Centenary College Continue "Ethiopia Reads" Campaign in Honor of Professor Quade

Hackettstown, N.J.– For the past three years, Professor Emeritus Robert Quade spearheaded an on-campus fundraiser at Centenary for “Ethiopia Reads,” an organization that creates a literary culture in Ethiopia by connecting children with books and collected over 100 boxes of books sent to Ethiopia since 2009.

“Ethiopia Reads” plants libraries for children, creating culturally appropriate reading materials and training educators to nurture a love of books, “Ethiopia Reads” brings hope and educational skills to this generation of Ethiopians.  The founder of this charity, Yohannes Gebregeorgis, was named a “Top Ten Hero” of 2009 by CNN.
 
Professor Quade passed away earlier this year, but to keep his wish alive, the Athletic Department has been continuing the tradition to try to help promote literacy in Ethiopia, in addition to student participation fundraisers by the Commuter Council, spearheaded by Council President Billy McNeir.

In order to raise funds to send the books that have been collected recently, the Athletic Department is selling 3’ x 5’ international, state, and theme flags as an experiential learning project at $10 each to help fund the cost of sending the books.  People can also donate directly to “Ethiopia Reads” through monetary support or through the donation of gently used children’s books.

“Professor Quade was such a well respected member of the Centenary community and it is a pleasure to continue his good work,” says Billie Blackwell, Director of Athletics at Centenary College.  “Ethiopia Reads” is a great initiative and we would like to continue to support this important project.”

Quade became interested in “Ethiopia Reads” when his granddaughter, Caitlin Quade, was assigned to Ethiopia on a post-master’s internship for the Peace Corps.  She is surveyed the local countryside to determine health and education needs and worked with support groups for the many AIDS victims and the orphans of AIDS.  In addition, she read in English to elementary-school children and helped high-school students stage a play in English. Caitlin also established the first library in Adet while also constructing a café to be operated by unemployed women in the area. 

Professor Quade had an extensive and distinguished career in both the business and academic worlds. He held an MBA from the University of Iowa and directed a staff in the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation for 16 years. An expert in market research, he has consulted for companies such as Becton-Dickinson, Exxon, Pfizer, and C. R. Bard, and developed the first market research group in professional products at Johnson & Johnson, as well as serving as a sales manager and new products manager.  In addition to his career teaching business courses at Centenary and serving as the Chair of the Business Department at one point, he taught at the University of Iowa, University of Arkansas, Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Thomas Edison State College.  Professor Quade was the recipient of numerous awards at Centenary and founded the Centenary Wrestling team.   In addition, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Centenary College in 2007.

For further information on donating books, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2137, or e-mail blackwellb@centenarycollege.edu. in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Founded

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.
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