South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn tours the Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education with Anne Karabon (far right), director of the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development, and student-teachers during Wednesday’s open house. The event provided an opportunity to show off spaces that were revitalized during the summer.

The center received two American Rescue Plan Act grants that provided funds to update the security system, paint classrooms and playground houses, do other general maintenance, purchase new furnishings and provide salary support for the kitchen and out-of-school time staff.

The center, whose roots date back to 1928, houses kindergarten, toddler and preschool programs open to SDSU faculty, staff and students as well as the surrounding community. The 22-student kindergarten program operates in conjunction with the Brookings School District. The preschool program serves another 72 children with 22 children in the toddler program.