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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 22, 2004 Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins (662) 329-7124 MUW to celebrate Center for Creative Learning grand opening COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women will continue to build upon its tradition of excellence in education with the official opening of the Center for Creative Learning. The grand opening reception honoring Congressman Roger F. Wicker will be held Thursday, Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Education and Human Sciences Building located at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and 11th Street South. The facility will be named after Wicker, who was very instrumental in helping MUW to secure funds to establish the Center. MUW President Claudia Limbert said, “We are grateful to Congressman Roger Wicker for his support of higher education and education in general. The Center for Creative Learning is one example of Congressman Wicker’s dedication to improving education for all Mississippians. It is altogether appropriate that the Center bear his name.” Funded by a congressionally-directed grant, the mission of the Center is to provide innovations in teaching, learning opportunities, service and educational research across Mississippi and beyond. “The whole idea of the Center is learning never stops,” said Dr. Suzanne M. Bean, director. “Through the Center, we hope to help people of all ages discover and rediscover the joy of learning. Innovative learning can help us both collectively and individually. Collectively by improving the quality of life and strengthening schools and communities. Individually learning is one of the best vehicles to self fulfillment and renewal.” Bean said the Center will assist Mississippi schools and communities by finding and disseminating the very best practices for learning. The Center’s goals: • To develop and implement research-based programs and services for K-12 learners • To strengthen parenting skills and foster involvement for parents of K-12 learners • To provide teachers with professional opportunities and effective strategies for differentiating instruction • To connect communities with schools through partnerships for learning Mini-grants of up to $2,000 will be available to K-12 teachers or university faculty members who want to try innovative learning projects that will positively affect K-12 student achievement. The grants will be awarded competitively in October and April. “The work of the Center will enhance MUW’s tradition of excellence in education. The Center will work closely with the teacher education unit at MUW to further enrich the lives of students, teachers and parents, which will ultimately strengthen communities,” Bean said. “We hope the work of the Center for Creative Learning will bring further positive recognition to MUW, to Columbus and the GTR area and to the state of Mississippi.” The Center’s staff includes the director, associate director Kate Brown and administrative assistant Patti Davis. Part of the work of the Center will be to sustain itself through additional federal, state and grant monies. The first grant awarded to the Center was the Math-Science Partnership Grant. Sarah Sumners is project manager for this grant. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Creating High Achievement in Mathematics, Problem Solving, and Science (CHAMPS) is also housed at the Center. Ivey Ivy serves as the project manager for this grant. An internal evaluator, an external evaluator, a computer technician and school-community liaison will make up the part-time staff. Festivities will continue on Friday, Oct. 29 with tours of the Center for the campus and community from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Many activities are planned for the entire family from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. |
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