Shirley Raines to speak at Altrusa January 28

Submitted

“Like Lessons Learned from Children’s Books and Stories” will be the topic when Shirley Raines speaks to the Altrusa Club of Oak Ridge on Wednesday, January 28.

Raines—who is a speaker, consultant in education and leadership development, and former president of the University of Memphis—will delight us with her humorous approach about how stories shape our lives in families, in classrooms, and in careers.

Raines began her career as a teacher of young children, then became a Head Start and child care director. She later wrote 14 books for early childhood educators.

Throughout her career, she moved to college teaching, then into administration—serving as department chair, dean, then college president.

For several years, she has been the keynote speaker for the Harvard Institute for Presidents and Chancellors.

“I may be the only kindergarten teacher in America who became a university president,” Raines said.

Raines retired in June 2013, after serving 12 years as president of the University of Memphis. Previously, she had served as vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean of the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. During her presidency at U of M, the college experienced phenomenal growth to more than 22,000 students. She established the University of Memphis Research Foundation and the Memphis Research Consortium.

Raines was the first female president of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce.

A native of Bells, Tennessee, Raines is married to retired professor Robert Canady, and they have one son and two grandchildren.

Altrusa International is a service organization whose members focus on leadership, partnership, and service with an emphasis on literacy, education, and providing educational scholarships.

Meetings are held in Salon A of the Double Tree Hotel in Oak Ridge. Reservations are required. The buffet line ($13) opens at 11:30 a.m. The meeting and program starts promptly at noon. The public is invited. Reservations may be made by email at [email protected] by noon on Friday, January 23.