Winter 2013 - Prince George`s Community College

Winter 2013
Alumnus Receives
National Appointment
Cover story, page 4
Literally Speaking Features Roger and Sugar Ray Leonard, page 3
Campaign Raises $20 million, page 6
Partners for Success Awards Dinner, page 8
Alumnus Named Associate Judge, page 11
Winter 2013
Progressions is produced for the alumni and
friends of Prince George’s Community College
by the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Office of Institutional Advancement
Brenda S. Mitchell
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and
Prince George’s Community College Foundation, Inc
Cheryl Green
Director, Grants and Resource Development
Marsha Koger
Program Director, Development
Gita Brown
Office Associate, Grants and Resource Development
Diane Butler
Coordinator of Grants and Resource Development
Leslie Carr
Coordinator of Advancement Services
Moneka Cunningham
Coordinator of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations
Sara Gilbert
Administrative Associate
Frances Hooks
Office Associate
Brenda Hunter
Accounting Specialist
Lucille Walker
Grant Writer
Prince George’s Community College
Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
Haden Land, President
Reginald G. Daniel, Vice President
Dwayne O. Leslie, Treasurer
Brenda S. Mitchell, Secretary
Charlene M. Dukes, Ed.D.
Warren Elliott
Louis Henry Gilford
Robert S. Grandfield
Carlise Harris, Ph.D.
Judy Holland
Thomas Knapp
Janet C. Lane
Rene B. LaVigne
David H. Michael
Lt. General (Ret) Emmett Paige, Jr.
Jerome D. Smallwood
Richard A. Sockol
Raymond A. Whiteman
Prince George’s Community College
Alumni Association Board of Directors
Pamela Thomas, President
Vania McNeary-Edwards, Vice President
Jacquelyn Battles, Secretary
Jane Treadwell, Treasurer
Arnita Shelton
Jean Mattie, Alumni Liaison
Publication Designed by the Office
of Marketing and Creative Services
Deidra W. Hill, Director
Danielle Peterson, Publications Manager
Michael T. Percy, Senior Graphic Designer
Contact
Office of Institutional Advancement
Prince George’s Community College
301 Largo Road
Largo, Maryland 20774
301-322-0858 | Fax: 301-341-3066
www.pgcc.edu/go/foundation
foundation@pgcc.edu or alumni@pgcc.edu
Office of the President
A Message from the President
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Welcome to the latest issue of Progressions. In the pages of this magazine, you will
learn about some of the many ways we have been engaging all of our stakeholders in
transforming lives over the last year. During this time, we hosted President Barack
Obama, Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and Congresswoman Donna
Edwards. In May, we saluted a record 1,136 students, as they graduated—some with
plans to transfer to a four-year college or university, while others either returned
to the workforce or entered for the first time. We also completed the planning and
silent phases of our most ambitious fund raising effort in the history of the college.
Led by the Prince George’s Community College Foundation, Inc. and the Office of
Institutional Advancement, Purpose, People, Possibilities is a $25 million campaign for
Prince George’s Community College. To date, 83 percent of the goal has been met,
and we expect to complete the campaign in 2014. That milestone would not have
been possible without the generous support of our alumni, faculty, staff, corporate,
and public sector partners and friends. While this is quite an accomplishment,
I cannot stress enough the importance of your continued participation and gifts
to the foundation.
I am fully aware that the decision to give is ultimately a personal choice, informed
by our individual values and experiences. My commitment to Prince George’s
Community College and to the campaign is rooted in my own educational journey.
I was the second oldest of my siblings to attend college, and I knew how important
it was to pursue higher education. My parents worked hard to support me in my
pursuits, but as hard as I know they worked, there were times when that was just
not enough. Along with my parents’ motivation and support, I was a recipient of
grants and scholarships.
This is just one of the reasons I am so grateful for the support we have received in the
past that enables the college to provide scholarships and ground-breaking programs
to students, affording them the opportunity to pursue and realize their dreams at an
institution committed to transforming lives.
I ask that you think about the ways you can give in support of the college’s vision to
be the community’s first choice for innovative, high quality learning opportunities.
