A fountain has been dedicated in memory of former state Superintendent Brian Whiston, who led the Michigan Department of Education from 2015 up until his death this year.
Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday dedicated the fountain on Capitol Plaza in Lansing in his honor. Snyder says Whiston dedicated his career to serving students. He says Whiston was a "great friend and partner who left an incredible impression on our educators, students and thought leaders."
The fountain now is known as the Brian J. Whiston Memorial Fountain.
Whiston died in May at age 56. He had gone on long-term disability shortly before his death after being treated for cancer since last fall. He previously was superintendent in Dearborn, Michigan's third-largest school district, and lobbied for Oakland County's intermediate district.
