Pleasant Rowland, noted educator, business leader and philanthropist, will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Educational Association in October.
The Seton Award is NCEA’s highest honor, given in recognition of significant contributions to Catholic education. The award is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1921), the first native-born American saint.
The 21st annual Seton Awards ceremony will be held Monday, Oct. 3 at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Rowland, of Middletown, Wisconsin, began her career as a primary-school teacher. Her lifelong interest in teaching children to read grew from her classroom experience and ultimately led to her authorship of reading and language arts programs used widely for 40 years in schools throughout the country.
In 1985, Rowland combined her love of American history and her commitment to high-quality educational products when she created the American Girls Collection, a line of historically accurate books, dolls and accessories lauded for its ability to make American history come alive for millions of children.
Rowland retired from American Girl in 2000 and formed the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation to serve her philanthropic interest in the arts, education and historic preservation. She then established the Rowland Reading Foundation to bring a new edition of the Superkids reading program back to primary-grade classrooms in order to address the nation’s need for highly motivating and rigorous reading instruction. The Superkids curriculum is used in Catholic schools across the country, producing exceptional learning results, and helping schools increase enrollment.
This year’s other Seton Award recipients are:
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Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, recognized for his dedicated support of Catholic education;
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Joseph E. Robert Jr, McLean, Va., for his unparalleled support of elementary and secondary education for low income families in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; and
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Mary Lynn and Warren Staley, Edina, Minn., for their support of Benilde-St. Margaret’s School and Opportunity International.
John Convey, Washington, D.C., will receive the President’s Award for his integral efforts on research and strategic planning for Catholic schools in dioceses and archdiocese across the nation.
For reservations or additional information about the Seton Awards, contact Xaverian Brother Stephen Comeau at NCEA at (571) 257-2891.
National Catholic Educational Association
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