It was an emotional day at Milwaukee Collegiate Academy for the school's founder Dr. Howard Fuller.
TODAYS TMJ4'S Charles Benson talked with Dr. Fuller after it was announced that the school will be renamed after the longtime educator.
Dr. Fuller's journey in life has been filled with struggles and successes but his passion has always been with kids and education.
"These children are our most precious gift from God," said Dr. Fuller
From civil rights activist and education advocate to academic, the 78-year old has seen it all - or so he thought until today.
The school he founded will now be called the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy.
"I want these kids to know that every day you walk into a building with my name on it you will be loved," he said.
Senior Kailon McGhee remembers the first time he met Dr. Fuller.
"I was like, we've got a celebrity in here, ok," said McGhee. "Because he's just an influential person in the education system, so it was just really inspiring to see him in front of me."
The long time school choice pioneer and one-time MPS Superintendent sees the name change as an opportunity to expand and help more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds find success.
"Working with these kids and seeing today, and seeing that joy and hope, that's the most important thing," said Dr. Fuller.
"This is why you don't get old, you are around these kids forever youthful?" asked Benson.
"Well, I don't know about that," said Dr. Fuller.
The high school originated in 2003 and Dr. Fuller says more than 400 have graduated.
