Garrett College will begin its 35th year of operation this September with a new President.
After 20 years of devoted service to Garrett College, Dr. Steve Herman retired June 2005.
"The college was in considerable difficulty," said Dr. Herman of when he began at Garrett College. "Over the years, we've become a strong and fiscally responsible institution with a very good academic reputation. Our reputation goes far beyond Garrett County's borders."
When he assumed the office of President in 1986, the college had 430 credit students, now it has more than 600. There also has been significant increase in the Continuing Education Division with more than 4,000 students taking advantage of Continuing Education opportunities.
"We've renovated almost the entire campus and added new buildings," said Dr. Herman. They include the Parris G. Glendenning Advanced Technology Center, the Garrett Information Enterprise Center, the Residence Hall and the gymnasium renovation. Construction has begun on a new Learning Resource Center and planning for a Community Athletic and Recreation Center on Marsh Mountain is continuing.
Many residents dreamed of a college at which their young people could begin their college education. Some became involved in planning this institution that would offer many county students an opportunity to obtain a college education.
This dream became reality when Garrett College opened its doors in September 1971. Ads were run in early July 1969 soliciting sealed bids. In October 1969 Mrs. Diane Thayer, President of the Board of Trustees for the Community College and Wm A. Shirer affixed their signatures to the contract for construction of what was to be called Garrett Community College.
Shirer was low bidder on the project for a three unit complex, for $1,194,000 to be ready for occupancy September 1971. Also present were Clinton Englander, Robert O. Diehl, Ralph Beachley and Dr. Raymond McCullough, County Superintendent of Schools. The cost of construction was to be borne jointly by the County and the State. The State also provided 45 percent of the operational cost, the County 30 percent and student tuition the remaining 25.
The Board of Education named Dr. Luther G. Shaw President of the new college on August 13, 1970, after interviewing 14 applicants. Dr. Shaw was previously President of Atlantic Community College near Atlantic City, New Jersey. He worked in an interim office on Green Street until the buildings were completed.
The three buildings under construction on the 60-acre campus were designed to blend into the terrain near Deep Creek Lake. The Instruction building included science and business laboratories, a library, faculty offices and featured a large, open space learning center designed for flexibility and adaptability. The Commons building provided for administrative and counseling offices, a student lounge, a food service area, and a theater auditorium. The Gymnasium area included offices and locker rooms. The buildings were linked through covered walkways.
"The big advantage of the Community College is its availability, both in location and cost, making an opportunity for continuing their education to many, who could not otherwise afford it," read an article in The Republican.
Tuition per semester was set at $150 for county residents, $300 for Maryland residents and $600 for out of state. Part-time costs were $12 per credit hour plus fees of approximately $5 per semester for residents, $20 for Marylanders and $40 for out of state.
The Glades Star, September 1971, read, "GCC has become a solid reality on Mosser Road at McHenry within sight of a cove where once the wife of Meshach Browning met two wolves when she went to the spring for a gourd full of water."
On Thursday, September 16, GCC began its first courses with approx 200 students enrolled and the distinction of being the first community college in Maryland to hold its first classes on its own campus.
The Republican ran a special section, "College Opportunity in Garrett County Becomes a Reality, Formal" in October 1971 with a large photo of the new college. The formal dedication was Saturday Oct 9, 1971. Some of the notables attending the dedication of GCC were Commissioner Wayne Hamilton, US Senator J. Glenn Beall, Lt. Gov Blair Lee, Rep. Goodloe E. Byron, St Senator William A. Silson, Delegate DeCoursey Bolden, Diane Thayer, and Dr. Luther Shaw.
Everything seemed to move quickly after classes started. A band was formed, concerts were held, adult education classes were held at the campus and at various locations around the county, and an art exhibit was held. A basketball squad was formed in January of 1972. Dennis Fearnow became basketball coach of The Lakers.
Local organizations began donating money to the library and for scholarships even before the doors opened. Many later began to have meetings in the new buildings.
Willard Ann Elliott, Oakland was the first graduate to receive her diploma from Garrett Community College presented by President of the Board, Diane Thayer. Dr William Robinson sang “We’ve Only Just Begun” at the first commencement.
The September 1974 Glades Star included an article by Dr. Luther Shaw to the class of 1973. “When you entered here, I said that we would have to be pioneers together," he wrote. "For many who had worked so hard and through so many difficulties… having a college begin operating in Garrett County was indeed an impossible dream come true.”
The college seal was designed by Aza Stanton. Reportedly the green was representative of the verdant area, white – the snow of winter, and blue - the azure skies and Deep Creek Lake. Three mountain peaks symbolized the three chief objects of the college: service to the Community; development of self – the individual; and preparation.
Difficulties anticipated by the college staff and board often were joined by the unexpected such as a February 1974 strike by independent truckers that halted most truck traffic, causing critical shortages in bread, milk, other food, heating oil and gasoline, and closing schools and Garrett Community College for a period of time.
Musical presentations, art exhibits and speakers provided some global exposure and education in the early years. There now are 25 international students on campus.
Dr. Herman said he had wanted to work at a rural community college. He had ideas about what a good college should look like and wanted the opportunity to try them out. He found that opportunity at Garrett College.
Adjusting to information technology was the biggest change, he said. Garrett College has changed often during the years, adding courses and later certificates in computer studies, including distance learning and on-line courses in its offerings.
Garrett College took the lead in rural telecommunications in 1996 with a comprehensive telecom system. The Garrett Rural Information Cooperative was formed to provide low-cost information access. Don Storck, GCC's Dean of Information Technology had suggested a farm-stu;e cooperative approach to shared community use as a way for a small community with limited resources to afford a comprehensive telecom system. Garrett College was the first rural community in the nation to introduce such a system.
Changes constantly occurred in other areas to meet the needs of changing times and changing needs of the county's citizens and businesses.
"It is time that someone with fresh eyes come to lead the college into its next chapter," Dr. Herman said. “The new president has a lot to build on and can take the college to a whole new level."
Dr. Paul R. Dauphinais, of Palmer, Alaska, the next President of Garrett College has accepted the challenge. He was College Director at Matanuska-Susitna College, a campus of the University of Alaska, Anchorage that enrolls almost 2,000 students.
His professional experience spans public and private two and four year institutions. Dr. Dauphinais' career has been primarily at rural institutions where the tie between the college and the community has been important and close. He had several years experience as a college CEO at both traditional liberal arts transfer colleges and at a technical college.
"Several times during the interview process I was asked what my greatest challenge would be and the first thing I would do," said Dr. Dauphinais. "Garrett College will be dealing with a change from a president with 20 years experience in office to someone who will be learning his way around the county."
"My challenge and immediate requirement is to learn how and why things are done here, come to understand the organization of the college and the community and enable everyone to understand me," he said. "In doing so I hope to minimize the trauma of change, get to know the people and community of the college and county, and finally to be able to carry on with the incredible accomplishments of President Herman and bring to fruition the capital projects that will mean so much to the college and community."
The dream that became reality 35 years ago is still alive and the future looks bright for Garrett College. Various activities are being planned to celebrate the 35th anniversary. A special book that will include more details about the college's history is being written by Jo Donaldson and will be presented at some of the autumn events. Personal memories from former college students and staff will be welcomed and can be sent to jdonaldson@garrettcollege.edu. She also would welcome access to old photographs.
The website www.garrettcollege.edu provides more information about the college, its offerings and coming activities.
From The Glades Star
(Published by the Garrett County Historical Society)
June 2006
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