Campus News
May 14th, 2024
Herman, Mitchell honored by GC faculty
Student awards named for President Emeritus and Dean Emerita
President Emeritus Dr. Stephen Herman, right, and Dean Emerita Dr. Lillian Mitchell are being recognized by Garrett College with student commencement awards being named in their honor.
Dr. Stephen Herman and Dr. Lillian Mitchell – two of the most impactful administrators in Garrett College history – are being honored by the Garrett College faculty.
Two student awards given annually at commencement have been named for Herman, the College's seventh president, and Mitchell, a long-time dean who later served on the Garrett College Board of Trustees. The awards will now be known as the Dr. Stephen J. Herman Leadership & Excellence Award and the Dr. Lillian R. Mitchell Inspiration & Excellence Award.
The renamed awards will be given for the first time at this year's commencement, scheduled for this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Edwards Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex gymnasium.
"I want to commend the faculty on their decision to honor Dr. Herman and Dr. Mitchell," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president. "They both played such significant and positive roles in the development of Garrett College."
"I am truly honored to have the Inspiration Award named after me," said Mitchell. "I remember – in the olden days – when the faculty was nominating someone for this award, it really made us think about who truly deserved this special recognition."
"I am so honored and touched to have an award presented to a student leader in my name," said Herman. "As president of our Garrett College for nearly 20 years, I know how important it is for leaders to listen and welcome ideas from members of their communities. As a leader it is also important to expand on and implement their suggestions when feasible." Herman is GC's longest-serving president, having held office from 1986 to 2006. He played a key role, along with then-Garrett County Economic Development Director Jim Hinebaugh, in creating and implementing the Garrett College Scholarship Program that was one of the first "free community college" programs in the country.
Mitchell's 32-year Garrett College career included service as a faculty member and administrator before being appointed to the Board of Trustees. She served as dean of academic affairs, later adding student affairs to her administrative portfolio.
Not surprisingly, both have earned a myriad of honors connected with their time at Garrett College. Herman is the College's only President Emeritus, Mitchell is a Dean Emerita, and both won the Board of Trustees Award for Outstanding Contributions to Garrett College.
Mitchell, who still lives in Garrett County, will be in attendance at commencement to present the award named in her honor. Herman – who now lives with his wife, Dr. Gail Herman, in Massachusetts – will be unable to attend.
