Culture and Community
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PORTRAITS WORTH MORE THAN 1,000 WORDS
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The culture of HCC is defined by the spirit of the community that calls Dragon Country home. A thriving artistic community is rare among community colleges—and rarer still is having a designated portrait artist. When it came time to celebrate the naming of the Kahlert Foundation Complex and Thomas P. Clement Hall, portraits from Professor Yifei Gan were the perfect touch.
He worked with HCC photographer (and his former student) Sarah English to capture reference images of Greg Kahlert, Thomas Clement and Wonsook Kim before creating the masterpieces. Gan, a faculty member at the college for over 30 years, has five portraits on display at the college, including the official presidential portraits of HCC Presidents Dr. Dwight Burrill and Dr. Kathleen Hetherington.
BESTSELLER AND BOLD VOICES
For the fourth year, the college presented the Bauder Lecture, an annual endowed author lecture made possible by community leader and Columbia resident, Dr. Lillian Bauder. This year’s lecture featured distinguished bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo, who discussed her book, “Clap When You Land”. Students, employees and members of the community engaged Acevedo and moderator, author celeste doaks, in a conversation about culture, identity, and the artistic process. “Clap When You Land” was selected by the Howard County Book Connection committee as its choice for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Howard County Book Connection is a partnership between the college and the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society.
FALL INTO FUN: HCC’S FAMILY FESTIVAL INSPIRES YOUNG LEARNERS
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In October, the college opened its doors for the second annual Fall for All festival – a free community event featuring games, activities, and festive fall excitement. The event is part of the college’s ongoing efforts to support youth and families across the county. Children introduced to higher education at an early age are more likely to attend college and obtain a degree or credential – and receive the life-changing benefits of a college education. Events like Fall for All are one of the many ways HCC is investing in the future of Howard County.
PRIDE, PERFORMANCE, AND POWER DAZZLE HCC AUDIENCES
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Howard Community College hosted the third annual Drag[on] Extravaganza!, an educational and entertaining drag show in celebration of LGBTQIA+ History Month. Over 200 students, faculty, staff and community members enjoyed a pre-show resource fair and queer vendor market, a panel discussion, LGBTQIA+ history trivia, and an on-stage intermission dance party. The event was made possible in part by the Howard County Arts Council through a grant from the Howard County Government.
FROM HCC TO THE WORLD STAGE
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Dragon Country was proud to cheer on four former students who represented Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Noah Hanssen, Tatyana McFadden, Daniel Romanchuk, and Jessica Stevens were among the twenty-four Maryland athletes in the Paris 2024 delegation.