CSCC Children’s Library Dedicated to Wood’s Family

Napierra Alexander
Thursday, May 5, 2022 12:00 AM
Community, Events, All, Service-Learning, Press Releases

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - After decades of service to Cleveland State Community College and community, the college has dedicated the children’s library alcove to Fred and Suzanne Wood. Recently, the Early Childhood and Education Department Program (ECED) and Social Sciences Department at CSCC held a dedication ceremony in their honor. 

“Fred and Suzanne Wood represent the heart of the Cleveland State family.  Their decades of work have inspired thousands of students, colleagues and friends,” stated Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC President. 

Fred and Suzanne Wood had a love for literacy and they carried that throughout their careers at Cleveland State. Mr. Wood spent over 40 years teaching at the college as an English instructor and eventually held positions such as the Humanities Department Chair and Interim Dean of Humanities and Social Science. 

Mrs. Wood spent 21 years at the college in the ECED Program. She was known by her colleagues for her love of teaching and leading in the program . Mrs. Wood spearheaded the annual Dr. Suess Day for several years to encourage hundreds of students to develop a love for reading. She retired in 2021, but faculty and staff at Cleveland State continue to be inspired by the passion the Wood’s family showed the community. 

“Fred and Suzanne Wood taught students and served the college together for 64 years,” stated Dr. Ryan Thompson, Dean of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences at CSCC. “Dozens of faculty benefited from Fred's leadership as the Dean of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. Thousands of students either studied English with Fred or learned the craft of teaching children with Suzanne. Thousands more in our local schools have been taught by the teachers that Suzanne guided in the early stages of their careers. Their decades of service in our school and community have blessed countless more lives as they've shared their love of reading and learning.”

During the dedication ceremony, Ms. Wood discussed the importance of reading to the youth and encouraged everyone to do so. 

“So I challenge you, to be that person to read to our children,” stated Suzanne Wood. “So many children need someone to read to. Go to the schools and volunteer, because you’ll see that you’ll get more of a joy out of it then they will.”