With the guidance of several ULM faculty members and students, the West Ouachita Senior Center (WOSC) has recently gained national accreditation.

The National Institute of Senior Centers granted the WOSC accreditation after a grueling 18-month process. Accreditation will help gain more recognition and funding to enhance the center, and give the elderly more readily available resources.

Karen Frye, interim department head of Gerontology, Sociology and Political Science, said the process was a tough task because most centers do not have the resources to finish the accreditation process. The WOSC is only the 201st center in the nation to receive accreditation, further revealing what a strenuous task completing the process is.

The WOSC has been a partner with ULM for many years offering students internships and experience. With all that the WOSC has given to ULM, certain members of the ULM faculty including Charlotte Owens, Paula Griswold, Patsy Costello and Frye, as well as volunteers Marty Steffenson and Jeanette Ellington, knew that despite the difficult task, it would be worth their time.

Frye said she relished the chance to give back to the WOSC as well as the community by serving as a director on this project and making sure the process was carried out thoroughly. Along with Frye, several ULM students assisted in the accreditation process by proofreading documents, working on applications and volunteering their time. With dedication from ULM, the WOSC will now receive the help they need.