Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) has received a grant of $500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana. The grant will allow CCSJ to prepare pre-service and in-classroom educators to teach reading more effectively.

“It is imperative that more of Indiana’s elementary students learn to read proficiently, and it is essential that current teachers and the next generation of teachers are prepared to use proven principles to teach reading in their classrooms,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “We are pleased therefore to help Indiana colleges and universities strengthen the use of these research-based principles to teach reading in their teacher preparation programs.”

Calumet College of St. Joseph is one of 28 Indiana colleges and universities that received grants from Lilly Endowment to support efforts that integrate Science of Reading-aligned principles into teacher preparation programs. The College will use grant dollars to revise its teacher education curriculum to reflect this goal. Additional grant funding will be used for professional development in area schools.

“Teachers are our greatest resource,” said Dr. Sean Egan, Director of CCSJ’s Education Department. “As one of the few approved Science of Reading providers in the Region, we are honored to partner with local schools to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. We look forward to working with teachers, principals and superintendents so that they can share the lifelong benefits of early literacy with their students.”

“We look forward to working with CCSJ on this initiative,” said Colleen Brewer, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Gary, “Our teachers will use professional development opportunities to earn Indiana Department of Education literacy certification. We will welcome CCSJ pre-service teachers in our schools and we will give CCSJ graduates with literacy certification every consideration in our hiring processes.”

“We have worked with Calumet College to provide well-qualified teachers for our elementary schools over many years. We will continue to work with the College to improve our students’ reading skills under the Science of Reading initiative, giving all students the foundation for success,” said Cindy Scroggins, School City of Whiting Superintendent.

Lilly Endowment launched the Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana initiative in 2022. It complements a statewide effort undertaken in 2022 by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to improve reading achievement in K-12 schools by helping current teachers implement Science of Reading-aligned principles in their classrooms. In 2022, the Endowment made a $60 million grant to the IDOE to support that work with school districts and teachers across the Indiana.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

About Calumet College of St. Joseph
Calumet College of St. Joseph is a graduate and undergraduate degree granting institution sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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Inquiries may be directed to Brian Lowry, Director of Communications & Public Relations, at (219) 473-4217 or blowry@ccsj.edu.