Midland College President
The year was 1972. The average cost of a new home in Midland was $11,800, and monthly rent was $165. Gasoline was 55 cents per gallon, and Midlanders could get a good pair of new Wrangler jeans for $12. Our radios were tuned to Don McLean’s “American Pie” and Michael Jackson singing “Ben.” We had a choice of three television stations, and our favorite shows were “Here’s Lucy,” “The Brady Bunch” and “Hawaii Five-O” (the original one with Jack Lord). On the political front, Richard Nixon was elected U.S. President for what was to be a turbulent second term. Closer to home, Texas Governor Preston Smith signed the bill to create the Midland Junior College District, and Midland College (MC) was born!
In 1973, Dr. Al G. Langford, MC’s first president, wrote, “Midland College, like all worthwhile enterprises, is the result of a dream and the product of dedicated effort to overcome obstacles. . . . Midland College is a ‘community college’ in the finest sense of the term. The community has given us solid support. From the beginning, residents showed an above-normal dedication to the college, and they gave unselfishly of their time and talent to its development.”
As the college’s fourth president, I can honestly say that those words of Dr. Langford still ring true. The education, training, services and enrichment that MC provides are the result of a devoted board of trustees and hardworking, dedicated employees. Furthermore, never has a college enjoyed such amazing community support as that given to Midland College. One would think that after 40 years, the “honeymoon” would be over, but the Midland community and Midland College continue to appreciate a mutually supportive relationship.
From the start, our goal has been to contribute to Midland’s quality of life and economic development by providing programs and services for students to meet their needs. To that end, MC provides academic/transfer courses, career and technical education, continuing education and workforce training, and adult basic education. Our graduates are the backbone of the workforce in Midland working in fields like nursing; emergency medical medicine and other health science occupations; law enforcement; energy technology; paralegal; aviation maintenance; automotive and diesel mechanics; welding; truck driving; computer systems installation and maintenance; and many others. We also help prepare students for professional careers in our transfer curriculum and many of them become lawyers, engineers, teachers, doctors, geologists, accountants and other professionals.
Midland College also strongly believes that cultural enrichment is a major component of our mission. Thanks to endowed gifts, the Phyllis & Bob Cowan Performing Arts Series and the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series recruit renowned performers and speakers to the campus for free community concerts and lectures. The campus is also home to the McCormick Art Gallery and co-produces theatre presentations with Midland Community Theatre. The college’s Al G. Langford Chaparral Center hosts concerts, trade shows and sporting events. Our summer Kids’ College program provides a fun atmosphere for Midland children to participate in cultural opportunities and enjoy sports activities. In addition, MC is proud to partner with community events such as Tall City Blues Fest and other family-oriented occasions within the Permian Basin.
Although state appropriations for community colleges continue to decrease, Midland College is committed to carry on our mission of providing quality educational experiences for students. Due to the tremendous philanthropic spirit that makes Midland one of the best cities in the nation, we can offer a variety of opportunities such as those previously mentioned. The Legacy Scholarship, which funds $1,050 per semester for Midland County high school graduates who attend MC, is just one of the many privately sponsored scholarships that enable students to realize their dreams of obtaining higher education and skills training. MC’s Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund has now reached $11 million, because of the generosity of our many donors.
Midland College has come a long way in the past 40 years; however, still more is yet to be accomplished. With the community’s continuing support, there is no doubt that MC will help Midland live up to its motto of The Sky’s the Limit. I have the privilege of following in the footsteps of the three former Midland College presidents and outstanding community college leaders—Al Langford, Jess Parrish and David Daniel. It is an honor for me to carry on their vision and values (and add a few wrinkles of my own). Thank you, Midland, for 40 wonderful years; we look forward to 40 more years of being Your College!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar