"Next" Magazine Vol. 1 | Page 4

Projects abound at the College of Education Your contribution provides meaningful support for students, faculty D ean Mary John O’Hair is committed to enhancing the student experience at the University of Kentucky College of Education. The emphasis on mentoring in this magazine is evidence of her efforts. Her commitment is also evident in our efforts to improve students’ physical learning environment, upgrade student services and increase financial support for students. This has been an exciting and active year of vigorous change at the College of Education. Many facility-updating projects are now underway or are scheduled to begin soon. With support from the university and a generous lead gift from alum Carol Lee Robertson, we began renovating a building on the former campus of Lexington Theological Seminary. This building is the new location for our Early Childhood Lab, which opened in January. Additionally: • The new Ed-UK-ate Café, located on the first floor of Dickey Hall, was completed in August 2013. • A much-needed overhaul of the dean’s suite – including the addition of a conference room – was completed in August. • The courtyards in the Taylor Education Building are being redesigned and beautifully landscaped to provide spaces for events, outdoor classrooms and picnic seating. • The first floor of Dickey Hall is getting a long overdue facelift. • Renovation of room 151 in Taylor Ed began this fall. Once completed, the space will serve as an area where we can entertain prospective students and their parents while also providing “hang out” areas and information technology assistance for current students. All of these projects provide more desirable spaces for our students and facul