Please let us know how you can help. I look forward to more exciting times for the
college and to working for and with the community as we fulfill the critical roles we
have in developing leaders, improving lives, and shaping the future.
Sincerely,
Charlene M. Dukes
Prince George’s
Community College
Board of Trustees
Lynn Loughlin Skerpon, Esquire, Chair
Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms, Vice Chair
Jerry J. Mathis
Aimee E. Olivo
Samuel J. Parker, Jr.
Elizabeth Susie Proctor
Richard Thomas
C. Michael Walls, Esquire
Fern Neptune, Student Trustee
college
President Barack Obama Visits
Prince George’s Community College
Prince George’s Community College hosted
a special visit by President Barack Obama,
who delivered an address on clean energy at
the Largo campus in March. On hand to welcome him were Maryland Governor Martin
O’Malley, then Prince George’s Community
College Board of Trustees Chairman Felix
Yeoman, and President Charlene Dukes.
President Obama also met with Chief of Staff
Alonia Sharps, who briefed him on the college’s programs in renewable energy offered
at the Westphalia Training Center at Prince
George’s Community College.
in attendance at the event, along with U.S.
Representative Donna F. Edwards, Maryland
Governor Martin O’Malley, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown and
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern
L. Baker, III.
For student Orlando Treadwell, seeing
the president was the highlight of his time
at Prince George’s Community College. “It
was unforgettable,” he said of the oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. The visit was
President Obama’s second to Prince George’s
Community College. Then-Senator Obama
drew a crowd of 6,000 when he visited the
campus while campaigning for the presidency in 2008.
Dr. Charlene Dukes addresses the crowd at President Barack
Obama’s visit to Prince George’s Community College.
Speaking to a cheering crowd in the Novak
Field House, the president commended the
college’s work, saying, “I just finished learning
about some of the work that you’re doing here
at this community college to make sure that
homes are using less energy, and helping folks
save money on their heating and their airconditioning bills. And I was very impressed.
I’m even more impressed because I know this
program is giving a lot of people a chance to
make a decent living—everyone from veterans
to folks with disabilities to folks who’ve just
been down on their luck but want to work.”
He went on to note, “Community colleges
are critical to our long-term success. What’s
also critical to our long-term success is the
question of energy—how do we use less
energy, how do we produce more energy right
here in the United States of America.”
The president’s visit came at the suggestion
of Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, who was
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President Barack Obama speaks to students at
Prince George’s Community College about clean
energy and the environment.
college
Literally Speaking—In the Shadow of a Champ
Roger and “Sugar” Ray Leonard Reflect on
Boxing and Life
Roger Leonard, author and former boxer,
was the latest author featured as part of the
series “Literally Speaking” at Prince George’s
Community College. A crowd of 150 braved
a summer storm to attend the special event in
June. Mr. Leonard, known professionally as
Roger “The Dodger,” is the older brother of
Mr. Leonard was finally able to break free
of his addiction and has been clean and sober
for 29 years. While in the throes of addiction,
he says he was, “trying to be Muhammad Ali,
always trying to be like someone else.” In
recovery, he found a way to be himself. Mr.
Leonard believes he has been given a second
Roger “The Dodger”
Leonard is the older
brother of boxing legend
Sugar Ray Leonard. His
memoir, In the Shadow
of a Champ: Pathway to
Brothers Roger and "Sugar" Ray Leonard
boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. His memoir,
In the Shadow of a Champ: Pathway to Recovery
tells the story of Roger Leonard’s experiences
in the world of professional boxing and his
personal challenges with addiction, rehabilitation, and sobriety. The book contains an unflinching look at the downward spiral of drug
use and offers hope through an inspirational
journey to recovery.
In an intimate question and interview session,
Roger and Ray Leonard answered questions
about their childhood in Prince George’s
County, experiences in the ring, and life after
boxing. Roger Leonard won the Golden
Gloves Championship in 1974 and continued
to box as a member of the United States Air
Force. After leaving the service, he turned pro
and amassed a record of 16 wins and a single
loss. He described having to fight against two
forces—his competitor in the ring and an even
more ferocious opponent, drug addiction.
