Grant from Maritz Continues Support of Webster University's Exemplary Student Literacy Corps

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maritz, a St. Louis-based company that assists many of the world's largest corporations in meeting their business goals, has awarded a $20,000 grant to Webster University's Student Literacy Corps. The grant will provide stipends for student tutors during the 2012-2013 academic year. 

"We are grateful for the commitment that Maritz makes to improve children's literacy through partnership with our Student Literacy Corps," said Dr. Elizabeth J. Stroble, president of Webster University.  "Just as improved literacy opens doors of learning and opportunity for the students Webster tutors serve, Maritz support opens doors of meaningful service and opportunity for the Webster tutors.  We thank Maritz for sustained support and for their model of service to our local community."

The Student Literacy Corps began as a service-learning project within the Webster University School of Education in 1990.  The program prepares University students to tutor struggling readers in the community, including grade-school children, adolescents and adults.  Student Literacy Corps tutors work with aspiring learners to help prepare them for success in school and the workplace. 

During the 2011-2012 academic year, thanks in part to the generous support of Maritz, 62 tutors served nearly 900 struggling readers at 21 sites throughout the greater St. Louis region, including elementary, middle and high schools; after-school programs; alternative education programs; homeless shelters; and the Adult Education Departments of St. Louis Public Schools and St. Louis County Schools. SLC tutors dedicated 8,500 hours to working one-on-one with struggling readers.

"Maritz has been a long-standing supporter of St. Louis philanthropy, and we are grateful for its generous support of our Student Literacy Corps," said Faith Maddy, vice president for Alumni and Development Programs. "Maritz continues to enable Webster to meet literacy needs in our community."

"Maritz is a world leader in understanding, enabling and motivating people so their full human potential is discovered, developed and energized," said Dr. Brenda Fyfe, dean of the Webster University School of Education. "This grant from Maritz will end the cycle of illiteracy for hundreds of members of our shared community.  Sometimes, a helping hand can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. We are extremely grateful for their generous support."

"At Maritz, we are dedicated to empowering people to reach their full potential and ensuring bright futures for generations to come," said Debbie Schirmer, community affairs manager at Maritz. "Our philanthropic efforts focus on education as a way to unlock that potential and have an impact in the communities in which we live and work. We feel that collaborative efforts are important in helping us achieve our philanthropic mission and actively seek out non-profits with similar views, so what better way to demonstrate our commitment than through Webster University's Student Literacy Corps … together, we're making a difference."

About Maritz
Maritz is a sales and marketing services company, which helps companies achieve their full potential through understanding, enabling, and motivating employees, channel partners and customers. Maritz provides marketing and customer research; communications; incentive initiatives; rewards and recognition programs; meeting, event & incentive travel management services; and consumer loyalty programs. We demonstrate our commitment to human potential by supporting educational endeavors in our community.  For more information, visit www.maritz.com or call 1-877-4MARITZ. Follow us on Twitter @Maritz_LLC.

About Webster University
With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses.  Founded in 1915, Webster University's campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

SOURCE Webster University