Alumni News - Special Editon
Wendell Ray 1926 - 2017
March 2018
In Memoriam Mr. Wendell Ray, long-time benefactor of the University of Miami, supporter and co-founder of the Department of Psychology’s Linda Ray Intervention Center (LRIC), passed away in September at the age of 90 in Coral Gables, after an illustrious business career and a lifetime commitment to the betterment of children. Mr. Ray was a member of the Diabetes Research Foundation, the New World Symphony, Voices for Children, and Project Newborn of United Way of Miami-Dade. He was also Chairman Emeritus of the University of Miami’s School of Medicine Board of Overseers, a Golden Cane and a Trustee at Barry University. In 1992, he was nominated by the University of Miami as Volunteer of the Year for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in competition with 1300 other colleges and universities. Most dear to his heart were children, and in 1987, he and wife Linda began addressing the plight of abused children. Infants In Need, Inc. was formed to raise awareness and funds for the Linda Ray Children’s Center. He poured blood, sweat and tears into the construction and renovation of two buildings to house and support children’s programs. In 1993, in conjunction with the University of Miami, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, LRIC opened its doors and to this day, the research-based program has proven successful in improving outcomes for this vulnerable group of families and their children in Miami-Dade County. A man of great compassion and humility, he lived by the words “God has richly blessed me and I must share those blessings by helping others.” He is survived by his wife Linda, his children, Wendell Jr., William, Robert, Amanda and Alexandra, Grandchildren Brandon and Joshua and Great Grandchildren Jimmy and Lauren and friend of 38 years, James Shorter.
The Linda Ray Intervention Center (LRIC) program today is a designated University-based Multidisciplinary Educational Services Center within the Florida Department of Education’s Diagnostic and Learning Resources System. Additionally, LRIC is one of the five Early Intervention, Birth-Two Programs in Miami within the state’s Early Steps program for young children with disabilities. The mission is to support and facilitate positive developmental outcomes for children with high quality services, thereby improving young children’s school readiness, and future student achievement. The program is funded by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Florida Department of Education, the Children’s Trust, Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Services.
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For further information about LRIC programs, please contact Dr. Lynne F. Katz at lkatz@miami.edu. If you would like to make a memorial gift in honor of Wendell Ray, please contact Nancy Hill (305) 284 1266 or nhill@miami.edu. PS YCH OLOGY DEPARTMEN T
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