Recovery, tells the story
chance in life and wrote the book in the hope
that it will help save lives. A Certified Addiction
Counselor (CAC), he is a sought after speaker
on the subject of substance abuse.
of Roger Leonard’s experiences in the world of
professional boxing and
his personal challenges
with addiction, rehabilitation, and sobriety.
Literally Speaking brings writers and poets to
campus to share their work. The program, presented
by the Prince George’s Community College Alumni
Association, seeks to expand the audience for contemporary literature, poetry, and prose by highlight-
Roger Leonard discussing his recent book, In the
Shadow of a Champ: Pathway to Recovery.
ing writers who have a relationship with the college
or whose work has relevance to the local community.
Winter 2013
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college
Alumnus Receives
Presidential
Appointment
Reginald Dwayne Betts received the Distinguished
Alumni Award at Prince George’s Community
College's 2010 Commencement exercises.
In May 2012, President Barack Obama
appointed Prince George’s Community
College alumnus Reginald Dwayne Betts
to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The
council coordinates all federal juvenile
delinquency prevention programs, all federal programs and activities that detain or
care for unaccompanied juveniles, and all
federal programs relating to missing and
exploited children.
The appointment was another achievement in a remarkable transformational
journey for Mr. Betts. Arrested for carjacking at the age of 16, he received a nineyear sentence and served his time in the
adult prison population. His 2009 memoir, A Question of Freedom, received
the 2010 NAACP Image Award for nonfiction. His debut collection of poetry,
Shahid Reads His Own Palm, received
the Beatrice Hawley Award.
A 2007 graduate of the Honors
Academy, Mr. Betts transferred to the
University of Maryland, College Park on
a Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship and earned his B.A. He went on
to receive his M.F.A. from Warren Wilson
College. He is currently working on a
new poetry collection as a Fellow at the
Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
Prince George’s Community College Cares for Students in Need
Counselor Beth Adkins has always helped
students, but when faced with a mother of
four on the verge of becoming homeless,
she felt powerless. As she recalls, “The
student asked, ‘Why doesn’t the college do
something to help students like me?’” After
meeting with Dean of Student Development,
Scheherazade Forman, Ms. Adkins convened
a gathering of interested individuals to discuss
possible responses. The result was PGCC
Cares, a centralized, collaborative effort to
help students facing immediate challenges.
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A survey of students reflects an urgent
need for the program. With more than 1,000
students responding, 50 percent reported that
they knew at least one person who didn’t have
anything to eat or any means of purchasing
food. Approximately 85 percent of those surveyed knew one or more students who couldn’t
afford textbooks three weeks after classes
started. Nearly 50 percent responded that
they knew at least one person who was facing
homelessness or potential homelessness.
Also involved in the effort is Cecelia
Knox, director of the Next Step program
for recipients of assistance from the Prince
George’s County Department of Social
Services. She says that students will have
access to a wide variety of resources, anything
from a bus pass, to a box of detergent, to
a Giant gift card. Ms. Knox anticipates
the program, which debuted officially in
August, will initially serve 100 students. It
will be accompanied by campaigns to make
students aware of the program’s existence
and to raise awareness among the college
community on issues of poverty and hunger.
PGCC Cares recently received an Impact
college
at Harvard University. Mr. Betts serves as
national spokesperson for the Campaign
for Youth Justice.
Melinda Frederick, director of the
Honors Program at Prince George’s
Community College, served as Mr. Betts’
academic advisor. She first met him
weeks after his release from prison. “To
see the trajectory he has moved on is
remarkable,” Frederick said. Describing
herself as “very proud and excited,” she
believes “his voice will help illuminate
the discussion and move policy forward.
He can convey the humanity and injustice of the penal system and advocate
for change within it.”
The council is comprised of 18 members
representing nine federal agencies, as
well as individuals appointed by the U.S.
