This generous gift, made by an alumna of the College who wishes to remain anonymous, demonstrates a deep commitment to empowering educators and uplifting the lives of young children through high-quality early learning experiences. Catawba College gratefully acknowledges this extraordinary philanthropy and vision, which will have a profound and lasting impact on students, teachers, and communities for generations to come.
“This generous support marks an exciting new chapter for our School of Education,” said Dr. Kim Creamer, Dean of the School of Education. “The Center and the Endowed Directorship will position Catawba College as a leader in shaping the future of early childhood education. We are grateful for this opportunity to expand our impact.”
The Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Education will serve as a hub for learning, research, professional training, and community engagement, providing resources for educators, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing best practices in early childhood education. It will also foster collaboration across the region and support the development of innovative teaching strategies that reflect the latest research and models of excellence.
The Endowed Directorship in Early Childhood Education will ensure that the College can recruit a distinguished leader in the field, someone who will serve not only as the Center’s director but also as a professor within the School of Education. An individual will fill the endowed position with a strong research background, a proven record of success in both online and in-person teaching, and the ability to lead workshops and present at national conferences, further solidifying Catawba’s role in shaping the future of early childhood education.
Dr. Donna James, department chair of the School of Education, emphasized the broad goals of the initiative. “This Center will help elevate early learning by advancing research, providing ongoing professional development for educators, and building a model program that showcases excellence. With this support, we can better prepare the next generation of educators and ensure our youngest learners experience the highest quality instruction.”
As its inaugural project, the Center will lead a community-wide initiative during the Week of the Young Child in April. Spearheaded by Dr. James, this program will partner with local childcare centers to deliver special programming aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This annual week-long celebration raises public awareness about the needs of young children and advocates for early learning opportunities.
With this remarkable gift, Catawba College is poised to make a lasting impact in early childhood education – preparing educators, enriching communities, and laying the groundwork for a brighter future for all.
The College is deeply grateful for the support that makes this work possible.
