Top
  • Apply
  • Contact Us
  • Give
  • Locations
  • Request Info
  • Indigo Portal

William Carey University Crest Logo
  • I want to...
  • Prospects
    • Apply Now
    • Campuses
    • College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Explore Degree Programs
    • Graduate Admissions
    • International Student Admissions
    • Request Information
    • School of Pharmacy
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Visit Campus
  • Students
        • Services
          • Canvas
          • E-Mail
          • Indigo Portal
          • Library
          • Office 365
          • OneLogin
          • TK20
          • WEPA Printing
      • Resources
        • Apply for Graduation
        • Faculty & Staff Directory
        • How To Tutorials
        • Register for Classes
        • Request a Transcript
        • Student Handbook
  • Faculty & Staff
    • Canvas
    • Library
    • Indigo Portal
    • E-Mail
    • Early Alert
    • Office 365
    • OneLogin
    • Sadernet
    • TK20
    • WEPA Printing
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Association
    • Alumni Chapters
    • Alumni Newsletter
    • Carey Magazine
    • Homecoming
    • Update Your Information
  •    
  • Search

University News

  1. News
  2. University News

WCU dedicates new education building

  • Wednesday, March 6, 2019 2:11 PM
  • Education, Educational Leadership, Facilities

Dr. Ben Burnett hugs administrative assistant Earline Herrin as he announces that the School of Education’s new addition will be named in her honor. Herrin has worked at WCU for more than 45 years.



Three retired faculty members
honored during ceremony


William Carey University supporters braved chilly temperatures, and a biting wind, to turn out Monday morning for the dedication of a new addition to the School of Education.

“You know, for a couple of weeks I’ve prayed for it not to rain today -- but I left out the part about it not being 30 degrees this morning! So, it’s the dean’s fault, blame me,” said Dr. Ben Burnett, dean of the WCU School of Education.

The new recently completed addition links Fairchild Hall and Lorena Smith Roseberry Hall. It includes four classrooms, nine offices and a conference room. During the ceremony, Burnett announced the addition would be named in honor of administrative assistant Earline Herrin, who has worked at WCU for more than 45 years.

Dr. Patty Ward, a long-time co-worker, said generations of William Carey students and faculty have looked to Herrin for quiet support and tactful suggestions.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say, we did our jobs, we helped this university grow, but it was because Miss Earline was the wind beneath our wings,” Ward said. “Without her, I would have messed up the catalog so many times!”

Legacy stone

The WCU tradition of engraved legacy stones recognizes retired professors and administrators who leave a legacy of learning and leadership.

“I can think of no greater person to honor in this way than Dr. Eugene Owens. He began his career in Laurel in 1967 and, during a very historic time, was a key leader in changing the face of education in the state of Mississippi – first as a teacher, then a principal and then superintendent of education,” Burnett said.

“In 2011, Dr. Owens became our Educational Leadership chair. He revamped, revitalized and renewed a program at William Carey that had been dormant for 20 years. He started out with a cohort of seven or eight students. Now it’s our single, largest department with about 400 students. Before long, you’ll have to look very hard in Mississippi to find a school leader who doesn’t have a degree from William Carey.”

Owens retired in 2017. In addition to the legacy stone, an endowed scholarship will be established in his name.

Professor emerita

Dr. June Hornsby retired from WCU in 2018 after 26 years of distinguished service. During Monday’s ceremony, she was granted the title of Professor Emerita of William Carey University.

Hornsby career began in 1963, and she taught in elementary schools and colleges for 29 years. Appointed to faculty of William Carey in 1992, her contributions to William Carey include serving as director of student teaching and co-director of the Young Authors Celebration. She also served as president of Mississippi Professional Educators.

Model literacy classroom

“With our new addition, we got a lot of new offices, but we were also able to create a model literacy classroom for training teachers,” Burnett said.

The special classroom was named in honor of retired professor Phyllis Armstrong, for her leadership in helping WCU’s literacy programs excel from 2005-18.

“Thanks to Phyllis Armstrong, our literacy department has grown and thrived and been recognized across the state. A recent report from the National Council for Teacher Quality gave William Carey an ‘A’ in both literacy categories – Undergraduate Elementary and Undergraduate Special Education. We were the only college or university in state to get an ‘A’ in both categories,” Burnett said.

“That didn’t happen overnight. It happened as a result of Phyllis Armstrong’s hard work.”

Parting thoughts

After the ceremony, WCU President Dr. Tommy King hosted a reception for guests.

“We’re blessed to be able to provide improved facilities for the School of Education. The education of our children is an investment in the future, an investment that will pay off in tangible results as a new generation steps into leadership roles and shapes the world to meet new challenges,” King said.
Related News
December 12, 2022
WCU reports largest number of education grads in state

October 31, 2022
School of Education sets graduation record in 2022

October 31, 2022
School of Education sets graduation record

October 25, 2022
WCU hosts 11th Annual Scholarship Dinner

August 09, 2022
WCU offers online, tuition-free class to K-12 teachers
 
I want to...
View Degree Options
 
 
Prospects
  • Apply for Admissions
  • Apply for Financial Aid
  • Apply for Housing
  • Contact an Office
  • Estimate Tuition & Fees
  • Get the Parent Newsletter
  • Request Information
  • Schedule a Campus Visit
  • View Courses
Students
  • Apply for Financial Aid
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Apply for Housing
  • Check My Email
  • Do Research
  • Get VA Information
  • Hattiesburg Campus Map
  • Pay My Bill
  • Register for Classes
  • Request a Transcript
  • Student Health
  • View Catalog
  • View Courses
  • Withdraw from Carey
Alumni
  • Get Alumni Updates
  • Get My Transcript
  • Give to Carey
  • Join an Alumni Chapter
  • Support Friends of Carey
Community
  • Attend an Event
  • Attend Homecoming
  • Give to Carey
  • Work at Carey
Offices

  • Academic Affairs
  • Admissions
  • Advancement
  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Baptist Student Union
  • Bookstore
  • Campus Dining
  • Campus Life
  • Campus Safety & Security
  • Carey Center
  • Church Relations
  • Commencement
  • Disability Services
  • English Language Center
  • Executive Vice President
  • Finance
  • Financial Aid
  • Graduate Programs
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Institutional Research
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Library
  • Media Relations
  • Online Learning
  • President
  • Provost
  • QEP
  • Registrar
  • Residence Life & Housing
  • Student Accounts
  • Student Activities
  • Student Assistance
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Student Life
  • Student Success Center
Campuses
  • Hattiesburg
    710 William Carey Parkway
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401

    (601) 318-6051 Toll Free: (800) 962-5991

  • Tradition
    19640 Highway 67
    Biloxi, MS 39532

    (228) 702-1775

  • Baton Rouge
    Suite 1010, 1st Floor
    3600 Florida Blvd
    Baton Rouge, LA 70806

    (225) 953-7017
 
Online Learning
  • Online Learning
    710 William Carey Parkway
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401

    (601) 318-6051 More Info
 

Popular Tags
  • Education
  • Music
  • Arts and Letters
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Theatre and Communication
  • Art
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • Nursing
  • Athletics

Web Accessibility | Clery Act | Title IX | Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy | GDPR Privacy Notice