The Children’s Literature Centre (CLC) has been a beacon of creativity and scholarship at Frostburg State. Now the Centre can honor a special family in the University’s history.  

The family of Dr. Ron Nowaczyk, the 15 ^th president of FSU who passed away in 2025, has made a gift to endow the Centre, ensuring its mission continues for generations to come. To recognize their generosity, the University System of Maryland will officially name the facility The Nowaczyk Family Children’s Literature Centre. Consistent with established USM guidelines, the proposed name is subject to approval of the Board of Regents. 

Since opening its doors in 1982, the Children’s Literature Centre has become a vital part of literacy in Western Maryland. It’s not just a library; it is a catalyst for new approaches to reading. From its new home in the Education & Health Sciences Building, a location that the late Dr. Nowaczyk had insisted upon during his presidency, the Centre manages a collection of over 12,000 children’s books and is the only one of its kind in the world. 

“Having the Centre named in honor of the Nowaczyk family is a meaningful tribute to their support and to Dr. Ronald Nowaczyk’s personal vision for the CLC,” said  Dr. Sarah O’Neal '04/M'05, associate professor and director of the CLC. “President Nowaczyk believed the new space should be a place where community outreach could flourish, and it has been my honor as director to help carry that vision forward.” 

The Centre’s impact is best seen through its community outreach, serving over 8,000 children through field trips and events in the last two years, as well as its many community events.  

The decision to honor the Nowaczyk family originates from their deeply rooted connection to the Centre’s work. President Nowaczyk’s wife, Maureen Lavan, is an avid volunteer of the Centre who dedicated her time alongside Ron and their son, Jake, to support the Centre’s literacy efforts. 

“We are so pleased that our family's name can be attached to the FSU Children's Literature Centre,” Lavan said. “From community events like Storybook Holiday to Harry Potter Book Night and the annual festival of children's literature, the Centre has always been a special place for the entire Nowaczyk family. The naming is a tribute to Ron's love of literature and his commitment to lifelong learning for students of all ages.” 

The family’s gift will fortify an existing endowment, bringing additional annual operating funds and educational opportunities for FSU students and school-age children. 

“With the generous gift accompanying the naming, we will continue expanding our mission and impact in the community,” O’Neal added. 

For more information on the FSU Children’s Literature Centre, visit  www.frostburg.edu/clc.  🐾