Education Notes

Interim Dean at Maryland

Lee Thornton, who holds the Richard Eaton endowed chair at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, has been named interim dean of the college. Thornton, a former CBS News White House correspondent, National Public Radio program host and CNN public affairs program producer, was also a producer for Warner Bros. Domestic Television, Lorimar-Telepictures and Quincy Jones Entertainment.

She joined the college in 1997. She received a Center for Teaching Excellence award in 2000, and in 2005 she was honored by the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program for faculty mentors. Thornton is an alumna of Michigan State University, and she earned her doctorate in radio, television and film studies at Northwestern University.

Thornton replaces Thomas Kunkel, who will become president of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., next month.

ROTC Cadet Honored

Teresa Crenshaw, a graduating senior at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, was honored recently during the school's annual Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps awards ceremony. Crenshaw, who will attend Towson University, received a $500 scholarship from Geico for her 3.95 grade-point average and leadership ability.

Scholar Dollar Awards

Four grand prize winners in the third annual Scholar Dollar awards ceremony recently received $250 gift cards for the Mall at Prince George's in Hyattsville and tickets on Southwest Airlines. They were Leslie Ikpeze of Arrowhead Elementary School, Anthony Dance of Thurgood G. Marshall Middle School, Valery Gutierrez of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Douglas E. Pelaez of Bladensburg High School.

A number of other students who performed well during the past school year were also recognized at the ceremony, which was sponsored by the county executive's office, Prince George's public schools, the mall and Southwest Airlines.

Sister Cities International

James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro will participate in the Sister Cities International program during the next school year, pairing with the Dominica School of La Ureña in the Dominican Republic. Students from the Prince George's school will visit the Dominica School and provide supplies and clothing, and faculty members will teach and offer administrators training in curriculum development. Members of James Madison's maintenance team will provide repairs.

One Brick at a Time

Prince George's Community College will host the One Brick at a Time dedication ceremony from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Marlboro Hall courtyard. Students, alumni, employees and community members will have the opportunity to buy personalized bricks to be placed in the courtyard.

The ceremony is among several activities planned to mark the college's 50th anniversary.

-- Compiled by AKEYA DICKSON