ProLiteracy’s Lifetime Board Member Receives Honorary Degree

Ruth J. Colvin honored at Skidmore College

Syracuse, NY

Literacy Volunteers of America founder Ruth Colvin will receive an honorary degree when Skidmore College holds its 97th Commencement exercise May 17, 2008.

Colvin founded LVA in 1962, establishing a network of community programs that used volunteers to teach adults in the U.S. basic reading, writing, and math skills. LVA merged with Laubach Literacy International in 2002 to create ProLiteracy Worldwide, Inc., the world’s largest organization of adult basic education and literacy programs. Colvin is a lifetime member of ProLiteracy’s Board of Directors.

Skidmore marks Colvin’s tenth Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree; she also has been honored by Wilson College, Hobart/William Smith College, LeMoyne College, Mercy College, Middlebury College, Marymount College, the State University of New York, and Syracuse University.

Colvin also is recipient of many national recognitions, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the President’s National Volunteer Action Award. She is a member of the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

About ProLiteracy: ProLiteracy supports adults and young people in the U.S. and internationally who are learning to read, write, and do basic math by training instructors, publishing instructional materials, and advocating for resources and public policies that support them. ProLiteracy represents more than 3,000 organizational and individual members in the U.S. and works with 125 nongovernmental agencies in 65 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The sale of materials produced by ProLiteracy’s publishing division, New Readers Press, support its programs and services.