Campus News
October 6th, 2026
Mission Accomplished!
Garrett College Athletics Capital Campaign raises more than $900K
Photo by John Rudd
Garrett College (GC) and the Garrett College Foundation (GCF) celebrated the successful completion of the Athletics Capital Campaign and officially opened the renovated 700 Building as the Outdoor Sports Center on Tuesday morning. Pictured, left to right, are (back row): GC Facilities Director Chris Painter, GCF Director Dick Carroll, GC Administrative Athletics Director Eric Hallenbeck, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce President Nick Sharps, GC President Dr. Richard Midcap, GC Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development Julie Yoder, Garrett County Administrator Kevin Null, Maryland State Senator Mike McKay, Maryland State Delegate Jim Hinebaugh, GC Chief Academic Officer Professor Christa Bowser, (front row) GCF Executive Director Cherie Krug, GC Trustee Kurt Heckman, GC Trustees’ Vice-Chair Karen Myers, GC Dean of Administrative Services Lisa Nichols, GCF Board Chair Carissa Rodeheaver, GC Chief Electrician Eric Swearengen, GC Trustees’ Chair Jason Rush, GCF Directors Ellen Callahan, Carolyn Deniker, and Linda Harris, GC Operations Athletics Director Elizabeth Show, and GCF Directors Julie Mead and Julia Hoffmann.
Barely 16 months after launch, Garrett College and the Garrett College Foundation celebrated an Athletics Capital Campaign that raised nearly double its initial goal.
“The Garrett College Foundation, in collaboration with College administration, set a $500,000 goal for an Athletics Capital Campaign,” Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, told a President’s Circle Breakfast Tuesday morning. “Our donors have given over $900,000 in gifts and pledges, with more still coming in.”
Midcap noted the donor outpouring was “the final piece of the puzzle” in an initiative to renovate the 700 Building to support GC’s expanding intercollegiate athletic program.
Garrett County Government provided $3.5 million, the Garrett College Board of Trustees authorized $2.8 million from the College’s reserves, and the Governor’s Miscellaneous Capital Fund allocated the remaining $307,000. The Athletics Capital Campaign funding is helping to offset some of the College reserve funds used in the project.
Jason Rush, chair of the Garrett College Board of Trustees, thanked the Garrett County Commissioners, State Senator Mike McKay (District 1) and State Delegate Jim Hinebaugh (District 1A), the Garrett College Foundation, and the donors for their roles in the project.
“The Board of Trustees enthusiastically endorsed the 700 Renovation because we shared the College administration’s strategic vision,” said Rush. “We believe this project is an investment in Garrett College’s future that will help the College continue to grow enrollment and ensure its fiscal sustainability.”
Delegate Hinebaugh said expanding intercollegiate athletics to grow enrollment has been an extremely effective strategy for the College.
“At a time when a lot of community colleges are struggling to stay viable, Garrett College is thriving,” said Hinebaugh.
Garrett County Commissioner Larry Tichnell highlighted the College’s important role in the community, noting the College “plays a major part in the County’s success.”
Senator McKay thanked the donors to the capital campaign.
“The Garrett College Foundation’s generous donors create important opportunities for the College’s students,” said McKay. “Investing in the College is an investment in our future.”
Midcap noted that, in addition to growing enrollment, the expansion of intercollegiate athletics has “enriched our campus community for everyone.”
“The vast majority of our athletes are out-of-county and out-of-state students who pay premium tuition rates and provide residence hall income, which helps the College provide a wide range of programs and services for Garrett County students,” said Midcap. “Just as important, athletes from other areas of the state, other regions of the country, and other places around the world help the College create a richer, more vibrant campus environment for all of our students.”
Donors to the Athletics Capital Campaign – which was led by Garrett College Foundation Executive Director Cherie Krug along with Foundation staff Janet Kepple and Kearstin Hinebaugh, and the GCF Board of Directors – secured all 25 major naming opportunities. The only remaining component of the campaign is a locker-naming initiative that is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
An official ribbon-cutting took place and tours of the renovated 700 Building were provided to President’s Circle members at the conclusion of the breakfast.