By Bradley Melchor/ Sports Editor
On March 1, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will host the dedication ceremony of the brand new Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, a state-of-the-art special needs lab for the College of Education. Dr. Kris Ward, Director of Special Programs and the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation stated, “Our general and special education majors will partner with children with disabilities to gain valuable teaching experience prior to student teaching. Students will address academic, social, sensory and communication needs of the children.”
Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the special needs community will gather at the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation to celebrate the occasion, with the opening of the new center marking a historic day for the UMHB College of Education.. Started in 2014 by Dr. Ward, the program has evolved greatly since its inception, growing from a singular lab in the second floor of the Parker Academic Center to now having an $8 million, 12,000 square foot facility serving over 60 children each week.
Already the only known university in the country to facilitate undergraduate education majors working directly with children from the special needs community, this new center will allow UMHB to continue to be pioneers in the special education field with cutting edge technology that is a one of a kind in the United States.
The new building named in honor Evan Smith, a 2013 Belton High School graduate and his friend Logan Marek, a 2017 Belton High School graduate with autism, will replace the existing Special Needs Lab and be located directly behind the Parker Academic Center on N. Pearl St.
“Evan Smith was an amazing person who touched many lives with his heart of compassion and love for young people with disabilities. Evan and Logan developed a friendship that inspired many people, and the name of this center honors their meaningful relationship,” said UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear.
photo by Xhaxany Cuellar
