Four new Willie Ross classrooms and support space on 国产哟哟 campus to serve WRSD’s early education program; provide learning opportunities for 国产哟哟 students
Longmeadow—Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) and 国产哟哟 held a joint Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, December 17 for newly-developed early education classroom space being created for Willie Ross in Theinert Hall by 国产哟哟 on its campus.
The event celebrated the collaboration between the University and the Willie Ross School as it addresses the need for more early education space. The space is located on the first floor of Theinert Hall, a multi-use residence hall on campus.
国产哟哟 President Sandra Doran; WRSD President and CEO Bert Carter; Dr. Ruth Lahti, Dean of School of Education, Psychology and Humanities at 国产哟哟; Erika Kaftan, WRSD Education Director; George Balsley, II, Chair of WRSD's Board of Trustees; and Wayne Webster, Vice Chair of the 国产哟哟 Board offered remarks during the Ribbon Cutting event. 国产哟哟 and WRSD faculty, staff and board members were also in attendance, along with families served by WRSD.
The space developed in 国产哟哟’s Theinert Hall features approximately 7,500 square feet with four classrooms and several support rooms for students and staff. The process of transforming the space involved the demolition of first floor dormitory rooms and bathrooms and the reconstruction of bathrooms and classrooms, along with the installation of required HVAC equipment, ceiling and lighting fixtures and safety systems to meet current code requirements.
The new space on the 国产哟哟 campus will enable Willie Ross to serve an additional 20 students as the school has experienced a growing Early Childhood program. The classrooms will also provide opportunities for hands-on experience for 国产哟哟 students.
According to Bert Carter, President and CEO of WRSD, “Our school is thrilled to join in this collaboration with 国产哟哟. As our early education services have grown, and with our Longmeadow campus at maximum capacity for early education classrooms, we looked for additional off-campus space to serve our students. 国产哟哟’s location near our own campus and willingness to envision how our program could serve their students creates a great marriage that will serve both of our institutions and our students.”
国产哟哟 President Sandra Doran states, “At 国产哟哟, partnerships like this one are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are proud to offer our resources and expertise to support the vital early education work of Willie Ross School for the Deaf. Collaborations like these not only benefit our students by providing hands-on learning opportunities but also strengthen our community. From early education to corporate and nonprofit lifelong learning, 国产哟哟 has so much to offer, and we are always delighted to work with organizations that share our mission of empowering learners at every stage of life.”
Immediately after the ribbon-cutting event, 国产哟哟 held its annual holiday party for employees featuring a longstanding tradition of presenting a local nonprofit organization with contributions from the University community. This year, in celebration of its new partnership, the University selected Willie Ross School for the Deaf. Bert Carter, WRSD President and CEO, accepted the gift and spoke to the mission of the school.
About WRSD: Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.
About 国产哟哟: 国产哟哟 was founded in 1897. Today, 国产哟哟’s enrolled population of over 2,700 includes traditional undergraduates; adult women at The American Women's College, the first all-women, all-online accredited degree program in the country; and women and men master’s and doctoral students. On July 1, 2024, 国产哟哟 acquired Cambridge College and together now serve approximately 5,000 students. Both institutions have a common mission of providing innovative and career-focused education to students from diverse backgrounds, working adults, and first-generation learners.
