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Oxford and Beyond • Alumni Success

Miami University hosts literacy celebration at Queen City Book Bank

Published •
Amity Noltemeyer speaking to audience
Oxford and Beyond • Alumni Success

Miami University hosts literacy celebration at Queen City Book Bank

Published •

Miami University’s College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) hosted a Celebration of Literacy on Monday, November 18 at the Queen City Book Bank, highlighting the importance of literacy development in Cincinnati. The event also served as a networking opportunity and a send-off for EHS students graduating in December.

University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford spoke on behalf of the university, congratulating the students and emphasizing recent collaborations on the science of reading. Sharon Draper, a Miami University alumna, bestselling author, and former National Teacher of the Year, delivered the keynote address, sharing her journey as an educator and writer. Draper also signed copies of her book during the event.

Miami EHS faculty and students donated over 1,450 books to the book bank, which will be distributed to community partners, families, children, and teachers. Attendees received classroom supplies and new books to support their teaching careers.

Michelle Otten Guenther, CEO of Queen City Book Bank, praised the collaboration. “It is a privilege to work alongside educators who create learning environments where each student feels valued and empowered,” she said.

The event showcased various Miami University literacy initiatives, including TEACh Cincinnati, the EHS Learning Lab, and the Urban Cohort. Amity Noltemeyer, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society, called the evening “inspiring,” affirming the college’s commitment to literacy and community engagement.

View WXIX-Fox19 coverage of the event

(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT 4.0, a language model developed by OpenAI, assisted in writing this article.)

Four students smile and pose together in a colorful library setting at the Queen City Book Bank, each wearing name tags.
EHS students attending the event
A group of seven women pose together at the Queen City Book Bank, standing in front of a wall mural and bookshelves decorated with colorful props.
Sharon Draper with event attendees
A woman shakes hands with University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford while accepting a gift bag during a presentation at the Queen City Book Bank, with others smiling nearby.
University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford greeting event attendees
Five students stand behind two laptops and a Miami M sign at a book-themed display, showcasing EHS initiatives at the Queen City Book Bank.
EHS students highlighting EHS initiatives at the event
Three Miami University representatives stand smiling near large windows at the Queen City Book Bank, wearing name tags and professional attire.
Michelle Thomas, Assistant Vice President of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, with attendees
Faculty and guests pose in front of a black wall that says PIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE QUEEN CITY BOOK BANK, smiling by a book display.
EHS faculty, Dean Amity Noltemeyer, and Sharon Draper
A group of students waits in line for a book signing event, with author Sharon Draper seated at a table surrounded by large cartoon cutouts and bright decor.
Event attendees waiting to have books signed by Sharon Draper
EHS Dean Amity Noltemeyer speaks into a microphone in a colorful children’s library, standing near bookshelves and a Cool Kids Read sign.
Dean Amity Noltemeyer speaking to an audience
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College of Education, Health, and Society TEACh Pipeline Program