Alice Randlett:
Librarian and Reading specialist retires from UWSP

An expert in academic literacy and reading, who served both as the Reading Programs Coordinator and as a library faculty member, has retired after thirty-two and one-half years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Alice Randlett says one of her proudest career accomplishments was the development of the Reading Adjunct Program, an innovative offering through the Tutoring-Learning Center (TLC) that enables students in various disciplines to develop their skills in reading in the content areas. Trained peer leaders help small groups of students hone their reading skills by discussing and writing about what they read. Randlett has presented information on the program at conferences throughout the country and national organizations have recognized its effectiveness.

Randlett, who also worked as a reference and instruction librarian, began UWSP's Tutor in the Library Program that provides students with paraprofessional on-the-job experience while working with reference librarians. In addition, many of those tutors also serve as reading and writing tutors at the TLC.

An acquisitions librarian earlier in her career, Randlett helped develop extensive library collections, especially in women’s studies and helped develop the Women’s Studies Program at UWSP. From 1977 through 1989, she served on an advisory group to the UW-System Women’s Studies Librarian’s Office. She also served on the UW-System Scholarly Communications Committee, a group convened in 1989 to discuss electronic publishing and its impact on the academy. Her participation led to her early involvement with distance education at UWSP, both as instructor and reference services provider.

Randlett holds bachelor and master’s degrees from UWSP, a master’s in library science from Rosary College, and a Ph.D. from UW-Madison. Her dissertation, "Learning to be Remedial," was recognized as outstanding by the International Reading Association in 1989.

She says she has been more than busy for 30 years, but it was "challenging, fun, and exciting." She will miss her colleagues and students. The Library and TLC have become like family. However, she looks forward to spending more time with a son who is a chemist in Madison, two grandsons, nieces and their children.

Randlett has been involved in a number of professional groups during her career, including the American Reading Forum, to whose board of directors she serves as secretary, the College Reading Association, International Reading Association, Wisconsin State Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. She also taught at Cardinal Stritch College in the early 1990s and has served on the board of Mid-State Technical College since 1995, currently acting as secretary. She has filled two terms on the Session at Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, with special involvement in social justice issues.

Following her retirement, Randlett says she wants to sit at her window and watch other people go to work in nasty weather. Travel to Sicily and possible future trips to Spain (she led UWSP’s Semester Abroad to Spain in 1985) and Antarctica are on her agenda. She plans to continue to live at her home in Stevens Point, pursue further education “for the joy of it,” and enjoy not being tied to a clock.

Of course, “first and foremost,” she plans to read!

Article and photo courtesy of UWSP News Services