Seton Hill Child Development Center Recognized by State Senate, House of Representatives for 75 Years of Service to the Community
Seton Hill University celebrated the 75th anniversary of its Child Development Center (CDC), where generations of children have begun their education, with a special ceremony on September 15.
The CDC welcomed current students and their parents, Seton Hill faculty, staff and students, members of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and honored guests to attend a ceremony recognizing this milestone accomplishment.
Proclamations from the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives commemorating this achievement were presented at the ceremony by state Sen. Kim Ward and Rep. Eric Nelson.
"For 75 years, the Child Development Center has served as a cornerstone of Seton Hill’s commitment to community and education," said Dr. Kathleen Harris, Dean of the School of Education and Applied Social Sciences. "Founded on the vision of Sister Maurice McManama and Sister Rose Angela Cunningham to provide a joyful, nurturing space for early childhood learning, the CDC continues that legacy today. It not only builds a lifelong foundation for our young children, but also offers our future educators invaluable classroom experience alongside dedicated professional staff."
“This is quite a legacy,” said Sen. Ward. “Childcare and child education is an important asset that we give to our children. Everything shows that when you don’t have early childhood education those kids lag behind when they get into elementary school.”
Rep. Nelson recalled that his nieces attended the CDC and remarked that it provides students with the foundations they need to grow.
“75 years is an enormous accomplishment,” he said. “Seton Hill, thank you for doing this generation after generation.”
Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1994, the CDC offers learning opportunities for children in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through developmentally appropriate activities.
Today’s CDC welcomes young students ages three through five to half day morning or afternoon sessions where students in Seton Hill’s School of Education and Applied Social Sciences work under the guidance of professional staff to gain hands-on experience for their future careers.
"We are incredibly proud of the incredible role the Seton Hill Child Development Center has played in the lives of children for the past 75 years,” said Maria Stone, CDC Director. "From the early days of its founding by the Sisters of Charity and through the rapid growth of technology in our everyday lives, the Center’s commitment to providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment for children remains at our core."
“The CDC is such a jewel of Seton Hill, not just for the children who attend, but also as a teaching laboratory for our students who will have an impact on early childhood education in our community and beyond,” Seton Hill President Mary Finger said. “With the little ones here today, we can see the impact that the CDC has and will continue to have for generations to come.”
For more information about the Child Development Center at Seton Hill, visit setonhill.edu/CDC.