On January 23rd, 2008 the science lab at Wells Prep Academy was named in honor of Rubye O. Dawson. Dawson was a state employee for 49 years and a 1942 graduate of Wendell Phillips High. The state-of-the-art science lab was a year in the making and to make it a reality the Dawson family partnered with Rush University, SAME Network (Science and Math Excellence Network), Centers for New Horizons and Wells Prep.

About the event, the Dawson family said, "We are excited about having our young people learn about science in such a technologically advanced environment. We had medical students in attendance and they interacted very well with the middle school students. They plan to come back and work with students on science projects. They will help in generating passion about science and spreading the word about careers in science and health. We had a great experience working with the principals of Wells Prep Academy and Wendell Phillips High, along with their science teacher, Ms. Kimberly Munson. They were very enthusiastic about establishing the lab and enhancing the science curriculum...Our family believes that we have to work more intensely with our middle school students, in order to instill a standard of excellence and enhance the high school experience of the students in our community. We look forward to the possibilities that this science lab will afford our students as they journey to their future."