Four new Willie Ross classrooms and support space on Bay Path campus to serve WRSD’s early education program; provide learning opportunities for Bay Path students
Longmeadow—Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) and Bay Path University held a joint Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, December 17 for newly-developed early education classroom space being created for Willie Ross in Theinert Hall by Bay Path on its campus.
The event celebrated the collaboration between the University and the Willie Ross School as it addresses the need for more early education space. The space is located on the first floor of Theinert Hall, a multi-use residence hall on campus.
Bay Path University President Sandra Doran; WRSD President and CEO Bert Carter; Dr. Ruth Lahti, Dean of School of Education, Psychology and Humanities at Bay Path University; Erika Kaftan, WRSD Education Director; George Balsley, II, Chair of WRSD's Board of Trustees; and Wayne Webster, Vice Chair of the Bay Path Board offered remarks during the Ribbon Cutting event. Bay Path University and WRSD faculty, staff and board members were also in attendance, along with families served by WRSD.
The space developed in Bay Path’s Theinert Hall features approximately 7,500 square feet with four classrooms and several support rooms for students and staff. The process of transforming the space involved the demolition of first floor dormitory rooms and bathrooms and the reconstruction of bathrooms and classrooms, along with the installation of required HVAC equipment, ceiling and lighting fixtures and safety systems to meet current code requirements.
The new space on the Bay Path campus will enable Willie Ross to serve an additional 20 students as the school has experienced a growing Early Childhood program. The classrooms will also provide opportunities for hands-on experience for Bay Path University students.
According to Bert Carter, President and CEO of WRSD, “Our school is thrilled to join in this collaboration with Bay Path University. As our early education services have grown, and with our Longmeadow campus at maximum capacity for early education classrooms, we looked for additional off-campus space to serve our students. Bay Path’s location near our own campus and willingness to envision how our program could serve their students creates a great marriage that will serve both of our institutions and our students.”
Bay Path President Sandra Doran states, “At Bay Path, partnerships like this one are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are proud to offer our resources and expertise to support the vital early education work of Willie Ross School for the Deaf. Collaborations like these not only benefit our students by providing hands-on learning opportunities but also strengthen our community. From early education to corporate and nonprofit lifelong learning, Bay Path has so much to offer, and we are always delighted to work with organizations that share our mission of empowering learners at every stage of life.”
Immediately after the ribbon-cutting event, Bay Path University held its annual holiday party for employees featuring a longstanding tradition of presenting a local nonprofit organization with contributions from the University community. This year, in celebration of its new partnership, the University selected Willie Ross School for the Deaf. Bert Carter, WRSD President and CEO, accepted the gift and spoke to the mission of the school.
About WRSD: Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.
About Bay Path University: Bay Path University was founded in 1897. Today, Bay Path’s enrolled population of over 2,700 includes traditional undergraduates; adult women at The American Women's College, the first all-women, all-online accredited degree program in the country; and women and men master’s and doctoral students. On July 1, 2024, Bay Path acquired Cambridge College and together now serve approximately 5,000 students. Both institutions have a common mission of providing innovative and career-focused education to students from diverse backgrounds, working adults, and first-generation learners.
