Archive: Around Town

Susan Rosenkoetter was recognized by the Lansing Board Of Education Monday with a plaque, reception, and formal recognition by the board.  The Rochester youth librarian retired to her native Lansing, where she has been active in promoting reading and the teaching of reading.  In addition to reading to kids in Lansing classrooms, the library, and other venues, Rosenkoetter has paid to bring Lansing teachers to National Teachers of English conference each year, has donated countless books, ran the Lansing Community Library's Summer Reading Program for years, and has paid to bring popular authors to the Lansing schools.

"She has inspired me to give literally hundreds of books to students and pay it forward," said High School English Teacher June Martin, the first to invite Rosenkoetter to present 'book talks' in her classes when Rosenkoetter moved back to Lansing.  "I can't say enough to thank you for everything you've done."


Rosenkoetter's activities are in memory of her mother, Dorothy Davis Rosenkoetter, who inspired her to read and excel as a child.  Her memories of growing up in Lansing also prompted her to give back to the community she loves.

Students, administrators, school board members,teachers, family members attended the presentation.  Rosenkoetter's guidance counselor Jim Colt and and eighth grade social studies teacher Mollie Colt were also present, and Rosenkoetter acknowledged them as playing important roles in the excellent education she got at Lansing.

Martin led a group of seven students and teachers who have been touched by Rosenkoetter's generosity and passion for reading over the years.  Caroline Prybyl, Corey Dake, Bannie Anand, Troy Hradisky, Shane Hradisky, Blair Wigsten, and Middle School teacher Brenda Meade each took a turn reading a tribute.  School Board President Anne Drake presented a certificate, and cake and punch were provided.


"In honor of outstanding dedication and contribution we gladly present this certificate to Susan Rosenkoetter," Drake read.  "As the 1957 salutatorian graduate of the Lansing Central School District you returned to your schools with a passion to share your love of reading and the sense of giving back to the community.  We appreciate your gift of time in the form of your presentations and book donations and your resources in the form of funding support for faculty attendance at local and national conferences, writer's workshops, famous visiting authors, and for the establishment of the Dorothy Davis Rosenkoetter Memorial Fund.  We are thankful to you for inspiring our faculty and students to learn and give to others.  You are a generous, sincere, dedicated individual who has positively affected the lives of the entire community without giving a thought to receiving anything in return except for the contentment of a full heart when it does good deeds."

Rosenkoetter credited school administrators and teachers for helping with author visits and book donations.  "I could not do them alone without the support of the principals, the teachers, and the students," she said.  She singled out teachers including Martin, Meade, Lisa Peters, Patti Jennings, and Cathy Moseley, as well as her teachers from when she attended the Lansing schools.

Later that evening an official school board resolution honoring  Rosenkoetter was passed.

"I cannot think of a more generous, dedicated individual than Susan Rosenkoetter who humbly and sincerely affects the lives of an entire community without giving a thought to receiving anything in return except the contentment of knowing she is keeping her mother's legacy alive," Martin said.

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