GC highlights previous initiatives, announces latest campaign phase
McHenry, MD – Garrett College celebrated past capital campaigns and announced a new phase of its current capital campaign at last Friday’s President’s Circle event.
The President’s Circle – individuals and groups who give at least $1,000 annually to the Garrett College Foundation – heard from five Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) faculty members regarding what their gifts to the STEM Capital Campaign provided GC students. The 2018-19 campaign raised $2.5 million for STEM initiatives to support the Daniel E. Offutt STEM Center.
Mathematics Professor Tim Foster, STEM academic program director, talked about how his students fired rockets and maneuvered drones to document their grasp of mathematical principles. Activities included student-driven drone flights that identified and reported back on commands found on basketball backboards and in the stands during controlled flights inside the Edwards CARC Morin Family Gymnasium.
Assistant Professor of Biology Alyssa Tichinel displayed student comments to document the importance of the Anatomage digital dissection table – which Garrett College acquired before any other Maryland institution of higher education thanks to the STEM capital campaign.
“The table solidifies my abilities to see normal versus abnormal, something most models cannot do,” wrote an Anatomy and Physiology II student.
“It allows us to think critically about clinical cases and prepares students for real injuries and situations we might see in our careers in healthcare,” wrote an Anatomy and Physiology I student.
Another A and P student said the table raised awareness of real-world medical implications.
“Sometimes it is hard for me to grasp how illnesses or injuries actually affect the body,” wrote the student, “so the table has really helped make that clear.”
Wendy James, assistant professor of radiologic technology, talked about the impact GC’s new rad tech program is expected to have on the region.
“We’re the only Western Maryland college with a radiologic technology program,” said James, who guided the selection of 15 first-year students last fall – out of almost 50 qualified applicants. GC hopes to expand the number of students who may be accepted into the program as the program matures.
Two faculty members – Computer Science Professor Rich Lewis and Cybersecurity Assistant Professor Kenny Allman – discussed the program enhancements in both computer science and cybersecurity as a result of Garrett College Foundation funding. Lewis and Allman used GCF gifts to increase student access by permitting students to use any device – Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook – to develop and submit coursework.
“Our faculty and academic administration are clearly using the $2.5 million endowment established through the STEM campaign to enhance curriculum and increase access to STEM education,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president.
The Garrett College Foundation’s representative at the President’s Circle, then updated attendees on the Foundation’s latest capital campaign, a $1 million initiative to support the College’s expansion of intercollegiate athletics.
“Due to increased enrollment, sparked in large part by expansion of our intercollegiate athletics program, our current athletic facilities in the Edwards CARC are no longer sufficient – we’re simply out of space,” said Kepple.
“We are currently renovating the 700 Building to house our men’s and women’s soccer, softball, baseball, and wrestling teams,” added Kepple, noting 23 of the campaign’s 27 major naming opportunities have already been acquired.
“We’re excited to launch two new initiatives as part of the Athletics Capital Campaign: a donor wall and a locker-naming opportunity,” Kepple said. “The locker-naming initiative will be similar to the seat-naming opportunity offered during the Performing Arts Center campaign. The donor wall will resemble the one outside the PAC conference center, but with a design reflecting the Lakers’ athletic spirit.”
Kepple said individuals or families can reserve baseball, softball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer lockers with a $300 gift, and wrestling lockers with a $250 gift.
“Naming a locker offers more than just a plaque,” said Kepple. “It gives a student-athlete a sense of belonging – a dedicated space to prepare, focus, and call their own. Each time they enter the locker room, your name will remind them of your support and encouragement.
“We’re really pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to community members,” said Kepple. “We want everyone to feel like they’re a part of this campaign.”
