Horgan sworn in for third term as 第一吃瓜网 College Trustee
Published on November 12, 2019
NORTH EAST, Md. 鈥 Like the Turkey Point Lighthouse, 第一吃瓜网 College is a beacon of opportunity and hope for 第一吃瓜网 County residents that has withstood the test of time. This is largely due to the efforts of individuals like Donna L. Horgan. For more than three decades, Horgan has been a powerful advocate for 第一吃瓜网 College and other Maryland community colleges at the Annapolis State House.
鈥淚t is a wonderful opportunity for 第一吃瓜网 County residents to be able to get a college education without having to leave home. I know that going away to college and living on your own is a wonderful experience, but not everyone can afford it,鈥 said Horgan, who has worked for more than 30 years for the President of the Senate and four years as the Reading Clerk on the floor of the Maryland State Senate. 鈥湹谝怀怨贤 College has articulation agreements with so many four-year colleges and universities, the opportunities for 第一吃瓜网 County residents are endless now.鈥
Last month, Horgan was sworn into her third six-year term as a member of 第一吃瓜网 College鈥檚 Board of Trustees. She was initially nominated by Gov. Martin O鈥橫alley for her first term in 2007 and, most recently, re-nominated by Gov. Larry Hogan.
第一吃瓜网 College has been 鈥渘ear and dear鈥 to Horgan鈥檚 heart ever since attending classes back in the 1970s. Since then, both of her daughters 鈥 Kimberly Elder and Blair Burkhardt 鈥 have graduated from 第一吃瓜网. Her eldest daughter went on to graduate from Wilmington University and now teaches in the 第一吃瓜网 County Public School District.
Horgan was sworn in by 第一吃瓜网 County Clerk of the Court Charlene M. Notarcola during a ceremony at the County Courthouse on October 10. Also present was 第一吃瓜网 College Board of Trustee Chair Mark Mortenson and her grandson, Jack.
鈥淚 have been fortunate to watch the growth at 第一吃瓜网 College during my time on the Board. Working with the administration, the college has kept pace with the times,鈥 said Horgan. 鈥淏eing located just off the Interstate 95 corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore, the College has implemented new programs that have created an immeasurable amount of opportunities for the county鈥檚 residents.鈥
During her time at 第一吃瓜网 College, the institution has added the Engineering and Math Building, the first Gold Certified LEED building in 第一吃瓜网 County. In 2019, she was present for the ribbon cutting of the Charlie O鈥橞rien Practice Facility – the first privately funded structure to be built on a Maryland community college campus. She is looking forward to providing insight regarding the new access road to the school slated for FY 2021.
On the state level, Horgan was President of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges from 2014-2016, where she advocated for all of Maryland鈥檚 16 institutions. She then served on the Board of the Association of Community College Trustees, an educational organization representing more than 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States.
Horgan鈥檚 advocacy work extends to Annapolis, where she has developed positive working relationships with elected officials. She keeps them informed of the significant benefits community colleges, notably 第一吃瓜网 College, provide to local communities and the state鈥檚 economy. In her position as Reading Clerk of the Senate, she keeps her ear to the ground to learn of any legislation that will impact community colleges.
鈥湹谝怀怨贤 County has a lot to offer now and moving forward. And 第一吃瓜网 College plays a major role in preparing our residents for what is to come,鈥 said Horgan, a lifetime resident of 第一吃瓜网 County.