Campus News
December 2nd, 2025
GC's Mitchell Conference Room dedicated
Naming honors dean emerita, former Garrett College trustee
Photo by John Rudd
The Dr. Lillian Mitchell Conference Room was dedicated last Tuesday at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Mitchell's grandson, Ryan Wilburn; son, Patrick Mitchell; daughter, Dr. Suzanne Wilburn; Dr. Mitchell; Garrett College Foundation Representatives Kearstin Hinebaugh and Janet Kepple; Garrett College Trustees Madeleine Collins and Duane Yoder, Garrett College Chief Academic Officer Professor Christa Bowser; and Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap.
The Dr. Lillian Mitchell Conference Room was dedicated last Tuesday, honoring one of Garrett College's most revered figures.
"Dr. Mitchell played a pivotal role in helping to move Garrett College through its formative years," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president. "We're thrilled to recognize her inspired service with this naming."
The Mitchell Conference Room is located in the Garrett College Learning Commons. An anonymous donor provided a gift to the Garrett College Foundation to establish the naming.
"I'm utterly speechless," Dr. Mitchell said of the naming. "What do you say about such an honor?"
The conference room that now bears her name was filled with family members, friends, and former colleagues as well as current college faculty, staff, and administrators. Dr. Mitchell's two children – Dr. Suzanne B. Wilburn and Patrick Mitchell – were in attendance as well as grandson Ryan Wilburn, who drove up from Washington, D.C. to surprise his grandmother.
"I'm overwhelmed to see so many family and friends here. For years, this was my home away from home," said Dr. Mitchell, noting the strong campus community "made Garrett College special."
Dr. Mitchell capped off a 32-year career at Garrett College with service as dean of academic and student affairs before putting that experience to work as a member of the Garrett College Board of Trustees. She was later accorded dean emerita status by the Board of Trustees and honored by the Garrett College faculty with the naming of the Dr. Lillian Mitchell Inspiration and Excellence Award that's given annually at Commencement.
Two current Garrett College trustees – Duane Yoder and Madeleine Collins – were in attendance at the dedication.
"Dr. Mitchell was there when the College was being launched and she played a pivotal role in establishing the College as a major force in the County," said Yoder, who served with Mitchell on the GC Board of Trustees. "What I appreciated most was her connection to individual students, many who were first-generation college students. She cared and was dedicated to the success of each one."
"Dr. Mitchell has always been associated with innovative, positive, problem-solving ideas," said Collins. "She gained even more respect through her very authentic caring connection with her students – a respect which went well beyond the classroom, and her heartfelt involvement in the community."
Kim DeGiovanni, associate dean and registrar at GC, recalled a memory from her on-campus visit during her application process.
"From the moment I met Dr. Mitchell, it was clear she was a rare kind of leader," said DeGiovanni. "When I interviewed for my position here 20 years ago, I'll never forget her walking me around campus.
"She would stop to greet students by name and check in on their lives with a warmth that comes so naturally to her," recalled DeGiovanni. "She remembered each one because she truly cared. That genuine care shaped the culture of our campus and continues to influence the way we support students today.
"Dedicating this space in her name feels so right because her legacy has always been about helping students thrive," DeGiovanni added.
Pramod "PK" Kapoor, a professor of business who worked under Dr. Mitchell's deanship, lauded her dedication to both rigorous academic standards and the College community.
"Dr. Mitchell's leadership elevated Garrett College's academic standards while ensuring that every decision reflected genuine care for students and faculty alike," said Kapoor. Mitchell, who joined the GC faculty as an associate professor of psychology and education in 1972, became acting dean of academic affairs in 1985. She was appointed permanent dean shortly thereafter, and subsequently added student affairs to her portfolio.
Midcap, who dug into the College's history as part of GC's 50th anniversary in 2022, said there was a recurring theme to his research.
"I found that Dr. Mitchell and President [Stephen] Herman were for decades involved in most of the critical decisions made about the College's strategic direction," said Midcap. "We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude for her service to the College and the community."
