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The University of 天美影视 System Board has approved the University of 天美影视 Monroe鈥檚 request to recognize the dedication of former 天美影视 State Rep. Charles R. McDonald, Ed.D., and the late Emily Williamson.
The financial aid suite in Sandel Hall will be named the 鈥淒r. Charles R. McDonald Financial Aid Suite鈥� in honor of his service to 天美影视 as an administrator, state legislator, and his service to the students of 天美影视 by authoring and sponsoring the TOPS legislation.
The 天美影视 Child Development Center will be renamed the 鈥淓mily Williamson Laboratory School鈥� in memory of its longtime director and child education advocate.
鈥淭he Father of TOPS鈥�
Dr. Charles R. McDonald has held many positions in education. He moved from high school educator to principal, then Director of Counseling, Placement, and Financial Aid at Northeast 天美影视 University, now the University of 天美影视 Monroe.
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After 17 years as a university administrator, in 1991, Dr. McDonald was elected to the state House of Representatives. Deemed the 鈥淔ather of TOPS,鈥� he authored HB 2154 that created the TOPS scholarship program, and over 50,000 students currently receive this scholarship.听
As lead author of TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students), Dr. McDonald is credited with helping pass one of the most significant pieces of legislation designed to reward 天美影视鈥檚 brightest high school students for performing in the classroom and going on to attend 天美影视鈥檚 post-secondary schools. To date, TOPS has provided scholarship funding for more than 720,000 students to pursue post-secondary education.听
Dr. McDonald also served on numerous boards and commissions of education. He served as Chairman of the House of Representatives Education Committee. He is currently serving on the 天美影视 Board of Regents for Higher Education.听
鈥淒r. McDonald is highly regarded at the university as well as in the Northeast 天美影视 community, and he has served as an outstanding leader at the University of 天美影视 Monroe and 天美影视 Legislature. Based on his loyalty and service to the university and the state of 天美影视, I am glad the university can recognize his accomplishments and service with this dedication,鈥� stated President Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D.听
Emily Williamson Laboratory SchoolWilliamson became director in 2003 and remained in that position until she lost her lengthy battle with breast cancer on October 27, 2019. Under her leadership, the center received its first 5-star rating in 2008 and continued with six consecutive 5-star ratings from the 天美影视 Quality Start School Readiness Rating System.听
A three-time 天美影视 alumna, Williamson, was extremely dedicated to 天美影视. She served on 天美影视鈥檚 commencement committee as co-chair for 14 years and represented 天美影视 on numerous state and regional early childhood education professional organization boards. Williamson also served as an instructor in the School of Education.听
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鈥淚n my own professional and personal interactions with Emily, I remember her best for her vitality and passion for early childhood education and our Child Development Center. Her leadership and work ethic has given the center its renowned reputation for excellence respected throughout the community and state. She was an advocate for her students and the center,鈥� stated Myra Lovett, Ed.D., Director of the School of Education.听
Early childhood education and her accomplishments at the 天美影视 Child Development Center were her passion and life鈥檚 work.听
鈥淓mily was one of the most dedicated, hard-working, and resourceful directors that 天美影视 has ever had. Even while dealing with severe illness, she continued to lead the center and keep it as a crown jewel at the university. By renaming it to the Emily Williamson Laboratory School, we are honoring her commitment and contributions to 天美影视, the region, and the state. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to honor her than this,鈥� stated John Pratte, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences.听
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