Carolyn Peluso Atkins, a professor in the department of speech pathology and audiology at West Virginia University, has written a children’s book entitled Living Life in the West Virginia Way (Mascot Books, 2013). She wrote the book to build a sense of character and to instill pride in West Virginia among the state’s children. Professor Atkins has generously donated a copy of her book to every public elementary school library in the state of West Virginia.
“As a native West Virginian, I am proud of my state and its people,” said Professor Atkins. “As a professor, I am concerned about the low college attendance rate for West Virginians. I realize some children are never exposed to the idea of higher education. That is one reason I decided to write the book.” The West Virginia University mascot, the Mountaineer, and Marco the Buffalo, the mascot of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, are featured throughout the book.
Professor Atkins holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in rhetoric and public address, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, all from West Virginia University.