Celebrating 30 years of doctoral graduates

The Department of Reading and Language Arts celebrated 30 years of doctoral graduates June 2-3 at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan.

To date, 99 students have earned doctoral degrees in Reading and Language Arts. The two-day reunion began on Sunday afternoon with the unveiling of the newest collection of Ashley Bryan paintings and the presentation of a plaque honoring his generosity to Oakland University.

Bryan, one of America's most revered authors and illustrators of children's books, flew in from his home on Little Cranberry Island, Maine. He is the first and only recipient of an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the School of Education and Human Services. His paintings remain on display in the art gallery on the third floor of Pawley Hall. On Sunday evening, Bryan treated the Reading and Language Arts reunion to a medley of his favorite poems.

On Monday, alumni led a panel discussion on the unexpected career paths they have pursued since graduating from OU. Current doctoral candidates and recent graduates introduced their on-going research at round-table discussions, after which there was a festive luncheon and lots of reminiscing. More than half of the graduates returned, many with spouses, to catch up with friends, classmates and former or current faculty members.

Photos from the reunion are available online on the OUSEHS flickr account, or by visiting oakland.edu/rlareunion.