Professor of teacher education Patricia Edwards has received the Albert J. Kingston Service Award, given each year by the Literacy Research Association (LRA).
The award was presented at the association’s annual conference in San Diego, Calif. on Dec. 1, 2012. Edwards is the first African-American to receive the association’s prestigious award.
“According to Marian Wright Edelman, ‘Service is the rent each of us pays for living. The only thing that lasts is what is shared with others,'” Edwards said during her acceptance speech. “The Albert J. Kingston award is one that I will always deeply cherish.”
Named for National Reading Conference founder Albert J. Kingston, the service award is given to an association member who embodies exemplary service to LRA. Edwards has been an association member since 1983, and for the past 30 years, has served in various offices including president, as well as multiple committees. She currently serves on the Multicultural Committee and has been actively involved in recruiting and attracting members of color.
Edwards was nominated by four faculty members from the literacy studies program at University of Nevada, Reno — a group that included MSU alumna Cynthia Brock.