Dr. Susan L. Nierstheimer, an assistant professor of literacy and language at Purdue, was an extraordinary teacher, colleague, alumna, and friend. Before losing her battle with cancer in 2005, she asked for one thing in her memory: to get books in the hands of young children.
Will you carry on Dr. Nierstheimer's legacy by giving to the Susan Nierstheimer Memorial Book Fund today?
First grade readers from Glen Acres Elementary School in Lafayette, IN
You can help fulfill Dr. Nierstheimer's dream!
Established by Norm Nierstheimer in 2010, the Susan Nierstheimer Memorial Book Fund provides children's books to local first graders who are enrolled in reading intervention programs at their schools. The fund is held within the Purdue University College of Education.
You can provide a student reader with a bright blue tote bag containing four books, each one carefully chosen from a selection of children's literature and gifted in recognition of the student's hard work and improved reading skills. The books include one that the student will be able to read easily, two that will provide a bit of a challenge, and one that they will enjoy sharing with an adult. A specially designed bookplate is placed in the front of each book with the following inscription: "This book is a gift from the Susan Nierstheimer Book Fund."
Over 10,000 books have been gifted to nearly 2,700 children, but there is still more to do!
You can bring more smiles to the faces of student readers
The need for reading intervention is growing each year, and we need your help to keep up. Your generosity can make the Susan Nierstheimer Memorial Book Fund more sustainable, and expandable, so that we can continue to teach students the joy of reading for years to come.
Even after her diagnosis in 2003, Dr. Nierstheimer continued to teach. She inspired many with her deep love of education and literacy, as well as her special ability to connect with students. Her legacy lives on in her family and the thousands of children that have been touched by her spirit.
Honor Dr. Nierstheimer's memory by making your gift, today!
Your gift covers the cost of one bag of books for a local student reader!
Your generosity can provide six bags of books for six local first graders!
You can cover the entire cost of the blue tote bags for one elementary school!
You can give children's books and tote bags to an entire school of readers!
You can provide students with free children's books for a whole year!