House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
and President Obama. As the first and
only appointee who has served time in
prison, Mr. Betts hopes to “take advantage
of the opportunity to broaden the conversation.” The experience has given him
unique insight into policy making. “Most
folks don’t know as much about government as they think. A lot of work goes on
behind the scenes. It’s humbling to see the
amount of work that goes into changing
the smallest thing.”
Mr. Betts plans to attend law school and
combine personal experience with professional expertise to continue his work
in the realm of juvenile justice reform.
Grant Award from the Prince George’s Community College Foundation and works with
numerous partners such as Next Step and the
Dreamkeepers program to facilitate persistence
and completion at the college. Qualified students seeking short-term assistance are referred
to the Dreamkeepers program. Funded in
part by Scholarship America, Dreamkeepers
provides grants of up to $500 per semester
to students facing unexpected financial emergencies. Students who are eligible for either
Dreamkeepers or Next Step will be referred to
those programs instead of PGCC Cares.
Bank of America and
NBC Universal Give Support
A $100,000 gift from Bank of America and a $25,000 grant from NBC Universal are
expanding opportunities for students at the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s
Community College. The academy, the first middle college high school in Maryland, offers
a unique four-year program allowing high school students to earn a high school diploma
and up to two years of college credit.
With funding from Bank of America, four students were able to attend the Middle
College National Consortium Student Leadership Initiative, held in Los Angeles in April.
The students delivered a presentation on the conference theme, “Reach Out: Exploring and
Experiencing the Diversity of Our World.”
In December, the academy received a 21st Century Solutions grant from NBC Universal
for its Health is Wealth Model Initiative, an experiential learning program that promotes
learning, leadership development, and success in the health sciences fields. The grant will
enable students to—participate in cooperative learning opportunities, develop a website,
use social media to inform and engage with peers about community health concerns and
initiatives, and pursue health science degrees and careers.
Principal Kathy Richard-Andrews says that the support has been invaluable. “It has
allowed our students to engage in academic rigor outside the classroom setting and helped
them acclimate to the college environment.”
Winter 2013
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FOUNDATION
Purpose,People,
Possibilities
Campaign Raises More Than $20 Million
In 2011, Prince George’s Community
College and the Prince George’s
Community College Foundation, Inc.
launched Purpose, People, Possibilities,
a campaign that seeks to engage all
stakeholders in a collaborative effort
to sustain the level of excellence it has
achieved by $25 million to support
three institutional priorities—scholarships and student services; academic and workforce development
programs; and technology and
equipment for state-of-the-art
teaching and learning.
Prince George’s Community College
Foundation, Inc. board members Reginald
Daniel and Warren Elliott serve as the campaign’s co-chairs. “Prince George’s Community
College is a gateway for many individuals and
organizations in the county who want to affect
change,” said Mr. Daniel. “I see my role as helping to facilitate that change.”
This is the most ambitious campaign in
the college’s history. It offers opportunities
to supporters who understand that an investment in the college is an investment in the
long-term economic, social, and civic wellbeing of the county and the region.
By identifying areas of need that align
with the college’s institutional priorities, the
campaign provides resources to existing programs and services and encourages expansion and innovation. “The purpose of the
campaign is to fully realize our vision of a
vibrant, state-of-the-art college that is working for and with the community to transform lives,” said Brenda Mitchell, executive
director of Institutional Advancement.
For information on how to make a taxdeductible contribution or to discuss giving opportunities, please contact the Prince
George’s Community College Foundation at
301-322-0858 or foundation@pgcc.edu.
Haden Land
Haden Land, vice president of engineering and chief
technology officer for Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions, has been elected
president of the Prince George’s Community College
Foundation, Inc. Mr. Land joined the board in 2010.
The following year, he and his wife Cathy Jo established the Cathy Jo Land Nursing Education Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to qualified
students in the college’s Registered Nursing program.
“I look forward to bringing my expertise in the
engineering and information technology industries
to the foundation’s campaign to strengthen the next
generation of Science, Technology, Engineering,
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and Math (STEM) education,” said Mr. Land. “I have
a passion for playing a leadership role and igniting
interest in the public and private sector to bolster
support for transforming lives at Prince George’s
Community College.”
