April 30, 2009

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. –Dutchess Community College’s Laboratory Nursery School, which opened in 1963, will be named in honor of June Roush-Pierson, who was instrumental in the creation of not only the nursery school itself, but the Early Childhood academic program with which it is associated.

A dedication ceremony will take place on May 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the plaza outside of Taconic Hall, where the Laboratory Nursery School is housed.

In addition, two individual nursery school classrooms will be named in honor of outstanding Early Childhood teachers Connie Begor McLaughlin and Zaida S. Swan.

A reception will follow the ceremony.

Roush-Pierson served as the Laboratory Nursery School’s first teacher-director and was chairperson of the Early Childhood program for many years. She retired as a DCC professor in 2003 after 40 years of service, but continued to be a generous benefactor of the College. Ms. Roush-Pierson donated funds to name DCC’s theater after founding President James Hall and his wife Betty, and began the James and Betty Hall Founding President’s Scholarship, which is a $2,500 award given to a graduating student with at least a 3.2 CPA who is transferring to another college.

The Early Childhood program teaches students to work effectively with young children, and the Laboratory Nursery school provides a real-world setting for students to gain practical teaching experience under professional supervision.

Ms. Roush-Pierson has long been a friend and supporter of the College, making generous donations to many of the College Foundation’s scholarships as well as to the General Fund.

To RSVP for the dedication ceremony, contact Dawn D’Alessio at 845-431-8400 or dawn.dalessio@sunydutchess.edu.

Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college with more than 50 years of service to the residents of Dutchess County. Visit www.sunydutchess.edu.