DELIVERING literacy and education to underprivileged children across the world is one of Shane Armstrong’s passions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Armstrong, born and raised in Ballarat, is the executive vice-president of Scholastic Corp and president of Scholastic International.
“I am really passionate about education and literacy. Education can break down barriers. The more educated the world becomes, the more tolerant we become,” Mr Armstrong said.
He said Scholatic, which published The Hunger Games and Goosebumps, delivered 30 shipping containers of books to children in Afghanistan in their native Pashto – one of his most remarkable experiences.
“For these children, it was the first time they had seen a book,” Mr Armstrong said.
The global publishing executive is one of Federation University Australia’s most distinguished graduates and was presented with an international alumnus award at Mount Helen on Thursday.
Mr Armstrong’s award coincided with the presentation of the alumnus award to Grant Meredith, the Associate Dean (student retention and success) in the university’s Faculty of Science and Technology.
Based in New York, Mr Armstrong oversees revenue of more than $450 million and is responsible for more than 2500 staff.
He graduated from Federation University Australia (then the Ballarat College of Advanced Education) with a Diploma of Education in 1983.
He then became a school teacher and went on to achieve other graduate qualifications. He joined Scholastic Australia in 1992, followed by Macmillan Australia in 1998, where he became managing director in the same year.
Mr Armstrong said working at Macmillan was one of the highlights of his career.
“It was very exciting and great working with a team that turned the company around,” he said.
In 2006 Mr Armstrong became head of publishing group at Times Publishing, Singapore. He has been in his current position at Scholastic Corp since 2010.
“I am very grateful and honoured that FedUni has presented me with this prestigious award,” Mr Armstrong said.
“The education I received at the university was invaluable in my career and future development.
“Looking back on my career to date, it was my role as a teacher that best prepared me for the world of business and senior management,” Mr Armstrong said.
“As an international management executive I have used the lessons from the classroom to transform business globally.”
Mr Meredith has led the development of Scenari-Aid, a major online tool to help people with stuttering to thrive in real-life situations.
“I feel deeply honoured and touched to have been recognised by the university at this level. It is a testament to the supportive nature of the university community and culture,” Mr Meredith said. “It will enable me to promote my research and endeavours at a higher level.”
A Distinguished Alumni Wall was unveiled in the Caro Centre on Thursday.