Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Business Journal Q3 2014 | Page 50

WYOMING READS
Article originally published in the Wyoming Library Roundup magazine, a publication of the Wyoming State Library.
“The Governor and I believe that children are our
greatest asset in the state,” Mead said. “To the
extent that we can foster their happy and healthy
upbringings, we ensure a successful future for them
and, in turn, for Wyoming. I believe literacy is critical
to a happy, healthy childhood.”
That is why supporting efforts to start the Literacy
Research Center and Clinic appealed to her.
“Families who spend time reading together each day
promote social and emotional well-being in their kids
through parent-child bonding. They also encourage
literacy by laying the foundation for intellectual
curiosity, a trait that prepares kids for success in
school. And of course, we know that literacy is the
backbone to lifelong learning.”
Right after the governor took office, Dr. Kay
Persichitte, who served as dean of the
College of Education until late 2013,
and UW Foundation President
Ben Blalock discussed with
the First Lady over coffee
her general interest in
literacy.

PG 50 l

Education: The Foundation of Our Future

She was so enthusiastic about the potential for the center
to improve literacy outcomes across the state that she
adopted literacy as one of her primary agenda, explained
Persichitte. She added that Literacy Research Center and
Clinic was so fortunate to gain her support.
Mead said she didn’t hesitate to join them when they
invited her to serve as spokeswoman for a campaign
to raise money to establish a statewide literacy center
and clinic. That is how the First Lady became involved
in hosting community literacy forums in 2013 to
cultivate conversations about literacy resources and needs
throughout the state.