CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Dr. Marsha Grace, a professor in the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has received the Literacy Award from the Texas State Reading Association (TSRA) for her outstanding contributions to the promotion of reading. She was honored at the association’s annual breakfast, Sunday, Nov. 11, in El Paso.

Grace, who works extensively with children in area school districts and the Boys and Girls Club of Corpus Christi, designed a tutoring program that encourages life-long learning and the love of reading, writing and books for children in first through sixth grades.  She has received major financial support for her tutoring program from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation and has received additional support from HEB, Target, and Flint Hills Resources.

“The financial support of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has been a key ingredient in the success of this tutoring program,” said Grace. “Their grant has allowed me to engage children and teachers in wonderful literature explorations and has given me the resources to put high-quality literature into the hands of hundreds of children.”

Grace added that the additional financial support received from community groups and the University’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction have allowed her to share with teachers and children the benefits of great books and thought-provoking conversations in developing readers and writers for a lifetime.