Friday, June 29, 2012

Utah Valley University childcare center receives $1 million donation

A year and a half ago, Kellie Jeffrey was a single mom with an associate’s degree and a desire to finish her education. But she needed affordable child care for 18-month-old Philip while she took a full load of 12 credits a semester.

After looking at a number of Utah colleges, she found what she was looking for at Utah Valley University in Orem. The school’s 11-year-old Wee Care Center "sealed the deal for me," she said.

That opportunity for affordable child care will expand to many more UVU students, thanks to a $1 million gift from Barbara Barrington Jones that will substantially enlarge the Wee Care Center.

In making the announcement Wednesday, UVU President Matthew S. Holland said one of his top priorities this year is helping women finish their degrees: In Utah, women’s postsecondary participation rate lags significantly behind the national average. Salt Lake Tribune