[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E790-E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. SANDRA KURTINITIS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize 
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore 
County, who was recently named the 2012 ``Humanitarian of the Year'' by 
the Optimist Club of Dundalk.
  This prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who serve the 
Dundalk-Edgemere community. As president of the Community College of 
Baltimore County for the past seven years, Dr. Kurtinitis leads the 
largest provider of higher education in the Baltimore region and is 
credited with establishing a leaner executive structure that 
prioritizes the classroom.
  Throughout her tenure at the Community College of Baltimore County, 
Dr. Kurtinitis has gone above and beyond the call of duty to reconnect 
the once fledgling Dundalk campus with the community. As a result of 
Dr. Kurtinitis' efforts, enrollment at the Dundalk campus is thriving, 
having doubled from 2,500 students in 2005 to 5,000 students today.
  Shortly after her arrival, Dr. Kurtinitis worked to place several of 
the college's signature programs on the Dundalk Campus in order to 
attract new students. Under her direction, the school constructed a new 
building to house a new program for dental hygienists and dental 
assistants. In an effort to integrate the school with the surrounding 
community, the facility is open to the public and will offer low-cost 
preventive dental work to more than 2,000 residents each year.
  In addition, Dr. Kurtinitis has overseen a $6 million renovation of 
the campus cafeteria and

[[Page E791]]

library. She also boosted the college's presence at community meetings 
and events, working closely with the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation 
and the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce. The college has begun entering a 
float in the annual Dundalk Independence Day parade, winning awards for 
the past three consecutive years.
  A self-described ``servant leader,'' Dr. Kurtinitis is an experienced 
and respected educator, administrator and author. Before returning to 
Maryland, she served as president of Quinsigamond Community College in 
Massachusetts and, prior, taught English at Prince George's Community 
College for 22 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Dr. Sandra 
Kurtinitis. Her dedication to quality education for all students is an 
inspiration. It is with great admiration and appreciation that I 
congratulate Dr. Kurtinitis on her well-deserved recognition and wish 
her many more years of success.

                          ____________________