Graduates from the past 59 years at Baltimore City Community College will come together for the college?s fourth all-classes reunion gala on Friday.
The college, which started with 53 students in 1947 as an institution for returning World War II veterans, has graduated more than 30,000 students since its first year. About 500 alumni are expected to attend the reunion.
“This all-classes reunion is so strong because it encompasses people who may be in their 60s or 70s right there with the class of 2006,” said Herbert Sledge, the college?s interim vice president for institutional advancement. “It?s a unique opportunity for alumni from all these years to connect at this one fun event.”
The college, which graduates more Baltimore City residents than any other college or university in Maryland, has changed drastically throughout the years. In 1992, the school became the only community college in Maryland to be run by the state.
“Through the years, the college has taken a goal of aligning its academic program with degrees and programs that are quite in demand,” Sledge said. “The purpose of the community college system is to enable students to do their first two years and then transfer as a junior to a four-year university.”
The school has many famous and successful graduates, including Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson; former U.S. Congressman and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume; State Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-43rd District; and Baltimore City Sheriff John Anderson.
“There are so many professionals out there that the college has helped to excel tremendously,” Sledge said. “Our graduates are successful; they can become a well-known media personality or even a millionaire.”
Baltimore radio talk show host Eddie Applefeld, an alumnus of the college and co-chair of the reunion, said his time spent at the college helped prepare him for a four-year university and his future career.
“As far as I?m concerned, it was two of the best years I ever spent at school,” said Applefeld, who was a broadcast major at the college. “It gave me a good foundation for my career, which I?m still in. I had fun and enjoyed all of my classes and was sorry when it was time to move on.”
The reunion is a kick-off celebration for the college?s anniversary in February.
“It?s not only a party but an event to say thank you to the graduates, and prepare the graduates for a year of celebration next year for the 60th anniversary,” Sledge said.
IF YOU GO
Baltimore City Community College?s all-class reunion gala is being held from 7 to 11 p.m Friday at The Forum, 4210 Primrose Ave., Baltimore. Tickets are $50; call 410-985-5450 for reservations.
