Gala Honors Half-Century Of Education

Community College Turns 50

They came out in gowns and tuxedos last week to celebrate five decades of educational opportunity offered to legions of Prince George's County residents through a college that got its start in empty classrooms at Suitland High School.

With the elegant Woodrow Wilson Ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center as the backdrop, more than 700 dignitaries, residents and former students paid tribute to Prince George's Community College. They gathered Sept. 17, 50 years to the day that the college opened its doors in 1958 with 185 students and 14 faculty and staff members.

Today, more than 40,000 students take classes in the college's more than 100 academic, workforce development and continuing education programs.

"This is a tremendous occasion," Orlan Johnson, president of the Prince George's Community College Foundation board of directors, said at the gathering. "It's one thing to have an event, but it's another to have a spectacular event. . . . This truly is a celebration of a legacy of excellence."

The gala is the culmination of a year of activities organized around the theme "A Legacy of Excellence, a Lifetime of Learning -- Since 1958." Festivities kicked off in October with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Bladen Hall, the student services building. In January, the college opened its 73,000-square-foot High Technology Center.

More than $200,000 for scholarships, equipment and programs was raised at the sold-out gala, organizers said. The guest list included prominent political, business and community leaders, including County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), County Council Chairman Samuel H. Dean (D-Mitchellville), State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D) and his wife, Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George's), and state Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D).

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D), a former member of the college's board of trustees, was honored for his commitment to the institution. Also recognized were Gaylord Entertainment chief executive Collin V. Reed and 31-year college employee Alonia C. Sharps, executive assistant to the school's president, Charlene M. Dukes.

Brown urged the audience to continue to support the college financially. Reed, whose firm has donated $1 million to the institution, praised it for providing opportunities for young people.

Also attending the gala were members of the Fabulous 50, a group of former students who have made significant contributions in their communities or professions. The names of the alumni have been placed on a Wall of Fame at Bladen Hall. Honorees include D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, Prince George's County Council member Andrea Harrison (D-Springdale) and Troy Weaver, assistant general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, officials said.

Harrison, elected to the council this year, said she attended the college part time from 1982 until she graduated in 1991 with an associate's degree in microcomputer systems. She received several scholarships for women older than 30, which she said helped her stay in school. Harrison transferred to Bowie State University, where she earned a bachelor's in public policy.

"I don't think people know all the college offers," Harrison said. "There have been a lot of changes since I went there. There are a lot of new facilities, programs and enhancements."

Dukes outlined the history of the college, which was the county's only integrated school when it opened, four years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the nation's schools had to desegregate. "Alaska was in the process of becoming a state," she said, and noted that the Hula Hoop and Elvis Presley were the rage.