John S. Reed, Interim Chair of NYSE, Joins Board of Directors for Nonprofit Devoted to Improving Student Writing Skills

12/5/2003

From: Richard Sterling of the National Writing Project, 510-642-0963 E-mail: rsterling@writingproject.org

BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 5 -- The National Writing Project (NWP) announced that John S. Reed, former chief executive of Citicorp and current interim chair of the New York Stock Exchange, has joined its board of directors.

In accepting his membership to the NWP board, Reed stated, "As a business leader, I know well the importance of writing. So many jobs in our global economy require young people to write and communicate effectively. I look forward to working with the National Writing Project to strengthen writing instruction in America's schools and to help young people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond."

Reed is also on the boards of the Spencer Foundation in Chicago, the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC), and the Rand Corporation. He also serves on the board of MIT and is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the American Philosophical Society.

"We at the National Writing Project believe deeply that writing matters and we are delighted that John Reed has agreed to join our cause as a member of our board," said Richard Sterling, executive director of the National Writing Project. "Good writing is essential to academic achievement, to success in the workplace, and to full participation in our democracy and in our communities. Reed's expertise and experience can only add to our efforts to increase the quality of writing instruction in America."

About the National Writing Project

The National Writing Project aims to improve the writing skills of America's students by improving the teaching of writing at all grade levels and in all subject areas. The NWP network consists of 175 sites in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each site resides on a university campus and operates in partnership with local schools. The project served over 100,000 teachers in 2001-2002. The NWP celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2003-2004.

For additional information, please contact: Richard Sterling, executive director, National Writing Project, University of California, 2105 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-1042, 510-642- 0963, E-mail: rsterling@writingproject.org. Web: http://www.writingproject.org/pressroom/