Published April 23, 2020
The University of Louisiana System Board has approved the University of Louisiana
Monroe’s request to recognize the dedication of former Louisiana State Rep. Charles
R. McDonald, Ed.D., and the late Emily Williamson.
The financial aid suite in Sandel Hall will be named the “Dr. Charles R. McDonald
Financial Aid Suite” in honor of his service to ULM as an administrator, state legislator,
and his service to the students of Louisiana by authoring and sponsoring the TOPS
legislation.
The ULM Child Development Center will be renamed the “Emily Williamson Laboratory
School” in memory of its longtime director and child education advocate.
“The Father of TOPS”
Dr. Charles R. McDonald has held many positions in education. He moved from high school
educator to principal, then Director of Counseling, Placement, and Financial Aid at
Northeast Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana Monroe.
PHOTO: Former Louisiana State Representative and University of Louisiana Monroe administrator
Charles R. McDonald, Ed.D., will be honored with the naming of the Dr. Charles R.
McDonald Financial Aid Suite in Sandel Hall.
Photo courtesy of La. Board of Regents
After 17 years as a university administrator, in 1991, Dr. McDonald was elected to
the state House of Representatives. Deemed the “Father of TOPS,” he authored HB 2154
that created the TOPS scholarship program, and over 50,000 students currently receive
this scholarship.
As lead author of TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students), Dr. McDonald is
credited with helping pass one of the most significant pieces of legislation designed
to reward Louisiana’s brightest high school students for performing in the classroom
and going on to attend Louisiana’s post-secondary schools. To date, TOPS has provided
scholarship funding for more than 720,000 students to pursue post-secondary education.
Dr. McDonald also served on numerous boards and commissions of education. He served
as Chairman of the House of Representatives Education Committee. He is currently serving
on the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education.
“Dr. McDonald is highly regarded at the university as well as in the Northeast Louisiana
community, and he has served as an outstanding leader at the University of Louisiana
Monroe and Louisiana Legislature. Based on his loyalty and service to the university
and the state of Louisiana, I am glad the university can recognize his accomplishments
and service with this dedication,” stated President Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D.
Emily Williamson Laboratory SchoolWilliamson became director in 2003 and remained in that position until she lost her
lengthy battle with breast cancer on October 27, 2019. Under her leadership, the center
received its first 5-star rating in 2008 and continued with six consecutive 5-star
ratings from the Louisiana Quality Start School Readiness Rating System.
PHOTO: The ULM Child Care Center will be renamed the Emily Williamson Laboratory School
in memory of the longtime director. Williamson died in October 2019.
ULM Photo Services
A three-time ULM alumna, Williamson, was extremely dedicated to ULM. She served on
ULM’s commencement committee as co-chair for 14 years and represented ULM on numerous
state and regional early childhood education professional organization boards. Williamson
also served as an instructor in the School of Education.
“In my own professional and personal interactions with Emily, I remember her best
for her vitality and passion for early childhood education and our Child Development
Center. Her leadership and work ethic has given the center its renowned reputation
for excellence respected throughout the community and state. She was an advocate for
her students and the center,” stated Myra Lovett, Ed.D., Director of the School of
Education.
Early childhood education and her accomplishments at the ULM Child Development Center
were her passion and life’s work.
“Emily was one of the most dedicated, hard-working, and resourceful directors that
ULM has ever had. Even while dealing with severe illness, she continued to lead the
center and keep it as a crown jewel at the university. By renaming it to the Emily
Williamson Laboratory School, we are honoring her commitment and contributions to
ULM, the region, and the state. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to honor
her than this,” stated John Pratte, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts, Education,
and Sciences.
