Guest Lecturer Scheduled for South Texas Writing Project

The director of a successful East Texas writing project will provide a guest lecture to local participants in the summer South Texas Writing Project at Texas A&M International University at 9 a.m. Monday, June 9 in Pellegrino Hall 106.

Guest lecturer Dr. Charles Mazer directs the East Texas Writing Project at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. His lecture topic for Laredo participants will be "The Texas Writing Projects: A Promise to Our Students."

The South Texas Writing Project, an independent site within the National Writing Project, is directed in collaboration with A&M International and Laredo Community College. This is the second year that Project classes have been provided at A&M International.

Dr. Frances Rhodes, chair of the Department of English, Spanish and Fine Arts at the University's College of Arts and Humanities, is the professor of record for the initiative. Lucinda Farrokh, LCC English faculty member, is Project director.

The Project is an aggressive teacher training program that allows participants an opportunity to write intensively, discuss new and effective theories and practices of writing and to examine software appropriate for reading and writing. Both local school districts have involved their faculties in the effort.

Organizers predict that graduates of the Project will create a measurable ripple effect as they return to their respective campuses and classrooms, helping to advance student writing skills and better prepare them for the rigors of higher education.

The National Writing Project has been active for over 25 years and advocates that universities and schools work together as partners, believing that "top-down" traditions are no longer acceptable as staff development models.

For additional information on the South Texas Writing Project, contact Dr. Rhodes at A&M International, 326.2608 or Lucinda Farrokh at LCC, 722.0521.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu