April 18, 2008

Alumnus of the Year and six new Distinguished Alumni to be recognized

(Columbia, MD) – Howard Community College (HCC) will honor its newest group of Distinguished Alumni at Commencement exercises on May 16, 2008 on campus. They will join former Distinguished Alumni from 2001 - 2007 in the processional. 

Distinguished Alumni are selected as part of an annual recognition program that honors top graduates of HCC who have gone on to achieve both professional and personal distinction.

Special recognition goes to Kevin Preston, who has been named the 2008 HCC Alumnus of the Year.  A Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, Kevin has held numerous diverse and enriching assignments over his 22-year career, including command at both the company and battalion levels.  He has performed extensive work in the development of Bosnia and continues to play an active role in that country.  He has over twenty-five military awards and decorations, including two Meritorious Service medals.  Kevin is currently director of domestic disaster and continuity operations with the Maryland National Guard in Reistertown, Maryland.    In addition to his military duties, he has been a guest lecturer at colleges and high schools, has taught as a substitute teacher in the Howard County School System, has performed in many community theater productions, and is the organizer of a community 5K road race as well as the co-organizer of the military segment of the annual Longfellow Fourth of July parade. At HCC, Kevin was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honorary society and earned an associate of arts degree in business.  He went on to earn B.B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from Loyola College where he is currently completing coursework for an M.B.A. degree.

The HCC Distinguished Alumni of 2008 are:
Janelle M. Broderick, Facilities Coordinator, Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center; Assistant Production Manager, The Student Arts Collective
Margot B. Chaffee, Elementary EducationTeacher, Laurel Elementary School
Chiara C. D’Amore, Senior Associate, ICF International, Energy and Resources Practice
Linda C. Olson, Charge Nurse, Assisted Living Unit, Fairhaven
Keira A. Saunders, Police Sergeant, Baltimore City Police Department
M. Courtney Watson, Vice President, Sales, Rossman-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc.; Chairperson, Howard County Council