Sara Wilford ’72, below, retired as director of the Early Childhood Center at the end of the spring 2003 semester, 21 years after assuming the directorship on her arrival at the College. She remains at the helm of the Art of Teaching Graduate Program, which she has directed since 1985, and, starting next spring, will return to the classroom to teach an undergraduate psychology seminar. Wilford holds the Roy E. Larsen Chair in Child Development.

Wilford’s two decades as director brought change and growth to the Early Childhood Center (ECC), which was established in 1937 as a “laboratory school” for graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in child development and education courses. During her tenure ECC added a kindergarten/first grade class for 5- to 6-year-olds, and broadened financial aid available to students’ families. The center educates children ages 2-6 from area communities, including SLC faculty and staff children.

Wilford says she is proud of the strong ECC parents association that has developed and the diversity of the ECC population.

“I will miss very much being with the children and their families, talking with parents, and working with the extraordinary ECC teachers and staff,” she said.

Dean of the College Barbara Kaplan said, “Sara has stood for an approach to education, a view of children’s development and a set of values that are humane, inclusive and empowering. The ECC is a wonderful expression of the best of Sarah Lawrence, and Sara has been the guiding spirit of that expression.”

The new ECC director is Lorayne Carbon, an adjunct professor of early childhood studies at Westchester Community College and education coordinator of that college’s Virginia Marx Children’s Center since 1996.

– J.B