Lilly Endowment awards Vincennes University $500,000 grant

$500,000 has been awarded to the Education Department at Vincennes University for the purpose of making sure future teachers are equipped to help teach their young students how to read. Lilly Endowment is the source of the grant funding through its initiative Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana.

According to an article on Vincennes University’s website, Ted Maple, who is Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education, explained why this initiative and the subsequent grant funding is important, saying, “It is imperative that more of Indiana’s elementary students learn to read proficiently, and it is essential that current teachers and the next generation of teachers are prepared to use proven principles to teach reading in their classrooms. We are pleased therefore to help Indiana colleges and universities strengthen the use of these research-based principles to teach reading in their teacher preparation programs.”

The Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana initiative began in 2022 as an effort to help get Science of Reading principles into curriculums across the state. Vincennes University has included these principles in its curriculum to help Education majors and future educators learn the most effective ways to promote literacy in their students. The grant funding will go toward upgrading the curriculum and creating new growth opportunities for those studying education.

Dr. Cynthia Ragle, who is the dean of Vincennes University’s College of Social Science, Performing Arts and Communication, said, “As a teacher preparation program, VU has a robust system that allows individualized support and instruction of preservice teachers. The Education program is one in which students graduate and typically serve in local communities. This underscores the importance of our responsibility of how the Science of Reading matters, and how it works: by helping all children become confident and thoughtful readers.”

Dr. Laura Treanor, provost, added, “The growth and prosperity of Indiana communities hinge on the presence of a literate and skilled workforce. Proficiency in reading serves as the cornerstone for all learning. Strong literacy skills empower individuals to actively participate in the workforce, contribute to innovation, and propel economic development. Vincennes University firmly believes that investing in literacy development, especially through initiatives like Lilly Endowment’s Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana, is essential to secure a prosperous and thriving future for our region.”

For more information about Vincennes University, visit the school’s website.