HCC welcomes 2012/ 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Dan Schrider, as this year's commencement speaker.  Mr. Schrider, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sandy Spring Bank, will address the largest graduating class in the college's 42 year history at this year's commencement on May 21 at Merriweather Post Pavilion.  Alumni and the greater community are welcome to attend commencement activites at 2 p.m. and the Nursing Recognition and Pinning Ceremony held earlier that day at 10:00 a.m.  HCC continues to be one of the fastest growing community colleges in Maryland, and expects to award more than 1,200 degrees/ certificates this year.  

Click here to learn more about Dan Schrider and click here for directions to Merriweather Post Pavilion. 

HCC alumni are invited to contribute "$40 for 4.0" to the 2013 Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship.  The award is given to a select number of extraordinary new graduates who challenged themselves with a rigorous academic curriculum and attained a 4.0 GPA.  HCC relies on the generosity of alumni and community friends to provide scholarship funding for students based on financial need and academic performance.  Please make your gift by May 17 online at www.howardcc.edu/giving or by sending your contribution to: Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Award for Excellence, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044.  Please designate your gift to the HCCEF Award for Academic Excellence.  Contact Jason Copley, associate director of development with questions at alumni@howardcc.edu or 443-518-1970.

New benefits added for Alumni Association LIFETIME members.  Zips Dry Cleaners is now offering a 10% discount to alumni who present their ID card (Little Patuxent Parkway location).  In addition, United Legal Benefits has recently offered a discount on their Group Legal Plan.  To visit the Alumni Association page and view a full list of Alumni Association LIFETIME member benefits click here. 

Alumnus Joaness Christie is leading a new generation of food trucks in Howard county with her business, La Pearl Waffles.  Joaness, a 2007 graduate of HCC, is on a mission to bring the real Belgian waffle to the United States.  Joaness was born in the United States, but spent several years of her childhood in Belgium before moving back to the U.S. and graduating from Oakland Mills High School.  Growing up, she could never find a waffle that tasted like the ones she remembered from her childhood in Belgium.  At HCC, she entered the Entrepreneurship program and won first place in the Rocket Marketing Pitch contest for her Belgian waffle business idea.  She credits the beginnings of her business to the education, experience and mentorship she received at HCC.  After HCC, Joaness built her waffle company by setting up booths at special events.  During this time she attended and graduated from University of Maryland University College in 2011.  With sweat equity and help from friends and family, she bought her first food truck in 2012.  Joaness says that business is going great and she sells dozens of waffles a day.  Using Facebook, Twitter and a large waffle graphic on her truck, Joaness has amassed a group of loyal customers.  Stay tuned for more information about Joaness and how she built her business.  To find out where Joaness and her truck will be next, visit www.lapearlwaffles.com .

www.howardcc.edu/alumni