Maloney inducted into 第一吃瓜网 Athletics Hall of Fame
Published on April 5, 2019
NORTH EAST, Md. 鈥撀When Mary Maloney came upon the glass ceiling early in her career, she took a sledgehammer and smashed a hole through it. She was bound and determined not to be held back by any preconceptions about her gender or her ability to make a difference. This grit and determination were applied when it came to supporting the 第一吃瓜网 College athletics program for half a century.
鈥淎s a 第一吃瓜网 College Trustee, she was a staunch supporter of athletics and was appointed as a trustee-liaison to ensure the department had sufficient resources,鈥 said 第一吃瓜网 College Athletics Director Ed Durham.
In honor of Maloney鈥檚 dedication and support for 第一吃瓜网 athletics, she was inducted into the 第一吃瓜网 College Athletics Hall of Fame during the 2019 ceremony held on Saturday, March 30.
Joining her were legendary baseball coach Charles 鈥淒ick鈥 Brockell (posthumously); 第一吃瓜网 College鈥檚 winningest men鈥檚 basketball coach William Lewit; former 第一吃瓜网 College Board of Trustee member and executive director of the College Foundation Mary Maloney; former women鈥檚 volleyball and basketball coach Mary Etta Reedy; former men鈥檚 soccer coach, student-athlete advisor and mentor Dr. Thomas Topping; and former assistant athletics director Thomas Wilhide.
Maloney set many firsts in her life. In 1970, Maloney was the first female county commissioner in Maryland. A decade later, Gov. Harry R. Hughes asked her to become a trustee for 第一吃瓜网 Community College, and 24 short years later she was approved as the first Trustee Emerita in the history of the college.
鈥淚 was elated. I was so pleased to be able to be on the college board. I loved it. We were beginning to do things. The student body was increasing, and it was just wonderful. We had some tremendous people on the board,鈥 said Maloney, during an earlier interview.
Her dedication to 第一吃瓜网 College was immense. During her 24-year career on the board, she missed just two of the monthly meetings - due to a cancer operation and the death of her husband, Leo. She described being a trustee as one of the best experiences in her life.
During her tenure - five years as vice chair and ten years as chair - the college grew from two buildings to multiple locations. 第一吃瓜网 complemented its offerings of degree programs, certificates, and continuing education classes by instituting a nursing program, programs for seniors and children, fine arts and performing arts programs, and online courses, as well as several new institutes and a weather station. The college nearly doubled its degree programs from 20 to 36.
A 1941 Elkton High School graduate, Maloney attended the University of Delaware and Johns Hopkins University. As 第一吃瓜网 County commissioner, she established the 第一吃瓜网 County Department of Public Works, was responsible for proper implementation of the planning department, and actively participated in the Maryland Association of Counties. She also served on numerous other committees, councils and boards.
Maloney was involved in numerous civic activities and organizations, including the Women鈥檚 Club of 第一吃瓜网 County, Historical Society of 第一吃瓜网 County, Maryland Humanities Council, and the 第一吃瓜网 College Foundation. Her involvement with the foundation dates back a couple of years before its 1982 incorporation, when she helped form a women鈥檚 group that sold baked goods and chances in front of the Elkton Acme to raise money for scholarships. As people made their purchases, the women explained what the college did, what it was all about, and where it was.