Article by: Anne Li of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Photo by: Adam Vogler of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Little Rock Central High School's new science building, which opened a year ago, now sports a new name: the Nancy Rousseau Science Building.
Central High students, teachers and alumni gathered Thursday alongside Rousseau and her family to celebrate the occasion. The band, cheer and dance teams and student body president kicked off the event.
"On behalf of the students of Central High School, it is an honor to welcome everyone here and to be a part of this special occasion," Student Body President Taneesha Mohanta told the crowd. "Mrs. Nancy Rousseau has meant so much to everyone in this plaza."
Mohanta thanked Rousseau for "pouring into the school and into the lives of students that get to call Central their home."
Central Principal April Rike, who took the helm of the school this year, called Rousseau a "strong advocate" of the building who "played a role in helping bring the long-awaited project to fruition."
"Without you, it would probably not be here," Rike said.
The 67,000 square foot science building -- the first academic building added to the school since 1927, when it was built -- opened in fall 2025 with laboratories, a maker space, a greenhouse and a lecture hall. Prior to the construction of the building and plaza, the outdoor space was lined with portable classrooms.
Thursday's ceremony was full of laughter as speakers told anecdotes of, or bantered with, the retired principal.
Rousseau spent 53 years in education, including 31 years at Central High, she said Thursday. She started as principal of the school in 2002 and retired at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
District spokeswoman Pamela Smith said during her speech she was "so grateful for the many years of friendship, laughter, wisdom and shared experiences" with Rousseau.
"The phone calls, the text messages, the messages to parents," Smith said with a laugh. "We've been through it all."
Smith told Rousseau that while she might have retired from being principal, "I'm afraid you don't get to retire from being my friend."
Rousseau's nephew and Central 2006 alum Stephen Lucker described to the crowd what it was like attend a school led by his aunt.
"I had a teacher that was a bit tough for me," Lucker said. "First time I got in trouble, she calls Mrs. Rousseau.
"My aunt stopped her immediately and said, 'He's not my nephew, he is your student, and he will be treated just like everyone else. Call his mother,'" he continued, drawing laughs from the audience.
At one point, a student yelled from the crowd: "Love you, Mrs. Rousseau."
"Love you, too," Rousseau yelled back.
In her remarks, Rousseau called the science building something she had "truly dreamed about." "I had a bucket list of things I wanted to do before I retired," she said. "This was right at the top of it."
Her brother had teased her about the dedication, she told the crowd, because math and science were not her "strong subject."
Rousseau said she believed her students should have access to the best facilities and resources, citing Central's longstanding success at science competitions. She thanked the teachers and told the students she hoped they would learn more than just science in the building.
"I hope you'll ask questions and problem-solve," Rousseau said. "I hope you will continue to be curious."
To see more photos from the event, click here.