FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2017, 5:00 p.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College Marketing and Communications, 402.872.2429
Peru, Nebraska – The Center Schoolhouse, usually referred to as the Little Red Schoolhouse, on the
Peru State College Campus is now a Visitor and Interpretive Center for the College.
A ribbon cutting was held on Saturday, May 6, following commencement.
The Little Red Schoolhouse served students at the corner of US 75 and Brock Road for
many years before school districts consolidated in Nemaha County. Once a landmark
on the drive between Auburn and Nebraska City, the schoolhouse was saved from demolition
when it was rebuilt brick-by-brick on the Peru State Campus.
According to the bronze plaque on the side of the building–now Visitor and Interpretive
Center – the schoolhouse “is dedicated to the many teachers who trained at Peru State
College”
Michelle Kaiser, recent Peru State College graduate, adds, “I wasn’t aware of this
building really being used for much, so I thought that might be just a be a perfect
fit. For an old, one-room schoolhouse to serve as a legacy and memorial for all the
things we’ve done here at Nebraska’s oldest college and originally Nebraska’s teaching
college.”
Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, said, “As often happens on campus,
the best projects are proposed by students. I would like to thank Michelle Kaiser,
Phi Alpha Theta and their advisor, Dr. Sara Crook, for their tremendous work getting
this project started.”"
The ribbon being cut by Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State; George Blazek; Nelson Family Foundation Trustee; Michelle Kaiser, former president of Phi Alpha Theta; Dr. Sara Crook, Phi Alpha Theta Advisor; and Joyce Douglas, president of Peru State's Foundation Board.
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