MCCC Press Release

Dr. Patricia C. Donohue Installed as Fifth President
of Mercer County Community College

Dr. Patricia C. Donohue was formally installed as the fifth president and first woman president of Mercer County Community College on May 4 at a ceremony at the college's Conference Center. Dr. Beverly Richardson, vice president for College Advancement and provost of Mercer's James Kerney Campus, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Dr. Donohue, who most recently was president of Luzerne County College in Pennsylvania, was escorted into the auditorium by a procession of robed college faculty and staff members and invited dignitaries.

In the remarks of Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, he recalled that his father, former Governor Richard J. Hughes,signed the legislation that made community colleges a reality in New Jersey.

Podium guests and speakers included, from left, Montgomery County Community College (PA) President Dr. Karen Stout, MCCC Adjunct Faculty Representative Margaret Rosen, President Donohue, MCCC Faculty Association President Robert Pugh and MCCC Board Chair Anthony Cimino.

Speaking for the higher education community were Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein, president of The College of New Jersey, Dr. Karen Stout, president of Montgomery County Community College, and Dr. Lawrence Nespoli, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

Leaders of the college's faculty and staff associations spoke for their respective groups, and Student Government President Whitney Potts spoke for the student body. Student musicians included guitarists Laura Henry and Steven Fornal. A vocal selection was sung by student Elizabeth Boyle, and the college's jazz quartet performed with Professor James Kelly.

Anthony Cimino, chair of the MCCC Board of Trustees, presented Dr. Donohue with the presidential medallion. In her acceptance speech Dr. Donohue stressed the many ways that community colleges are "creating the future" for students, the workforce and the community. She said "The community college mission is to provide access and excellence in educational opportunities, to nurture students, and to support economic and community development."

Following the installation, guests enjoyed a reception in the Conference Center atrium that featured delicacies prepared by the college's culinary students. Mercer students also served at the event as videographers, photographers, facilitators and floral designers.

Before her tenure at Luzerne, Dr. Donohue served as vice chancellor for education at St. Louis Community College and acting president of St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. At Harrisburg Area Community College Dr. Donohue was vice president of external affairs and community development, interim dean of the Lebanon Campus, and dean of the School of Business, Engineering and Technology.

Mercer County Community College serves more than 13,000 credit students each year in addition to thousands more in noncredit courses, workplace training, youth programs and children's summer camps.

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