Knight Readers Boosts Literacy at SWAU

KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University is addressing a national literacy crisis with the launch of Knight Readers, a 10-year initiative aimed at improving student reading skills. 

After years of progress, our society may have reached the peak of literacy, and we’re now apparently slipping into an era of reduced reading ability. Books are increasingly replaced by smartphones as gateways to information. Yet, reading ranks as only the 14th most common activity done on smartphones, trailing behind texting, engaging with social media, making calls and playing games.

This trend is particularly concerning for Christians. Reading is a primary way to understand our spiritual heritage and discern God’s will. As literacy declines, so does the ability to engage deeply with these truths.

Recent data highlights the seriousness of the issue. SAT and ACT scores for 2023 were among the worst on record, revealing that many college-bound students lack proficiency in math, reading and writing. According to a Pew Research survey, 25 percent of American adults did not read a book in the past year—three times the amount reported in 1978. These findings indicate a cultural shift.

To combat these trends, SWAU’’s Knight Readers program will focus on improving students’ reading ability, reducing reading anxiety and fostering a campus-wide culture of reading.

The plan includes collaboration with instructors, who will integrate reading techniques into their courses. We are also promoting campus book clubs on a wide range of topics, from classic literature to the Spirit of Prophecy. 

As the ancient Roman statesman Cicero said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” At Southwestern, we aim to ensure that students embrace the transformative power of reading.

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