Mr. Land speaks frequently on trends and challenges within the field of information technology.
The Hispanic Information Technology Executive
Council recognized Mr. Land as “Most Influential
Hispanic” in 2011. He is a graduate of Potsdam University and a recipient of the university’s Minerva
Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Land received
his master’s degree from Syracuse University.
FOUNDATION
The Partners for Success Awards dinner was the
location of the announcement for the public launch
of the Purpose, People, Possibilities campaign.
Reginald Daniel
The board’s new vice president is Reginald G.
Daniel, CEO of Audio Video Solutions and CEO and
founder of Electrisolve, Inc. Audio Video Solutions
provides audio, video, low voltage, and networked
technology services to residential, commercial
and government clients. Electrisolve, Inc. provides
energy management services. Running these
businesses is a second career for Mr. Daniel, who
retired in 2004 as founding CEO of Scientific
and Engineering Solutions, Inc., an information
technology company.
Mr. Daniel hopes to serve as a liaison between
the college and the business community. “Hope-
fully I can use my position as a platform to reach
out to businesses in the area and help them
partner with the college to promote economic
and workforce development,” he said. He would
like to encourage other business leaders to take
the same proactive approach to collaborating
with the college.
Mr. Daniel earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland and
obtained an MBA from Loyola College of Maryland
through its Executive M.B.A. program.
Winter 2013
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FOUNDATION
XYZ
Partners for Success Awards Dinner
The Partners for Success Awards Dinner served as
a celebration of the fund raising initiative, Purpose,
People, Possibilities, launched by Prince George’s
Community College and the Prince George’s
Community College Foundation, Inc. in 2011.
By the time of the awards dinner, Prince
George’s Community College had received more
than $18 million, exceeding its original $15
million target. Dr. Charlene Dukes went on to
announce that the goal had been raised to $25
million.“There are very few community colleges
that have raised funds of this magnitude in a
formal campaign. Prince George’s Community
College and the foundation have extended its
goal to further support technology advancements
for our students,” said Brenda Mitchell, executive director of Institutional Advancement. The
campaign announcement was made at the
Partners for Success Awards Dinner at the
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
at the National Harbor.
The biennial event recognizes individuals,
foundations and corporate partners that have
demonstrated shared responsibility in transforming the lives of Prince George’s Community
College students by enabling the college’s efforts
to provide accessible, affordable, and rigorous learning experiences to more than 44,000
students that are served by the institution each
year. Governor Martin O’Malley, NBC4 and
the Hillman Family Foundation were recognized
for their individual support of student achievement and community engagement by the Prince
George’s Community College Foundation, Inc.
“This event gives us the chance to thank the
community that supports us. Our neighbors,
friends, business people and those interested in
service and civic responsibility,” said Dr. Dukes.
Governor Martin O’Malley, NBC4, and the
Hillman Family Foundation received awards for
their contributions towards the achievement of
students and community activities. Governor
O’Malley supported a four-year freeze on instate tuition costs at public and private institutions, directly benefiting students at colleges like
Prince George’s Community College.
NBC4 has also played a major role in community engagement at Prince George’s Community
College. David and Suzanne Hillman of the
Hillman Family Foundation were singled out for
their $2.8 million donation that launched the
Photos at bottom from left to right: 1) Alumni president, Pamela Thomas, is interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers. 2) Grammy Nominated recording artist Carolyn Malachi
performs. 3) News4Today anchor Aaron Gilchrist with Brenda Mitchell present awards. 4) Former county executive Wayne K. Curry, Jerry Mathis and former congressman
Albert Wynn enjoy the event. 5) Prince George’s County Council Chair Andrea Harrison and News4 anchor Jim Handly converse.
Foundation Dinner Recognized College Supporters—NBC4: A Commitment to Community
The Prince George’s Community College Foundation, Inc. honored NBC4 for its long-lasting relationship with Prince George’s Community College that
includes collaboration on community events, sponsorship of the annual Bluebird Blues Festival and
support for college programs.
