Capitol News

Patricia Edwards, a University Distinguished Professor in Michigan State University’s College of Education, has been awarded the William S. Gray Citation of Merit from the International Literacy Association (ILA).

Since 1957, the award has annually recognized an ILA member who has made significant contributions to various aspects of literacy development, including research, theory, practice, and policy. According to the ILA, it is the highest individual honor awarded by the organization.

“As a young child, I grew up reading ‘Dick and Jane’ books, and now I am honored to receive this citation in the name of the world-renowned scholar who authored the ‘Dick and Jane’ series,” Edwards said.

Known as “the father of reading,” Gray was considered the world’s leading scholar of reading during the first half of the 20th century. Edwards is only the second African American to win this award, which will be featured in ILA’s Literacy Today Magazine.

“This award is truly deserved by Dr. Edwards,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, College of Education dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor. “She is a transformational figure in the field of literacy and education.”

Edwards' career is marked by numerous achievements. She was the first African American president of the National Reading Conference (later named the Literacy Research Association) in 2006 and served as International Reading Association president in 2010. She was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2012 and received the Scholars of Color Distinguished Career Contribution Award from the Committee on Scholars of Color in Education at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in 2019.

In 2023, Edwards was named a Michigan State University Distinguished Professor — an honor given to select faculty members with significant teaching, research, and public service achievements. She is one of five current faculty members in her college to hold this distinction and was recently named a fellow of AERA — a top honor in education research.

As a scholar, Edwards has dedicated her career to promoting practical, sustainable, and inclusive reading and literacy instruction strategies for children. She has earned over $100 million in grant-funded projects, published 12 books (and counting), and developed two national literacy programs.

This story originally appeared on MSU's College of Education website.