By: Julianna M. Klose
barry-news@mail.barry.edu
Civic People’s Park in Fort Lauderdale was recently renamed Dr. Elizabeth Hays Civic Park, in honor of longtime Barry faculty members Dr. Elizabeth Hays.
Hays, who passed away Feb. 20 2009, served as an esteemed member of Barry’s faculty for more than 24 years while also dedicating her time as a civic activist in Fort Lauderdale. In her honor and memory, the park was renamed and dedicated to her Saturday, April 25, 2009. Sister John Karen Frei, dean of the School of Natural and Health Sciences during Hays’ time at Barry, attended and led a moment of silence and prayer.
“I grew to know Betty very well in the 24 years she was employed at Barry,” Frei said. “Certainly she would be supportive of a civic park that benefited the outdoor education of children, young adults in high school and/or college; their cause would become her passion. May God bless this park and may all who come here carry away with them some of Dr. Hays’ energy and spirit for the park.”
Many of Hays Barry colleagues from the former School of National and Health Sciences were also in attendance, in addition to her children and grandchildren. Fort Lauderdale Mayor, John P. “Jack” Seiler also spoke at the ceremony.
The dedication ceremony was sponsored by the Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations and City Commission; Hays herself served on many city advisory boards in Fort Lauderdale.
At Barry, Hays taught biology, physiology and biomedical science courses. She devoted herself to advising and advocating for students, as well as serving the university community through her involvement on the Faculty Senate, Women’s Studies Committee, University Honors Council and Mission Effectiveness Committee to name a few.
A video of the park dedication is available here: http://www.vimeo.com/4336091.
barry-news@mail.barry.edu
Civic People’s Park in Fort Lauderdale was recently renamed Dr. Elizabeth Hays Civic Park, in honor of longtime Barry faculty members Dr. Elizabeth Hays.
Hays, who passed away Feb. 20 2009, served as an esteemed member of Barry’s faculty for more than 24 years while also dedicating her time as a civic activist in Fort Lauderdale. In her honor and memory, the park was renamed and dedicated to her Saturday, April 25, 2009. Sister John Karen Frei, dean of the School of Natural and Health Sciences during Hays’ time at Barry, attended and led a moment of silence and prayer.
“I grew to know Betty very well in the 24 years she was employed at Barry,” Frei said. “Certainly she would be supportive of a civic park that benefited the outdoor education of children, young adults in high school and/or college; their cause would become her passion. May God bless this park and may all who come here carry away with them some of Dr. Hays’ energy and spirit for the park.”
Many of Hays Barry colleagues from the former School of National and Health Sciences were also in attendance, in addition to her children and grandchildren. Fort Lauderdale Mayor, John P. “Jack” Seiler also spoke at the ceremony.
The dedication ceremony was sponsored by the Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations and City Commission; Hays herself served on many city advisory boards in Fort Lauderdale.
At Barry, Hays taught biology, physiology and biomedical science courses. She devoted herself to advising and advocating for students, as well as serving the university community through her involvement on the Faculty Senate, Women’s Studies Committee, University Honors Council and Mission Effectiveness Committee to name a few.
A video of the park dedication is available here: http://www.vimeo.com/4336091.