La Plata, MD – Dr. Bradley Gottfried has sat before the Charles County Commissioners many times over the past decade, but Tuesday, March 7 was his last time he would address the board as president of the College of Southern Maryland.
“This is my last presentation before you,” Gottfried said. “My wife and I intend to remain in Charles County at Cobb Island.”
From there, he began talking about where the college has been and where it’s going.
“This has little to do with me, I just happen to have been president for 11 years,” Gottfried noted. “This is the work of the community.”
In the past 10 years, enrollment in The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has increased from 21,000 to more than 25,000. “It is our goal that every individual, no matter of their background, feels comfortable at the college and is well served,” Gottfried explained. “Our diversity has expanded. For us, it’s all about student successes, whether in a credit or non-credit area.”
Gottfried said when he graduated from college, opportunities to further education were not as abundant as now. Students who graduate from CSM with a 3.0 grade point average are guaranteed a spot at College Park. He added the college formed a partnership with the Navy at Pax River, where the government was having problems securing engineers. “Over the last eight years we have been growing our own,” he said. “Once these students have graduated, the Navy has a job for them.”
Indian Head is developing a similar program, Gottfried stated.
The college’s new Center for Trades and Energy facility is scheduled to open April 25 and added that the college’s new regional campus, “will transform Hughesville.
“I believe downtown Hughesville will be revitalized,” he said.
“Much of what happened couldn’t have been done without you or your leadership,” Charles County Commissioner President Peter Murphy [D] told Gottfried.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Gottfried responded. “I ask you to continue to support this college, this gem. People are working because of this college.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com