A Grand Dedication
BUTLER TWP — The love Amy Wise had for children and nature will live on in a building dedicated on Friday to her memory.
The Amy Wise Children's Creative Learning Center on the Butler County Community College main campus was celebrated with tours, a luncheon, a song by the students who attend the center and speakers who loved Wise.
“Amy would be very excited and proud to see this place,” said her brother, John L. Wise III, who is the vice president and secretary of Eagle Printing.
Wise and his family donated $1 million to renovate the former campus bookstore and create the open, airy, nature-themed facility where children learn and grow today.
Amy Wise, who died in November 2014, had a passion for early childhood education as well as a special affinity for instilling a love of nature in young students.
Many features of the center reflect her interest in nature, including the interior barnwood wall, the upright budding twigs seen throughout the facility and the large windows that provide the children with natural light and a beautiful view of the meadow on the east side of campus.
John Wise said the boards on the building's exterior are intentionally reminiscent of the rolling hills of Vermont, where his sister had lived and taught since 1979.
“She would be really excited,” Wise said as he looked around the center.
Judy Zuzack, the center's director, said the old facility was somewhat cramped. The new center provides a bright, roomy space for the preschoolers who attend.
“We really are so grateful to the Wise family for their generous gift, and we're honored and humbled to be a part of Amy's legacy,” she said.
Ron Vodenichar, the Butler Eagle's publisher and general manager, also mentioned the Wise family in a short speech at the dedication event.
Vodenichar described the family as humble and unassuming.
“They are a shining example of what a community needs and what a community is able to accomplish together,” he said.
Vodenichar recalled seeing Amy Wise when she visited the Eagle offices on Diamond Street.
“No matter how long she was going to be there, she would always say 'Is there anything I can do for you?'” he recalled.
Vodenichar said he was unsurprised that John Wise donated $1 million to memorialize his sister and provide a safe, fun and inviting place for Butler's youngsters to learn and play
“This will keep the Wise family in a position of prominence in the community,” he said of the center.
BC3 President Nick Neupauer said in a touching set of circumstances, the Amy Wise Children's Creative Learning Center is situated just feet away from a plaque naming the college's first board of trustees.One of those names is the late John L. Wise Jr., who was the father of Amy and John Wise.Today, John Wise III is on the college's foundation board.“You talk about everything coming together,” Neupauer said.David Harris, principal architect with DPH Architecture of Canfield, Ohio, said the 6,000 square-foot building was designed to fit in with the other buildings on the wooded BC3 campus.Because of Amy Wise's love of nature, stonework, the barn wall, planters and lots of natural light were included in the plans.The center is a state-licensed preschool and child care center for children of BC3 students, employees and the public. The center is also a resource for academic programs on campus, including nursing and early childhood education.A $1 million state grant matched the John Wise donation for the center, which was opened in January on the first day of the spring semester.Jessica Wozny of Butler Township on Friday dropped off her daughter, Quinn Wozny, 3.
The elder Wozny said the new center is much more open and roomy, and she appreciates the security features.“There are more kids, so that's extra social interaction,” Wozny said. “Quinn has really blossomed and grown since she started coming here.”Quinn said her favorite thing to do is play outside on the playground.“It's awesome!” she said.Logan Knight, 5, said the best thing about the center are his friends and teachers.He also appreciates the activities available.“I do art, pretty much,” Logan said.A beaming, six-foot-four-inch John Wise perched on a tiny seat and posed with a dozen tots while holding a framed piece of handmade art they'd presented to him.Neupauer summed up the thoughts of those who attended the Amy Wise Children's Creative Learning Center dedication Friday and celebrated Wise's donation.“We are forever indebted and we thank you for that,” he said.
