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History of the Office

Montgomery County Community College Presidents

College Timeline

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Dr. Karen A. Stout is the College’s fourth and current President. She has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware. She has completed post graduate study at Harvard University.Prior to assuming the Presidency, Stout served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Services and the Rohrer Campus CEO at Camden County College in New Jersey and served at two community colleges in Maryland.

2009: Became certified GED Testing Center at West Campus

Fine Arts Center renovation of the existing Art Barn completed

2008: Re-Launched Mustangs Intercollegiate Athletics Program

2007: Advanced Technology Center opened on Central Campus

Auto Technology Program expanded to Pottstown in partnership with Pottstown High School

Became IT Apple Authorized Training Center

Dedicated pedestrian underpass in Pottstown, connecting the two West Campus buildings for the first time

Entered into partnership with Bucknell University and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

2006: Automotive Technology Program moved to MACS in Lansdale

Launched GED Prep Course in conjunction with Workforce Investment Board

Launched POWER Program for people in mental health recovery

North Hall opened on the West Campus

Participated in first-ever Alternative Spring Break Program

2005: Launched Home Care Aide Certificate Program

Ran first-ever Study Abroad program in Florence, Italy

2004: Chartered Phi Beta Lambda National Business Honors Society chapter

2003: Launched Chef Apprenticeship Program

Launched comprehensive Honors Program

Launched Health Career Programs in Radiography, Surgical Technology and Medical Assisting

Launched Paraprofessional in Education Program

2002: Honors Program was established

Launched Biotechnology Program

 2009: Bank of America purchases Merrill Lynch to save it from bankruptcy

Claiborne Pell, former U.S. Senator and chief sponsor of Pell Grants, dies

2008: California raises minimum wage to $8 an hour

2007: Arctic Ice Cap melting faster than expected, 30 years ahead of predictions

2006: Bill and Melinda Gates join the Rockefeller Foundation to reduce hunger and poverty in Africa

President Bush agrees to landmark nuclear energy agreement with India

2004: Serb police clash with 30,000 protesting Albanians in Kosovo

2003: President Bush asks Congress for $87 billion to fight terrorism

2002: U.S. Senate passes economic stimulus bill
Dr. Edward Sweitzer was the third College President. He served from 1988 until he died in 2000. He earned his BA from Millersville College and his MA and doctorate from the University of Maryland. He held academic and administrative positions at Northern Virginia Community College before coming to the College as the Dean of Academic Affairs in 1983. During his tenure as President he oversaw the College’s expansion into Pottstown. 1996: West Campus in Pottstown opened

1988: Lively Arts Series introduced 		1996: Osama bin Laden is driven out of Sudan under pressure from the Clinton administration

1988: The Soviet Union announces it will participate in the Seoul Summer Olympics

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Phantom of the Opera opens at Broadway’s Majestic Theater
Dr. Edmond Watters served as the College’s second president from 1981 to 1987. He earned his BS, MA and EdD from Lehigh University. Prior to becoming President, he served as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Williamsport Area Community College (now Pennsylvania Technical College), and as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Montgomery County Community College.
Dr. Leroy R. Brendlinger served as President of the College from its founding in 1964 to 1981. He earned a BS in Education from West Chester College, MS in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and doctorate from Temple University. Prior to becoming President he was the Principal of Plymouth Township Schools and Supervising Principal for Lower Pottsgrove Township. 1972: The Central Campus in Blue Bell opened

1966: The College began serving the community from its initial location in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

1964: Montgomery County Community College was founded 		1972: The Queen Mary, the world’s largest ocean liner, sinks in Hong Kong harbor

President Nixon departs on this historic 10-day trip to China

1966: U.S. cigarette packs are issued warning labels

Ronald Reagan announces his candidacy for California Governor

1964: President Lyndon Johnson declares a War on Poverty

Plans are unveiled for a World Trade Center in New York
 
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