The Marcia K. Carlson classroom at Raquette Lake is the newest building, which was dedicated in the summer of 2000.  Marcia Carlson, a nationally recognized expert and pioneer in the outdoor education field, taught for twenty-six years at SUNY Cortland until her retirement in 1988.

     Some may suggest that it was Marcia K. Carlson's dream to have a classroom in the middle of the woods.  Her obvious love for the environment and commitment to enhancing outdoor education brings many to this conclusion. Dr. Carlson was a familiar and influential figure on campus.  She created the first outdoor education lab in PER, in the early 1970's.  A decade later she headed the committee which developed an outdoor education minor at Cortland. In all, she served on more than seventy committees at the college.

    Marcia believed very strongly in motivating and teaching students to become professional in a responsible sense.  The outdoor education practicum and other programs held at Raquette Lake serves as  model programs illustrating the use of the outdoor environment as an extension to the classroom.  Bringing the classroom to the woods brings a new special tie between the classroom and outdoor education in Cortland.

    The "first ever"  class to use the Carlson classroom  at Raquette Lake was the Rec. 370, Outdoor Education Practicum. This group of students learned about accessibility's for people with disabilities in outdoor and wilderness environments. The classroom stands for a tribute to Marcia's outstanding leadership, distinctive service and professional commitment to outdoor education and the college.