UW College of Education Dean Receives Highest Honor from International Literacy Association

University of Wyoming College of Education Dean D. Ray Reutzel has been awarded the most prestigious honor from the International Literacy Association (ILA), the William S. Gray Citation of Merit.

The award honors a nationally or internationally known individual for his or her outstanding contributions to the field of reading/literacy.

“Reutzel has been a consistent and influential voice for teacher preparation reform, evidence-based reading instruction and educational equity. His work has been vital in protecting the rights of all children to learn -- and love -- to read and write proficiently,” says ILA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post. “We’re thrilled to recognize his important contributions to ILA and to the literacy community at large.”

An ILA member since 1982, Reutzel is a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association (now the International Literacy Association) from 2007-2010; past president (2017-19) of the Reading Hall of Fame; former co-editor of The Reading Teacher; and a current member of ILA’s Literacy Research Panel.

“When I received the email that I had been awarded the William S. Gray Citation of Merit, I had to do a double take, reread the email and pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming,” Reutzel says. “I was both thrilled and humbled to receive this award from the International Literacy Association recognizing my career contributions in teaching, research, service and leadership in literacy education.”

Reutzel has written more than 230 research reports published in leading psychology and education research and professional journals, as well as articles, books, book chapters and monographs, and the bestselling textbook, “Teaching Children to Read: The Teacher Makes the Difference” (Pearson Education). To date, he has received more than $17 million in research and program development grant funding.

“There are so many other scholars in the field of literacy education worldwide whose published work has influenced my thinking, publications and leadership over many decades now,” Reutzel says. “As I think of these ‘greats’ in my field, I feel like I am among the least of these, if among them at all. There are so many other potential worthy recipients for this award.”