Home
>
James F. Baumann Named the 2026 Recipient of ILA's William S. Gray Citation of Merit
James F. Baumann Named the 2026 Recipient of ILA's William S. Gray Citation of Merit
James F. Baumann MS’73, PhD’80, the University of Missouri Chancellor’s Chair for Excellence in Literacy Education Emeritus, was the 2026 recipient of the William S. Gray Citation of Merit, the highest individual award from the International Literacy Association (ILA). This is a career award for a distinguished body of research, writing, and service in the field of reading/literacy education. Jim began his education career as an intern in the UW School of Education’s Native American Teacher Corps program 1971–73, and then he was an elementary school teacher in Appleton, WI. After earning a PhD in curriculum and instruction, he was a professor of reading education for 35 years at Purdue University, the University of Georgia, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Missouri. The Citation of Merit, first issued in 1957, is ILA’s highest individual honor, awarded annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to literacy education. Recipients represent some of the most influential voices in the field.