Each year, NBC4 sponsors at least one and up
to three free community shredding events that allow area residents to bring unwanted documents
to the Largo campus to be shredded. Promoted by
NBC4 through TV announcements and interviews,
the shredding services are highly popular and
draw thousands of participants annually.
For more than a decade, NBC4 has sponsored
the Bluebird Blues Festival, an annual musical celebration and the college’s largest free community
event. The station has also contributed furnishings
and set pieces to the college’s newly renovated
television studio. The foundation recognized NBC4
for its continuing support of the college and a demonstrated commitment to serving the community.
“We were so very pleased to accept an award
from one of our most valued partners,” said Jackie
Bradford, president and general manager of NBC4.
“From the Bluebird Blues Festival to our Shred-it
events to our like-minded view of how to support
our community, we have been proud and honored
to stand strong with Prince George’s Community
College for many years.”
FOUNDATION
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Governor O'Malley
Stresses Education
David Hillman and wife Suzanne (center) established the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program and receive their award alongside foundation president
Haden Land (left), and Dr. Charlene Dukes (right).
Hillman Entrepreneurs Program. The Hillman
Family Foundation has been instrumental in the
matriculation of Prince George’s Community
College students.
The foundation also recognized the voluntary
leadership and support of Orlan Johnson for his
work on behalf of the college for more than 14
years. He has been very instrumental in leading
the philanthropic efforts of the college since his
affiliation with the institution began in 1998 as a
member of the college’s Board of Trustees.
The Prince George’s Community College
Foundation, Inc. is operated exclusively as a
501c (3) nonprofit organization for the charitable purposes of furthering educational programs,
facilities and opportunities at Prince George’s
Community College.
Dr. Charlene Dukes (left) and foundation president Haden Land (right) present award to Jackie
Bradford (center), NBC4 general manager.
During his term, the Honorable Martin O’Malley and his
administration have brought education to the forefront
with Maryland students achieving record success in the
classroom. “Prince George’s Community College is a
very special place; a place of innovation,
opportunity and diversity,” said
O’Malley. Governor O’Malley
was recognized for his
statewide leadership
in bringing attention
to high demand jobs,
further strengthening
the ability of community colleges to prepare
residents with the skills
they need to compete,
and expanding opportunities for degree completion.
Governor Martin O'Malley accepts the award for
his support of education from foundation president Haden Land (left) and Dr. Charlene Dukes.
Hillman Family Foundation Gives Back
By honoring the Hillman Family Foundation, the
Prince George’s Community College Foundation
pays tribute to one of the college’s most steadfast and generous supporters. The Hillman
Family Foundation is the philanthropic arm of
Southern Management Corporation, the largest
privately owned residential property management
company in the Mid-atlantic region. Since founding Southern Management, CEO David Hillman
has sought to give back to the local community.
Recognizing education’s long-term, widespread
benefits, he developed a relationship with Prince
George’s Community College that has grown over
20 years. His first major collaboration with the
college came in 1996 through the Apartment and
Office Building Association (AOBA) Scholarship
Program, which offers graduates of Prince George’s
County high schools two years of paid tuition to
the college. The Southern Management Scholarship, begun in 2001, provides full scholarships to
honors students transferring from the college to
American University’s Kogod School of Business.
David Hillman and his wife Suzanne established
the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program in 2006 to
support students who demonstrate leadership
and entrepreneurial initiative by providing them
with financial assistance and an entrepreneurship
development program. “I welcome the chance to
be able to give opportunities to people who don’t
get many, and to see those people come back into
the communities where we do business and do
great things. I tell them it should also be their goal
to make money and give back,” said Mr. Hillman.
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alumni
XYZ
Jan Scruggs
Alumni Headliners
Shannon Chiles
Jan C. Scruggs, a decorated
veteran of the Vietnam War,
conceived the idea of building
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in Washington, D.C., as a tribute
to all who served during one of
the longest wars in American
history. As president of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund Inc., Mr. Scruggs headed
up the effort that built and
maintains the memorial. Today,
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
is among the most visited
memorials in the nation’s capital.
