SUNY Geneseo Graduate Student Ashley Hark from Dalton Receives James Patterson Scholarship

Related Media

Ashley Hark from Dalton, N.Y., a graduate student studying literacy at SUNY Geneseo, has received a James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship and an autographed book from the popular author.

GENESEO, NY (12/04/2013)(readMedia)-- Ashley Hark from Dalton, N.Y. (14826), a graduate student earning a master's degree in literacy from SUNY Geneseo's Ella Cline Shear School of Education, has received a $6,000 James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship. The best-selling author created the scholarship program at Geneseo to support aspiring teachers in promoting the importance of literacy in education.

"I've been looking to bring these scholarships to more schools, and after studying a number of institutions and programs, I found Geneseo to be a great addition," said Patterson, a highly popular mystery writer who also has written books for young readers. "My passion is to get more and more kids excited about reading, and training the next generation of great teachers is essential to that mission."

Hark is among eight graduate students at Geneseo receiving the scholarship this year. All are from New York. Next year, the Patterson Family Foundation will award the scholarships to full-time incoming freshmen intending to seek teacher certification, with the possibility of renewal through graduation.

"I am very grateful for this generous scholarship," said Hark. "It is allowing me to finish my master's degree so I can move on to my true passion of working with children and helping them to become life-long learners."

Hark was selected on the basis of academic performance and an essay describing how she would apply what she has learned to help children develop a lifelong passion for reading. Applications were reviewed by a committee of faculty led by Susan Salmon, assistant professor and coordinator of graduate programs in the School of Education.

Patterson sent Hark an autographed copy of his latest children's novel, "Treasure Hunters," and included a personalized note, stating that he was "thrilled that future teachers like you will help instill a lifelong love of reading in children."

"We are very honored that James Patterson has included Geneseo in his literacy initiative," said Anjoo Sikka, dean of the School of Education. "Exciting kids about books and reading is crucial to their success as readers, thinkers and keen observers and, ultimately, to become self-actualized and effective participants in our society. The scholarships will help us attract talented students with the kind of passion that drives Mr. Patterson. I sincerely commend him for his vision and am grateful for his contribution to the preparation of literacy teachers at SUNY Geneseo."

Patterson is among the most successful authors in history. He is the first to achieve 10 million ebook sales and has had more books ranked first on The New York Times best-seller list than any other author. He also is the current best-selling author in the young-adult and middle-grade categories and promotes reading through his website ReadKiddoRead.com.

SUNY Geneseo is firmly rooted in education, opening in 1871 as the Geneseo Normal and Training School. In 1948, the Geneseo Normal and Training School became a part of the State University of New York. The teachers colleges of SUNY became Colleges of Arts and Sciences in 1962, and two years later, Geneseo's four-year degree programs in arts and sciences were implemented. SUNY Geneseo's Department of Education was reorganized as a School of Education in 1992.

The School of Education today has 25 full-time and five part-time faculty members, who are preparing more than 700 students to be teachers. The school offers undergraduate programs leading to initial teacher certification in Early Childhood and Childhood, Childhood, Childhood with Special Education, and Adolescence Education. Graduate programs that could lead to professional certification are offered in Early Childhood and Childhood, Multicultural Childhood Education, Literacy (B-12) and Adolescence Education.