AT&T Foundation donates $20,000 to Wadley Center

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Through the generosity of the AT&T Foundation, the Capitola Cappi Wadley Center for Reading and Technology at Northeastern State University has been awarded a generous grant.

The AT&T Foundation, which awards funds to programs with educational aims such as raising literacy or reducing the high school dropout rate, will give $20,000 to the Wadley Center.

"The Wadley clinic was established to tutor those having difficulty reading and enhance the skills of those who wish to be reading instructors in their professional careers," said Craig Cromley, area manager of external affairs for AT&T Oklahoma.

Anita Thompson, development and grants officer for the College of Education, said NSU was excited to partner with AT&T to improve literacy in northeast Oklahoma.

"This type of grant has the potential to impact the lives of children and families throughout NSU's service area," she said.

Thompson said half the donation will be used on clinic technology, $7,500 will purchase books and $2,500 will fund the center's first family literacy night in late October.

Cromley said the AT&T Foundation believes an educated literate citizenry helps create a high quality of life in a community.

"Education prepares individuals to enter the workplace of the 21st Century, which requires a greater technical aptitude than in an earlier era," he said. "The ability to read and comprehend is the foundation of all learning."

Housed on Bagley's third floor, the Wadley Center offers a clinic where children can overcome reading deficiencies through tutoring. It houses rooms for individual or group instruction, collaborative learning areas, a computer lab, classrooms and a workroom.

One-on-one instruction programs are focused on children, but NSU's College of Education wants to include services for adults in the future. The clinic plans to host family literacy nights regularly.

"Though we already have a waiting list, we are working hard to train additional volunteers so we can provide more services," Thompson said. "Those seeking literacy tutors should still call the center."

Gregg Wadley, Northeastern class of 1969, and his wife, Dr. Betsy Brackett, pledged $1 million in December 2009 in honor of Wadleys mother, Cappitola Cappi Wadley, who passed away in 2005. The gift was the first million-dollar donation in NSU's history.

Thompson said the Wadley Center always welcomes funding from donors. A maintenance endowment cares for rooms, furniture and equipment. Naming opportunities are available throughout the clinic.

"We encourage other companies and individuals to become partners in our efforts to enhance literacy in northeast Oklahoma," Thompson said.

The facility is directed by Dr. Tobi Thompson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction.

For more information about the Capitola Cappi Wadley Center for Reading and Technology call 918-444-3313.