[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO SISTER JOEL READ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Joel Read 
who has served as a mentor, teacher, college professor, a fierce 
advocate for women's rights and academic administrator. She was the 
longtime leader of Alverno College and her vision of placing abilities 
over grades put her among the nation's top college innovators. Sister 
Joel Read died, May 25, 2017 at the age of 91 years.
  Sister Read led her alma mater for nearly 35 years. The women's 
college located on Milwaukee's south side reflected her trailblazing 
approach. The depth of her influence reached far beyond the Alverno 
campus because of her involvement not only in local and national 
academic issues, but also due to her international network of contacts. 
She oversaw multi-million dollar fund raising campaigns that expanded 
the campus footprint, as well as scholarship and academic offerings. 
Under her leadership, Alverno launched one of the first internship 
programs in the country and initiated Weekend College targeted at 
working women. Sister Read focused on students developing abilities, 
rather than making grades to demonstrate skills and knowledge. The 
distinctive ability-based, ``assessment-as-learning'' curriculum 
approach introduced in 1973, still draws educators from around the 
world to visit Alverno.
  She was a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis since 1945. She 
was a fierce advocate for women's rights and was one of the founders of 
the National Organization for Women in 1966. President Gerald Ford 
appointed her to the National Commission on the Observance of 
International Women's Year in 1975. National leaders in political and 
education circles also sought her counsel. President Jimmy Carter 
appointed her to the National Council on the Humanities. Presidents 
George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton invited her to the 
White House to discuss educational policy. She was singled out as one 
of a handful of college presidents who broke educational ground in the 
past 100 years, in the book, ``The Many Lives of Academic Presidents''.
  Alverno College has opened doors to those who did not see college in 
their future. Alverno's enrollment is roughly 2,200. Forty-five percent 
of the undergrad population comes from the city of Milwaukee, and 44 
percent are women of color. Nearly seven in 10 are first-generation 
college students. Alverno consistently receives high ratings in US News 
& World Report. A 2015 report by The Education Trust found Alverno had 
both the highest percentage (36.2 percent) of federal Pell Grant 
recipients and minority undergrads (35.7 percent) among Wisconsin 
colleges and universities. Pell Grants provide need-based grants to 
low-income students.
  She retired as President of Alverno College in 2003 having served as 
one of the nation's longest serving college presidents and remained an 
energetic force in retirement. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize 
Sister Joel Read. She has left a legacy of advocacy and compassion. She 
was a true trailblazer. The citizens of the Fourth Congressional 
District, the State of Wisconsin and the nation have benefited 
tremendously from her dedicated service. I am honored for these reasons 
to pay tribute to Sister Joel Read.

                          ____________________