VANCOUVER, Wash. — Education faculty and staff at Washington State University Vancouver have established a new lecture series to honor recently retired director of education Sherry Vaughan. Vaughan retired in June after 18 years of service to WSU.
The first lecture in the Sherry Vaughan Distinguished Lecture in Education series, “Language and Thinking in School: A 21st-Century Perspective,” is at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 in the Student Services Building lecture hall. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Internationally renowned educators Yetta and Ken Goodman from University of Arizona will discuss language and teaching and learning as it applies to language arts curricula. They have authored more than 20 books on literacy and education and have popularized the term “kid watching,” referring to the need for teachers to observe their students’ language and learning development. Yetta is the Regents Professor of Education at UA. Ken is a professor emeritus.
Vaughan began work in Pullman in 1983 as an assistant professor in literary education. In 1989 she was promoted to associate professor, and in 1991 she became associate dean of the College of Education. She came to WSU Vancouver in 1994 as director of education programs. At commencement in May, she was awarded the Dean’s Medallion for Service to WSU Vancouver.
Her colleagues established the lecture series to recognize Vaughan’s dedication to education and the training of teachers. Nearly $5,000 has been raised to support the annual lecture from private gifts.
“Sherry’s dedication to students is truly exceptional. She lives out her love of learning every day in the classroom, with her colleagues and throughout the community,” said Gisela Ernst Slavit, assistant professor of education. “Sherry’s spirit of encouragement is contagious, and her personal drive and commitment to helping each of her students succeed is unparalleled.”
For more information, call the education program at 360/546-9630. Anyone interested in supporting the lecture series can contact Jennifer Crooks, 360/546-9604 or crooks@vancouver.wsu.edu.
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