The Children’s Center at SUNY Morrisville has been providing high-quality childcare and peace of mind to the families of students, faculty, staff and the local community ever since it first opened its doors in 1994.
Fittingly, the Center’s location within the college’s Bailey Hall will now be dedicated to the visionaries who made it possible.
The newly named Frederick and Carol Woodward Early Education Center, unveiled during Mustang Weekend this past fall, honors former SUNY Morrisville President Frederick Woodward and his late wife, Carol, who were instrumental in the creation of the Children’s Center and recognizing the need for daycare within the college and local community.
The ceremony, which also was part of the Center’s 30th anniversary celebration, welcomed Fred, his daughter, Lisa, son, Scot, grandson and other family and friends. The special guests were greeted by a capacity crowd filled with familiar faces from the Center’s past and present.
“Thirty years ago, the Center was but a dream to fill a need, but with persistency and exceptional planning by the Morrisville Committee, the idea was sold,” said Woodward, who served as SUNY Morrisville’s sixth president from 1988-1997. “It was a pleasure for Carol and I to play a part in the process of establishing the Center and, today, what was but a dream is a Center offering an early educational start to young people second to none.”
Following a welcome by current SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers, Children’s Center Director Jennifer Britton, center graduate Polly LePage and graduate and current parent Kathryn Merkle all shared remarks on the profound impact the Center has had on each of them.
“It was an honor to be part of the dedication ceremony,” said Britton, who recently retired after serving as director since 1998. “It is a true reflection of the passion that Carol Woodward had for the care of young children and the support that Fred showed for his students and faculty while president at the college. Together with staff, board members and families, we have carried out the vision that Fred and Carol had back in 1994, and I will forever be grateful for their leadership in such an important service to the campus and community.
