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CCBC’s annual Commencement ceremony is the climax of our academic year. As such, in spite of the dark days brought on by COVID-19, we are determined to connect this wonderful event not only with our graduates and their families, but also with the broader CCBC community – our supporters, business partners and friends. Commencement is truly the hallmark of the good…
Continue readingMay is a busy month at CCBC. It marks the end of the academic year but also serves as a time to celebrate: students, of course, scholars, athletes and leaders, but also our faculty and staff, not just for years of service—for putting in time—but for the real achievement. To that end, I recently hosted CCBC’s Emeritus Induction Ceremony where we…
Continue readingSpring is among the best times of the year at any college because almost everyday we get to celebrate students, athletes, scholars, service, honor recipients…all the way up to Commencement. So it was with both pride and pleasure that I welcomed 400 of our academic elite at the recent Student Awards Banquet. Here at CCBC we often say that our…
Continue readingThis year I have had the honor of serving as the chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges. As chair, I recently had the privilege of convening our association’s national convention in Orlando, Florida, welcoming 2,000 community college colleagues from around the country. In the spirit of the conference theme: “Our time has come,”…
Continue readingAlthough the perception of America’s colleges as tranquil oases of learning may have always been little more than a fanciful image, a harsh reality faces every community college president today. We are confronted with a challenge framed by a simple question: How do we keep our campuses safe? Whether the weapons wielded by potential attackers are high powered rifles or…
Continue readingIt has been my honor each year to host the President’s Distinguished African-American Lecture Series in February as one of several significant events designed to honor the contributions of African-American citizens. In March, we strive to do the same to celebrate Women’s History Month by hosting events that celebrate the achievements of distinguished women. This year, however, our lecture series…
Continue readingFifty years ago, the United States sent its first manned aircraft to orbit the moon, Boeing introduced the first 747 jumbo jet, and I began my career as a community college professional. While my entry into the community college sector may not have had a national or regional rippling effect, for me it was a significant event. It was a…
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