UC San Diego to Mark “Cat’s” Anniversary
With Celebrations Led By Chancellor

February 21, 2007

By Pat JaCoby

Fifty years ago, Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel took 220 words, rhymed them, and turned out The Cat in the Hat, a little volume of fun that set the world of Dick, Jane and Spot upside down.

That 50th anniversary will be marked at two events headed by University of California, San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox on March 2 as well as several other celebrations on the UCSD campus.

First up, Chancellor Fox will meet first and second graders at Hawthorne Elementary School, 4750 Lehrer Dr., at 9:30 a.m. and read the classic Hat to the class, then autograph the book and donate it to the school library. Her appearance coincides with “Read Across America Day.”

The annual Dr. Seuss birthday party on campus, this year commemorating the famed author’s 103 rd birthday, will follow at noon outside Geisel Library. Chancellor Fox will be joined by Geisel’s widow, Audrey Geisel, in cutting the first of some 2,000 pieces of cake served to students, faculty and staff.

Following the cake cutting, Scott Paulson will lead the Toy Piano Band in songs from The Cat in the Hat Songbook at 1 p.m. in the Price Center Plaza, and students from the Preuss School will take center stage and read several Dr. Seuss books. Each of the readers will receive a new children’s book donated by the UCSD Bookstore.

The Bookstore, meanwhile, has been collecting children’s book donations which will be distributed by the Associated Student Volunteer Connection to the San Diego Housing Commission and YMCA. Donors of books to the Bookstore drive receive Cat in the Hat 50 th anniversary birthday hats, balloons and CDs. In addition to donated books, the Bookstore has given $500 of new children’s books to the drive.

Geisel Library holds more than 8,000 of Geisel’s original drawings, sketches, books and other memorabilia, valued at $2.3 million, donated to UCSD by his widow. The UCSD Central Library was renamed Geisel Library in honor of Theodor Geisel in ceremonies held December 2, 1995.

 

Media contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404