Outside his usual setting of suits and ties, important meetings and decisions affecting thousands of students, Chancellor Michael Martin sat down with a group of elementary students Wednesday.
Wearing a red-and-white striped hat like the one from Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” Martin sat on a child-size chair and read Judith Viorst’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
The occasion was “Read Across America” week and Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration.
Martin engaged with the students, asking them questions about the book and the University. He learned in and asked if they wanted to come to the University when they got older.
“You’re going to play sports? Basketball? Football?” Martin asked the kids. “We’ve got a place for everyone to come and do that.”
Before leaving, Martin told the students to keep reading and snapped a picture with the group.
“[Today] reminds us that we have an obligation to our colleagues who work in K through 12,” Martin said after reading. “I so enjoyed my own kids when they were this age.”
Martin said it’s important to encourage the students to continue reading.
“If I had my choice, I’d do this all day and not go to important meetings,” Martin joked. “This is about the future of LSU as much as it is the present at Polk [Elementary School].”
University students also volunteered at Polk and Buchanan Elementary Schools.
Emily D’Aquin, child and family studies senior, said she volunteered because her major has taught her how important reading is.
“You should start reading to your child from birth,” she said. “And in our public schools, there should be all kinds of books available.”
D’Aquin read “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to a class of prekindergarten students.
“You know what a memory is? Things we remember from the past? Fun things we did?” D’Aquin said as she engaged students in the books.
Brandon Smith, community affairs liaison for LSU Community University Partnership, said about 70 students registered to read at Polk, and 40 students, faculty and staff read at Buchanan.
“As a former educator, I know the students were excited to have someone outside the school come in and read to them,” Smith said.
Smith said Read Across America is an annual event, and the chancellor always takes an active role in participating.
“[Martin] plays an integral role — he reads with a lot of excitement, he picks out his own books,” Smith said.
Smith said the event also gives the University the opportunity to give back to local schools.
“LSU always eagerly participates in this event because it shows that great college students are students who do well at the earliest stages of education,” Smith said.
Polk Elementary librarian Ann Scott said all across the country, people should be reading all week.
Scott said this week is about “appreciating the importance of reading, especially getting children exposed to different types of literature.”
Polk Elementary principal Cherryl Matthews said the school designates 105 minutes every day for reading. Matthews said this week will help put fun into reading.
From seeing the chancellor and University students reading them stories, Matthews said “the children will get the impression that reading is universal.”
Matthews said they provide additional reading support for children with special needs and encourage parents in the reading process. She said reinforcing the skill helps make reading a life-long habit for students.
“Having someone as special as Chancellor Martin come — it makes them feel special,” Matthews said. “They love that.”
 
 
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]