The Grizz works to instill love of reading in elementary students

By Katie Land, news editor

The Grizz reads to local elementary students as part of "Grizzly Story Time Visits."

Oakland University is working to instill a love of reading and some grizzly pride in local elementary schools this spring. For the second year in a row, the Grizz has visited classrooms to share the original children’s story book, “Hello Grizz!”

The 2011 Hello Grizz Story Time visits kicked off at Susick Elementary in Troy at the end of February. OU alumna Lisa Egle introduced "March is Reading Month" to an all school assembly in the gym and then read the story to the different grades in smaller groups.

“Oakland’s staff and faculty have been a great support of the program,” said Denae May, coordinator of OU’s Alumni Admissions Ambassador Program. “Members of the community have recommended the classrooms of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren to help us connect to the community and alumni alike.”

In all, the Grizz will visit 10 elementary schools with the program, and will read with more than 700 students.

Many of the participating teachers are Oakland alumni and teach at schools in Detroit, Rochester, Troy, Walled Lake and more.

Lisa Egle, an OU alum and teacher at Susick Elementary in Troy, was delighted to host a story visit in her classroom.

"Having The Grizz visit our school to kick off  “March Is Reading Month” was such a memorable experience for both our staff and students,” she said. “The children learned that not only is reading important, but it can be fun and enjoyable as well. They keep asking when the Grizz will be back!"

The program, Grizzly Story Time Visits, was put together as a collaboration between the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Alumni Relations and Government Relations. Government Relations showed their support by sending copies of the book to the new state legislators.

“Hello, Grizz!” tells the story of Oakland as the Grizz takes a tour and learns about the university’s history and what it is like to be a student. The book was penned by OU staff members Dawn Aubry Slowik, Melinda Booth, Kelly Garnett and Kelly Smith.

Copies of “Hello, Grizz!” are available for purchase online at the NCAA Gear Shop.

To learn more about Grizzly Story Time Visits, call Undergraduate Admissions Programming at (248) 370-4556 or email visit@oakland.edu.