News Harris-Stowe State University For Immediate Release Contact: Courtney McCall (314) 340-3391 mccallc@hssu.edu Harris-Stowe Awarded Grant to Support Reading Technology for Small Children ST. LOUIS, MO (November 8, 2011) - Harris-Stowe State University was recently awarded a grant from Savvis Inc. for its William L. Clay Sr. Early Childhood Development/Parenting Education Center, to support the purchase of iPads and reading technology. The grant, in the amount of $3,660, was a part of the Savvis Cares charitable giving program. With the reading component being a vital part of the Clay Center's curriculum, any resources that would aide in the goal to increase vocabulary and stimulate the minds of children, will prove to be beneficial to the children and their learning experiences in the center. The project was designed to engage the children in reading and language development activities for eight months, while implementing a technology component through the help of community volunteers who will serve as designated readers. Nearly 100 children will be able to participant in this project. "The teachers are excited about the possibility of introducing technology into the daily learning experiences of children," said Dr. Patricia Johnson, director of the Clay Center. "Children will be able to have both auditory and visual access to some of their favorite stories and the characters in those stories. It's more interactive when children can hear the characters speak, rather than just seeing pictures and text on the printed pages." Harris-Stowe State University, located in midtown St. Louis, is a four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in the areas of Accounting, Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Care Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Sciences and Computer Technology, Mathematics, Middle School Education, Professional Interdisciplinary Studies, Secondary Education and Urban Affairs. Ranked by U.S. News as one of America's Best Colleges in the Midwest, the university, which has been in existence for more than 150 years, offers the most affordable bachelor's degree in the metropolitan area. ### Courtney Z. McCall Assistant Vice President Communications, Marketing, Alumni Affairs & Development Harris-Stowe State University Ofc: (314) 340-3391 I mobile: (314) 280-9964 I fax: (314) 340-3575 web: www.hssu.edu <http://www.hssu.edu/> **********************Harris-Stowe State University********************** This e-mail is confidential and sent only to specified recipient(s). However, all e-mail is subject to possible interception by third parties. *************Contact postmaster@hssu.edu to report problems**************