BELTON, Texas—On Friday, March 1, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) celebrated the dedication of the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation with a special ceremony and ribbon cutting. Hundreds attended the event, which was held in front of the facility near the campus entrance at 1013 N. Pearl Street.
“This amazing and beautiful building is another game changer for UMHB. It raises the bar for teacher education and reflects our commitment to offer exceptional academic programs,” said UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear. “Students and education faculty, I know you are excited about this building. We have a proud history of preparing future educators, and we can’t wait to see the impact that this new innovative facility will have on your education.”
During his remarks, O’Rear thanked everyone who made the facility possible, including the donors. “I know many of you in attendance today gave generously to help make this dream facility a reality. We appreciate every single gift. We are especially grateful to Kim Fikes and the board members of the Fikes Foundation for making the lead gift that enabled us to move forward with this project. Kim, thank you for the many ways you continue to support and invest in Christian higher education at UMHB.”
He also explained that the facility’s name honors the special relationship between Evan Smith, a 2013 Belton High School graduate and 2017 graduate of Texas A&M University, and Logan Marek, a 2017 Belton High School graduate with autism. Before Evan’s death in 2018, he had a passion for young people with disabilities. He dedicated his time to volunteering with Young Life Capernaum, a ministry organization where teens and young adults with disabilities can meet Jesus and grow in their faith. Evan enjoyed working with teenagers with disabilities in Belton and College Station and serving as a personal care provider for Logan. Today, Logan lives in the Belton area and works part-time at UMHB and Eldred’s Nursery.
“Their friendship inspired many people. Evan was an amazing person who touched many lives with his heart of compassion and love for young people with disabilities,” O’Rear explained. “Logan is also a remarkable young man. He is generous. You will notice his name on the donor wall inside. He used his own hard-earned money to support this project because he wanted to make a gift to honor his friendship with Evan. The Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation will honor Evan’s legacy by preparing future educators to serve students with disabilities. We are so proud to have Evan’s and Logan’s names on this building.”
The ceremony included remarks from Amy Smith, proud mother of Evan Smith. She said, “As we rise each day, let us remind ourselves that there may be a person who needs us today, whether they have a large or small need. We can make a conscious decision to notice others.” She continued, “You were born at this time and living in this area of the world for a reason. You were meant to work; you were made to serve; you were created to love. In loving and serving others, you will find joy and purpose.”
Dr. Kris Ward, a UMHB alumna, director of special programs, and professor in UMHB’s College of Education, provided an overview of the program. “In this building, we serve a purpose: to teach undergraduate education majors how to be teachers. It’s not an easy task. Teaching is hard, but it is a calling. In the special education world, we address several factors, not only their academic skills. We also address their sensory needs, language needs, communication, and social skills. All of those are part of what we will do in the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation.” She went on to explain that if there is another facility like this center anywhere else in the country, we do not know about it. “We are very proud to be the only university with an undergraduate program such as this.”
Molly Kate Elkins, daughter of UMHB alumni Tiffany and Barry Elkins, UMHB’s women’s soccer coach, shared a testimony about her experiences at the special needs lab. “I love the special needs lab and my college friends I get to make there. At the old lab, my wheelchair could not go through the same door as everyone else. I had to use a different door. With the new lab, I can go through the same door as my friends. The new lab is so cool! The very best part is the immersion room. I want to say thank you to all the people who helped us get a new lab. I can’t wait to play more!”
After the dedication ceremony, visitors toured the new state-of-the-art special education training and instructional facility. The Marek-Smith Center will lead the way for training and educating special education instructors, enabling UMHB’s College of Education to continue to train and inspire college students to pursue a meaningful career in special education. With cutting-edge technology, resources, equipment, and tools, the 12,808-square-foot facility will offer spaces such as an immersion room, a multisensory room, a high-impact zone, a STEM lab, an outdoor exploration zone, and more.
