Brian Brendlinger Named ‘Advisor of the Year’ by National Organization
May 12, 2008, Blue Bell/Pottstown, Pa.—Brian Brendlinger, of Pottstown, Director of Student Activities at Montgomery County Community College, was recently named Advisor of the Year by the American Students Association of Community College (ASACC).
Brendlinger has served as the advisor to the College’s Student Government Association (SGA) since 1972 and as the Director of Student Activities since 1975. During that time, he touched the lives of thousands of students both academically and personally through leadership activities, freshmen orientation, graduation and extracurricular programming. He will retire in June after 38 years of service to the students of Montgomery County Community College.
“Brian epitomizes what an advisor should be,” says current SGA President Stephen Konzelman. “He is readily available to assist with any activity or leadership question that arises. He has always been a guiding light for me as SGA President, and he has always been there to help me when I needed it the most.”
When asked about how they got involved in student leadership, alumni and current students inevitably reference Brendlinger’s freshmen orientation letter, in which he invites qualified students to become orientation leaders. SGA Senator Cameron Gilkes explains. “All it took was a simple letter to change the way I viewed college. Brian showed me that college was more than going to class or waiting for the next exam. It was a place that not only taught me the information I needed for my career, but a place to build who I am as a person. Getting active and participating in college life was the key to my success.”
The past few months have been bittersweet for Brendlinger and the many students he works with, as he gears up for his last commencement ceremony on May 22. Along the way, students have honored him at the various banquets and events leading up to graduation. Recently, the annual student-run Lasagna Dinner at the West Campus was held in his honor, with more than $1,600 in proceeds going to his charity of choice—Relay for Life of Pottstown.
“Working with students keeps you young,” says Brendlinger. “There were always challenges, but it’s so rewarding when a student excels in leadership outside of the classroom. I think I left a good foundation for the College to continue to build on.”
And, while he’s sentimental about retiring, Brendlinger is confident that it’s time to “pass the torch” on to someone else. In his retirement, Brendlinger still plans to teach one section of the College’s Orientation (ORI 100) course, and he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Beth, as well as antiquing and going to auctions—two long-time hobbies.
“As I look back on my career, I have no regrets,” he says. “Some people are made for their jobs, and I am one of those people. I hope that I made a difference in students’ lives and that they were able to use the skills they learned at the College in everyday life.”
