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UF gift from novelist James Patterson creates 8 scholarships in elementary education

PattersonIt should come as no surprise that James Patterson, one of America’s current top bestselling authors, has a passion for books and reading, and he supports those who do the same.

But the plot thickens. Patterson believes one way to champion books and reading for children is by supporting our future teachers, which explains why his Patterson Family Foundation has donated $48,000 for scholarships benefiting eight elementary education students at the University of Florida.

“I was especially impressed by the teaching program at UF’s College of Education,” said Patterson, who lives in Palm Beach. “As a Floridian myself, I know UF is committed to quality in education, and I want to help these students who are eager to become great teachers.”

Patterson has sold more than 275 million copies of his books worldwide and has received and been nominated for numerous awards. He also holds the Guinness world record for most hardcover fiction bestselling titles by a single author. 

His foundation’s gift to the college will award eight incoming elementary education students with a $6,000 scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year. The scholarship recipients will be obligated to submit a written essay by the end of the academic year in which they describe how they plan to apply what they have learned in their teacher education program within their future classrooms.

“Great teachers are at the core of our democracy,” said Elizabeth Bondy, the director of the college’s School of Teaching and Learning. “This gift will enable dedicated college freshmen to become practitioner scholars who will educate our youth and lead ongoing efforts to strengthen schools and society.”

The Patterson Family Foundation has provided scholarships to undergraduate and graduate education students at more than 15 colleges across the United States. The author and his wife also support scholarships at their alma mater universities, Manhattan College, Vanderbilt University and the University of Wisconsin. 

Patterson, author of best-selling suspense-thriller series like Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett, is also the current bestselling author in the young adult and middle grade categories.

CONTACT
SOURCE: Sabrina Benun, Hachette Book Group, 212-364-1487, sabrina.benun@hbgusa.com
SOURCE: Elizabeth Bondy, School of Teaching and Learning, UF College of Education, 352-273-4242, bondy@coe.ufl.edu
MEDIA CONTACT: Larry Lansford, director, news and communications, UF College of Education, 352-273-4137, llansford@coe.ufl.edu
WRITER: Alexa Lopez, news and communications, UF College of Education, 352-273-4449, aklopez@coe.ufl.edu

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COE student awarded Korean Honor Scholarship

Yujeong Park

Yujeong Park, a UF doctoral student in special education, is one of 25 Korean and Korean-American graduate students nationwide to receive the 2011 Korean Honor Scholarship for high academic achievement and noteworthy extracurricular activities.

The Republic of Korea government created the scholarship in 1981 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of diplomacy between Korea and the United States, and to encourage outstanding Korean students to achieve their highest academic performance and develop leadership qualities for their future professional careers.

The scholarship committee awarded 105 scholarships this year and more than 2,400 over the past 28 years.

Park began her UF doctoral studies in special education two years ago. She also works as a research assistant for UF’s National Center to Inform Policy and Practice in Special Education Professional Development.

She presented a research report in April in New Orleans at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. Her report explored the linkages between knowledge for teaching fluency, classroom practice and student achievement. She also is leading a study on the effects of the Head Start program for English language learners.

Park previously received the University of Florida’s 2010 International Outstanding Student Award.

 

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