Prince George’s Community College Hosts 65th Commencement
Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) will host their 65th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, with more than 1,500 students expected to graduate – 369 with honors and 179 from PGCC’s Early and Middle College Programs.
“We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2024,” said President Falecia D. Williams, Ed.D. “We are proud of these students. This achievement represents countless hours of hard work and determination. Our commitment to student success drives everything we do, and it’s a joy to see our graduates reach this milestone. Congratulations to the PGCC Class of 2024.”
Daisy Navarro, a first-generation Mexican-American student who began attending PGCC in 2020, will serve as the Distinguished Graduate Speaker. A member of several campus organizations including Women of Wisdom (W.O.W.), Trio, and STEM Collegian Center, Navarro was awarded the Prince George’s Community College Science Achievement Award. She plans to transfer to the University of Maryland, College Park and eventually become a doctor to give back to her community.
PGCC President Williams, Board of Trustees Chair Tomeka Bumbry, and Executive Vice President and Provost of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Clayton Railey, Ph.D. will also serve as speakers during the commencement.
Detroit Pistons General Manager Troy Weaver recently donated $250,000 to provide academic scholarships for 10 students residing in the 20785 zip code to attend PGCC.
“As a proud PGCC graduate, I am honored to assist the next generation of PGCC students with their education,” said Weaver. “Prince George’s Community College provided me with the foundation I needed to succeed on my path to the NBA.”
“We are grateful to Troy Weaver for providing generous support to our students,” said President Williams. “Student success is paramount at our College, and this funding allows students to achieve their dreams without worrying about financial constraints.”
For more information about the PGCC commencement, go to pgcc.edu and to learn more about the Troy Weaver Scholarship, go to: usw2.nyl.
Frederick Douglass High School Reunion
Editor’s Note: Due to inclement weather, the reunion was postponed to May 25.
Frederick Douglass High School (FDHS) is hosting an inaugural all-class reunion for alumni of all ages on May 18, in an event that will include a live DJ, vendor tables, a car show, and the chance to meet new neighbors and old friends.
The first school in Prince George’s County dedicated to educating Black students, FDHS also boasts an impressive list of successful alumni. Some notable Douglass’ Eagles are: Maryland State Delegates Kent Roberson (D- District 25) and Debra Davis (D- District 26); County Councilmember Sydney Harrison (D- District 9); former Delegates Beatrice Tignor and Susie Proctor; former Board of Education Chair R. Owen Johnson; and NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman.
“Just as one of the goals of a family reunion is to bring family together, class reunions do the same. Class reunions are a time for friends to gather from near and far to share old memories and create new ones,” FDHS Alumni Association President Aaron D. Person told The Informer.
Celebrating the 100th year that this school has been educating Black students in Prince George’s was a major reason for celebration, and the gathering will also serve as an opportunity to collect shoes to donate.
The alumni association is advocating to relocate a Prince George’s County Civil Rights Trail plaque that is dedicated to the school to the former schoolhouse site in Upper Marlboro by petition.
In the meantime, the all-class reunion is one way FDHS is working to celebrate and continue to spread the school’s long legacy.
“The reunion we have planned for May 18 is going to bring in Eagles dating back to classes from the late ’50s all the way up to the class of 2024, who will graduate on May 20,” said Person. “This will give the younger Eagles a chance to connect with and hear the stories from the older Eagles. It’s an opportunity to get first-hand accounts of how life was from our living historians.”
To learn more about the FDHS Alumni Association, go to fdhsaauppermarlboro.org.