A&M–Central Texas donates 200 books to elementary library
By Jonathan Petty
Texas A&M University–Central Texas President Dr. Richard M. Rhodes (center left) presents Pershing Park Elementary School Principal Jessica Taylor (center right) with a copy of “Owl Moon” as part of a 200-book donation to the school’s library. Also pictured, from left, Campus Instructional Coach Maria Munoz, A&M–Central Texas Dean of the College of Education and Human Development Dr. Lorrie Webb, Dr. Rhodes, Campus Instructional Specialist Ruth Lake, and A&M–Central Texas Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Judy Schaffer. 
Texas A&M University–Central Texas President Dr. Richard M. Rhodes reads to a second-grade class at Pershing Park Elementary School in Killeen on Wednesday afternoon. Rhodes spent time with the students as part of a book donation event between the university and elementary school.
It’s not very often a university president spends his afternoon hooting at second graders. But that’s exactly what happened when Texas A&M University–Central Texas President Dr. Richard M. Rhodes read “Owl Moon” to Samantha Torres’ second-grade class at Pershing Park Elementary on Wednesday.
Dr. Rhodes, along with Dean of the College of Education and Human Development Dr. Lorrie Webb and Dr. Judy Schaffer, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, delivered 200 children’s books to the library at Pershing Park.
Jessica Taylor, principal of the elementary school, said the donation from A&M–Central Texas will help foster learning among the young students, and will encourage them to spend more time with books.
“They are loving literacy and reading,” Taylor said of her students. “This will allow them the opportunity to take some books home and share them with their families.”
Dr. Schaffer led the collection drive for A&M–Central Texas. Faculty, staff and students were asked to donate books from an approved list. Collection began at the university’s convocation in August, leading to Wednesday’s donation and building on an already established working relationship between the schools. Dr. Schaffer said projects like this give A&M–Central Texas education students an opportunity to see what kind of difference books can make in a child’s education.
“Pershing Park partners with us and they host our teacher candidates,” Schaffer said. “So, they see a direct connection to the work they do in the classroom. Donating the books helps to show that literacy is important starting from the youngest students all through the grade levels.”
Dr. Rhodes was a hit with the second graders who, of course, asked if he was a real doctor. He challenged them to hoot like owls at appropriate times, holding their attention as he read the book. And while the kids had a good time listening, he also enjoyed the experience.
“Any time you need a guest reader,” he said to Principal Taylor, “I’ll be glad to come back.”
