Child
Care Center Dedicated to Lee and Norma Howser
Jackson Community
College recognized retired President Lee Howser and wife, Norma Howser,
today by dedicating the College's Child Care Center in their honor.
Four presidents of JCC came together for the event - Howser,
current President Daniel Phelan, and past presidents Clyde LeTarte and
Harold Sheffer.
"This is a celebration of the new life for the young people who
get their start here," said President Phelan in his opening remarks.
Dr. Phelan and Dr. Howser thanked the committee of faculty and
staff at JCC who contributed to development of the Center, including Sue
Beerbower, Becky Turner, Laura Thurlow, Melissa Combs, Charlotte Finnegan,
and Christine Reiff. It
started with 35 children and has grown to serve 115 children of students,
faculty, staff, and the community today.
"A project like this comes about through leadership and vision.
Lee had that vision," said JCC Board of Trustees Chairman Dennis
DaPra. "Lee and Norma's
caring for kids is what this building is all about."
DaPra officially dedicated the Lee and Norma Howser Child Care
Center and unveiled a photo of the former first couple to hang in the
vestibule at the Center's entrance.
Board members George Potter and William Lambkin also attended.
"It is such an honor you bestow to have our name associated with
the Child Care Center," Howser said.
"I would hope that each of us continue this quest for learning. We must continue to improve, continue to do better."
Howser recounted the Child Care Center was borne out of a 1995
all-day planning and "visioning" session following a call by students
for quality, affordable child care on campus.
He thanked the committee members who worked tirelessly to plan the
center, as well as Director of Facilities Bob Deaver who worked with
architects in the design. Through
the endeavors of the Jackson Community College Foundation, the Weatherwax
Foundation made contributions matching faculty and staff donations to the
center. He also thanked Tom Gutowski, Director of the Business Office
and Purchasing, for his work on the project.
"This Child Care Center is one of the best illustrations of the
team effort that can occur when people make up their minds to do
something," Howser said. "I
believe that is same team effort we have had at JCC for more than seven
decades now. We know this
will help students, help our staff and help our community."
The Child Care Center opened in the former Knight Energy Institute
site, near the Michigan Space and Science Center, in time for the fall
1997 semester, with ABC Academy operating the facility.
When
possible, Dr. Howser would sometimes visit the Child Care Center and read
to the children there. He
also enjoyed having the children sing, and a group of youngsters joined in
the ceremonies, singing to Lee and Norma Howser.
Mari Ann Gladstone, Director of the Child Care Center, also made
brief remarks.
Dr. Lee Howser retired in April of this year after more than 30
years with the college.
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