Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jenna Redline / Daily Vidette Photographer Dr. Linda Wedwick, interim director for the Center of Reading and Literacy, stands next to the new Center for Reading and Literacy sign on the third floor of DeGarmo Hall. The College of Education will dedicate the newly named Center on Wednesday. Jean Borg is being honored for her contributions to the Center and her support of education. The Center is also named after her mother, Mary, who encouraged her pursuit of education. [Click to enlarge]

The College of Education will be dedicating its newly named Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy on Wednesday, September 17, at 2 p.m. in 551 DeGarmo Hall.

"It's Jean's commitment to making sure the fundamental foundation of reading is augmented in the foundation of our teachers," Deborah Curtis, Dean of the College of Education and a friend of Jean Borg, said.

The decision to include Jean Borg in the naming of the Center was made in recognition of her various contributions supporting the work of the Center and of education at ISU.

"Jean Borg is an inspiration for all of us who want to see great education in our schools," Curtis said. "Jean's gift will support a tutoring program for students in the McLean County area by teacher education students at Illinois State."

Following the dedication ceremony, guests will be free to tour the center, located DeGarmo Hall room 310.

Along with her endowment for the Center for Reading and Literacy, Borg has also established several scholarships. They include the Mary R. Borg Presidential Scholarship, the Jean M. Borg Endowed Scholarship, and the Jean M. Borg Campus Enhancement Endowment.

"It's her hope that her scholarships and endowments will support and inspire the recipients," Director of Development for the College of Education Gail Lamb said.

Jean Borg earned her Bachelor's degree in education from Illinois State in 1950. Support for her education included a scholarship from the state of Illinois, given in recognition of her father's service in the U.S. Army during World War I.

Since Borg's graduation, she has served as a teacher, counselor and university faculty member. She was also a member of the National Commission focusing on the professional development of U.S. teachers and in doing so, spent 43 years in education.

Her mother Mary, a nurse and women's rights advocate, recognized the value of education and urged her daughter to continue hers.

"She wants to show her appreciation for the education she got here and how much that impacted the rest of her life," Lamb said.

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