Kathleen E. McCarney was awarded the Adeline W. Gomberg Award in Reading at Arcadia University’s 2010 Honors Convocation.

McCarney, of South Philadelphia, volunteers for the Center for Literacy and is helping with a fifth-grade classroom at JH Taggart Elementary School in Philadelphia. She attended North Penn High School in Hatfield, Pa., where her mother is the Literacy Specialist. “It has taken a few years and a few life experiences before I realized that I wanted to teach as well,” McCarney says. “I am now pursuing my Master of Education in Reading with a certificate in ESL here at Arcadia.”

The Gomberg Award in Reading is awarded to an outstanding graduate student in the Education program who has exhibited particular excellence in the field of reading. This award was established by Dr. Adeline W. Gomberg, former Professor of Education and Director of Arcadia University’s Reading Clinic.

“Kathleen has exhibited exemplary skills throughout her program at Arcadia University,” said Assistant Professor Mark Wade. “She has demonstrated excellent understanding of important theoretical concepts in literacy instruction, and, in addition, has demonstrated an ability to work with students in assessing important literacy skills to prepare and provide necessary instruction to support their learning. She demonstrates strong leadership abilities and a high level of professionalism, and exhibits the qualities to become a leader in the field of literacy.”