Mr. Scruggs is also the author
of such books as To Heal a
Nation, Voices From The Wall
and Dreams Unfulfilled: Stories
of the Men and Women on the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
A native of Washington, D.C., he
grew up in Bowie, Maryland. As
an alumnus of Prince George’s
Community College, he went
on to receive advanced degrees
from American University in
Washington, D.C., and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
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Shannon Chiles has been awarded a Fulbright
U.S. Student Program scholarship to study
psychology at the University of Toronto
in Canada. Her awards and recognitions
include Who's Who Among Students in
American Junior Colleges, National Dean's
List, National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates Scholar and
National Institute of Mental Health Career
Opportunities in Research Scholar.
Ms. Chiles graduated from Prince George’s
Community College in 2008 with high
honors and an Associate of Arts degree. In
2011, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Howard University.
Andrea Harrison
A native of Prince George’s County and
recent recipient of the Distinguished Alumni
Award at the college’s 53rd commencement
exercises, Andrea Harrison was the first
woman elected to represent District 5 on
the Prince George’s County Council. She
occupies the seat once held by her late father,
the Honorable James C. Fletcher, Jr. While
attending Prince George’s Community
College, she earned an associate degree in
computer management. Ms. Harrison was
recently selected as the chair of the Prince
George’s County Council.
ALUMNI
A “Proud Graduate” and Advocate for Justice
Joseph Leroy Wright grew up in foster
homes in Baltimore City and was adopted
at age nine by a family in Prince George’s
County. He attended DuVal High School
before deciding he wanted to transfer to
Takoma Academy, a private school. To help
pay for tuition, he got a job, demonstrating
early his initiative and determination.
A self-described “proud graduate of
Prince George’s Community College,” Mr.
Wright received his associate degree in 1991
and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree
from Howard University. He attended law
school at Tulane University in New Orleans
and returned to Maryland, where he was in
private practice before joining the Office
of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s
County in 1998.
Mr. Wright worked in the Felony Trial
Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, Special Pros-
ecutions Unit and as assistant chief of the
District Court Division. As a prosecutor, he
became well known for taking on cases of
police brutality. In one of his most high profile cases, he prosecuted a Prince George’s
County police officer accused of shooting
two Marlo Furniture delivery men—one
fatally—while off duty. The officer was convicted, marking the first successful prosecution of a police officer for brutality in the
history of Prince George’s County.
In May 2012, Maryland Governor
Martin O’Malley appointed Mr. Wright
to a ten-year term as an associate judge
of the District Court for Prince George’s
County. The District Court oversees most
of the misdemeanor cases prosecuted by
the State’s Attorney’s Office, including
those involving narcotics, burglaries, thefts
and assaults. The court handles approx-
imately 100,000 cases each year—30,000
of which are criminal cases. It does not
conduct jury trials.
In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Wright is active in the community. He has helped raise money for the
Family Crisis Center, served on the board
of the Kettering Civic Federation, as former
legal counsel to the Prince George’s County
Young Democrats, and held leadership positions within the Maryland State and the
Prince George’s County Bar Associations.
Mr. Wright has taught at Prince George’s
Community College as an adjunct faculty
member and is a past president of the Prince
George’s Community College Alumni
Association.
Mr. Wright is married to his Howard University sweetheart, Shawn. The couple reside
in Upper Marlboro with their two children.
The Honorable Judge Joseph L. Wright, accompanied by his wife Shawn, is sworn in as associate judge of the District Court for Prince George’s County.
Wright is a distinguished alumnus of Prince George’s Community College.
Winter 2013
|
11
community
A 24-hour online giving
event coordinated
by the 16 Maryland
community colleges
and their foundations
Literally Speaking—
T. Perry
Tawan Perry returned to his roots
during Literally Speaking, a featured
author series. Perry, an alumnus
of Prince George’s Community
College, published a book called
College Sense: What College and
High School Advisors Don’t Tell You
about College, received the 2008
National Best Books Award for college guides. It was not a hard choice
for him to return.
