Mountain Mail reports
SOCORRO – Groundbreaking for the Macey Family Children’s Center was held Wednesday, Oct. 27 on the south lawn of Macey Center.
University President Dan Lopez said the groundbreaking was the culmination of four years work and fundraising by Louise Chamberlin, Ann Sullivan and particularly Bill and Cheryl Macey who donated 70 percent of money needed.
“Working together they made miracles happen.” he said.
In his remarks at the groundbreaking, Bill Macey credited his wife, Cheryl, and several Tech staff members, including Chamberlin and former vice president Dr. Ricardo Maestas, for mounting the fund-raising drive and sharing his vision for a new center.
Macey said he’s especially proud of the fact that all the construction funds were raised from private sources, including corporations, former students, former parents, faculty members and local residents individuals – and that no tax dollars will be used.
According to Lopez, the new $1.5 million center will be purpose-built as a children’s educational center, serving pre-school youngsters age 2 to 5.
“The welfare of faculty and staff’s young children is of great importance to the university, as well as the young children,” Lopez said. “This facility will enhance early childhood development and help make the children well-prepared students to continue their education, including perhaps at New Mexico Tech.
He said the new facility will offer more flexibility for children, staff and parents, boasting 6,000 square-feet of indoor space and 9,142 square-feet of outside area which will increase its capacity from 32 to 48 children. “There will be much more room for play and also room for parents ad staff to meet,” Lopez said.
There are plans to raze old center to make room for a new student dormitory, he said.
Picture: About a dozen children assisted local dignitaries in groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Macey Family Children’s Center. Pictured in the background, from left: Cheryl Macey, Rep. Don Tripp, Tech President Dan Lopez, and Ann Sullivan. Picture courtesy of New Mexico Tech
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The caption for the photograph is incorrect in a
ReplyDeletevery unfortunate way. The man to Pres. Lopez's right is NOT Don Tripp. It is, in fact, Mr. Bill Macey, the principal donor! We are all extremely grateful for his extraordinary generosity in support of the new Children's Center.