GENESEO – A handful of select freshmen from SUNY Geneseo’s English education majors have recently received James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships.
In the second year of the scholarships, eight freshmen were awarded, and have the choice of renewing the $6,000 award until their graduation.
“I am honored that James Patterson’s active and sustained participation as an advocate for literacy has spread to Geneseo,” said Anjoo Sikka, Dean of the School of Education for SUNY Geneseo. “With these scholarships, he highlights the importance of children developing a lifelong love of reading and the critical importance of attracting teachers who can spark that passion in their students.”
The recipients of the scholarships include William Antonelli, Catherine Blaszak, Jennifer Joyce, George Goga, Julia Kinel, simone Louie, Melissa Rao, and Renee Weinstein. These students received the award based on their academic performance, and their answers to an essay.
The essay asked the students to explain how they would use their knowledge to help children find and sustain a passion for reading.
Patterson, a renowned author who famously wrote the children’s novel Treasure Hunters, continues to encourage strong readership with this scholarship.
The Patterson Family Foundation gives scholarships to students at over 20 colleges and universities country-wide.
Photo Caption: Photo from SUNY Geneseo website.