RPC Dedicates New Early Childhood Education Center in Champaign to Memory of Former Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Murphy

RPC Dedicates New Early Childhood Education Center in Champaign to Memory of Former Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Murphy

For more than four decades, Elizabeth Murphy championed early childhood education in our community. Although she passed away in March, her memory will live on as the namesake of the new Elizabeth Murphy Early Childhood Education Center in Champaign. The building was officially dedicated in her name during a ceremony on Friday, August 11, featuring speeches from RPC CEO Dalitso Sulamoyo, Early Childhood Division Director Brandi Granse, and Elizabeth’s daughters, Erin Murphy and Katherine Murphy.

The event was attended by RPC Commissioners, Champaign County Board members, and many others, including representatives of U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski and State Senator Paul Faraci. Media coverage included a front page story in The News-Gazette and stories on WCIA-TV and WAND-TV.

Facts about the Elizabeth Murphy Early Childhood Education Center:

  • 10,312 square feet
  • Eight Infant/Toddler Classrooms
    • 64 children
    • 31 staff
  • Nursing Area for Families
  • Full Cooking Kitchen
  • Infant/Toddler Playground
  • Conference Rooms
  • Staff Lounge
  • Located on MTD Bus Line

Located at 2005 Round Barn Road, this new center takes the place of the one formerly at 809 N. Neil Street in Champaign, which closed on June 9.