SC State’s Clyburn Honors College donates books to Brookdale Elementary School for HBCU Week

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College recently led an initiative to promote literacy at rural schools in Orangeburg County.
 
The joint effort with several SC State offices and programs included providing books for young students to take home to begin building their personal libraries during HBCU Week at Brookdale Elementary School.
 
“Collaboration is the main ingredient in the success of this worthwhile literacy effort to ensure that our youth are not only encouraged to read but also are provided books to start or add to their personal collections,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker, Jr., the Honors College’s dean. “Indeed, teamwork makes the dream work, and I am so proud of the university family for their contributions to the literacy campaign.”
 
Alongside the Honors College, participating SC State units included the Miller F. Whittaker Library, the Office of Student Life & Leadership, the Department of Athletics, the SC State Cheerleaders and the First-Year Experience.
 
Books were generously donated by a well-known publishing company thanks to a partnership facilitated by Dr. Windy Stephenson, director of academic and scholarship services for the Honors College, during her time in Pre-K-12 school administration.
 
Several Honors College students and student workers of the library volunteered their time to sort and organize books, ensuring that each Brookdale student received reading materials. Cathi Cooper Mack, assistant to the Whittaker Library’s dean and coordinator of collection organization, oversaw the distribution to the young students.
 
“Developing a culture of reading for our children and youth at an early age is critical in achieving literacy and establishing well-educated future generations of accomplished citizens,” Stephenson said.
 
In addition to the literacy initiative, the event was filled with school spirit and lively activities. Spike the Bulldog, SC State’s beloved mascot and the SC State cheerleaders interacted with the young scholars, creating excitement and fun.  Members of the “Divine Nine” fraternities and sororities, the Student Government Association and other campus organizations led the Brookdale Eagles in cheers, steps, strolls and dancing, making the event a high-energy celebration for all involved. 
 
Stephenson, a passionate advocate for literacy, shared her love for reading and encouraged students to embrace it. Leading the Brookdale Eagles in an interactive chant, "The More I Read, The Better I Get," she inspired students to take pride in reading.
 
The First-Year Experience’s Dr. Lisa Sparks, executive director, and Naseema Moore, assistant director, and a group of eager SC State freshmen also participated. 
 
Brookdale Principal Georgetta Kennedy, Assistant Principal Brian Young, and School Counselor Gervais Fore expressed their gratitude for SCSU's support. They noted how initiatives like these foster a love for learning, enhance literacy skills, and create a strong community connection for the young scholars.
 
Whitaker expressed thanks Dr. Ruth Hodges, the Miller F. Whittaker Library’s dean; Dr. Franklin Pressley, director of Student Life and Leadership; and Dr. Nathan Cochran, vice president of athletics, for their roles in supporting the effort alongside Stephenson, Mack, Sparks and Moore.