecki, Kara Bellew, KT Lowe, John Dalton and Jason Troutwine; IU East faculty Lee Ann Adams, Tanya Perkins, Dr. Steven Petersheim, Dr. Denice Honaker and Frances Yates; IU East student athlete Tia King; and community members Sean Yates, Susan Isaacs, Trevor Oakerton.
Keep on reading…and be ready for the next Red Wolves Read Out! And for a great selection of reading options, the IU East Campus Library is here for you, in-person or online http://www.iue.edu/library