Every year, the SPU campus and library host fifth graders from Dearborn Park Elementary school. The objective of this annual event is to introduce the students to a college environment early so they can begin thinking, planning, and preparing for their own academic possibilities and subsequent journey. The students participate in programs in the Physics and Physical Education department on campus, eat at our cafeteria, and hunt for information at the library to find resources for their State Report projects, in conjunction with their Social Studies class. Cindy Strong, the Education and Business Librarian, organizes the library portion of the event.

Today, fifty Dearborn Park fifth graders participated in the event with twenty-five SPU students assisting them. Many of our library staff also contributed their time and efforts to help make this event a success. It has been a highlight of our academic year for the past nine years, and this fall, a student who attended a past Going to College in the fifth grade day enrolled as a freshman at SPU.

To the fifth graders at Dearborn Park Elementary School – we hope you had a blast today, and will seriously consider Going to College in the “thirteenth” grade as well.