Perry shared his strategies for
handling common challenges students face including identifying the
right college, accessing scholarship
and financial aid opportunities and
maintaining a positive grade point
average. Following his presentation, Perry signed copies of his book
which were made available free to
the first 50 students and answered
audience questions.
The Prince George’s Community
College Alumni Association sponsors
the literary program to increase
the audience for contemporary
literature, poetry, and prose. Literally Speaking promotes writers and
poets who have a relationship with
the college and whose work has a
relevant impact on the experiences
of its students and community.
12
|
Progressions
On November 14, 2012, the 16 Maryland
community colleges made history raising
more than $62,000. The BIG GIVE was the
first of its kind for educational institutions
in the country. Never before, have all the
community colleges in one state come
together to generate a 24-hour fund raising
event. Community members, alumni, and
friends of Prince George’s Community
College participated in the BIG GIVE.
The Prince George’s Community College
Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce that
it placed second in the “friendly competition”
and raised $13,201 in online and in person
giving during the event. The BIG GIVE
allowed friends of the college to support
three broad-based initiatives—academic and
workforce development programs, technology to enable innovative teaching and learning, and scholarships and services for diverse
populations of students.
The BIG GIVE was part of the Purpose,
People, Possibilities campaign focusing on
the college’s commitment to purpose, investment in people, and realization of possibilities
for a better educated society and a thriving
county, state, and region.
Elroy Jackson, manager of Financial Aid, proudly
displays his “I’m a Big Giver” shirt.
Rock the Vote
Prince George’s Community College provided an opportunity for members of
the campus community and surrounding
areas to register and "Rock the Vote" in
this year's general presidential election.
Students, faculty, staff, and community
members were urged to get involved in the
electoral process.
Rock the Vote is a
national initiative to
reach young and firsttime voters through
ground-breaking social
media, online apps,
music, and popular
culture. Prince George’s
Community College students were equipped
as community street team leaders to host
their own registration day events to engage
and build political power for young people
in our community.
Students, faculty, staff, and members
of the campus community were informed
of polling locations and encouraged to
register to vote on the Largo
campus, University Town
Center at Prince George’s
Community College and
Laurel College Center. Rock
the Vote has registered more
than five million young people
nationally to vote.
Save the
Date Events
May 6, 2013
Annual Alumni Scholarship
Golf Tournament
The Country Club
at Woodmore
Mitchellville, Maryland
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
May 23, 2013
Commencement Exercises
Showplace Arena
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
7 p.m.
Now through April 13, 2013
DISCOVER A FAST TRACK TO
YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) Program
Center for Advanced Technology
Largo Campus
Tuesdays 6–9 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
THE UMUC–PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALLIANCE LETS
YOU MAKE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FROM YOUR ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE
University of Maryland University College (UMUC) takes the guesswork out of determining
which of your community college credits can be applied to a bachelor’s degree. Thanks to
our relationship with PGCC, you can follow a single curriculum plan for earning both your
associate’s degree and a UMUC bachelor’s degree—in less time than you think.
HERE’S WHY UMUC IS A TOP TRANSFER CHOICE FOR PGCC GRADUATES
• UMUC accepts up to 70 community college credits, saving you time and money
• UMUC representatives are available to offer guidance on transferring plus
comprehensive student support services
• Classes are offered on-site at PGCC, online, or at more than 20 UMUC locations
throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia
• A limited number of transfer scholarships are available for qualified students
Copyright © 2013 University of Maryland University College
Learn more.
800-888-UMUC (8682)
umuc.edu/pgccalliance
Every Monday
Transforming Lives at Prince
George’s Community College
www.blogtalkradio.com/
transforming-lives
11 a.m.
First Class
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 10035
Upper Marlboro
Maryland 20774
Office of Institutional Advancement
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774-2199
www.pgcc.edu
Purpose,
Commitment to
Prince George’s
Community College
Foundation, Inc.
People,
Investment in
Possibilities
Realization of
A $25 million campaign for
Prince George’s Community College
If you would like to make a contribution, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement
at 301-322-0858 or e-mail us at foundation@pgcc.edu.
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