|
First lady of Texas Laura Bush to speak at UNT Sept. 4
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- During the recent Presidents' Summit for America's Future, the call was loud and clear -- Americans are needed to volunteer for non-profit organizations that are meeting community needs in place of government human service programs.
Texas first lady Laura Welch Bush will discuss how volunteers can improve neighborhoods and communities during a public affairs forum at the University of North Texas Sept. 4 (Thursday). The forum, which includes a luncheon, will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the University Union, Silver Eagle Suite, one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets.
Open to 300 invited guests, the event is the first-ever UNT School of Community Service Public Affairs Forum. Elected officials from throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, directors of area volunteer agencies and representatives from Chambers of Commerce are among those expected to attend. The School of Community Service plans to hold public affairs forums annually.
A former elementary school teacher and librarian, Laura Bush promoted literacy and libraries throughout her career as an educator. She continues to focus on these issues as first lady of Texas. In 1996, shortly after her husband, Gov. George W. Bush, announced a Reading Initative for Texas, Bush announced her own reading initiative -- the First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative, which was made possible by funds from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
While the governor's initiative addresses literacy for Texas schoolchildren, Laura Bush's initiative encourages entire families to read together. The goal of the governor's initiative is for all children to learn to read on their grade level or better by the end of third grade and continue reading on their grade level or better throughout their schooling. Laura Bush's initiative promotes family literacy by supporting programs that help grandparents, parents and children improve their literacy skills and practice reading together at home.
A supporter of issues that are important to women and children, Laura Bush joined the National Governor's Association's Governor's Spouse Program to promote breast cancer awareness and other women's health issues. She works with agencies and volunteer groups to promote child health and safety issues. Bush serves on several boards, including the advisory board of the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom and the national advisory board of Reading is Fundamental.
A native of Midland, Texas, Bush earned a bachelor's degree in education from Southern Methodist University and a master's degree in library science from the University of Texas at Austin. She taught elementary school in Dallas, Houston and Austin from 1968 to 1977.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Nancy Kolsti (940) 565-3509
Email: nkolsti@unt.edu
Latest News
Frolic through UNT’s children’s fashion exhibition
Child's Play: A Children's Fashion Story, an exhibition presented by the Texas Fashion Collection, explores the change in children's fashions from 1870 to 1950.
UNT welcomes first Terry Scholar, Krystal Castañeda
Krystal Castañeda, a first-generation college student from Cedar Hill, became the first Terry Scholar at UNT when she started graduate work last month.
UNT grant to help ensure transfer student academic success
UNT received a $270,000 grant to help community college students develop academic plans that transfer to UNT degree plans and improve transfer success rates.
UNT scientists find 'green' way to store carbon dioxide
The team determined that using proteins could lead the way to the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly carbon capture technology.
UNT named Tree Campus USA University for second straight year
Tree Campus USA honors colleges, universities and surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship.
UNT professor works to improve colon cancer screening
Jung Hwan Oh is developing software to improve colonoscopies and create important quality controls for the procedure.
|
