A Century of Service: Cleo L. Craig Child Development Lab celebrates 100 years of providing premier educational experiences
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu
In late 1924, Oklahoma A&M College became the second land-grant institution to establish a nursery school. A century later, the CDL is the nation’s second-longest continuously operating on-campus lab school, serving children from 12 months to 6 years of age.
The CDL provides a premier teaching model for future early childhood educators and
a high-quality educational experience for young children. Oklahoma State University
students pursuing degrees in early childhood education and many other majors gain
real-world, hands-on learning and research experience within the lab as they combine
theory and learning with daily teaching practice.
The College of Education and Human Sciences is marking the centennial with a series of events in 2024. The festivities began in the spring when the lab hosted a birthday party, inviting families, students, teachers, donors and staff to honor the milestone. The day was filled with laughter, fun and festivities for all ages.
Former students, teachers, staff and parents have recounted their fondest memories at the CDL. From its early days to the present, one constant remains: the CDL provides an enriching and unique educational experience for future educators and children.
Jane Ann Niles, former student teacher at the CDL, 1957
"In the second semester of 1958, I observed at the little nursery school. It was fun to watch the children, as I didn’t have any of my own at that time. Now, at 86 years old, I cherish my time at OSU. I graduated on a Saturday and started my job teaching vocational home economics on Monday. I was part of the first class to graduate under the name Oklahoma State University, formerly known as Oklahoma A&M. My daughter, granddaughter and daughter-in-law also graduated from OSU, and my uncle was a professor there."
Linda (Mitchell) Weiss, former CDL teacher, 1988
“I graduated from OSU with my Bachelor of Science in early childhood education in 1988, and my first job out of undergrad was working as a lead teacher in the preschool at the CDL. The experience gave me a great foundation for my future work as a classroom teacher and administrator. I worked with a group of wonderful, committed faculty members during my time at the CDL. My favorite memory is when I was about to leave my position there; my preschool class gifted me a large LL Bean canvas tote bag they had all signed. I still have that bag 35 years later, and it makes me smile every time I see it.”
Sharon Wright, former CDL student in 1948 and CDL parent from 1973-80
“I was a student at the Child Development Lab from 1948 to 1949. Both our boys attended as well — David in 1973-74 and Blake in 1978-80. We all totally loved it!”
Mary McCall, former graduate assistant from 1969-71 and CDL teacher from 1971-76
“There were so many great memories, but if I had to pick one, it would be the spring semester of 1976. The student teachers planned activities from “the colonial days.” We went to an orchard to pick apples and made applesauce that we had saved for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We made dipped candles and soap and did many other activities. But the best one was we created a quilt. Each child and teacher drew a picture on a square of muslin. We then pieced the squares together, and parents and grandparents came to the school to hand-quilt their children’s squares. When it was finished, we let each child take it home for one night so they could sleep under the quilt. Then, the quilt was fixed so it could be hung in a hallway there.”
Rachel Stallings, former CDL preschool teacher and CDL parent
“My favorite memory of the CDL was having the opportunity to work with student teachers and share their joy and excitement about becoming teachers!”
Melanie McMillan, former CDL teacher from 2018-23
“Working at the CDL was such a monumental job for me. It was where I was able to grow and learn even more about becoming a better teacher, and I was able to be right at the center of research and best practice. I’m so thankful for everything the CDL gave to me and think about it fondly!”
Shannon Spaulding, former CDL parent
“My three children attended the CDL, and my girls and I found the sweetest friends there. The teachers are dedicated, talented and kind, and we have loved so many of the college student workers. It’s the best resource we could give to our young children!
Michaela Parrott, former CDL staff
“My favorite memory is of the summer party at the end of the year with all the kids!”
Hallie Branco, former CDL student worker from 2014-18
“One memory from the CDL that sticks out was the end-of-year picnics with parents out on the playground. Those were some of the best days! The student employees worked for several days to prep everything and help set it up. Parents would join us for lunch, and we would eat outside. I remember running to the CDL for my shift after my classes got out to participate with everyone and join the fun. The CDL brought me such a community that I had been missing while I was a student.”
Taylor Wynne, former CDL student teacher, 2015
“I had the privilege of earning both my undergraduate and graduate degrees through the College of Human Sciences. I was a student teacher/intern and was offered a position to teach after I graduated. I am blessed to have learned from so many amazing professors and instructors there!”
Toni DeMarco, former CDL teacher, 1986
“There are so many good memories that it is hard to choose! One of the things that I always loved was when we would be out on the playground and the college students from the nearby dorms would walk by on their way to class. The kids would run up to the fence and start talking to them. It often surprised them, but they would respond — and sometimes even stop and visit. After their encounters with the kids, they would usually walk on with a smile on their faces.”
Judy Morris, former CDL graduate assistant in 1971 and CDL teacher in 1976
“It was so great to have the privilege to work with not only the precious children and great student teachers but also the wonderful staff, including Dr. Josephine Hoffer, Miss Leone List and Dr. Mona Lane!”
