[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EDUCATORS HONORED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two faculty members 
of the College of Southern Maryland who have been honored by the 
Association of Community College Trustees. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. 
Elaine Ryan, is the recipient of the 2003 Chief Executive Officer Award 
and Professor Bill Morton is the recipient of the 2003 Faculty Member 
Award.
  Mr. Speaker, the ACCT awards program is very competitive at a 
national level. This program annually recognizes the contributions made 
by trustees, chief executives and faculty members. The association is a 
non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing 
more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees.
  Being selected the recipient of the 2003 Chief Executive Officer 
award is a great honor and privilege. Dr. Ryan has devoted over thirty 
years to the College of Southern Maryland and in 1998, was appointed 
the college's third president. She is the first female to hold such 
responsibility at this college. Under her leadership, the community 
college has become a regional institution serving three counties with 
four campuses. According to the 2003 Maryland Higher Education 
Commission Report on Retention, Transfer and Graduation Rates, the 
College of Southern Maryland ranked first in the State for the highest 
four-year graduation and transfer rates among Maryland community 
colleges for its first-time, full-time entering freshman class of 1998. 
This is a significant achievement for the college. Dr. Ryan, as CEO, no 
doubt has had a very active part in making the college as successful as 
it is today. She is admired and respected for her administrative 
ability, intellect, and love of her community. She is very active in 
her community serving on the Governor's Information Technology Board, 
the Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board, the Charles County's 
Vision in Teamwork and Leadership organization and the Board of 
Directors for the Maryland Mentoring Partnerships, as well as many 
other community organizations. She is a role model for many young 
people in the community and has been nationally recognized for her 
efforts in education.
  No college can be successful without the intelligent and caring men 
and women who strive everyday to make a difference in the lives of 
today's youth. Having professors who love to teach students is what 
makes a college the best that it can be. Professor Bill Morton has been 
recognized by the ACCT for his innovative instruction in accounting, 
economics and management. He is a pioneer in his field, utilizing 
distance learning through broadcast and video-based telecourses, 
interactive television, online courses, and cooperative education. He 
has devoted thirteen years to educating youth at the College of 
Southern Maryland. He believes that the only way to teach students is 
to reach students. Morton integrates his own life lessons into his 
teachings by drawing on his fifteen years of military and private 
sector experience. In 2000, the Association of Collegiate Business 
Schools and Programs (Region 2) awarded Morton the Teaching Excellence 
Award. For the past two years, the faculty at CSM selected the 
professor to receive the Faculty Excellence Award. Morton's expertise 
in his subject, positive attitude toward his students, and passion for 
teaching draw admiration from his peers and pupils alike.
  On this day, I would like to recognize these individuals for their 
achievements in the field of education. Teaching is one of the most 
important professions in our Nation today and it is important to 
recognize those outstanding teachers for educating our Nation's youth 
and inspiring them to succeed in life. Dr. Elaine Ryan and Professor 
Bill Morton have worked hard to achieve this outstanding award 
presented by the ACCT. Their dedicated service to the College of 
Southern Maryland, to their profession and to their community has 
benefited and enriched the lives of so many. Southern Maryland is 
fortunate to have such committed professionals and we all thank and 
congratulate them for a job well done.

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