On Oct. 24, the University of Central Missouri’s College of Education and the UCM Alumni Foundation celebrated the dedication of the Hough Education and Counseling Center. Formerly a gymnasium in the Lovinger Building, the space has been renovated into a large meeting room, small classrooms and several rooms dedicated to individual and group counseling sessions.
In January 2022, alumnus Greg Thurman donated one million dollars to the College of Education to renovate the former Lovinger gymnasium into this space.
“This school opened me up to the possibilities of life that I didn’t know existed. So that’s why I felt we should give back here,” said Thurman. Thurman graduated from UCM in 1974 and attributes his success in life to factors outside of his control.
“I know you have to work hard, you have to be halfway smart, but there’s a lot of things that go beyond your own personal powers to make things happen,” Thurman said. “I got very lucky in all of that somehow. I know that’s luck, so I feel like giving back and helping others to have the same opportunity that I once had.”
The donation was made in honor of Thurman’s nephew, Michael Hough, who earned three bachelor’s degrees and a master of science in education in secondary school administration from UCM. Hough is now the superintendent of the Holden R-III School District.
“I’m so grateful to my uncle who thought of me when he thought of donating to UCM,” Hough said. “I’m a former graduate, I have four degrees from here, so it just means a lot.”
Hough believes that students’ mental health is an important factor in their educational success.
“As an educator, I’ve discovered over the last part of my career how important mental health is and that it can either make or break a student,” Hough said. “To make sure that we have a center that’s providing good quality education for future mental health professionals, it was very important.” Current students seeking counseling can request services at no cost.
“It’s free, and that means a whole lot to me, that [students] can come when they need help and get that help without any cost,” Hough said. Students have already been able to utilize the newly renovated space.
Rachel Wesly, a fourth-year graduate student in the Master of Science in Counseling Program has had the opportunity to use the space. Wesly works directly with students in UCM’s THRIVE program, an organization aimed at helping students with disabilities transition to more independent living and employment options.
“It’s been incredible to have this space to learn, to work with students seeking services,” Wesly said. “I work specifically with the THRIVE students. I’ve grown so much in the past. It’s been ten weeks so far getting to work directly with students in THRIVE.” Throughout the master’s of science in counseling program, students are required to gain 240 hours of experience directly counseling clients. The Hough Counseling Center provides access to another avenue for students to complete this requirement.
“This program has helped me discover what I want to do with my life, which is a great thing. With the counseling program, I feel so prepared, and it helps you discover who you are as a person, who you are as a counselor, and it’s just wonderful,” Wesly said.