Edwina Kersten, former CDL substitute teacher from 2012-18
“There are so many to choose from that I can't write them all down. I learned so much from the children in my time there. About six months in, I was sitting with a non-verbal pre-K student. He was in my lap during story time. He put my hands out flat, and he ran his hands on mine. It took a few minutes for me to realize he trusted me and that he was communicating with me.”
Bonni Strom, former CDL teacher from 2013-15
“It was my first experience in education and in special education. I have since gone on to work in special education ever since and now work as a special education administrator for a school district in Texas because of my experiences at the CDL!”
Amanda Harrist, former CDL parent in the early 2000s
“I loved watching Margaret Napier be ever so gentle and patient with Caroline and the other children daily. It is such a gift that Margaret — one of our early childhood education graduates — is still at the CDL.”
Ashley Smitv, former CDL parent from 2002-14
“Ms. Margaret is what stands out to me most! She taught and loved all my children. Her care, attention and love for all students is truly unique and a gift to the families. Ms. Margaret is a treasurer!”
Madi Gunkel, former CDL student worker and former CDL teacher; started teaching in 2017
“I started working at the CDL my freshman year of college — helping with lunch, aftercare and filling in wherever else I was needed. I also completed my first year of teaching in the pre-K classroom after graduating from OSU’s early childhood education program in 2017.”
Robert Ware, former CDL student, attended 1931-35; son of CDL employee Girdie Ware
“I remember playing at the old home economics building, swimming in the pool during the summer, climbing on the jungle gym (a metal structure made by engineering students) and playing on the playground after hours while waiting on my mother.”
James Sharrock, former CDL student, 1947
“I met one of my closest friends, Richard Ingham, at the CDL. He was a year or two behind me in law school, and we both had daughters who were classmates and friends throughout high school. Before his death several years ago, I liked to say he was my oldest nonfamily friend.”
DeeAnne Henry, former OSU faculty member (instructed students who observed at the CDL)
“My favorite memory was reading my students' weekly CDL reflections. Reflections of things they learned, things they taught, funny stories, frustrations, questions and insightful revelations. The CDL provides a very rare opportunity for OSU students pursuing a degree in early childhood education to participate in an early childhood setting and be exposed to exceptional practice.”
Stephanie Surratt, current CDL parent
“My daughter's favorite memories from her very fond time at the CDL is when she and her class went on a field trip to Prairie Arts Center to paint ceramic pumpkins. We place her pumpkin on our mantle yearly to celebrate the holidays and reflect on the wonderful memories made.”
Lisa Leach, current CDL parent
“The warm and welcoming environment is like no other. You can see and feel how much the staff and teachers enjoy what they do. They have made our daughter feel loved and she has thrived while attending. She started at exactly 1 year old and has had so many milestones shared with her teachers. We are so happy and thankful for everyone who is a part of the CDL. There is no better feeling than seeing your daughter’s face light up when she sees her teachers!”
Dotty Oelkers, former CDL student starting in the 1950s and student teacher starting in 1964
"In the fall of 1964, at age 18, I walked to one of my first classes at OSU. As I approached the Child Development Lab, I realized I had been there before. My mom told me I attended the CDL during summer sessions in the 1950s when I was about 4 years old. At the time, she was completing her master’s degree in home economics while I was a student at the CDL. When I became an OSU student in the 1960s, I completed hours of observation there. I have cherished memories of my time at the CDL as a child and college student. Congratulations on 100 years of nurturing children into healthy, productive adults."
Lisa Hamblin, former CDL graduate assistant from 1985-87
“Those experiences shaped my future career as an extension family and consumer sciences educator specializing in parent education.”
Mackenzie Wood, a past CDL student worker, 2023
“Working at the CDL was so vital to my future career. I didn’t study education in college, I studied psychology. While I was a student worker at the CDL, it was so amazing to be able to watch the development of children and to form relationships with people in the community. I could see things I was learning in lectures unfold before me. While working there, I decided that after graduating, I would love to be a teacher. I graduated in May 2023, and now I am a third-grade teacher. I loved the CDL because it fosters a great learning environment for not only the kids but also college students. I am very thankful for my time at the CDL and will forever cherish it.”
Nedra Segall, former CDL parent
“Our favorite memory was the ice cream recipe from the CDL. It's a family favorite and the only one we use.”
Peggy Jenkins, former CDL parent 1994-98
“We loved the CDL! One of my favorite things about it is that my daughter met her best friend there, and they are besties even today! Dallas was Savannah’s maid of honor at her wedding last year!! They both went on to attend OSU and graduated in 2015. My daughter still talks about walking across campus and rolling down the hill at the library lawn. It was such a great learning environment for her, and she has fond memories of her days there.”
Supporting the CDL in the next century
To find out how you can make a gift to leave your mark on the CDL’s 100th anniversary, visit OSUgiving.com or contact Sheri Carter at scarter@osugiving.com or 405-612-9637.